Re: [Phys-l] Students' READING abilities

["Pete Lohstreter" <plohstreter@mail.hockaday.org>]

Forum for Physics Educators <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu> writes:
> > Don't know if this is really true, but I recall someone saying once
> > that the language load in an intro physics course was larger than the
> > language load in an intro modern language course.  If so, that does
> > say something about our expectations.
>
> Hi Joe and all
>
> Might anyone know of the reference for the intriguing statement in
> Joe's comment above?  I'm planning a program with a
> linguist/mathematician to teach calculus and physics, where we are
> going to learn and use linguistics to help work through many of the
> issues brought up in this very interesting thread.

I don't have the reference, but I was under the impression that the
language load referred to Biology - not Physics.
"There is more new vocabulary in a first year Biology course than in a
first year foreign language class."
I am interested in seeing references as well..

PL



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