Language Connections in Mathematics: A Critical Part of Mathematics Instruction

In 1973, Bruner maintained that teachers need clear and correct mathematical words to describe problem situations, to question students' unreasoned statements in mathematics, and to encourage students' further research and reading in mathematics. Bruner insisted that “good mathematical language challenges—relights the flame of curiosity” and further said that people use words to resolve puzzling situations. He suggested, however, that using words correctly in solving problems is not easy. To encourage students to speculate, teachers need to help them to understand the use of the words.