The effect of NLP supported mathematics education on students' mathematics anxiety

Mathematics anxiety has existed from past to present, but recently it is a situation that is observed intensely in students. The aim of this research is to determine the effectiveness of NLP technique in mathematics teaching by examining the mathematics anxiety in 8th grade students with NLP-supported applications and examining this process with a sample group. Recently, there have been studies on the inclusion of NLP technique in teaching and studies on mathematics anxiety with different techniques. However, there is no study in the literature on the use of NLP in mathematics lessons. In this study, mathematics anxiety was discussed for the first time with the NLP and it was aimed to gain a new perspective on teaching and learning mathematics. "Action Research Model" was used in the realization of the research. The study group consists of 20 students at 8th grade in a private education course in Konyaaltı/Antalya in the 2020-2021 academic year. It was formed by criterion sampling and easily accessible case sampling. An action plan was made to implement 8 NLP sessions involving NLP principles and techniques with 20 students. Observation and interview techniques were used, and student interviews and applied lessons were audio recorded. Before and after the application, the students were interviewed twice, and the questions in the "Semi-structured Pre-Interview Form" and "Semi-Structured Final Interview Form" prepared by the researcher were asked to the students. The findings were written down in the Word and also noted under the name of "Observation Reports". The data were analyzed with the "Content Analysis Method". Accordingly, the texts were analyzed and coded one by one in detail. Each student was coded as A,B,C,…,S. In the tables, where the emerging themes are included, the number of students in each theme are shown with the frequency values, and the tables are interpreted and compared according to the frequency values. Before the application, negative codes such as fear, tension, hatred, prejudice, hectic, giving up, reluctant etc. were observed in all of the students. According to the findings obtained at the end of the application, 90% of the students were enthusiastic, self-confident, relaxed, calm, etc. In conclusion, it was observed that NLP-supported applications are effective, students' math anxiety decreases and their motivation towards the lesson increases. Based on the results of the research, various suggestions were made to educators and researchers about the use of NLP techniques in teaching. Keywords: NLP, Mathematics Anxiety, Action Research Model, Motivation