• Journal of Educational Research in Mathematics
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.203-227
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• 2012

This was to investigate how the slow learners who specially belonged to low-SES, or North Korean defectors showed their errors in mathematical learning. To conduct the study, two groups for each minority group participated in the study volunteerly during the Winter vacation, in 2011. Based on the preliminary interviews, a total of 15 units were given, focusing on building mathematical basic concepts. As results, they had some errors in common. They both were in lack of understanding of the terminologies and not able to apply the meanings of definitions and theorems to a problem. Because of uncertainty of basic knowledge of mathematics, they easily lost their focus and were apt to make a mistake. Also, they showed clear differences. North Korean defectors were not accustomed to using or understanding the meanings of Chines or English in Korean words in expressing, writing mathematical terminologies and reading data on the context. Technical errors, and misinterpreted errors were found. However, students from the low SES showed that they were familiar with mathematical words and terminologies, but their errors mostly belonged to carelessness because of the lack of mastering mathematical concepts.