Proceedings of the Eighth Southeast Asia Design Research (SEA-DR) & the Second Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Culture, and Humanity (STEACH) International Conference (SEADR-STEACH 2021)

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Linguistic Challenges in Solving Mathematics Word Problems: A Case of EFL University Students

Authors
Namirah Fatmanissa1, 2, *, Maria N. R. Novianti3
1Mathematics Education Department Sampoerna University
2Universitas Negeri Surabaya
3English Language Education Department, Sampoerna University
*Corresponding author. Email: namirah.f@sampoernauniversity.ac.id
Corresponding Author
Namirah Fatmanissa
Available Online 4 January 2022.
DOI
10.2991/assehr.k.211229.003How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Mathematics; Word problems; EFL; Linguistic challenges
Abstract

One of the biggest challenges English as Foreign Language (EFL) learners face in solving Mathematics word problems at the English college level is understanding the information presented through that language. This study aimed to investigate the importance of language in Mathematics word problems tests by analyzing students’ performance on linguistically modified mathematics word problems. Forty-four university students were given ten Postsecondary Education Readiness Test (PERT) Mathematics word problems, along with parallel items that were modified based on a framework of Language Factor in Mathematics Tests to reduce their linguistic complexity. Students’ written works were compiled and graded. Interviews were conducted to further investigate students’ linguistic challenges in solving the problems. The findings revealed that EFL students with low English ability benefited more from the modification by showing greater score gain. First, third, and fourth-year students benefited more from the modification than second year and fast track students, while there was no difference observed based on gender. Some examples of students’ work in overcoming challenges due to long nominals, relative clauses, and complex question phrases were described to further explain the case. The study concluded that linguistic modification is necessary, and lecturers’ awareness of linguistic challenges should be promoted.

Copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the Eighth Southeast Asia Design Research (SEA-DR) & the Second Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Culture, and Humanity (STEACH) International Conference (SEADR-STEACH 2021)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
4 January 2022
ISBN
10.2991/assehr.k.211229.003
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/assehr.k.211229.003How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2022 The Authors. Published by Atlantis Press SARL.
Open Access
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Namirah Fatmanissa
AU  - Maria N. R. Novianti
PY  - 2022
DA  - 2022/01/04
TI  - Linguistic Challenges in Solving Mathematics Word Problems: A Case of EFL University Students
BT  - Proceedings of the Eighth Southeast Asia Design Research (SEA-DR) & the Second Science, Technology, Education, Arts, Culture, and Humanity (STEACH) International Conference (SEADR-STEACH 2021)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 16
EP  - 23
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211229.003
DO  - 10.2991/assehr.k.211229.003
ID  - Fatmanissa2022
ER  -