Does adding mathematics to English language learners' timetables improve their acquisition of English?

This enquiry-based project set out to find out if adult English language learners, known as ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) learners in the UK, might benefit, in terms of their acquisition of English, from studying mathematics. This research has been conducted at a medium sized FE college in the East Midlands where I teach. I evaluate this in two ways, firstly by analysing learners’ results, and secondly by asking experienced ESOL teachers to observe and reflect on an ESOL Maths session. This project found a correlation between attending a maths class and improved English language exam results over 5 cohorts of students. In addition, ESOL teachers noted many and varied opportunities for English language learning in an ESOL Maths class, with higher levels of learner participation and confidence than seen in language classes. I recommend that we offer ESOL mathematics to ESOL learners, and that we reassess mathematics teaching for all learners, ESOL and English speakers, as a triad: conceptual understanding, procedural competence and language acquisition.