Learning disabled limited-English proficient (LEP) students' specific needs in learning the language of mathematics have not yet been clearly defined. Based on our knowledge about mathematics and learning disabled students, language comprehension, knowledge of syntax and vocabulary, and understanding of relational terms as they apply to mathematics appear to represent the areas which researchers and teachers must focus on when dealing with LEP students. A diagnostic/prescriptive approach to teaching mathematics with specific emphasis on needed language skills will be presented in this article.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AikenL.Language factors in learning mathematics. Review of Educational Research, 1972, 42, 359–385.
2.
AikenL.Verbal factors and mathematics learning: A review of research. The Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 1971, 2, 304–313.
3.
BachorD. G.Using work samples as diagnostic information. Learning Disability Quarterly, 1979, 2(1), 29–44.
CawleyJ. F.FitzmauriceA. M.ShawR. A.BatesH.Math word problems: Suggestions for students. Learning Disability Quarterly, 1979, 2(2), 25–41.
6.
CofflandJ.CuevasG.Children's learning of number and numeration concepts: A final report. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service, 1979, No. ED 198 199)
7.
CossioM.The effects of language on mathematics placement scores in metropolitan colleges (Doctoral dissertation, Columbia University Teachers College, 1977). Dissertation Abstracts, 1978, 38(7-A), 4002–4003.
8.
CuevasG.SLAMS: A second language approach to mathematics learning. Paper presented at the meeting of the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, Toronto, March 1981.
9.
CuevasG.LlabreM.The relationship of test-item readability and the difficulty of mathematical concepts and application items: A bilingual perspective. Paper presented at the American Educational Research Association annual conference, Los Angeles, California, April 1981.
10.
CuevasG.MannP.State of the art in mathematics education for language minority students. Research factors and overview of instructional materials. A report. U.S. Office of Education, 1982.
GranadoJ.The utility of an ethnic Spanish translation of the Iowa Test of Basic Skills with second grade Mexican-American children (Doctoral dissertation, North Texas State University, 1976). Dissertation Abstracts, 1976, 37(6-A), 3487.
13.
HallidayM.A.K.Some aspects of sociolinguistics. In JacobsenE. (Ed.), Interactions between linguistics and mathematical education: Final report of the symposium sponsored by UNESCO, CEDO and ICMI. Nairobi, Kenya, September 1–10, 1974 (UNESCO Report No. ED-74/Conf. 808, pp. 64–73). Paris: UNESCO.
14.
HalpernN.Mathematics for the learning disabled. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1981, 14, 505–506.
15.
KaliskiL.Arithmetic and the brain-injured child. The Arithmetic Teacher, 1962, 9, 245–251.
16.
KavaleK.A comparison of learning disabled and normal children on the Boehm Test of Basic Concepts. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 1982, 15, 160–161.
17.
KrashenS. D.Principles and practice in second language acquisition. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1982.
18.
LinvilleW. J.The effects of syntax and vocabulary upon the difficulty of verbal arithmetic problems with fourth grade students. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, State University of Iowa, 1970.
19.
McLeodT. M.ArmstrongS. W.Learning disabilities in mathematics—skill deficits and remedial approaches at the intermediate and secondary level. Learning Disability Quarterly, 1982, 5(3), 305–311.
20.
ReismanF. K.KauffmanS. H.Teaching mathematics to children with special needs. Columbus, OH: Charles Merrill Publishing Co., 1980.
21.
RosenthalD. D.ResnickL. B.Children's solution processes in arithmetic word problems. Journal of Educational Psychology, 1974, 66, 817–824.
22.
SazG.OttinaJ. R.The arithmetic achievement of pupils differing in school experience. California Journal of Educational Psychology, 1958, 9, 15–19.
23.
ThorndikeE. L.Difficulties in problem solving. Journal of Educational Research, 1912, 11, 95–103.
24.
TrenholmeB.LarsenS. C.ParkerR.The effect of syntactic complexity upon arithmetic performance. Learning Disability Quarterly, 1978, 1, 80–85.
25.
TsangS.The effects of the language factor and the cultural content factor of mathematics achievement test on Chinese and Chicano students (Doctoral dissertation, Stanford University, 1976). Dissertation Abstracts, 1976, 37, 18808.
26.
Vander LindeL. F.Does the study of quantitative vocabulary improve problem solving?Elementary School Journal, 1964, 65, 143–152.
27.
WiigE. H.SemelE. M.Language assessment and intervention for the learning disabled. columbus, OH: Charles Merrill Publishing Co., 1980.
28.
WiigE. H.SemelE. M.Logico-grammatical sentence comprehension by learning disabled adolescents. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1974, 38, 627–636.