Eric.ed.gov – Preparing College Teachers To Integrate Math and Language Instruction.

A project to develop special training materials to introduce college teachers to the math-language approach is reported. The materials link language learning techniques to mathematics concept formation and are intended for teachers of limited-English-proficient (LEP) students. Specialists in both fields produced a three-part training package consisting of an instructor’s guide and a video program, to be used as an introduction to and rationale for using the approach, and as a general blueprint for a text and workbook produced by the Center for Applied Linguistics and entitled “English Skills for Algebra.” The report describes activities undertaken in developing the materials and assessing their effectiveness as compared to the conventional workshop method of teacher training. Results of interviews and surveys indicate that the materials provide the necessary classroom guidance for instructors to address the needs of LEP students without the need for workshop attendance. It is also concluded that the training materials will meet their objective of developing appreciation for interdisciplinary cooperation and make the approach more accessible to both math and English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) teachers. The materials stated as appended (instructor’s guide, textbook, video programs, a bulletin, workshop agendas, and ESL language objectives) are not included. (MSE)