Maths and learning a second language

Hello Zarif

Thank you for your comments.

I studied psychology along with one of my daughters when she was at University. As a farm consultant I also took a great interest in animal behaviour and human behaviour. I could be called a people watcher, but in business this is important too.

My English students ranged in age from 5 to 71 years. The town I taught in seemed to have a high number of students interested in and good at maths ( often interested in physics too ), and a few with parents who were architects.

From observation I would think that as language ( conversation ) is not generally set in one direction, as with a mathematical problem where you can use formulae, but is fluid and constantly changing, a living subject, then you cannot use a straight line approach to solving the "problem" which is communication.

Perhaps too, the brain is too fixed, if it is the same side as being good at maths, and does not take in to account all the other variables such as situation, location, object ( the person / s you are talking with etc. etc.

The children of architects tend to doodle a lot whilst "listening" or trying to complete a worksheet.

No, I don't think "it is different with you", it is observation from teaching in many countries and both conversational and technical English.

I wonder how, as teachers, we can work around this difficulty to make learning a second language more easy ?

Could I mention one thing, I expect I will be blasted by Americans for this but the word is maths not math; it comes from the word mathematics as there is no such word in English as mathematic. I suppose it depends on which Spellcheck you use.

Thank you again for your interest.

Regards

Ian

Replies

Ian February 25, 2013 4:05

Hello Zarif

Thank you for your comments.

I studied psychology along with one of my daughters when she was at University. As a farm consultant I also took a great interest in animal behaviour and human behaviour. I could be called a people watcher, but in business this is important too.

My English students ranged in age from 5 to 71 years. The town I taught in seemed to have a high number of students interested in and good at maths ( often interested in physics too ), and a few with parents who were architects.

From observation I would think that as language ( conversation ) is not generally set in one direction, as with a mathematical problem where you can use formulae, but is fluid and constantly changing, a living subject, then you cannot use a straight line approach to solving the "problem" which is communication.

Perhaps too, the brain is too fixed, if it is the same side as being good at maths, and does not take in to account all the other variables such as situation, location, object ( the person / s you are talking with etc. etc.

The children of architects tend to doodle a lot whilst "listening" or trying to complete a worksheet.

No, I don't think "it is different with you", it is observation from teaching in many countries and both conversational and technical English.

I wonder how, as teachers, we can work around this difficulty to make learning a second language more easy ?

Could I mention one thing, I expect I will be blasted by Americans for this but the word is maths not math; it comes from the word mathematics as there is no such word in English as mathematic. I suppose it depends on which Spellcheck you use.

Thank you again for your interest.

Regards

Ian
Sahar February 24, 2013 10:01

Really?!
Interesting!
But I'm interested in math, learning second and even more languages and others' ideas, thoughts and experience :)
- Ian > Sahar February 25, 2013 13:36
  
  Hello Sahar
  
  Thanks for your comment.
  
  If you have the opportunity always take the advantage to learn another language; local people will appreciate your efforts and it makes living, or even just visiting a country much more fun.
  
  My comments on maths and English are purely observation and, of course, I am interested in other peoples experiences and this can be a big help when teaching.
  
  Good luck with your studies.
  
  Regards
  
  Ian

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