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The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics

Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2015.

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Other Authors: Joubert, Jacomina Christina
Format: Thesis
Language:English
Published: University of Pretoria 2016
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access_status_str Open Access
author2 Joubert, Jacomina Christina
author_browse Joubert, Jacomina Christina
author_facet Joubert, Jacomina Christina
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description Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2015.
format Thesis
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institution University of Pretoria (South Africa)
language English
last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:37:24.530Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository
publishDate 2016
publishDateRange 2016
publishDateSort 2016
publisher University of Pretoria
publisherStr University of Pretoria
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spelling oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/52975 The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics Joubert, Jacomina Christina margaretmdale@gmail.com Ledwaba, R.G. Zhang, C. Dale, May UCTD The language of mathematics Facilitation Grade 3 learner Foundation phase Acquisition Appreciative inquiry Education theses SDG-04 Education theses SDG-08 Education theses SDG-10 Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2015. Why do so many learners fail to learn Mathematics, and experience severe anxiety and confusion in their Mathematics classes? It seems that the answer is that these learners have not cracked the code of Mathematics - in other words they have not mastered the Language of Mathematics. Many of these learners are capable, succeeding in other aspects of their education, but they experience the Language of Mathematics as if it was a foreign language, without meaning or relevance. However, not being able to understand nor communicate Mathematically is a major disadvantage for many learners, not only at school, but also in their future careers. The rationale of this qualitative research was to explore how learners, particularly in Grade 3, acquire the Language of Mathematics through facilitation. The primary research question was: How is the Language of Mathematics facilitated in Grade 3 classes? This research sought to integrate the facilitation process, the teacher s pedagogy and the learners acquisition of the Language of Mathematics. What is the Language of Mathematics? It was the premise of this research that Mathematics is indeed a language in which combinations of Mathematical symbols and Mathematical terminology are placed in a specific order to form Mathematical expressions (equivalent to sentences) that communicate meaning. In school, Mathematical symbols seem to be carefully defined and taught. The problem arises with English Mathematical terminology, particularly as so many South African learners use English as their second or third language. Many of the words used in this subject have totally different meanings in colloquial English, which can lead to confusion in the mind of the learner. Examples of this terminology are bigger , smaller , equal , multiply , field , greater , and lesser . The learner often has no conceptual framework within which to place Mathematical terms. The role of the teacher becomes pivotal in facilitating the acquisition of the correct meanings of both Mathematical symbols and terminology so that the learner acquires the Language of Mathematics. bs2026 Science, Mathematics and Technology Education MEd SDG-04: Quality education SDG-08: Decent work and economic growth SDG-10: Reduced inequalities 2016-06-09T12:55:28Z 2016-06-09T12:55:28Z 2016-04-12 2015 Dissertation Dale, M 2015, The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics, MEd Dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd <http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52975> A2016 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52975 en application/pdf University of Pretoria
spellingShingle UCTD
The language of mathematics
Facilitation
Grade 3 learner
Foundation phase
Acquisition
Appreciative inquiry
Education theses SDG-04
Education theses SDG-08
Education theses SDG-10
The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics
title The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics
title_full The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics
title_fullStr The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics
title_full_unstemmed The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics
title_short The acquisition of the Language of Mathematics
title_sort acquisition of the language of mathematics
topic UCTD
The language of mathematics
Facilitation
Grade 3 learner
Foundation phase
Acquisition
Appreciative inquiry
Education theses SDG-04
Education theses SDG-08
Education theses SDG-10
url http://hdl.handle.net/2263/52975