Contrasting Approaches to the Acquisition of Mathematical Skills: Japan and England

Abstract

International differences in mathematical attainment among secondary school age pupils are well documented, indicating that the performance of pupils in England lags behind that of many other countries: in particular, the average attainment of 13‐ and 18‐year‐old pupils in Japan is significantly higher than that of the corresponding cohort of pupils in England. The causes of the poor performance at secondary schools in England, it is argued, may be found partly in the inferior foundations of mathematical understanding at primary schools, aggravated by the ‘linearity’ of mathematical development and the cumulative effect of failure. Although cultural influences at the societal level and curriculum influences at the governmental level are largely beyond the control of the school, yet the other main influence on mathematical development, namely classroom practice, is determined to a great extent by the class teacher, and can be adapted to improve conceptual learning. By considering the current practice in the teaching of mathematics to six‐year‐olds in Japan within the context of available research evidence relating to effective teaching, and comparing this with the practice in England, areas of possible change can be identified which are largely within the control of the individual class teacher and through which standards of attainment might be improved. This article is based on observations of mathematics teaching to six‐year‐old children in Japan and England in 1995, in the state or public sector of education.