Supporting ELL students’ math development is, in some ways, similar to supporting that of native English speakers. However, there are some additional strategies that will help English language learners to grow in their math concepts and skills at the same time as they grow in their English language skills.
Encourage Math Development in ESL Students’ First Language
Research shows that students who develop proficiency in math in their primary language will have greater success in becoming proficient in math in the second language. Whenever possible, it is a good strategy to teach math skills in ESL students’ primary language at the same time that they are learning these concepts in English.
Parents of ESL students should be encouraged to teach math concepts to their children in their home language. Homework, while presented in English, can be discussed in the home language in order to broaden knowledge acquisition in the primary language.
Support ESL Math Development by Linking Math Instruction to Language Domains
Just as with literacy and with science and social studies content areas, teachers working with ESL students need to address all four of the language domains: reading, writing, listening, speaking.
- Be explicit in teaching math vocabulary.
- Keep story problems simple, but differentiate the difficulty of the numbers used in the problems.
- Create story problems using specific vocabulary that is within students' known skill range.
- Model strategies students can use to explain their thinking as they solve problems (ex. drawing pictures, using symbols such as dots or tallies, or using number lines).
- Provide opportunities for students to listen to other students explain their strategies and mathematical thinking.
- Allow students to verbalize their mathematical thinking one-on-one to other students or to the teacher, rather than always in front of the large group.
- Model how students can invent and write their own story problems.
- Provide anchor charts with math vocabulary that students can refer to when writing story problems or explaining their mathematical thinking.
Tap into a Variety of Learning Modalities to Teach Math to English Language Learners
Young children, whether ELLs or native English speakers, need to work with more than just worksheets to learn and understand math concepts. Utilizing multiple learning modalities will help all students to develop a deeper understanding of number concepts and relationships, but is especially helpful for English language learners.
- Provide a variety of manipulatives, such as counting chips, 1 inch blocks, and linking or unifix cubes.
- Teach rote concepts through songs, rhythmic stanzas, or even rap.
- Use movement to reinforce number order and other math concepts.
- Provide materials and time to explore math concepts through drawing and simple art projects.
- Access technology: provide time for students to use problem solving and skill building programs on the computer; let even young students explore calculators.
Differentiate Math Homework for ESL Students
Parents of students learning English as their second language seem to especially appreciate homework as a means of connecting with their child’s education. However, homework can be frustrating for both child and parents when the English is too complex.
Just as a teacher will differentiate instruction and in-class assignments for students, it can be very beneficial to ESL students to differentiate homework assignments. Sometimes this will mean providing more algorithmic (or “naked number” problems) worksheets than story problems. Or it may mean making sure that language-based math problems are very simple and straightforward in both language and format.
English language learners have a double-whammy when it comes to mathematics instruction. They must learn new concepts in a variety of math strands (number concepts, algebraic thinking, geometry, measurement, etc.) at the same time that they are learning a new language. Some ESL students already have a good grasp of mathematical knowledge, but need support to express their thinking in English. But many students are still learning basic concepts.
By encouraging math acquisition in the primary language, linking math to the four domains (reading, writing, speaking, listening), utilizing multiple learning modalities, and differentiating both in-class and homework assignments, teachers can support English language learners and help these young students to be successful in math.
Check out these articles for more info on teaching English language learners:
- "Supporting ESL Students in Inclusive Classrooms"
- "Adapting Math Story Problems for ESL Students"
- "Money and Kids in the Elementary Classroom"
Margaret M. Williams - Margaret M. Williams (Peggy) has been a teacher for over 25 years. She currently teaches first grade in a classroom that combines native ...
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