Event

TUJ Distinguished Lecturer Series: Issues of (mis)communication in Science and Mathematics Classrooms--the Surprising Importance of Language

Saturday, June 22nd, 2019, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Speaker: Timothy Fukawa-Connelly (Temple University, U.S.A.)

This course will synthesize the results of various classroom-based (content-based) studies of language and communicative practices in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) classrooms. At least in the US, science and mathematics classes are often sites where ELL students are mainstreamed early due to some educators' belief that there are relatively few language demand in such courses. We will justify the claim that there is a mathematics and science register, exploring features of the register(s), including issues of polysemy in which the common communicative meaning might interfere with communication.

During the seminar we will discuss a range of descriptive, quasi-experimental, and quantitative studies, which explore ways in which the language use and communicative practices of teachers and learners might support or inhibit the acquisition of science or mathematics content. We will explore lecturing practices in traditional mathematics and science classes, both based on published reports and by watching and analyzing videos from different countries. We will consider the relationship between instructor learning goals (including hypothesized goals based on content-expertise), how that content is communicated, and affordances and constraints of those practices for student learning. We will consider the importance of note-taking practices on memory and learning, and, when possible, differences between ELL and L1 proficiencies. Finally, if time allows, we will consider the roles and types of feedback practices and analyze the language implications of those practices, including the symbolically dense aspects.

Organization: Temple University Japan

Cost: free

Venue: TUJ Azabu Hall: 2-8-12 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047 (map)

Location: Tokyo, Tokyo Metropolis, Japan

Contact Temple University Japan

Temple University Japan

Work phone: 03-5441-9800