We Ran the Numbers
Back in the mid-2000s, the Royal Mint gave our coins a bit of a makeover. And hey, who doesn’t like shiny new coins? However, evidently chuffed with their idea of having a set of six coins (1p to 50p) that you can arrange in a certain way so that the designs line up to form a bigger design, they seemingly overlooked the fact that numerals, on coins, are a good idea. If you’ve never seen the UK coins before and have no idea what they’re worth, you need to be able to read numbers as words. Not easy, especially given that ‘one’ and ‘two’ look nothing like how they’re pronounced. And don’t get me started on the font size. Remember, folks: accessible design is a good thing.
Phone numbers: 07755, let’s say that’s the first part of someone’s mobile number, can be read out as ‘zero seven seven five five’. Or ‘oh double-seven double-five’. Two ways of giving the same five-digit string. Easy to get muddled.
If you’re reading the time, 2.30 is two thirty. Or half past two. But people might also say ‘half two’. (At least we’re agreed it’s after two o’clock, unlike in, say, Germany or Finland, where half two means one thirty.)
The basic point here is that for anyone learning English, the way numbers are used, and the assumptions we make, can make things somewhat confusing. And that’s before we consider the fact that many people in general feel negatively about numbers.
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One of our funding outputs is the number of people participating in adult numeracy provision, and so we’re now running new ESOL Numeracy classes. This was also something a couple of our volunteers had suggested. These classes cover practical everyday skills such as writing numbers as words, working with percentages, telling the time, and recognising notes and coins and being able to add them up.
Our classes are planned and taught by volunteers, and as ever, we’re extremely grateful we’re able to count on their commitment, enthusiasm and expertise. We have four volunteer tutors delivering two weekly classes, with 23 learners across the two groups.
Today the class was excellent, recognising coins and money, very interesting, thank you!
The classes are good. I learn a lot. Thank you, my teacher, for your humble guidance. Thank you again.
I’ve really enjoyed teaching it. It’s good vibes and I think everyone is happy.
It’s been a very encouraging start. One last thing to add: it’s the team that’s done all this; I’m just writing about it. Great work, everyone. Thank you!
