Literacy in 

Literacy in Mathematics is essential for the development of students' mathematical literacy. Literacy in Mathematics refers to the literate practices and strategies that enable students to:

• develop mathematical understanding

• communicate their mathematical reasoning

Mathematical literacy is defined as:

"an individual's capacity to formulate, employ and interpret mathematics in a variety of contexts. It includes reasoning mathematically and using mathematical concepts, procedures, facts and tools to describe, explain and predict phenomena. It assists individuals to recognise the role that mathematics plays in the world and to make the well-founded judgements and decisions needed by constructive, engaged and reflective citizens." (OECD, 2018, p. 67) 

Improving students' literacy in Mathematics will help them to build connections between terminology, concepts, skills and representations, contributing to the development of Mathematical literacy.

Literacy skills play a critical role in the subject of Mathematics, serving as the foundation for understanding mathematical concepts, engaging in mathematical problem-solving, and communicating mathematical ideas effectively. 

Strong literacy skills enable individuals to navigate the intricate language of mathematics, decipher mathematical notation, and interpret the context of mathematical problems.

Key Importance of Literacy Skills in Mathematics

1. Decoding Mathematical Language: Mathematical language is filled with specialized terms and symbols, and literacy skills are essential for decoding this language. Individuals can understand the meaning of mathematical terms, interpret mathematical symbols, and grasp the overall structure of mathematical expressions.

2. Interpreting Word Problems: Word problems are a common way to present mathematical challenges, and literacy skills are crucial for interpreting them effectively. Individuals can identify the relevant information in the problem, extract the mathematical elements, and formulate a solution strategy.

3. Understanding Mathematical Concepts: Literacy skills enable individuals to delve deeper into mathematical concepts, going beyond formulas and theorems. They can comprehend the underlying principles of mathematical ideas, appreciate the logical connections between different concepts, and make meaningful connections to real-world applications.

4. Following Complex Procedures: Mathematical problem-solving often involves a series of steps and procedures, and literacy skills are essential for following these procedures accurately. Individuals can read and understand instructions, identify patterns in problem-solving approaches, and apply the appropriate steps to solve a given problem.

5. Communicating Mathematical Ideas: Literacy skills empower individuals to communicate mathematical ideas effectively, both in writing and verbally. They can explain mathematical concepts in clear and concise language, use appropriate mathematical notation, and present their reasoning in a logical manner.

Impact of Literacy Skills on Mathematical Proficiency

Literacy skills are not merely a prerequisite for understanding mathematics; they are essential tools for developing mathematical proficiency. They facilitate:

1. The ability to access and interpret a wide range of mathematical resources, from textbooks to online tutorials.

2. The ability to critically evaluate mathematical arguments and identify logical fallacies.

3. The ability to collaborate effectively with others in mathematical problem-solving.

4. The ability to communicate mathematical ideas to a variety of audiences, from peers to teachers to professionals.

Literacy skills are not just about reading and writing; they are about understanding, analysing, and communicating information effectively. In the complex world of mathematics, where abstract concepts are represented by symbols and formulas, literacy skills are more important than ever. By developing strong literacy skills, individuals can become fluent mathematicians, capable of understanding mathematical concepts, solving challenging problems, and communicating their ideas with clarity and precision.

In the above video, Professor Wee Tiong Seah and Dr Lynda Ball discuss the importance of teaching literacy in Mathematics. They also outline the various ways teachers can engage students in using the language of Mathematics in the classroom.

Literate demands in Mathematics Education

The ability to develop understanding and communicate mathematics requires students to be able to understand and correctly use:

• notation

• subject-specific language

• conventions

• representations.

Students need to be able to meet these literate demands when:

• constructing reasoning or mathematical arguments

• using mathematics in a range of contexts.

Mathematical language requires careful consideration, as many mathematical terms have alternative meanings to the same terms used in everyday context.

For example, the term 'mean' has a different 'meaning' in everyday language, where it might refer to 'angry' or 'convey', whereas in mathematics it refers to 'average'.

There is also considerable notation (e.g. m represents a pronumeral in algebra, while m represents metre in measurement), which needs to be learned, understood and used in context.

Students are also required to translate worded problems into mathematical symbols, carry out calculations and then interpret answers in the context of the original problem. As a result, they must communicate their answer using correct mathematical language, both as numbers and in sentence-form that makes sense in relation to context of the original problem.

Other literate demands include the ability to read, interpret and produce different textual forms, such as graphs, tables and mathematical diagrams.

Language is essential in mathematics learning to enable students to develop their understanding of mathematics and to communicate their reasoning, both verbally and in written form.