New research suggests Secondary school pupils are so scared of looking stupid in maths lessons that they will
not tell their teachers if they do not understand.
A survey of 1,000 10- to 16-year-olds by “Opinion Matters” found two-thirds would rather struggle alone or ask friends or family for help.
The reasons pupils gave for not asking for help more often were that they were worried about looking foolish, were embarrassed or did not want to draw attention to themselves.
Peter Lacey, of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, said schools should focus on developing pupils' confidence in mathematics slowly, rather than racing through concepts too quickly and leaving some students behind.
The research also included a questionnaire of 1,000 parents which suggested that about a fifth felt they did not have the maths skills to help their children.
Almost two-thirds of parents said they were not comfortable with some of the new mathematical methods now being taught in schools.
Please go to www.mathstutoressex.co.uk to see how Sue Comber can help parents and children
not tell their teachers if they do not understand.
A survey of 1,000 10- to 16-year-olds by “Opinion Matters” found two-thirds would rather struggle alone or ask friends or family for help.
The reasons pupils gave for not asking for help more often were that they were worried about looking foolish, were embarrassed or did not want to draw attention to themselves.
Peter Lacey, of the Association of Teachers of Mathematics, said schools should focus on developing pupils' confidence in mathematics slowly, rather than racing through concepts too quickly and leaving some students behind.
The research also included a questionnaire of 1,000 parents which suggested that about a fifth felt they did not have the maths skills to help their children.
Almost two-thirds of parents said they were not comfortable with some of the new mathematical methods now being taught in schools.
Please go to www.mathstutoressex.co.uk to see how Sue Comber can help parents and children
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