Building positive identities in high school newcomers with the 6+1 trait writing model.

Abstract

Schools in the United States are faced with an influx of adolescent English language learners (ELLs). To help with positive identity development for ELLs, welcoming environments can support the process of acculturation. Writing can also assist in building an ELL’s identity. The purpose of this project was the creation of a curriculum which will help build cross-cultural identity in ELLs using the 6+1 Trait Writing Model. The impact of cultural differences can be integrated via cross-cultural education in high school using this approach. This curriculum is specifically for newcomer ELLs and uses a multidimensional acculturation model as its framework. It grapples with the challenges the ELLs may face in school and is applied with the 6+1 trait for literacy identity development. The students can express their identities and culture in experience-based comparisons between first language (L1) and second language (L2) cultures in writing.