AN EXPLORATION OF PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHERS’ MATHS ANXIETY USING INTERPRETATIVE PHENOMENOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

Primary school teachers are important in children’s learning of mathematics, and maths anxiety development has been partly attributed to children’s classroom experiences (Das & Das, 2013). Maths anxiety was explored in UK primary school teachers, with a view to understanding its development and impact. Data from four semi-structured individual interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), which facilitates a deeper knowledge of individuals’ personal experience. Three key themes emerged: “experiencing the psychological consequences of maths anxiety”, “social influences” and “the consequences of experiencing maths anxiety as a teaching professional”. The findings contribute to our understanding of the influence of maths anxiety on teachers and teaching practices.

Keywords: Maths anxiety, qualitative research, primary school teachers, experience of teaching.

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