What strategy can best support an English language learner who struggles with math story problems?

The strategy of providing individualized guided practice in breaking down story problems is particularly effective for English language learners who face challenges in this area. This approach directly addresses the learner's difficulties by focusing on the specific skills needed to interpret and solve the problems.

By breaking down story problems, the learner can better understand the context and the mathematical concepts involved. It allows for targeted instruction where the teacher can demonstrate how to extract relevant information from the text, identify key vocabulary, and develop a step-by-step method for solving the problem. This individualized support fosters a deeper comprehension and builds the learner's confidence in both language and math skills.

Other strategies, while helpful in various contexts, may not address the learner's immediate need for comprehension of complex text in math. Group activities can promote collaboration but may not provide the tailored assistance that an individual might require when grappling with language barriers. Simplifying all math vocabulary might overlook the importance of learning and using mathematical terms contextually. Allowing extra time on tests may provide a temporary solution but doesn't enhance the learner's ability to navigate the math story problems independently in the long term.