Date of Award
2004
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Education
Program
Education
Supervisor
Dr. Shelley Taylor
Abstract
This study explores language development in a grade 9 mathematics classroom to investigate: (a) whether mathematics has a distinct language register which is suitable for an applied linguistics interpretation, (b) how students’ appropriation of language impacts on their learning, and (c) the pedagogical implications of explicit instruction in a mathematical register. The findings suggest that a distinct Mathematics Language Register (MLR) exists, as do differences between how educators and students appropriate this register. Furthermore, ignoring these differences constrains students’ learning. Mathematics education, taken as a linguistics paradigm, requires a re-conceptualization of educator roles as students require explicit instruction in MLR. This thesis replicates aspects of earlier work by Tiede (1996) on the language of science.
Recommended Citation
Kotsopoulos, Donna, "APPROPRIATING THE DISCOURSE OF LANGUAGE IN MATHEMATICS EDUCATION" (2004). Digitized Theses. 4517.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4517