Multilingualism and multiculturalism

in Mathematics Classrooms.
The bright side of Babel

Aldo Parra
 Menu
• Multilingualism and Mathematics.
• Mathematics and Language in Indigenous
education.
• Cultural encounter
• Opportunities for multilingual Classrooms
 Multilingualism and Mathematics
• Language in mathematics Classrooms

– Problem (deficitarian model)

– Right (inclusive)
– Resource (pedagogical)

• Peer talk- heteroglossia-polyphony

• Orchestration to achieve the goal ( math)
Lost in Translation I
 Indigenous Education
• How could it be “Language as resource”?

• Lack of Mathematical registers.

• Creation and negotiation of meaning.

• is mathematics the only goal?

• Which Mathematics?
An epistemological dimension
 Cultural encounter
• Culture as resource
• Negotiation of meanings.

• Cultural talk- heteroglossia-

• Jazz ensamble, embracing multiple purposes.
• Dialogic relation
Lost in Translation II
What if…?
Opportunities for multilingual Classrooms

• An epistemic dimension to be explored in

environments with small cultural differences
• Problematize mathematical knowledge and
not just receiving it in a passive way.
Lost in translation III
Do your own babel!!!