: In this presentation, I will discuss three ways in which mathematics and language are connected. First, I’ll describe research showing that language is a cognitive tool for learning mathematics. Children are introduced to many mathematical concepts through language, even when those concepts are spatial or involve other non-verbal skills. They also need to learn math-specific vocabulary. These links show clearly that language mediates many aspects of children’s math learning. Second, because math is mediated by language, variability in the language used at home and the language of math instruction may be an issue for children’s learning. I’ll discuss how both the language of instruction and the home language influence math learning. Third, there is evidence that some spoken languages support math learning better than other ones; this research is controversial but also provides some insights that may be helpful in understanding children’s difficulties with certain aspects of math learning. Throughout, I provide examples from my own research and that of other people that supports the importance of understanding how math and language are connected.

Bio: Dr. Jo-Anne LeFevre is a Chancellor’s Professor of Cognitive Science and Psychology at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada and the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science (since 2009). She received her Ph.D. from the University of Alberta. Dr. LeFevre has conducted research in the area of numerical cognition for over 30 years. Her research has focused on individual differences in the mathematical skills of children and adults; she has also studied the role of parents in children’s early numeracy learning and explored cross-cultural and cross-language differences in children’s early numeracy. She has been funded by the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada (NSERC) since 1988, and has also received funding from the Social Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Dr. LeFevre is on the editorial boards of the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, Numerical Cognition, and the Fields Mathematics Education Journal. She can be contacted at jo-anne.lefevre@carleton.ca