The Link Between the Writing and Mathematical Skills of the Grade 11 Students in Camp Vicente Lim integrated School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Writing allows students to put their feelings and ideas on paper. The mastery of this skill also implies proficiency in the use of the English language. The use of writing on Mathematics had noticed. It was observed that students tend to find language-based mathematical tasks more difficult than tasks that are mere number sense. With this, the researcher aimed to investigate the link between the writing skills and mathematical skills of Grade 11 students through exploring the possible correlation between the mentioned skills.

METHODS

The study used the descriptive-correlational method. The study determined and measured the writing skills of the students in terms of spelling, vocabulary, grammar, and organization, whereas it assessed the mathematical skills in terms of number sense, patterns and algebra, geometry, and statistics and probability. Both were evaluated through a test which contained modified questions obtained from the different sources. The instrument was also validated by the faculty experts and reliability was also sought. A total sample size of 115 Grade 11 students was generated though GPower and chosen using stratified random sampling technique. The attained data were further treated statistically using frequency and percentage, mean percentage score, and Pearson's r using SPSS23.

RESULTS

The level of the respondents' writing skills in terms of spelling was fairly satisfactory while their level in vocabulary, grammar, and organization did not meet the expectations. Meanwhile, the level of the respondents' mathematical skills in terms of terms of number sense, patterns and algebra, geometry, and statistics and probability were not meeting the expectations. It was found that there was a significant relationship between writing and mathematical skills of the respondents. Thus, the researcher proposed a program of activities that may further enhance their writing and mathematical skills.

DISCUSSIONS

The result of the study shows that the writing and mathematical skills of the respondents are both in low level. With the moderate positive correlation, it implies that if the writing skills was high, then the mathematical skills will also tend to get high. Additionally, there is a common misconception when learning mathematics that it just all numbers and memorizing equations.