Glenna Veiga, ESL
Adelaida Ballester, Math
Lecture Series:
Bridging the Gap between Language Development and Mathematical Knowledge
Goal: To expose non-native English speaking students, exiting the EAP program, to the mathematical terms and concepts they will encounter on the College Placement Test (CPT) and within math courses.
Rationale: There are students that have been placed in remedial math courses based on low scores on the CPT. Often enough, the reason for their poor performance is due to the students’ inability to recognize mathematical terms in English, and not because they are lacking mathematical skills.
Process: Make an assessment of students English math vocabulary. Based on the results, a three-part lecture series (Arithmetic, Elementary Algebra, and College-Level Mathematics) will be designed to address the mathematical terms which are the most uncommonly recognized. The Ss will be exposed to the mathematical terms in context through:
Lectures/discussions
sample math problems
hand-outs
cooperative work assignments
Evaluation: At the end of the lecture series, the students will turn in writing assignments. First, they will select a mathematical problem, based on their ability, and solve it. Afterward, they will explain, in writing, how they arrived at the final answer. The writing assignments will receive two scores – one for their mathematical comprehension (content), and another for their English language skills (grammar, mechanics, etc.).