– In their efforts to increase numeracy (the mathematical equivalent of literacy) among young children, some psychologists and educators are focusing their attention on the “language” gap. Recent research has found a connection between the use of unclear English words and weaker arithmetic skills in English-speaking children.

– The problem begins with number “eleven.” English has a single word to name “11”, while Asian languages such as Chinese, Japanese and Korean use two words like “ten-one”, placing the “ten” first. Expressing the elements constituting a two-digit number (like eleven and twelve) in their right order is much more logical and easier to understand, while making it clear that the number system works on a base of 10.

Image: Wikimedia

READ THE ORIGINAL ARTICLE