Choose the science topic. Teachers Network suggests that when teaching a new concept to an English as a second language (ESL) student, have the student read about it first. For example, if you want to learn about swamp ecology, find an environmental novel, like Jean Craighead George's The Missing 'Gator of Gumbo Limbo, and read about swamps. This introductory reading should be literary -- not textbook -- reading.
Focus on the scientific vocabulary in the novel and learn the definitions of any new words or concepts. Definitions can be found in whichever language you are most comfortable with, as long as you learn the English vocabulary. Once you are familiar with the vocabulary of your topic, you can learn the scientific concepts more easily because you already have English words for the topic.
Select a practical activity that demonstrates the new concept. Hands-on activities will help ESL learners visualize and experience a new idea in a concrete way. Staying with the swamp example, if you live near a swamp, take a field trip. If not, try a local zoo or natural science museum to learn about swamp animals and their habitat.
Use online resources to further learning. For children, Enchanted Learning offers science worksheets and even a unit on swamps. Scholastic also has activities that accompany some of the books it publishes. Using the book Deep in the Swamp, Scholastic lists related swamp activities to further learning. For adults, resources such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the World Wildlife Fund have valuable information on the topic.
Learn math in your native language first before transitioning to learning it in English. Having a math foundation in your first language will facilitate learning higher math in English. The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) notes that too often, ESL students are not expected to do well in math in an English classroom. Having a math foundation in your native language can help you rise above this expectation.
Use math problems that are relevant to your experience. Having to accommodate cultural differences while learning math concepts makes learning more difficult, so the Center for Applied Linguistics (CAL) encourages sticking with culturally relevant problems to increase success.