Best Practices in Teaching Mathematics Using Mother Tongue in Kawas National High School: Basis for Language Development Program

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Mathematics is one of the subjects that pervade life at any age in any circumstances, therefore, it must be learned comprehensively with depth. The K -10 Mathematics Curriculum goals are to equip students and help them become critical thinkers and problem-solvers, a solid foundation Mathematics Grades 11 and 12. In this connection, Mother Tongue-Based Multilingual Education (MTB-MLE) was implemented as the language of instruction in Kindergarten to year 3. Notwithstanding, the use of this MTB MLE is still used at the secondary level as a medium of instruction.

METHODS

The methods utilized in data gathering were checked and validated by the research adviser and analyzed using two methodologies. The quantitative method was analyzed through document analysis which focused on the socio-demographic profile of the respondents and their best practices in teaching Mathematics using mother tongue. The qualitative method was analyzed through an interview on their experiences in teaching mathematics using the mother tongue.

RESULTS

The result showed that the respondents were aged 36 years old and above. Most of them are female and married. Further, though most have 6 years and above teaching experience still, the majority of them are Teacher 1. Some of them obtained units in Master's degree and some are Master's degree holder. Generally, all of them were Mathematics major and had attended seminars mostly on Regional Level. Thus, the majority of the teachers had their best practices in teaching Mathematics using mother-tongue. Most of them thought that shifting from one language to another (Bisaya to Tagalog to English) as needed and translating the terms not understood in English to the language of students that could not be understood in the specific language is helpful in teaching students.

DISCUSSIONS

Therefore, the researcher implied, that the teachers should shift from one language to another (English to Tagalog to Bisaya) for the purpose of a better understanding of the students and develop their communicative and problem-solving skills.