The Problem with Math Is English: A Language-Focused Approach to Helping All Students Develop a Deeper Understanding of Mathematics

by Concepcion Molina

Teaching K-12 math becomes an easier task when everyone understands the language, symbolism, and representation of math concepts


Published in partnership with SEDL, The Problem with Math Is English illustrates how students often understand fundamental mathematical concepts at a superficial level. Written to inspire ?aha? moments, this book enables teachers to help students identify and comprehend the nuances and true meaning of math concepts by exploring them through the lenses of language and symbolism, delving into such essential topics as multiplication, division, fractions, place value, proportional reasoning, graphs, slope, order of operations, and the distributive property.

This important new book fills a gap in math education by illustrating how a deeper knowledge of math concepts can be developed in all students through a focus on language and symbolism.

Genres: Nonfiction, Mathematics, Professional Development

304 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Danielle Lei · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really good points and mostly validated how I feel about Math Education. Molina did a really nice job connecting what we do in elementary school and how it affects students in middle and high school. We really must set a good foundation in elementary school!

[Brittany Libell · Rating 2 out of 5]

I went into this book hoping for more than what I got out of it. I think that most math teachers, especially interventionists or middle to upper grade teachers, realize that academic language is a challenge.
Yes, many of the terms used are confusing for students. I do agree, that we often “dumb things down” for younger students and use vocabulary that expires. What I also struggled to gain from this book was an idea of how to make these terms accessible for students and still accurate regardless of the age.

I was hoping for more of an explanation of that language-focused approach rather than examples of where students struggle and why it is hard for them. I went it hoping for inspiration or solutions, but I wrapped up this book feeling dissatisfied.

[Christina D · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! It not only helped me learn how to speak about math concepts to my children and tutoring students, but it helped me understand some concepts on a different level. Highly recommend.

[Haziq Faisal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking at a particular subject through another is mind opening. Here in Malaysia, usually when teachers teach a certain subject their focus tend to be only within the scope of that particular subject (myself included). Let's say for example, if the teacher is teaching English, he/she tends to focus mainly on things that are English related such as grammar, writing, comprehension etc. Rarely you'll see English teachers teaching English using other subjects as a kind of support to make learning English more vibrant and interesting. Of course there are subjects that complement one another such as Math & Science. But to go beyond that to pair up subjects that will certainly make some question the effectiveness of such approach; to pair up Music with Maths, Science with Language Studies or even History with Geography. Reading this book opened my mind to how English plays an important role in the education of Mathematics.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Necessary message. Dragged on a little. I was hoping to have some thoughts and nuggets of wisdom to share with teachers at the school but a having trouble taking things away - besides the acknowledgment that math needs explicit language and academic language instruction. I already agreed with that (probably why I read the book) and wish there were less-wordy descriptions of concepts or activities to pass on to teachers who aren't motivated by the title to peruse the book.