Improving symbolic language comprehension

Abstract

We focus on the goal of “Handling mathematical symbols and formalism” through the methodology of Content and Language Integrated Learning. The use of foreign language highlights, and possibly increases, the difficulties in the point of mathematical competence, but it can also be used to fix them. That is, making explicit the equivalence between formal and verbal language could improve symbolic language comprehension. Multilingual Formulae, an on -line resource at http://mformulae.epsem.upc.edu, is designed to give support in that direction, as equivalence is not found explicitly in textbooks or research papers. It contains sets of formulas with the corresponding written and oral version in several languages. The project, conducted by professors at the UPC Engineering School at Manresa Campus, is addressed to lecturers and students as a support to ensure effective communication when both Symbolic and Foreign language are used.