New Perspectives in Science Education

The ability to simplify complex concepts is essential in educational materials. Studies have shown that simplified, well-structured texts improve comprehension and learning outcomes, particularly for younger students [1], [2]. This is especially relevant for young school children, who are often required to engage with advanced topics at ages when their cognitive capacities are still developing [3]. This study analyzes the linguistic complexity of Romanian 6th-grade textbooks in biology and physics using ROTEX - the Romanian corpus of School Textbooks, which includes widely used textbooks in Romanian school education [4]. The methodology employs readability indices, such as those integrated into the LEMI Readability Platform, a tool developed for children’s literature in Romanian [5], as well as linguistic complexity measures [6]. Additionally, the study evaluates terminology usage and conceptual density. By comparing these findings with international norms for science education [7], the study assesses whether Romanian textbooks align with global best practices for teaching complex scientific concepts to young learners. The analysis reveals significant challenges in Romanian textbooks, including excessive linguistic and conceptual complexity, as well as the premature introduction of specialized terminology. These issues often surpass the cognitive and linguistic abilities of the target age group, potentially influencing understanding and engagement. By highlighting these limitations, this paper underscores the importance of incorporating linguistic validation and international standards into the design and approval processes for educational science materials.

Keywords: linguistics of textbooks, textbook corpus, science school textbooks, Romanian school textbook design, effective learning, Romanian education

REFERENCES

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