Title: Language diversity in the mathematics classroom: does a

learner companion make a difference?

Date published: January 2010

URL: http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0256-01002010000100009

Research problem: It has increasingly become the task of educators to develop strategies to

facilitate quality education for their learners. (Young, 1995) who indicated that the "... interplay

of language and the development of thinking needs serious attention, not only in language

education, but also in all learning-areas". In order to achieve in-depth mathematical

understanding, it has been suggested that effective communication of mathematical ideas is the

key because language forms an integral part of this communication (Thurston, 1995). In a similar

vein it has been pointed out that many of the learners' problems in mathematics originate from an

inadequate knowledge of the basic vocabulary (McLean, 2000). Mastering mathematics is

sometimes considered to be a two-step process: firstly, learners have to understand the

mathematical concepts (Richards, 1982). Secondly, they have to be able to communicate their

understanding of these concepts in written format (Brown, 1994). Initially the educator explains

mathematical concepts by using two verbal languages: A commonly spoken, everyday language

and a subjectspecific, mathematics language. Therefore learners have to be proficient in both

these languages. This step is especially important if one considers that learners need to be able to

(a) read and write mathematics when using textbooks and (b) complete various assessment

activities in writing during a mathematics course.

Research Method: The researchers will be using the Likert-scale approach in scalling responses

in survey research for as the research is quantitative in nature. The questionnaires will be

disseminated in the Grade 11 Senior high school students of Baliuag University.

Research Design: The research will be conducted in the form of a survey research design

because it best served to answer the questions and the purposes of the study. The survey research

is one in which a group of people or items is studied by collecting and analyzing data from only

a few people or items considered to be representative of the entire group.

Summary: The main purpose of this survey design sets out to test the effects of language in

teaching the subject of Mathematics.

Conclusion: The research is associated with the learning and use of mathematical terminology

and the related concepts may be attributed to either student's inadequate grasp of the language of

mathematics or the fact that some terms cannot be expressed explicitly in ordinary language.

However, since the students' greatest difficulties relate to the production of the technical terms, it

seems that the latter are either avoided during mathematics instruction or they are not linked to

the ordinary English expressions.

Recommendation: From the study findings and the discussion held in this study, it is critical that

students be helped to acquire the vocabulary and correct understanding of mathematics

appropriate to their age and ability if they are to succeed in the subject. By administering suitable

survey questionnaires the beneficiaries of the study can get an idea about students' language

difficulties and appropriate alternative approach to define technical terms would involve the use

of suitable relevant examples.