How many teachers have overheard a frustrated student, after grappling with a concept such as adding fractions or solving algebraic equations, declare: “I’m just not a math person”?
It’s a common enough occurrence, to the point where it’s an accepted part of our culture to think that some people just aren’t as adept at learning math as others.
Yet, if we were to dig deeper into the struggles of these students, we might find it’s not actually a problem with math. Instead, it might be a language barrier. With the right approach to instruction, we can help students avoid this challenge and become confident math practitioners.