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Supporting Multilingual Learners in Primary Mathematics

Join a fully funded Work Group developing a toolkit of strategies and resources for working with multilingual learners (specifically those with EAL)
£ FULLY FUNDED
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Could your school help us shape the next phase of this work?
How can we better understand and support the mathematical thinking of multilingual learners?
 
How might we draw on pupils’ languages as a resource for learning, rather than viewing EAL as a barrier?
 
BBO Maths Hub and Oxford Brookes University, led by Dr Jo Skelton, are working with primary schools in the BBO region to explore how language-responsive teaching can support multilingual learners in mathematics.
 
In the first year, teachers trialled strategies in their classrooms and developed case studies that are forming part of a practical toolkit for teachers. We are keen to continue to develop the toolkit and are now looking for new schools to trial further approaches, provide feedback or add their own case studies.
 
We are now inviting new schools to help us explore these approaches further, trial them in their own classrooms and contribute further to a practical toolkit for other teachers. 
 
Join us to hear what we learned in the first year, what taking part would involve and how your school could contribute to the research and toolkit in our online information event.
 
Online information event: Tuesday 20th October 2026 at 3:45pm
Come along to hear more about:
 
  • what we have learned during the first year of the project;
  • the practical strategies teachers have been exploring;
  • our plans for the second year;
  • how your school could become involved in trialling and researching approaches; and
 
We would particularly like to hear from schools interested in developing their understanding of multilingual learners and working collaboratively with us to explore what makes a difference in the mathematics classroom.
 
Following the information event this Work Group will meet for two in person sessions (venue TBC):
 
REGISTER FOR THE ONLINE INFORMATION EVENT

 

This Work Group is designed to develop effective pedagogies, strategies, and resources to support primary pupils who speak English as an additional language, across a wide range of language proficiencies.

 

Who can join?

This programme is open to teachers who are keen to build their expertise in supporting multilingual learners.

 

What’s involved?

Together, we will co-create and trial strategies, resources, and approaches for teaching mathematics through language-responsive practices. The focus will be on using pupils’ languages as a valuable resource for learning.

Each Work Group will:

  • Explore approaches rooted in teaching for mastery

  • Share and trial practice-based tasks between sessions

 

What will you gain?

By taking part, you will:

  • Support your pupils in drawing on all their languages to engage with mathematics

  • Strengthen your teaching through language-responsive approaches

  • Contribute case studies showcasing strategies you have trialled

  • Help co-design a practical toolkit for teachers of multilingual learners

 

To register for this Work Group, please click on the link below:

24/11/26

25/05/27

10:00 – 15:00

13:00 – 16:00

Venue TBC

Venue TBC

REGISTER NOW