HUMAN AGENCY: THE POWER OF NATURAL LANGUAGE IN MATHEMATICS
Keywords:
natural language, formal definitions, real analysis, limits, sequences, metalinguistic awareness, communication skills, educational strategies, personal concept definitionDOI:
https://doi.org/10.17654/0973563125005Abstract
Mathematics is often portrayed in classrooms and textbooks as abstract, symbolic, and disconnected from human agency, which can hinder students’ engagement with the subject. Definitions in mathematics, as presented in textbooks, are seldom intuitive for students who are developing their understanding and thinking habits. This paper presents the results of an experiment conducted in an undergraduate Real Analysis class, where students were encouraged to rephrase mathematical concepts using their everyday language. This approach aimed to facilitate sense-making and demystify dense, formal mathematical texts. The findings demonstrate how re-voicing mathematical concepts in natural language democratized the material, making it more accessible and less intimidating for students.
Received: February 3, 2025
Accepted: March 27, 2025
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