Abstract
BackgroundLanguage plays an important role in the development of mathematics. Previous research has shown that both basic and advanced linguistic skills relate to fifth-grade advanced mathematics (i.e., geometry and fractions), but these effects have not yet been investigated longitudinally or in a linguistically diverse population. AimsThe present study first examined the differences between first-language and second-language learners in advanced mathematics. Second, we investigated the extent to which the basic and advanced linguistic skills of first-language and second-language learners directly and indirectly (through arithmetic) predict their growth in advanced mathematics from fifth to sixth grade. Methods and proceduresParticipants were 153 first-language and 80 second-language learners from 10 to 12 years of age. Classroom as well as individual measures were administered. Outcomes and resultsFirst, the results showed lower scores for second-language learners on advanced mathematics. Second, for both groups of language learners, basic linguistic skills were found to indirectly predict the growth in advanced mathematics via arithmetic skills, whereas advanced linguistic skills directly predicted the growth in geometry and fractions. Conclusions and implicationsThese results highlight the general need for opportunities to learn the basic and advanced linguistic skills associated with mathematics over individual native language background.
Highlights
Theoretical frameworks on the development of mathematics in the lower grades (e.g., LeFevre et al, 2010; Sowinski et al, 2015) have consistently pointed out that language plays an important role in the development of mathematics
The results showed the L2-learners to score below the L1-learners on grammatical ability, academic vocabulary, verbal reasoning and mathematics, but not on nonverbal intelligence, working memory, and phonological skills
The present study focused on the role of basic linguistic and advanced linguistic skills in advanced math growth in the upper grades of primary education
Summary
Theoretical frameworks on the development of mathematics in the lower grades (e.g., LeFevre et al, 2010; Sowinski et al, 2015) have consistently pointed out that language plays an important role in the development of mathematics This has been especially shown for arithmetic skills in the lower grades with basic linguistic skills such as phonological skills (De Smedt, Taylor, Archibald, & Ansari, 2010) and grammatical ability (Kleemans, Segers, & Verhoeven, 2018a) as key factors. We investigated the extent to which the basic and advanced linguistic skills of first-language and second-language learners directly and indirectly (through arithmetic) predict their growth in advanced mathematics from fifth to sixth grade. Conclusions and implications: These results highlight the general need for opportunities to learn the basic and advanced linguistic skills associated with mathematics over individual native language background
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