NEW MATH TEACHING METHODOLOGIES FOR ELL STUDENTS

Lecture notes provide a gauge for what is important in the textbook. However, taking notes for ELL (English Language Learners) students is not an easy task as ELL students are unable to communicate fluently or learn effectively in English. In this research, we attempt to analyze the effects of augmenting Mathematics Lectures with pre-written handouts on the note taking of ELL students and consequently on the academic performance of ELL students. The research was conducted over a period of four consecutive semesters on a Freshman Mathematics subject at the American University of Sharjah in UAE and a mixed qualitative and quantitative approach was employed. The introduction of the new teaching methodologies reflected positively on the students’ performance in subsequent exams and based on the conducted survey, the majority of the students indicated the positive impact of being exposed early in the lecture to written notes on their own note taking.