Welcome to the Open Oregon Educational Resource “Math for Learners of English”. The book intends to fill a gap in resources for teachers of English to students of other languages and their students. The book does not ask students nor English teachers to teach math. This book offers an opportunity to practice the language of math.
I have focused my career on Vocational English to Speakers of other Languages (VESL) since the 1990s. I have perused other books and resources about the language of math. There are many commercially available titles for engineering-level students. I have not found materials similar to what is offered in this book. English teachers may find startling grammar rules. Math teachers maybe interested in guiding some students to a resource about the basics. Students in math classes will be relieved to find guidance about this subject matter language.
This book was wholly funded by an Open Oregon Educational Resources two-year grant for 2023-2025. The kind guidance and oversight of the Open Oregon Educational Resources program direction, Amy Hofer, cannot be over appreciated. The Mt. Hood Community College OER Reference Specialist, Kevin Moore, is a constant source of positivity and support. And my many, many students who offered me their grace and patience as I exposed them to working drafts. Their contributions are variously captured in wholistic concepts and minute details throughout this first edition. Thank you!
The fractions and geometry portions in this book are derived from original materials developed for the Wired Foundations grant materials of 2010.
The Wired Foundations compendium was funded by a grant awarded under the Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) Initiative as implemented by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Employment & Training Administration. The information contained in this product was created by a grantee organization and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S. Department of Labor. All references to non-governmental companies or organizations, their services, products, or resources are offered for informational purposes and should not be construed as an endorsement by the Department of Labor. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it and is intended for individual organizational, non-commercial use only.
If you come across something that needs revision or editing, please contact me.
If you know or find other materials specific to the language of math for learners of English. I would be interested in knowing about them, too.
Lisa Hillyard, MA TESOL
Mt. Hood Community College
lisa.hillyard@mhcc.edu
June 2025
