Webinar: Learning math in a bilingual classroom in Paraguay
Join a numeracy webinar on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 10:00 am EDT
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4 minutes read
Primary school students work on solving math problems in Timor Leste. Credit: GPE/Tara E. O'Connell

Paraguayan classrooms tend to be bilingual, mixing students who speak Spanish and Guaraní. Achievement levels are generally low, but particularly low among Guaraní speaking students.

In this context, the issue of how to best meet the needs of both language groups is highly relevant. The aim of a 2014 pilot project was to test a new program for bilingual first grade mathematics education and specifically assess if it is possible to improve first grade math learning when two languages are combined in the same lesson.

To achieve this goal, detailed lesson plans were developed covering the entire national first-grade curriculum. Based on the lesson plans, interactive radio programs were produced, including original songs and plays about different mathematics concepts.

Each lesson weaves both languages together, repeating all key content and concepts in both Spanish and Guaraní. To estimate the effect of the program, a randomized design was used that covers 264 school districts in the department of Cordillera.

Emma Naslund-Hadley, a Lead Education Specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank, will present the initial results from the pilot project. Emma is the coordinator of the IADB’s efforts to improve mathematics and natural science education in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Webinar access

Click here to start or join the online meeting.

 

Audio access:

Please call one of the following options:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-866-3864210  (US)
Call-in number: 1-443-8636601  (US)
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When asked to do so, please enter the Conference Code: 784 894 4537#

Please mute your audio during the webinar presentation to avoid background noise. You will receive instructions on how to mute your microphone by accessing the webinar.

To participate in the discussion, we encourage you to unmute your audio or share your questions and comments in the chatbox.

 

For assistance: 
Go to https://nethope.webex.com/nethope/mc

On the left navigation bar, click "Support".

For assistance or if you have any problems with the login please send an e-mail to: numeracy@giz.de

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE: This WebEx service includes a feature that allows audio and any documents and other materials exchanged or viewed during the session to be recorded. You should inform all meeting attendees prior to recording if you intend to record the meeting. Please note that any such recordings may be subject to discovery in the event of litigation.

For further queries and information, please contact us at numeracy@giz.de

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