English as Maths Speech

<< Background >>We applied for this project in response to the growing need to support students who are learning maths through a second language, particularly English. Studies on the relationship between English proficiency and success in maths have shown that limited English skills often lead to difficulties in understanding mathematical concepts, resulting in lower academic performance. Maths, while universal in many ways, still relies heavily on specific vocabulary, syntax, and logical reasoning, which can be a barrier for non-native speakers. In Greece, our partner university conducted a survey among international students and found that 75% of them felt insecure when learning in a language that is not their mother tongue. In Turkey, where classrooms often include students from various countries, 90% of teachers reported challenges in managing linguistic diversity in their classrooms. In Italy, it was observed that both graduates who continued their studies abroad and foreign students enrolled in their school faced significant challenges in understanding maths in English. EMS was created to address these needs by developing strategies and tools that help students overcome language barriers in maths and improve their academic success.<< Objectives >>Our main goal was to support both students and teachers who face difficulties in teaching or learning mathematics in English, especially when their language proficiency is not strong enough, despite appearing fluent in everyday communication. These challenges become even more significant in academic settings, where subject-specific terminology and complex reasoning are required. Through this project, we aimed to create a valuable and practical resource for students and teachers working or studying in a foreign country for various reasons.The EMS project seeks to address a commonly overlooked gap in language education by introducing an innovative approach that connects language learning directly with mathematical thinking. Our objective was to enhance understanding, increase academic success, and promote more inclusive and effective teaching practices in multilingual and multicultural learning environments.<< Implementation >>Throughout the project, we implemented a wide range of local, regional, international, and virtual activities, each designed to serve different objectives.At the local and regional level, we organized dissemination and informative meetings, collaborated closely with associated partners, and conducted multiplier events to raise awareness and promote the project's outcomes within our communities.At the international level, we held online coordination meetings, transnational project meetings (TPMs), and Learning, Teaching, and Training Activities (LTTAs), bringing together partners from different countries to share knowledge, develop resources, and ensure consistent progress.For virtual and dissemination purposes, we made active use of social media, engaged with the press and media outlets, and launched an eTwinning project to broaden outreach and foster collaboration among educators.In terms of key outputs, two major results of the project include the development of an Open Educational Resources (OER) platform and a dedicated Mobile App, both aimed at supporting the teaching and learning of mathematics in English as a second language.<< Results >>The main concrete outputs of our project were the development of an Open Educational Resources (OER) platform and a Mobile App, both designed to provide rich educational content for teaching and learning mathematics in English. These tools include a wide range of materials that present key mathematical concepts in both the students' mother tongue and English, helping bridge the language gap that often hinders understanding and performance.Through these outputs, we aimed to achieve the following results:Increase students’ success in mathematics lessons taught in EnglishImprove students’ language proficiency, especially in academic and subject-specific EnglishCreate a supportive learning environment for both educators and learnersReduce the number of failures and dropouts among students struggling with language-related barriers in maths educationBy combining language learning with subject content, our project addressed a critical need in multilingual classrooms and provided sustainable, accessible tools for long-term impact.