Korean is apparently one of the best languages for learning math. Korean, alongside Chinese, Japanese and Turkish, are easier than other languages when counting numbers and when explaining mathematical concepts, according to an article in the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on September 10.

The WSJ said all four languages use simpler number words and express math concepts more clearly, making it easier for children to learn counting and arithmetic. English has a unique word for numbers such as eleven, while Korean has words that can more simply be translated as "ten one," pronounced with the "ten" first, the article said. According to the newspaper, part of this is because numbers in Korean are spoken based on units of 10.

In another example, number words for the teens, such as seventeen, reverse the order of the "ones" and the "tens," making it easy for children to get confused, it reported. When doing multi-digit addition and subtraction, children working in an English medium have a harder time understanding that two-digit numbers are made up of tens and ones, making it more difficult to avoid errors, the newspaper said.


In mathematics, one concept builds upon another. U.S. high school students rank 30th among students from 65 nations on international achievement exams, while Chinese and Korean students lead the world, according to the newspaper.

By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr