In high school math, vocabulary can be just as challenging as the problems themselves. Many struggling learners—and especially English Language Learners—get stuck on dense textbook definitions. In this post, we explore why math vocabulary for English language learners matters, why simplified definitions and visuals make a difference, and how teachers can start supporting ELLs in math today.

If you've ever had a student who was perfectly capable of doing the math, but struggled to understand questions and explain their thinking, then you've seen firsthand how language can be a barrier in math classes. For English Language Learners and struggling learners, math isn't just about numbers. It's about vocabulary, sentence structures, and confidence. That's where word walls can help. When used intentionally, they can be one of the most powerful tools for supporting ELL