2 - Helping students develop the language of mathematics
This resource is designed to help students to understand the language of mathematics.
About this resource
This resource helps learners to understand the specialised language of mathematics so they can confidently use this language to grow their mathematical understanding. Many mathematical tasks and activities require students to read and interpret both written words and symbols. This resource provides strategies that teachers have used to help their students develop and strengthen their understanding of mathematical terminology.
2: Helping students develop the language of mathematics
Understanding the specialised language of mathematics and being able to confidently use this language are essential to the growth of mathematical understanding. Many mathematical tasks and activities require students to read and interpret both written words and symbols. This resource provides strategies that teachers have used to help their students develop and strengthen their understanding of mathematical terminology.
Why is this important?
Several aspects of mathematical language present students with additional challenges. Making these challenges explicit helps students to realise that mathematical language is something that needs to be learned and practised. Developing confidence with mathematical language is a complex process. Teachers need to be deliberate about the way they introduce, use, and reinforce mathematical terms. Vocabulary building should be incorporated into the teacher’s planning as a key focus in the day-to-day teaching of mathematics. For strategies to support the particular needs of English language learners, see resources 3 and 4, which outline these.
Read more
See Materials that come with this resource to download Resource 2: Helping students develop the specialised language of mathematics (.pdf).
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