Attempts to establish a description of mathematical word problems as a linguistic genre, particularly considering its pragmatic structure. Through a description of the pragmatics and discourse features of the genre, and through comparison of the word problems genre to other spoken and literary genres, finds clues to unspoken assumptions underlying…

The author presents his view on mathematics and education with a special emphasis on the relationship of mathematics to communication. Sections consider how to learn from the learners, mathematics as a means of representation, open mathematics, the development of theories and concepts, and mathematics and communication. (MNS)

Proposes an entirely different perspective and challenges both the current para-dogmatic character of constructivism in some quarters of mathematics education and the dismissive attitude towards 'humanist non-sense' in others. Discusses the linguistic aspects of mathematical knowledge through a language acquisition device and a language…

Investigates the question, Can the mathematics students are taught be cast in such a form that it can be apprehended with the abilities they have and if so, how? Focuses on the language of student abilities, the nature of abilities, and individual differences. (MM)

Limitations in children's understanding of the symbols of arithmetic may inhibit choice of appropriate solution procedures. The teacher's role involves negotiation of new meanings for words and symbols to match extensions to solution procedures. (MKR)

Discusses past research involving Piagetian conservation concepts in Native American students; the relation of language to mathematics education; holism in mathematics learning; mathematics and culture; the Outdoor World Science and Mathematics Project, which developed learning modules involving Native Americans; and mentorship in an atmosphere of…

Presents a dialogue about ethnomathematics that includes discussions of: quipus (knotted cords) as a form of language, difficulty in defining mathematics, culturally embedded mathematical ideas, philosophy and mathematics, quantification without giving meaning to numbers, and evolution in mathematical thinking. (MKR)

Contends that, though much attention is given in mathematics to the problem of sensitizing people to the need for identifying elements of a situation and representing them symbolically, little or no effort is devoted to the problem of helping them express the relationships among these elements. (11 references) (MKR)

Described and critiqued are two ideas which have proven valuable in teaching programming at the introductory level, the mental model and the programming plan. (PK)

The focus is on aspects of learning and teaching mathematics in which the "distance" between the mother tongue of the learner and the language which dictated the design of the curriculum plays a major role. Illustrations concern students in Botswana. (MNS)