MATHI - a new method for learning mathematics in a multilingual context

At the start of the 2024/2025 school year, children in the cycle 1 of primary education will be introduced to MATHI, a new series of teaching materials and, above all, a new method for learning mathematics. On Tuesday 19 March 2024, the Minister of Education, Children and Youth, Claude Meisch, attended the official launch of the MATHI materials at the Campus Geesseknäppchen in Luxembourg-Hollerich, in the presence of more than 500 teachers.

"With this new material, we want to offer all pupils a better education that is up to date, but also more equal with regard to the different linguistic situations of families. In mathematics too, the educational gap is widening rapidly," said Minister Claude Meisch. We therefore need to intervene as early as possible to give every child the best possible chance of success.

Original material to combat educational inequalities

The MATHI material was developed in response to a number of observations made during a survey carried out three years ago on the basis of the existing method, involving 300 children, around a hundred teachers in the field and 60 experts from all walks of life (researchers from the University of Luxembourg, teachers from the Institut de formation de l'Éducation nationale (IFEN), regional directors of primary education, representatives of competence centres, etc.). Firstly, children who do not speak Luxemburgish or German at home have an initial disadvantage in learning mathematics. Secondly, it is very difficult to catch up after the Cycle 3 on the deficit acquired in the early years. In addition, the orientation procedure is closely linked to performance in mathematics.

Mathematical language, a language of its own

The solution of MATHI is to take into account the multilingual situation of Luxembourg. The teaching books will be available in German and French, and will therefore be suitable for alphabetisation in either German or French. In addition, teachers will have at their disposal a glossary of terms to be used in German, French, English and Portuguese, in order to establish a link from the outset with the language spoken by the pupils at home. Also new is the focus on thinking and reasoning at least as much as on results.

Gradual introduction from cycle 1

Finally, an important development is the positive approach to mathematics from the very beginning. "It is no coincidence that we decided to start the series in cycle 1. At this age, no child is afraid of maths! Maths is a fascinating science that can be demonstrated in pictures and in action, even by the children themselves. All you have to do is help them discover it by tapping into their curiosity," says Professor Christiane Bentz, an expert from the Pädagogische Hochschule Karlsruhe who is closely involved in the project. Children aged three to six are not yet inhibited by failure and do not hesitate to express their thoughts and reasoning.

The new MATHI material will be introduced in cycle 1 of primary education from the start of the new school year. The series will then be introduced gradually up to cycle 4.2 by 2030/2031.

For and by Luxembourg teachers

The teaching materials were developed by the Service de coordination de la recherche et de l'innovation pédagogiques et technologiques (SCRIPT) of the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth, with the help of teachers working in the field. "We want to offer a tool that is tailor-made for the Luxembourg system," concludes Filipe Lima da Cunha, project coordinator. The MATHI series takes the form of manuals for pupils and teachers, folders with activities and boxes with materials for carrying them out. Digital applications will gradually be added to the series.

Press release by the Ministry of Education, Children and Youth