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where the study was conducted. AIT information gathered through
interviews and participant observation remains anonymous. It is
presented in such a way as to preclude identification of informants
or other participants.
Hypotheses and Research Questions
Hypothesis One
Using standardized written and oral measurements, students judged
to be more proficient in Spanish will be found to make significantly
more progress in learning English than students who are determined to be
less proficient in Spanish. Research questions: For these students,
is there a relationship between first language ability and second
language acquisition? Does greater ability in first language facilitate
the acquisition of the second?
Hypothesis Two
Students whose parents, family members, relatives, and other
significant community members are reinforcing learning by their
behavior will make more progress toward acquiring English skills as
measured by ethnographic means than students whose parents, family
members, relatives, and significant community members do not. The
research question: What is happening at home and in the community
and the school environment that is inhibiting or facilitating the
acquisition of English?