Mathematics in Maltese : the compilation of a bilingual English-Maltese glossary to support mathematics teaching and learning in Malta

Abstract

In Malta, mathematics education is accessed bilingually through Maltese and English. While Maltese is often used for verbal interaction, English is the language of written texts, including assessments. Consequently, switches between the languages is a common feature of Maltese mathematics classrooms. Anecdotal and research evidence indicate that Maltese students benefit from the use of their home language. However, to date, there is no recognised and standardised Maltese bank of mathematics. Our project aims to address this lacuna. In this article, we outline the process of compiling a bilingual glossary of mathematics terms intended for kindergarten and elementary school levels in Malta (ages 3–11 years). The purpose of the glossary is to support teachers and students in their use of the two languages for the teaching/learning process. This novel resource can serve to validate the Maltese language for mathematics and to encourage consistency of terminology across school and classroom contexts. The glossary can also be helpful in the future should we choose to introduce written Maltese for mathematics. In this article, we explain how the project was developed and how word choices were made with respect to the Maltese terms.