Mathematical knowledge in classrooms is mediated through the use of both technical and informal language. This paper is a report of a study of the language use of teachers as they examine students' work and discuss teaching for the topic of fraction operations. This provides a window on their pedagogical content knowledge and also on the way in…

Presents three schools of argument on mathematical communication: (1) cognitivist argument; (2) interactionist argument; and (3) neo-pragmatist argument. Distinguishes the mathematical versus talking about mathematics, talking mathematics versus learning the art of mathematical conversation, and the conversation of mathematicians versus students'…

Advocates "why" and even "if at all" types of questions in addition to the most commonly investigated questions in mathematics education, the "how to" types of questions. Proposes a framework that allows for consideration of mathematics in relation to the rest of human thought and knowledge communicated by formal education. (ASK)

Discusses the effects of mathematical language on the teaching and learning of mathematics. Concludes that educators need to expend far greater effort to bring all students to a fuller understanding of, and appreciation for, the language of mathematics. Contains 18 references. (ASK)

The articles in this collection offer rich and provocative views, backed by research and intensive classroom experience, of science and mathematics and teaching and learning. In particular, they explore some combination of the following: (1) science and mathematics as discourses; (2) students' home- and culturally-based ways of knowing, talking,…

The author emphasizes the importance of concepts and mathematical form in a discussion of understanding mathematics. (MN)

Explores policy, practice, and research issues related to teaching and learning mathematics in multilingual classrooms in South Africa. Focuses on code-switching in multilingual mathematics classrooms. Points to the significance of language as power in mathematics education settings. Demonstrates the need for researching the relationship between…

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)

Mathematics is a language -- a way of describing, recording in mathematical sentences, and interpreting the symbols used to denote relationships. It is also an activity involving a way of thinking and a means of using relationships to solve problems. Opportunities must be provided for these activities in mathematics teaching. (Author/JN)

The focus is on forming numbers to meet specific requirements. Careful reading of information and understanding of mathematical language are important to finding appropriate solutions. Worksheets are designed for levels one-two, three-four, five-six, and seven-eight. (MNS)

Students who have the necessary computational skills can solve word problems in mathematics only if they can comprehend the language of the problem. In order to best teach reading comprehension of mathematical word problems, teachers should consider the following steps: (1) prepare for teaching a problem by analyzing the ways the problem can be…

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)

An ethnomathematics approach to the curriculum is advocated as a means of addressing the problems faced by limited English proficient (LEP) students who experience difficulties in learning mathematics. It is noted that the problems may have little to do with difficulties in processing mathematical ideas. When LEP students are from different…

This book is designed for those interested in the teaching of mathematics, in both first language and second language contexts, and is based on 15 years' teaching experience in Africa and Asia. The book is designed to present the main issues of language in mathematics teaching, and is therefore not a highly technical work. Chapters included are:…

Confrontation with a mathematical task causes a student to focus initial attention upon particular content and context cues based upon that student's belief system; the student assigns subsequent meaning to that task based upon previous mathematical experience and knowledge. In order to make effective use of students' belief systems, educators…