CALP CALP Mathematical and Quantitative Language 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Why is mathematical language considered a CALP-level challenge for English language learners in US schools?
- Math uses only symbols, so language is irrelevant
- Math word problems and explanations require academic language proficiency in addition to numerical skill (Correct answer)
- Mathematical language is simpler than everyday English
- ELLs always excel at math because it is universal
Correct answer: Math word problems and explanations require academic language proficiency in addition to numerical skill
Mathematical language involves complex academic vocabulary and syntax in word problems and explanations that require CALP proficiency beyond numerical computation.
Question 2: A student can compute 45 ÷ 9 but fails the word problem: 'Distribute 45 items equally among 9 groups. How many items per group?' What does this reveal?
- The student has a math disability
- There is a gap between computational skill and CALP-level mathematical language proficiency (Correct answer)
- The student needs more arithmetic practice
- The problem contains an error
Correct answer: There is a gap between computational skill and CALP-level mathematical language proficiency
This gap reveals that CALP-level linguistic processing of mathematical academic language is a separate competency from numerical computation.
Question 3: Which term is an example of academic mathematical language that requires CALP proficiency to understand?
- Big number
- Proportional reasoning in contextual problem-solving (Correct answer)
- Counting on fingers
- More than
Correct answer: Proportional reasoning in contextual problem-solving
Proportional reasoning is a CALP-level mathematical concept requiring academic language proficiency to understand and apply in problem-solving contexts.
Question 4: How does CALP proficiency affect performance on standardized math tests with word problems in US schools?
- It has no effect since math is purely numerical
- Higher CALP proficiency correlates with better comprehension of word problem language and context (Correct answer)
- Only bilingual students need CALP for math
- CALP only affects language arts performance
Correct answer: Higher CALP proficiency correlates with better comprehension of word problem language and context
Research shows CALP proficiency significantly affects word problem performance because understanding the language is prerequisite to applying the correct mathematical operation.
Question 5: A math teacher says: 'Evaluate the expression for the given parameters.' What CALP skill does understanding this instruction require?
- Basic arithmetic fluency
- Academic vocabulary knowledge of 'evaluate,' 'expression,' and 'parameters' in mathematical context (Correct answer)
- Phonological processing of the instruction
- Social language skills
Correct answer: Academic vocabulary knowledge of 'evaluate,' 'expression,' and 'parameters' in mathematical context
Terms like 'evaluate,' 'expression,' and 'parameters' are academic-domain vocabulary requiring CALP proficiency to correctly interpret mathematical instructions.
Question 6: Which instructional strategy best supports CALP development in math classrooms for ELL students?
- Presenting only numerical problems without language
- Explicitly teaching mathematical academic vocabulary alongside problem-solving procedures (Correct answer)
- Allowing students to skip word problems
- Translating all problems into students' home languages
Correct answer: Explicitly teaching mathematical academic vocabulary alongside problem-solving procedures
Explicitly teaching discipline-specific mathematical vocabulary alongside procedures builds the CALP proficiency students need for academic math success.
CALP CALP Mathematical and Quantitative Language 1
Why is mathematical language considered a CALP-level challenge for English language learners in US schools?