Changing the language of instruction in mathematics: the experience of European immigrants to New Zealand

Abstract

New Zealand is a multi cultural country, with people of many different ethnicities going through the education system. This study considers the mathematical learning experiences of people who have moved to New Zealand, with the focus on European immigrants to New Zealand. The study investigates the assumption that individuals of this group are proficient in English and so experience very little problems in their learning of mathematics in English. The aim is to describe the mathematics learning experiences of recent European immigrants to New Zealand and identify what issues they might experience in their mathematics learning. The participants are called bilingual learners to emphasise their knowledge and usage of both first language (L1) and English at varying levels of proficiency and in different situations. Six participants were recruited for this study and the data collection occurred through two interviews. The results of these interviews are analysed using the available literature. The study found that the participants generally adjusted well to learning mathematics at University level in New Zealand. Some cultural differences and language difficulties were observed but did not cause too great a problem. Many had reasonable English proficiency before they arrived in New Zealand. Moreover while gaining a greater mathematical English repertoire was sometimes troublesome, participants did cope well with learning mathematics in English rather than their L1s. However the wish was expressed to make more use of L1 mathematical knowledge during the shift from L1 mathematical thinking and working to a more and more English dominant mathematical thinking. This becomes a recommendation of the thesis. Further there is evidence that more abstract mathematical problems may cause bilingual learners more language difficulties and may require them to make use of L1 learning resources as well as requiring extra help.