"To Keep Nuestra Cultura": Math, Language, and the Significance of Bilingual Spaces for Latinx Parents

• In Event: Sunday Roundtable Session 7:45 am
  In Roundtable Session: Language and Discourse in Mathematics Education (Table 6)

Abstract

This research examines Latinx parent engagement in bilingual mathematics workshops in a central Texas Title 1 district, focusing on their perceptions of language in supporting their children's bilingualism in mathematics. Drawing on interview data from a larger project integrating mathematics and literacy within Dual Language, it highlights Latinx parents' perspectives and the cultural significance of enrolling their children in this program. Findings reveal challenges parents face in supporting their children's math learning compared to literacy, including language barriers and problem-solving differences. These workshops enhanced parents' confidence in supporting math skills through hands-on activities and vocabulary acquisition. The study emphasizes the need for tailored workshops for Latinx bilingual parents and challenges misconceptions regarding their involvement, concerns, and understanding in mathematics education.

Author

• Brenda Sarmiento-Quezada, Purdue University