open access publication

Chapter, 2016

Challenges and Opportunities for Second Language Learners in Undergraduate Mathematics

Editors:

Series: New Icmi Study Series ISSN 1387-6872, Pages 85-101

Publisher: Springer

DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-14511-2_5

Contributors

Durand-Guerrier V. (Corresponding author) [1] Kazima M. [2] Libbrecht P. [3] Ngansop J.N. [4] Salekhova L. [5] Tuktamyshov N. [5] Winslow C. 0000-0002-9799-0340 [6]

Affiliations

  1. [1] CNRS
  2. [NORA names: France; Europe, EU; OECD];
  3. [2] University of Malawi
  4. [NORA names: Malawi; Africa];
  5. [3] Informatics
  6. [NORA names: Germany; Europe, EU; OECD];
  7. [4] University of Yaoundé I
  8. [NORA names: Cameroon; Africa];
  9. [5] Kazan Federal University
  10. [NORA names: Russia; Europe, Non-EU];

Abstract

In this chapter, we describe challenges and opportunities that second language learners face in undergraduate mathematics programs. The presence of such students is nowadays common in many undergraduate courses due to migration, student mobility, and other factors. We provide examples of various multilingual contexts at the university level, summarize insights from international research on this topic, and present emergent proposals for helping students to overcome these challenges. This chapter highlights the importance of continuing research on the topic of second language learners in undergraduate mathematics courses so that we can offer research-based approaches to improve undergraduate mathematics teaching in multilingual contexts. This chapter will support the mathematics education research community involved in advanced mathematics, as well as instructors and policy makers, to develop awareness of the issues involved in undergraduate mathematics learning and teaching for second language learners.

Keywords

Foreign Student, Immigrant Student, Language Learner, Mathematical Notation, Official Language

Data Provider: Elsevier