How do you teach maths to EAL students? 

Teaching maths to students who speak English as an additional language means teachers need to think about both maths and language.  

It helps to check both their maths knowledge and their language when they start. Some schools use a written maths test to see what they already know, as maths is taught in different ways across the world. 

Scaffolding is key in supporting EAL students to learn maths and English concurrently. By providing students with the right support, students can develop their skills gradually. 

Retaining and integrating scaffolding provides learners a model to understand the mechanics of maths questions and to apply new vocabulary. Here are some good ways to scaffold for EAL students: 

• Give visual aids like diagrams, number lines or charts. 

• Give worksheets with both maths and key English words. 

• Give students time to discuss with partners or small groups to work through challenges. 

• Encourage students to compose maths narratives or word problems in English. 

Every student is unique, so it is beneficial to the learning process to tailor the scaffolding to their specific needs. One student might require additional visuals, while another requires instruction that starts with discussing the concepts in their home language before approaching maths. 

When EAL learners create their own maths questions, converting them into word problems in English develops both skill sets.