For many students, maths itself isn’t the main challenge—word problems are. Teachers regularly hear comments like “I don’t know where to start”, “It’s too confusing”, or “The question doesn’t make sense.”
But why do so many learners freeze when faced with a paragraph of text instead of a neat equation?
At Phi Tuition, we see this issue every year across GCSE, A-Level, IB and younger learners. The good news is that struggling with word problems is not a sign of weak ability. In fact, it’s usually a sign that students haven’t yet learned how to think mathematically—a skill that can be taught, practised, and mastered.
1. Word Problems Require a Different Kind of Thinking
Unlike straightforward calculation questions, word problems demand multiple steps:
- Reading and understanding a real-life scenario
- Identifying relevant information
- Translating words into a mathematical model
- Choosing the correct method
- Solving and interpreting the result
This means that students must combine literacy, logic, and mathematical knowledge at the same time. If even one of these areas is weak, the entire process can break down.
2. Students Look for Clues Instead of Understanding the Problem
Many students are conditioned by years of exam practice to search for patterns or familiar question types. For example, if they see the word “altogether”, they assume it must be addition.
This “keyword hunting” can lead to mistakes.
Successful problem-solvers don’t look for clues—they look for structure. They read to understand what is happening, not just which operation to use. This shift from spotting hints to analysing relationships is one of the biggest hurdles in mathematical thinking.
3. They Struggle With Abstraction
Word problems require students to turn everyday language into mathematical symbols. This abstraction is not natural for many learners, especially if they:
- Are new to algebra
- Lack confidence
- Are used to being shown steps rather than working them out
The leap from words → model → solution is a skill that must be built gradually.
4. Anxiety Plays a Hidden Role
When students see a long block of text, many immediately feel overwhelmed. Maths anxiety—common even in high-achieving students—can shut down their reasoning process before they even begin.
Helping students stay calm, slow down, and break the problem into pieces can dramatically improve performance.
How to Teach Students to Think Mathematically
Supporting students with word problems means teaching them a clear, structured way to approach unfamiliar questions. Here are the most effective strategies we use at Phi Tuition:
1. Teach a Simple Problem-Solving Framework
A consistent process reduces fear and builds confidence. A useful example:
- Read the question slowly
- Underline key information
- Visualise the scenario (diagram, table, or sketch)
- Translate into maths
- Solve
- Check the answer makes sense
Once students internalise a routine, they approach problems with clarity rather than panic.
2. Encourage Visual Thinking
Diagrams are powerful. Even simple sketches can transform a confusing scenario into a clear, solvable structure.
This habit trains students to:
- Recognise relationships
- Identify missing information
- Break complex problems into smaller parts
Visual learners especially benefit from this step.
3. Build Mathematical Vocabulary
Words such as “difference”, “rate”, “constant”, or “total” carry specific mathematical meanings. Misunderstandings here can derail the entire problem.
Explicitly teaching vocabulary improves both mathematical thinking and exam performance.
4. Practise Real-Life Examples
Students engage more deeply when problems feel relevant. Using scenarios from shopping, travel, physics, or sports helps them connect maths to the real world and see the purpose behind it.
5. Develop a Growth Mindset
Many students believe they’re “bad at word problems.” Reframing mistakes as part of the learning process helps them persist long enough to figure things out.
When students believe they can learn to think mathematically—they do.
Final Thoughts
Word problems are challenging not because they are advanced, but because they require true mathematical thinking: interpreting, modelling, reasoning, and evaluating.
By teaching students clear frameworks, strengthening their vocabulary, and building confidence, we can transform word problems from a source of frustration into an opportunity for deeper understanding.
- #MathsEducation
- #MathsHelp
- #MathsSkills
- #ProblemSolving
- #ThinkMathematically
- #MathsRevision
- #STEMEducation
