Difficulties of students with limited english language skills in pre-service mathematics education courses

Abstract

Student teachers who are recent migrants to Australia from non-English-speaking countries experience difficulties in mathematics method courses and in teaching practice, but there are no published reports of research into their difficulties. This paper reports on a preliminary investigation into how students with limited English skills perceive their problems and how they think courses could be adapted to meet their needs. Information was obtained from a questionnaire, by conversation with individual students, by observation of micro-teaching sessions and teaching practice, and from a student counsellor. The factor which most concerned the repondents to the questionnaire was the difficulty which pupils might have in understanding their speech. The results of the study highlight the present lack of resources to provide intensive training for student teachers in the use of specifically mathematical English. The teacher education course was identified as the only vehicle available to them for improving their English.