Friday,
March 1, 2013
UFV News

The Lingo of Math
Manu to speak
in free lecture on issues of language in content learning March 11
Released by Anne Russell, UFV
he
importance of language in understanding math — especially y for bilingual
students — is the topic of the next presentation in the UFV Research Lecture
Series.
The lecture is free and the public is welcome to attend.
"Every teacher is a language teacher," is how Dr. Stan Manu's describes the
theme of his lecture.
The Mathematics and Statistics instructor will speak on Mon, Mar 11 at 4 pm
in UFV's Abbotsford campus lecture theatre (Abby B101) on The Roles of
Language(s) in Bilingual Students' Understanding of Mathematics.
His presentation is part of the UFV Research Lecture Series.
Born in Tonga, Manu has always had a love for math. "It started, I believe,
from a very young age when I sometimes peeked into my mom's purse to see how
many loose coins she had and how much I could take for a lunch treat," he
explains.
Completing elementary and high school in Tonga, Manu went on pursue his
undergraduate degree at the University of the South Pacific in Fiji.
His love for math was solidified by his success in math competitions at a
young age.
"A math teacher he had in grade school really instilled the fundamental
knowledge, love and joy of math in me," he says. "I may still be the only
Tongan to have been the top math student in the Australian Math Competition,
winning a total of three different grade levels (8, 11 and 12)."
Manu's research focuses on the area of bilingual mathematics education. At
the March 11 lecture, he will explain how addressing issues of language in
content learning and teaching these is crucial.
"I will look at a particular bilingual situation where young mathematics
students switch or alternate frequently between two languages during
problem-solving discussions."
Since joining UFV, Manu has been exposed to some new research ideas and
opportunities. His next step is to work on research involving pre- and
in-service math teachers (Math 105/205 courses), aboriginal math students as
well as outreach work and activities throughout the communities of the
Fraser Valley.
Presented by the Office of Research Services, the University Lecture Series
showcases the research of UFV faculty members.
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Copyright (c) 2013 The Valley Voice
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