Doing and Talking Mathematics: Engaging ELLs in the Academic Discourse of the Mathematical Practices

It is critical that educators promote full inclusion of English language learners (ELLs) in STEM courses. This chapter presents a process and resources for enacting a discourse-centered pedagogy that builds mathematical understanding while simultaneously engaging and supporting students to develop the language of complex thinking. Using a small set of Teacher Discourse Moves and Student Discourse Moves, teachers focus on deepening students' mathematical reasoning in ways fully inclusive of ELLs, while also helping all students build the language of complex thinking and mathematical argumentation.