Thanks for your interesting reply Jenny! I had been thinking along the same lines although I would not have been able to put it nearly so well as you…Learning why you are are doing something is really helpful for those students who really don’t get it. I think I am probably one of those students myself as maths really is not a subject that was good for me. If I had a fuller rounded picture it may have helped.

I like the language analogy it is a great way to explain it and I am sure that a maths teacher would appreciate the link so that is a great start. I also agree that MFL has a problem too so linking them together could help us solve this problem for both of them. It is good for them to see that they are not the only subject where this does not easily fit.

I look forward to seeing your examples…