The College of Education announces the final Dissertation of

Adoración Berry

for the degree of Doctor of Education

November 2, 2016 at 1:00 pm in 108M Jones Hall

Major Advisor: Deborah Lowther, PhD

Examining higher education faculty beliefs and practices regarding World-Readiness Standards for Learning Languages

ABSTRACT: This study examined the extent to which higher education foreign language faculty beliefs about learning languages were consistent with their instructional practices, as recommended by the World Readiness Standards for Learning Language. The research was guided by four research questions and data were collected with a quantitative survey completed by 59 participants. Findings suggest faculty believed the Standards were important, however these beliefs were not reflected in self-reports of instructional practices. The study outcomes also revealed faculty reported benefits and barriers that have implications for faculty professional development and policy changes to improve foreign languages instruction.