Our+Research

Our Research In order to teach our ESL students more successfully in Math, we must first understand //how// to teach second language learners. Researchers have identified several strategies (or areas of impact) to employ in the ESL Math classroom that enable students to grow conceptually, as well as in their second language.

Vocabulary
Vocabulary instruction is a way for teachers to introduce new concepts as well as new language. This can be done by discussing vocabulary words key to the mathematical concept the teacher is presenting. Exploring specific academic terms like algorithm starts a sequence of lessons on larger math concepts and builds the student’s background knowledge. Below are some strategies teachers can use in the classroom to enhance student content vocabulary: []
 * Introduce new concepts through the use of essential academic vocabulary.
 * Use pictures and videos to present new vocabulary.
 * Build vocabulary on students prior knowledge
 * Engage beginning-level students in using basic social & school vocabulary, phrases, & sentence structures. As students progress, continue to contextualize instruction of more complex language forms & uses: subject-specific academic vocabulary.
 * Respectfully discuss differences between the student's primary language use & standard academic English.
 * Use highlighters to identify key words to solve word problems.
 * Pair ELLs with a native English speaking student to review answers so the ELL can hear the correct pronunciation of the new vocabulary.
 * Present information in a multistory way with key words written on the board as well as the use of verbal and visual references.
 * After the lesson, assignment, or homework has been given to the class, check on the individual ELL. Never ask do you understand or do you have any questions. Rather have him/her repeat or explain to you what the assignment is and review a problem with them if necessary.
 * Monitor your speech. Keep your language simple, use gestures and eye contact. Don't use idioms
 * Provide students a list of key vocabulary in a lesson.
 * Allow the use of a bilingual dictionary.

The following are some sample activities and assessments that can be used in the classroom:
 * Have students keep a vocabulary journal.
 * Create word walls with pictures
 * Match vocabulary to words with operations.
 * Have students prepare flashcards in English & their native language to use as a reference to help with math vocabulary.
 * Have students create a picture dictionary to use as a reference.

Graphic Organizers
Graphic organizers are visuals that provide a way to organize essential information related to a topic. Graphic organizers and any other visual aids (realia) are crucial to language development and comprehension of content. Below is a list of things to keep in mind when using graphic organizers:
 * Choose one or two graphic organizers to use and "own"
 * Model how to use the graphic organizer (explicit instruction)
 * Use graphic organizers to support understanding of specific tasks and uses of academic language
 * Use advanced organizers to aid comprehension
 * Use word banks and word walls that correlate with the graphic organizer

Some examples of graphic organizers that can be used in Math are Frayer models, webs, and venn diagrams. It is also suggested that a graphic organizer be used to enhance responses to open-ended math questions Below are pictures of a web and Frayer model that can be used in the ESL Math classroom.



Guided Interaction
It is critically that teachers use guided interaction to structure lessons so students can work together to understand what they are learning—by incorporating listening, speaking, reading, and working collaboratively into mathematical lessons.The following are strategies teachers can use when teaching math to incorporate guided interaction.
 * Create multiple opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions as they learn content & develop their use of academic language in speaking/listening, reading & writing.
 * Clarify expectations, outcomes, & procedures related to the mathematical task you want the students to complete. This allows for flexible group activities.
 * Allow students to use their primary language to clarify concepts.
 * Structure multiple opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions to increase speaking, listening, reading comprehension & writing skills.
 * Encourage the use of manipulatives and model how to use them.
 * Whenever possible connect mathematical concepts to real life situations.

The following are some sample activities and assessments that can be used in the classroom: >
 * Partner interviews
 * Class surveys
 * Think-Pair-Share, Numbered Heads Together, Four Corners.
 * Poster projects and group presentations.
 * Perspective line-ups.
 * Wikis

Incorporating Technology
Using Technology in today's classroom is essential i order to engage and motivate students. The students in our classrooms today are digital natives and are accustomed to using technology in their everyday lives. It is becoming crucial for not only for teacher to incorporate technology in the classroom for our students, but even more important for teachers to take advantage and use technology to enhance our ELLs learning experiences. media type="youtube" key="Wu5_hTT6CnA" height="315" width="420" align="center"

Teaching today is all about the "21st century" classroom and integrating technology and producing students who are ready to go into the work place. In order to close the gap between what employers are looking for and what is being taught in school teachers, in addition to many other subjects, should teach: Reference: http://www.teachingenglishgames.com/Articles/Technology_ESL_Classroom.htm
 * Professionalism
 * Work ethic
 * Critical thinking
 * Team work
 * Technology
 * Leadership
 * Creativity
 * Cross-cultural understanding
 * Self-direction

Here are some of the ways to integrate technology into your classroom:
 * Create a class wiki that will allow home-school connections
 * Create a class blog
 * Use resources online: quizes, games,videos, etc.
 * Allow ELLs to use text-to-speech applications
 * Use ELL programs to individualize assessments
 * Have students create a video to summarize their learning

Accommodations
Accommodations are adjustments that are made to aid comprehension of academic material. In order for learning to take place, it's important that accommodations be administered during instruction, as well as in any other academic task (class work, homework, tests, etc.). Because our job as teachers of ESL students is to teach the target language through academic content, it's crucial to make accommodations that focus on both language and content.

Here are some accommodations that can be made in the ESL Math classroom, focusing on the language domains:
 * 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.

In addition, here are some accommodations that can be made that focus on content and various learning modes:
 * 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.

For further information about appropriate accommodations and what you can do as a classroom teacher, click on the link below.. Reference: http://margaretmwilliams.suite101.com/strategies-to-support-esl-students-in-math-a116386

Assessment
When assessing English Language Learners, be aware that educators are not strictly assessing students in the content area (Math), but also in language. Assessment allows teachers to see what students have learned. There are different kinds of assessment that can be used to measure student growth. In the ESL classroom, it's important that teachers are using authentic assessments to measure understanding. Here are a few suggestions regarding assessment:
 * Teach and model ways for students to describe their thinking processes verbally and in writing
 * Use a variety of activities and tasks to check for understanding
 * Ensure that assessment tasks are appropriate to students' assessed language development level
 * Provide enough time to complete tasks
 * Give appropriate feedback
 * Provide students with rubrics and models to guide students' self-assessment

 Sample activities for assessment include double-entry journals, think-alouds, KWL charts, learning logs, and quick-writes.

Watch this interview with Margo Gottlieb, author of __Assessing English Language Learners__ to learn more about assessing ELLs. media type="youtube" key="HSJcRd1cDoA" height="315" width="420"

Click here to learn more about assessing English Language Learners. This site also provides educators with accommodations for the assessment of ELLs.

Reference: //Six Key Strategies for Teachers of English-Language Learners//