ERIC Number: EJ1059098
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2368-4526
EISSN: N/A
The Intersection of Mathematics and Language in the Post-Secondary Environment: Implications for English Language Learners
Choi, Jean; Milburn, Rebecca; Reynolds, Brett; Marcoccia, Philip; Silva, Patrick Justin; Panag, Sikander
Collected Essays on Learning and Teaching, v6 p71-76 2013
Given the increasing number of English Language Learners (ELLs) in post-secondary environments (Roessingh & Douglas, 2012), educational practices such as availability of language support for mathematics should be assessed to ensure that all students' needs are met. To explore the effects of language on mathematics in ELLs, mathematical test items were presented in four language contexts: vocabulary knowledge, negation, preposition use, and atypical sentence structure. Sixty students enrolled in mathematics courses volunteered to complete the mathematics task. Results suggest that math items falling into each of the four language contexts disadvantage ELLs, highlighting that the needs of ELLs should be considered at all levels, from classroom practices to educational policy.
Descriptors: English Language Learners, Educational Policy, Mathematics Instruction, Form Classes (Languages), Sentence Structure, Educational Practices, Vocabulary Development, Language Usage, Language Role, Mathematics Tests, College Students, Test Items, Disadvantaged, Foreign Countries, Questionnaires
Society for Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 1280 Main Street West, Mills Library Room 504, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L6, Canada. Tel: 905-525-9140; Web site: http://www.stlhe.ca
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Canada (Toronto)
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A