Research behind the Best Evidence Synthesis

Item number
BES009

BES selection
Mathematics BES

Format
Conference paper

Title
Language factors that affect mathematics teaching and learning of Pasifika students

Author
Latu, Viliami

Publisher
Merga

Publishing Year
2005

Source
Paper presented at the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia. Conference (28th :, 2005 : Melbourne, Vic.). Building connections : research, theory and practice : proceedings of the annual conference held at RMIT, Melbourne, 7th-9th July 2005 / editors, Philip Clarkson ... [et al.]. : Pymble, N.S.W. : Merga, 2005: v. 2 p.483-490

ISBN
1920846077 ; 1920846085

Subject
Curriculum

Descriptors
Curriculum ; Mathematics education ; Learning problems ; Mathematics curriculum ; Mathematics teaching ; Pacific Islanders ; Language

Age Focus
Adolescents (13 to 17 years)

Education level
Secondary education

Language
English

Country
New Zealand

How to obtain
Available online at NZCER: the New Zealand Council for Educational Research

URL
http://www.nzcer.org.nz/pdfs/BES009.pdf

Permission
Reprinted with permission from MERGA, the Mathematics Education Research Group of Australasia

Abstract
This study investigated the language issues for senior Pasifika mathematics students in one school in the Manukau region. Using the experiences of the Pasifika teacher/researchers, a test was constructed to investigate likely language difficulties. Some interviews were conducted about the test. Initial perceptions that vocabulary was the main problem were not borne out in the first test, although the interviews indicated that the language issues were interwoven. There was some evidence for differences between Tongan and Samoan students, and between those who knew their Pasifika languages well and those who did not. (Author)

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The Iterative Best Evidence Synthesis programme (BES) : New Zealand Ministry of Education
http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/themes/BES