Which strategies of learning language can be applied to the learning of mathematics?

Jennie Bickmore-Brand (Bickmore-Brand, 1993) identifies seven language learning strategies that can be applied to enhance the learning of mathematics. They include:

• Creating a meaningful and relevant context for the knowledge, skills and values of mathematics.
• Realizing the starting point of interest in mathematics is the knowledge base of the student.
• Providing opportunities for the learner to see the skills, processes and values of mathematics by the teacher's modeling.
• Continuing to build on the knowledge base and challenging the students-scaffolding.
• Facilitating the metacognition of the student by helping the student identify the learning processes and how he or she learns.
• Assisting the learner to accept the responsibility for the construction of knowledge.
• Building a community of learners in a risk-free learning environment.

These strands should be interwoven into the classroom environment to aid in the content, methodology, and assessment in mathematics. Bickmore-Brand suggests that these steps will create a positive association with mathematics and mathematical relevancy in society.