20 Math and ELA Tools that Support English Language Learners (2024)

FAQs

How do you support ELL learners in math? ›

A home language survey is by far the most common means and tool to determine who might or might not be an English learner (EL). It is intended as a means for determining who should be assessed.

Math can be a challenging subject area for ELL students, so it's important for teachers to provide accommodations and make adaptations to the curriculum. Some strategies for adapting a math curriculum for ELL students include: Explicitly teaching math vocabulary by using illustrated word walls and the Frayer model.

Mango Languages focuses on four components of language learning: vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and culture. The last one is particularly important one, as students shouldn't just memorize a new language but also understand where it's coming from.

Integrating literacy activities into mathematics classes helps clarify concepts and can make mathematics more meaningful and interesting. Teachers can use a wide variety of literature, including trade books, texts and fiction.

Because mathematics is the same all over the world, math can act as a universal language. A phrase or formula has the same meaning, regardless of another language that accompanies it. In this way, math helps people learn and communicate, even if other communication barriers exist.

Difficulties that ELLs face when learning mathematics:

Math is not spirally taught in many cultures. So students may not know a lot about geometry, for example. Many students have never seen or worked with manipulatives. They may not take a lesson using manipulatives seriously.

What strategies could you use to help your ELLs gain academic language? ›

Experts suggest taking a four-pronged approach when teaching academic language to ELs by providing opportunities for these students to learn the terminology through listening, speaking, reading, and writing. This is best practice with all students, but especially students who are not native English speakers.

ELL students should be provided equitable access to the curriculum through the use of accommodations. Some accommodations to provide for ELL students in reading include reduced reading load, vocabulary instruction, pre-reading strategies, graphic organizers, and reading strategies.

There are several common strategies used by ELA (English language arts) teachers. These may include differentiating and predicting, reciprocal teaching, questioning and clarifying, and summarizing.

The seven steps are: (1) Reading and/or listening to a story; (2) Defining and visualizing words; (3) Identifying parts of speech; (4) Categorizing words; (5) Completing cloze activities; (6) Producing a skit or creating a visual; and (7) Playing a word game with new words.

For math, some common accommodations include providing math tools such as rulers and compasses, allowing students to use graphic organizers to organize their thoughts, and breaking down math problems into smaller steps.

Each of the 4 skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing has an important role to play.

When we say that someone 'speaks' a language fluently, we usually mean that they have a high level in all four skills – listening, speaking, reading and writing.

What are the tools and techniques? ›

A tool is a specific, tangible item such as a template or software program, used in performing an activity to produce a product or result. A technique is a defined systematic procedure to produce one or more outputs, which may also use one or more tools.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is the international standard for defining the proficiency of language learners. On a six-point scale of ability, it describes what learners should be able to as they progress in language learning.

Assessment tools aid in assessing and evaluating student learning and can provide different options to assess students beyond the traditional exam. Several tools are available including grading rubrics , Canvas Assignments , plagiarism detection, self-assessment, and peer assessment, surveys, and classroom polling.

A Guide to Types of Assessment: Diagnostic, Formative, Interim, and Summative.

One way to incorporate literacy with math is to do a math-based read-aloud with your students. While reading, stop to ask questions and discuss the book. This can spark problem-solving conversations among students. They will have so much fun with math-related conversations!

Scientists at the University of Washington discovered that having a talent for mastering languages is a better predictor for learning to code than basic numeracy or math knowledge. Are you interested in learning to program? It might be more beneficial to exercise your language skills than mastering mathematics.

One way to integrate inquiry-based math learning with literacy is to use books, stories, poems, or articles that involve mathematical ideas or problems. You can ask students to read, discuss, and write about the texts, and then pose questions or challenges that require them to apply their math skills and strategies.

Burns (n.d) mentioned three characteristics of mathematical language. These are being precise, being concise, and being powerful. Precision of mathematical language means the language is able to make very fine distinctions about and between things. Conciseness is the ability to say things briefly.

What are the 4 basic concepts of mathematical language and symbols? ›

There are four basic concepts considered in mathematical language. These are set, relation, function, and binary operations.

For example, the Greek letter 'pi', written π, is used to represent the number 3.14159.... This number continues forever without repeating. We often use α ('alpha'), β ('beta'), and θ ('theta') to represent angles. The positioning of numbers and symbols in relation to each other also gives meaning.

The math and reading connection exists because both require an ability to read and comprehend. Strong reading and comprehension skills are necessary to extract important pieces of information, dismiss that which is extraneous, and to draw conclusions. In math, drawing conclusions involves finding the solution.

Math is a powerful tool that will help you create more compelling narratives. Even if you never use any numbers in your writing, a familiarity with mathematical concepts can have enormous benefits. Many writers condition themselves to be fearful of mathematics. It's important for writers to resist that inclination.

Brainstorm and list activities around the theme you have selected. You should then focus on the English language learning in activities. Talk with subject teachers about suitable activities and collectively decide on the vocabulary and communication skills that you want students to develop.

Mathematics scores increase simultaneously with English proficiency but inversely with grade level. Grade level moderates the influence of English proficiency on mathematics scores.

Provide word banks. Instruct student to match items. Have student complete fill-in-the-blank exercises with the word list provided . Give multiple-choice tests.

Accommodations are typically grouped into four categories: presentation, response, setting, and timing and scheduling.

Being unable to communicate with their teachers and peers can cause the student to feel isolated or even make them a target for bullies. This can have long-term effects on their self-confidence and ability to integrate into society.

What are some of the factors that affect ELLs success in mathematics? ›

Difficulties that ELLs face when learning mathematics:

formation of numbers varies from culture to culture • use of decimal point and comma vary from culture to culture • Students have no experience with our measurement system; it is an abstract to them. Math is not spirally taught in many cultures.

One of the best interventions for ELL students is small group instruction or partnered activities. Small groups provide a safe environment for the student.

For example, the Greek letter 'pi', written π, is used to represent the number 3.14159.... This number continues forever without repeating. We often use α ('alpha'), β ('beta'), and θ ('theta') to represent angles. The positioning of numbers and symbols in relation to each other also gives meaning.

Thus English and mathematics as languages are similar and yet different. They both are languages of signs and symbols which combine to “words” “sentences” and “stories”. These “stories”have a grammar, which is universal and hence makes them languages of international communication.

ELLs need direct instruction for new vocabulary words, as well as multiple opportunities to interact and use the words in writing and speaking. Beginning readers must use the words they hear orally to make sense of the words they sound out.

Some strategies for accommodating ELL students in social studies include building background knowledge, pre-teaching vocabulary, promoting interactive reading and peer interactions, and using supplemental materials during instruction.

Good language learners pay attention to meaning. They have good techniques to practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing. They push themselves to speak and try to become fluent. They look for opportunities to talk with native speakers.

How do you create lesson plans that meet the needs of ELL students? ›