ERIC Number: EJ1262804
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1098-6065
EISSN: N/A
The Role of Language on the Reversal Error. A Study with Bilingual Basque-Spanish Students
Mathematical Thinking and Learning: An International Journal, v22 n3 p214-232 2020
The reversal error is a prevalent phenomenon that consists of reversing the relationship between two variables when writing equations from comparison in verbal language. A study with 169 Basque/Spanish bilingual pre-service teachers examined whether this error is mainly due to the students' tendency to employ a direct-translation strategy based on the syntax of statements. By using Basque and Spanish the factor of syntax was studied since in Basque, unlike Spanish (or English), the natural way of expressing comparisons prevents students from using direct-translations strategies. Results show a significantly lower number of reversal errors in sentences written in Basque compared with those in Spanish. This finding confirms the importance of syntax statement in the translation from words into equations and suggests that teachers should have awareness of this fact and should design lesson plans devoted to work on word problems accordingly.
Descriptors: Thinking Skills, Language Processing, Language Role, Equations (Mathematics), Spanish, Syntax, Languages, Lesson Plans, Translation, Metalinguistics, Interference (Language), Instructional Design, Mathematics Instruction, Error Patterns, Foreign Countries, Algebra, Native Language, Teacher Education Programs, Elementary School Teachers, Comparative Analysis, Preservice Teachers, Error Analysis (Language)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Spain
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A