Mathematical Proficiency: Can All Kids Become Good in Math Through Teaching Alone or Is It an Innate Talent?

Mathematics is one of the major subjects in school alongside science, social studies, and English.
However, according to data, math is also considered one of the most challenging subjects for
students in the primary and secondary levels. For this reason, some learners even in the later years
find it hard to understand the fundamentals and applicability of math, which is known for its
equations, theorems, and numerical variables.

Is Math Hard Compared to Other Subjects?

Compared with other minor and major subjects, mathematics has been proven to be a hard subject
for students, based on a 2020 study published in the International Journal of English and Education.
According to the research paper, students find math to be more difficult in higher education relative
to the secondary and elementary levels, making the subject relatively challenging for teachers and
professors to teach.

In addition, a 2015 study by researchers from the University of Calicut in India revealed that math is
the most-liked subject by only 6% of students and is the most disliked one by 88% of students. This is
based on a local survey conducted by the authors on students from Malappuram district.

Is Math Proficiency Learned or an Innate Talent?

Despite the complexities associated with math, the subject has been embedded in the education
system, ranging from the early primary level to high school and even college. In the Philippine
education system and those of other countries, mathematics as a core subject is taught across
different levels and programs. The subject is divided into different sections, including arithmetic,
geometry, number theory, and calculus.

This means that the fundamentals of mathematics are taught progressively, starting from the basics
up to the more complex aspects of the subject. While some people believe that mathematical
proficiency is an innate talent, some experts disagree with this notion. A 2018 research paper argued
that mathematical proficiency stems from the amount of time and effort put into learning the
subject.