Why do disadvantaged Filipino children find word problems in English difficult?

Debbie Bautista, Joanne Mulligan

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference proceeding contributionpeer-review

    Abstract

    Young Filipino students are expected to solve mathematical word problems in English, a language that many encounter only in schools. Using individual interviews of 17 Filipino children, we investigated why word problems in English are difficult and the extent to which the language interferes with performance. Results indicate that children could not solve word problems independently when these were given in English. However, appropriate interventions such as presenting problems in Filipino or narrating them led to improved performance. Implications for teaching are proposed.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationShaping the future of mathematics education
    Subtitle of host publicationproceedings of the 33rd annual conference of the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia held at John Curtin College of the Arts, Fremantle, 3-7 July 2010
    EditorsLen Sparrow, Barry Kissane, Chris Hurst
    Place of PublicationFremantle, Australia
    PublisherMathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Inc
    Pages69-76
    Number of pages8
    ISBN (Print)9781920846251
    Publication statusPublished - 2010
    EventMathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Conference (33rd : 2010) - Fremantle
    Duration: 3 Jul 20107 Jul 2010

    Conference

    ConferenceMathematics Education Research Group of Australasia Conference (33rd : 2010)
    CityFremantle
    Period3/07/107/07/10

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