Teaching math to English as a Second Language, or ESL, students can be trickier than it first appears. Many teachers think of numbers as a universal language, and to a certain extent, they can be. However, you'll need to consider your ESL students' prior exposure to math, the context in which they learned numbers and their recognition of English vocabulary that pertains to numbers when preparing a math lesson for these learners. If you take ESL students' special needs into consideration, you may find that your students enjoy your class more than any other, as they will have the opportunity to work independently and successfully with a system that is familiar and accessible.
Step 1
Preteach the vocabulary needed for the math lesson. For beginning ESL students, this may mean that you must teach the spelling and pronunciation of numbers. Students who are already familiar with numbers will still need to be taught math content vocabulary, such as "integers," "fraction" and "exponent."
Step 2
Evaluate your ESL students' knowledge of the concept. If you are teaching a lesson about exponents, write an example on the board and ask students to tell you if they are familiar with the concept. Beginning ESL students can raise their hands if they have seen the material before and complete a brief warmup with a sample problem so that you can quickly assess if the majority of your students have any prior knowledge of the material.
Step 3
Use manipulatives in your math lessons whenever possible. Manipulatives reduce the need for verbal explanations, as you can use them to demonstrate a concept. Students can also use the manipulatives to practice a mathematical concept. This is especially important when you are teaching beginning ESL students, although manipulatives benefit all students.
Step 4
Use comprehensible input when you are explaining a concept. Check for student understanding by asking him to repeat explanations and directions back to you in English using his own words. Allow students plenty of time to respond, as they are not only explaining a mathematical concept, but are mentally translating their response into English.
Step 5
Set up frequent group activities using a mixed ability grouping. This will enable students who are able to grasp the concept to assist other students who are not, sometimes in their home language.
Tips and Warnings
- Keep in mind that your ESL students may be unfamiliar with US currency. Teach the basics about the currency before assigning work that deals with money.
- Do not assume that students who are in advanced grades are familiar with basic math concepts. Many beginning ESL students come from environments where schooling was sporadic or entirely inaccessible. On the other hand, some ESL students may be very proficient in math. These students can become frustrated when they have difficulty progressing in their studies due to language issues.
Things You'll Need
- Math manipulatives
