AN expert in mathematics and science education, Patrick Obot, has proposed the use of an innovative solution to enhance multilingual learners’ success in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.
Obot proposed that the innovative Culturally Relevant and Internationally Informed Mathematics Education (CRIIME) framework can be integrated into teaching science and mathematics to help multilingual learners.
According to him, the CRIIME framework, which aims to bridge gaps in the educational system and empower students from diverse cultural backgrounds to excel in STEM fields, was unveiled during the STEM Advocacy Programme (SAP) hosted by the Patrick Obot Foundation for Scientific Advancement (POFSA) at a secondary school in Akwa Ibom State.
He disclosed that the proposed framework blends culturally relevant teaching practices with suitable global practices and educational standards to create a learning experience that enhances multilingual learners’ success in science and mathematics.
“Many students, especially those from multilingual, and multicultural backgrounds struggle to connect with traditional STEM education because it doesn’t account for their cultural and linguistic contexts,” Obot said, adding that the CRIIME framework addresses multilingual academic challenges by offering guidance that recognises global best practices and adaptable strategies, which can be integrated into teaching science and mathematics to make the content more accessible and engaging for multilingual learners.
He also noted that the framework provides a solution by embedding evidence-based, data-driven findings into the learning process, fostering a stronger connection between students and the subject matter.
Obot also disclosed that the proposed CRIIME framework also “addresses the challenges many educators face in increasingly diverse classrooms. By integrating the framework into classroom instruction, learning experiences will be more practicable and align with multilingual learners’ academic needs.”
He added that the framework also offers a scalable and adaptable solution for educators globally, making it an essential tool for improving mathematics education in multilingual settings.
He also listed the implications of the framework for multilingual learners to include transforming their educational experience, empowering through identity, bridging language barriers, fostering collaborative skills, preparing for global citizenship, fostering innovation and creativity, and sustainable learning practices.
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