Efl Curriculum For Thai Ep Math Teachers

[Phatcharanan]

Oh Gawwwdd.

Dropped on me today. Can I come up with a an EFL program for Thai teachers who subject teach Math in an EP?

Basically.......The Thai Math teachers need to improve their English but it has to be specific to their subject. I am googling away like crazy but if anyone has any direct links or material they could share I would be eternally grateful.

[aidenai]

Perhaps some material uploaded to the site below might help you. I know that the uploader works at an EP teaching mathematics.

www.thailandteaching.asia/downloads/numbers-operations-19/

You can also find the Basic Core Curriculum BE 2551 there which might give you an idea about grade level indicators.

[otherstuff1957]

A few years ago I had to teach English to some nurses. Before the class started, I did my best to bone up on Medical terminology. Once the class started, I found that most of them already knew the English words pertaining to their specialty. What they needed to learn was how to give directions, how to ask questions, how to give advice, etc...

Your Math teacher probably already know terms like: divide, multiply, squared, cubed, exponent, quotient, etc.... However, they probably would have a great deal of difficulty explaining a simple word problem. I would start with classroom language & then work on teaching them how to explain how to solve problems.

[skybluestu]

I'm sure I just read in another thread that the op is on 150k per month, should be a doddle for someone qualified enough to earn that but if it's not then I'll help...if you pay me ;-)

Edited May 28, 2011 by skybluestu

[Phatcharanan]

I'm sure I just read in another thread that the op is on 150k per month, should be a doddle for someone qualified enough to earn that but if it's not then I'll help...if you pay me ;-)

You are absolutely correct. Also sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. I guess that's you.

I sure do make that money..........as a home-country Primary teacher and now manager. I also teach IELTS prep courses however, I am not an EFL/ESL specialist when it comes to teaching Math subject teachers, nor do I pretend to be.........hence why I am asking. The question I posed was quite specific, not general.

And for your information..............I feel no embarrassment with asking these questions...................Mr. Super Teacher.

If you have nothing concrete to contribute to this thread then please don't bother.

Edited May 29, 2011 by Phatcharanan

[Scott]

I've had to do this in the past. It's not particularly easy, I might add.

I had the teachers bring in problems from the level they are teaching and present the problems on the board. Then I would go through the English that they should use. Have them do each step of the problem in English at least a couple of times.

Word problems were corrected for grammar, spelling, comprehension and proper pronunciation.

Best of luck.

[skybluestu]

I'm sure I just read in another thread that the op is on 150k per month, should be a doddle for someone qualified enough to earn that but if it's not then I'll help...if you pay me ;-)

You are absolutely correct. Also sarcasm is the lowest form of wit. I guess that's you.

I sure do make that money..........as a home-country Primary teacher and now manager. I also teach IELTS prep courses however, I am not an EFL/ESL specialist when it comes to teaching Math subject teachers, nor do I pretend to be.........hence why I am asking. The question I posed was quite specific, not general.

And for your information..............I feel no embarrassment with asking these questions...................Mr. Super Teacher.

If you have nothing concrete to contribute to this thread then please don't bother.

Easy tiger, must be hard being a teacher with no sense of humour!

[Scott]

Humor is best left to humorous situations. Going into a class of peers completely unprepared is really not very funny--especially if it's you.

I don't recall all the things I did with my group--they were G. 1 - 6 math teachers. I got the task after the previous teacher bombed out completely and ended up being discharged (for the summer session). Screwing up in front of your peers or those who can report things up the chain is not fun. Also, having a group of students who don't want to be there isn't fun either.

I did have a list of mathematics terms to go over and to check their spelling and pronunciation. Also, I had a list of sentences of how we say certain processes: Six divided by two, for example. They were then told for the next class to bring in two word problems, solve them and we would go over the language.

Once the class got rolling (about the 3rd session) it was quite enjoyable. The students did most of the work and I just helped them along.

I am sure there are better ways of doing it, but I got thrown in the deep end at the last minute.

[skybluestu]

Oh come on Scott, it was just a bit of fun! I'd just read a post from the op saying how he was earning 130-150k per month because he was so qualified so it was pretty funny to then see him asking for help on here. But if it offended him, or you, then I apologise.

[skybluestu]

As I now feel guilty I will try and offer something 'concrete' to this thread. Previously I only taught English but this year I also have to assist some Thai teachers with their classes and I've noticed they often pronounce the words incorrectly so whatever you end up doing for them make sure they know how to pronounce the words correctly.

[Ijustwannateach]

Another suggestion is to make sure what kind of English they need to use- there are some small differences- in American English, when we say '5 into 50' that means division, i.e. '50/5=10'; however, I have heard some students from Commonwealth countries use this same expression to mean multiplication.

What you are being asked for, incidentally, would cost major money to do with a professional translator (which is really how it should be done). For some strange reason, nearly every school seems to be working (all the time) on making English language versions of their curricula, all individually- I believe it has to do with the individual implementations of the curriculum which are permitted, which is why the central curriculum is not so useful at the school level in direct translation (although THAT is generally available).

[Phatcharanan]

Many thanks Scott and Ijustwannateach.

Edited May 30, 2011 by Phatcharanan

[Scott]

I have deleted one post that is off-topic.

[troehr]

What grade level is this program for? I work at a university and we teach a lot of these types of classes. One of my fellow teachers teaches English for Math. I will try to talk to her tomorrow and see what she is using for her textbooks.

[Phatcharanan]

Well............I managed to delay things a bit. Have to teach specific English to the Thai EP teachers so some of the advice has been helpful. It is once a week so very sneakily, I created an English assessment test for them along with a survey........What are your expectations, What do you need to learn, What would you like to learn etc etc etc.

That took up today's lesson. I now have a week to get more organised.

I just love Thai 'forward planning'. I may even teach them what that is but I fear it will just draw some blank looks.

[Phatcharanan]

What grade level is this program for? I work at a university and we teach a lot of these types of classes. One of my fellow teachers teaches English for Math. I will try to talk to her tomorrow and see what she is using for her textbooks.

This is the problem...........they vary from Pre-Int to Advanced. A real mixed bag.

Any help is welcome.

[troehr]

What grade level is this program for? I work at a university and we teach a lot of these types of classes. One of my fellow teachers teaches English for Math. I will try to talk to her tomorrow and see what she is using for her textbooks.

This is the problem...........they vary from Pre-Int to Advanced. A real mixed bag.

Any help is welcome.

I have the following textbooks:

Mathematics for New English Learners

Teaching Mathematics to English Language Learners

Supporting English Language Learners in Mathematics K-2

Supporting English Language Learners in Mathematics 3-5

I have these in PDF or can send you download links if you want any of these.

Send me a message and I can either try to email them or paste the links in an answering message.

[Phatcharanan]

Send me a message and I can either try to email them or paste the links in an answering message.

Many thanks! PM sent.

[aidenai]

I've downloaded the books from the internet too. Great reading and .........learning again.

Good luck with your project, Phatcharanan.

troehr, thanks for the heads-up. :jap:

Edited June 1, 2011 by aidenai

[Phatcharanan]

I've downloaded the books from the internet too. Great reading and .........learning again.

Good luck with your project, Phatcharanan.

troehr, thanks for the heads-up. :jap:

Yes......those book downloads are very helpful. Project is now underway so thanks to everyone for contributing, especially troehr.

[troehr]

Glad they helped. I spend a lot of time preparing English classes for content areas.