math learning can be enjoyable

THE PRESENT state of teaching mathematics in a majority of the schools is far from satisfactory. The rate of failures in mathematics is considerably higher than in other subjects. Many find mathematics a difficult subject. Limited English Proficient (LEP) students are often faced with the challenge of developing oral communication skills and academic skills in English. To succeed in the mainstream classroom, LEP students must learn both academic and communication skills. To develop academic skills, students must receive meaningful, relevant content-area instruction presented in a framework of appropriate English language development skills. There are two approaches for teaching LEP student's to improve their academic skills in mathematics, Cognitively Guided Instruction (CGI) and Active Mathematics Teaching (AMT). The NCERT, at the national level, and SCERT/SIEs at the State level have initiated several steps to improve the quality of mathematics education in our schools. The Association of Mathematics Teachers of India is doing very useful work in this regard. Nevertheless, ultimately it is with the classroom mathematics teacher that everything depends. Every teacher can do a lot in his/her own way, to make the learning of mathematics more enjoyable, leading to the qualitative improvement of mathematics education in our schools.