Promoting Critical Thinking in Multilingual Mathematics Classes through Questioning

Abstract

This study explores how teacher questioning was used to foster critical thinking in selected Grade 11 multilingual mathematics classes in the Eastern Cape Province. A mixed-method design was used to collect and analyse both qualitative and quantitative data through classroom observations and interviews of three purposively selected Grade 11 mathematics teachers during their teaching of trigonometry and analytical geometry. The study was guided by Bloom’s revised taxonomy. The study found that teachers in these multilingual classes used lower-order levels of questioning during teaching. Higher-order questions, which research has shown have the potential of promoting critical thinking, were infrequently used during teaching. The paper concludes that, while all the categories of Bloom’s taxonomy are important, the ones that are crucial in promoting critical and higher-order thinking required at Grade 11 were not adequately used. Suggestions for improving questioning in mathematics teaching are explored.