Dr Costas Loizou, The Academic Language of Mathematics
As a Lecturer in Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the SWJTU-Leeds Joint School, I have experienced the crucial role that language plays in the context of mathematics education. Language can often be a significant barrier in understanding and communicating mathematical concepts, regardless of whether students have English as a first language or not.
To address this, we are writing The Academic Language of Mathematics, an open-access textbook designed to help students study mathematics effectively in English, that aims to foster inclusivity among students from diverse linguistic backgrounds. This unique collaboration between mathematicians and an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) specialist is co-authored with Deak Kirkham (Lecturer in EAP, Leeds) and Chen Shuwei (Lecturer in Mathematics, SWJTU).
The textbook will feature interactive exercises, multimedia content, example dialogues, and glossaries with definitions, examples, and Chinese translations to help students navigate technical mathematical terminology and notation. It will serve as both a self-study tool and a classroom resource. Mathematics lecturers will be able to use it to familiarise STEM students with the language in upcoming lectures, and it will support EAP lecturers in teaching the language of mathematics to students.