MATH 361S: Mathematics Tutors
I entered the university with the goal of a Bachelor degree in Mathematics. Then a counselor suggested to me to take Spanish as a minor. I was so excited with the Spanish classes that I decided to continue with a second major in Spanish, and that is the reason that I did my community service in Mathematics.
I was placed in Watsonville High School to help as a Teacher Assistant for three different classes. I helped in Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry 1. Also I assisted in workshops on Saturdays, and I helped the teachers to develop some topics. One of the classes where I was assigned was bilingual, and I supported the teacher when the use of Spanish was needed. For those students that came from Mexico or other countries of Latin America, I translated some mathematical terms from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English.
During my time on those tutoring sessions, I discovered that language is a huge barrier for some migrant kids. Many of them that were coming from Mexico had the knowledge, but they don’t know the right way to say the answers. The language problems are even more evident when they face word problems. If I explained to them the requirements for those problems, they were able to do them. Their problems were a matter of language understanding, but it was not a matter of lack of knowledge.
It was a really good experience to share time with kids from my own culture. I explained to them that school is not an easy path, but if we are determined to fulfill our dreams we can do it. I shared with them some techniques to study and internet sites where they can find support about how to understand mathematics. I identified myself with those kids because I had the same problems when I came to this country. I started my education in an Adult School to learn English in 2001, so I completely understand how difficult it is to be in a country where everything seems different than all things at home.
Even though my first choice is to teach mathematics, I am also thinking about teaching Spanish. It is important to help those kids and encourage them to keep their own cultural roots. Language is one of those characteristics that identify us as individuals from a culture with a wonderful past. It would be really sad if the American culture absorbs those people completely. We must be proud of our Hispanic heritage as well. I hope while it’s a necessity to survive in this country, it doesn’t mean having to forget a valuable treasure such as Spanish language. I will be there to remind them of its importance. They can count on it.
I was placed in Watsonville High School to help as a Teacher Assistant for three different classes. I helped in Algebra 1, 2 and Geometry 1. Also I assisted in workshops on Saturdays, and I helped the teachers to develop some topics. One of the classes where I was assigned was bilingual, and I supported the teacher when the use of Spanish was needed. For those students that came from Mexico or other countries of Latin America, I translated some mathematical terms from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English.
During my time on those tutoring sessions, I discovered that language is a huge barrier for some migrant kids. Many of them that were coming from Mexico had the knowledge, but they don’t know the right way to say the answers. The language problems are even more evident when they face word problems. If I explained to them the requirements for those problems, they were able to do them. Their problems were a matter of language understanding, but it was not a matter of lack of knowledge.
It was a really good experience to share time with kids from my own culture. I explained to them that school is not an easy path, but if we are determined to fulfill our dreams we can do it. I shared with them some techniques to study and internet sites where they can find support about how to understand mathematics. I identified myself with those kids because I had the same problems when I came to this country. I started my education in an Adult School to learn English in 2001, so I completely understand how difficult it is to be in a country where everything seems different than all things at home.
Even though my first choice is to teach mathematics, I am also thinking about teaching Spanish. It is important to help those kids and encourage them to keep their own cultural roots. Language is one of those characteristics that identify us as individuals from a culture with a wonderful past. It would be really sad if the American culture absorbs those people completely. We must be proud of our Hispanic heritage as well. I hope while it’s a necessity to survive in this country, it doesn’t mean having to forget a valuable treasure such as Spanish language. I will be there to remind them of its importance. They can count on it.
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