Abstract:
Language is a system of communication, which is either spoken or encoded in
written or signed form; its fluency aids an individual in logical thinking. The
unique linguistic structure of mathematics makes the learning of mathematics
similar to learning of a foreign language. Thus the level of understanding of
mathematical language affects the level of communication of mathematical
ideas. Recent trends in Kenya show that the achievement in mathematics
among secondary school students in Kenya is below average. This effectively
calls for identification of factors that can enhance the understanding of
mathematical concepts for higher achievement. This study was aimed at
determining how the mathematical language influences achievement in the
subject by secondary school students in Kenya. A survey was carried out on a
sample of 661 secondary school students and 71 secondary school
mathematics teachers using structured questionnaires and three sets of
mathematics tests. The results show that achievement in mathematics is highly
related to students’ understanding of mathematical language. Students make
mistakes when solving mathematics problems due to lack of understanding of
mathematical language. Thus mathematical language plays a major role in the
understanding and achievement in mathematics
