• Education of Primary School Mathematics
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.361-375
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• 2022

In this study, the vocabularies in elementary mathematics textbooks for grade 1-2 were analyzed according to 9-degree of semantic system. Also, the types of vocabulary were analyzed using general academic words, mathematics specific concept words, and mathematics general concept words. As a result, percentages of 1-degree and 2-degree vocabulary was the most in both grade 1 and 2 mathematics textbooks. It also shows that some of general academic words were 3-degree vocabulary and some of mathematics specific concept words were either unregistered or 1-degree vocabulary. In particular, general academic words, which are 3-degree vocabulary, may be unfamiliar to 1^st and 2^nd grade students. Therefore, students should be given the opportunity to guess and understand the contextual meaning of general academic words from the given contexts in textbooks. The frequency of use of mathematics general concept words in grade 2 textbook increased significantly compared to grade 1 textbook. Since mathematics general concept words are academic and technical vocabulary they should be taught explicitly. Based on the results of this study, implications for vocabulary instruction in mathematics textbooks were discussed.