Challenges that English Language Learners at College Level Encounter When Studying Mathematics
Akram BaddouraA large number of students who are non-native speakers of English are expected to undertake the dual task of learning a new language and mathematics subject matter simultaneously. Teachers of these English Language Learners, ELLs, are aware of the fact that language plays a major role in learning mathematics. Evidence has shown that ELLs do not perform as well as their counterpart native English speakers in subjects such as mathematics and sciences.
The limitations of language lead to limitations of learning mathematical concepts especially when ELLs are expected to be able to understand and solve real-world exercises and problems. The issue becomes more critical and challenging when a non-native speaker of English has only started learning the language at a later stage of his/her educational journey as in college or freshman level and s/he is supposed to study a mathematics course at the same time.
Some of the difficulties that ELLs face when learning mathematics are:
1- Mathematical terms do not always translate as they should.
2- Exercises, examples and problems given in the mathematics course may not be relevant to learners’ lives.
3- Word problems always represent a real challenge to ELLs.
4- Learners have no experience with different systems of measurements used in different cultures.
Therefore, there seems to be a need for some collaboration between teachers of mathematics and teachers of English. This kind of collaboration will enable the learners to comprehend better the mathematical concepts that they are learning, and at the same time develop their language communication skills.
To achieve such collaboration, teachers on both sides must:
1- Be aware of the learning outcomes of each other’s course.
2- Keep these goals in the back of their minds when planning and teaching their subject matter to enhance the learning process with relevant examples.
3- Be able to develop a scheme or a model of what we may call an “Integrated curriculum” where optimally teachers can teach common learning outcomes.
Math teachers – when was the last time you sat with your colleagues from English?
English teachers – when was the last time you sat with your Math colleagues?
We are one team aiming for the success of our students in English AND Math. Working together we can achieve it better.
