EDUC4105

Language Pitfalls and the advantages of good Language.

Continuing an analysis of language in the maths classroom, Clark and Ramirez (Language Pitfalls and Pathways to Mathematics) make some simple points about the potential confusion in the classroom. Some of their points have been covered in previous articles such as teaching more explicitly for ESL students. I liked their focus on symbols and the inherent meaning implied by many symbols and the need to explain the specialised context and appropriate meaning. As we teach maths such as Coordinate Geometry, deeper meanings are implied on algebraic letters in certain combinations such as using the point (x,y) and the point (p,q). These are general points which end up having consistent roles in proofs or worked examples. I can see the potential for misunderstanding or attaching too much meaning to some symbols. This article illustrates both the power and importance of classroom discourse in aiding a clearer understanding.

Jamison’s Learning the Language of Mathematics is an article that doesn’t focus on the pitfalls and difficulties but rather explains the many benefits of explicit language in a maths classroom. In teaching logic and concepts in maths, Jamison argues that students need to express an understanding in correct, clear and concise manner. Too often he sees that students are left to learn this expression themselves or by ‘osmosis’. I think this is why people in general see some people as good at maths and other are not, while the solution is perhaps giving everyone a deeper understanding of how to express and interpret maths. Jamison’s focus on good definitions is a very practical analysis, and something as a student teacher I  can see the need for. On my first prac I found it very hard to write a definition of ‘area’ and my teacher pointed out that the word ’space’ may not be so good in an area defininition as space really implies three dimensions. ‘Surface’ was suggested as a better word, and the process helped my understand how clear and correct explanations were so important. Jamison is passionate that maths language should always involve complete grammatical sentences and shows that with clear foundational teaching you allow students to gain a deeper understanding of maths.

transitive relation