CHAPTER 6
PERCENTAGES AND RATIOS
Ratios and percentages come into the Adult Core Curriculum for Numeracy at Level 1 and above, but you may find, as I have, that when teaching shopping, even at Entry 1 in ESOL classes, percentages often come up and learners want to be able to understand them. This is another example of how teachers are sometimes pulled in two different directions- the needs and requirements of the learners are often different from the needs and demands of the exam system, and as teachers we have to reconcile the two. In my case this means I end up teaching language and topics way above the maths levels of my learners, but as they need them for their lives they are clearly important.
Of and Off
The main confusion when teaching percentages are two small words and they can cause mayhem! They are ‘off’ and ‘of’. What is 20% of £40? What is 20% off £40? See what I mean? This is tricky and I suggest you teach ‘of’ first and ‘off’ second, and keep them discrete; if I teach them together this seems to add to the confusion. When learners have practised both, then I try the mixed worksheet and see if they have really got it. Native speakers of English also use these worksheets in my classes, and it cheers the ESOL learners up to know they are not alone!
Ratios
Ratios do not seem to exist in all cultures, so if your learners are progressing to Level 1 or above in maths you will need to teach this topic from first principles. It is worth starting with some practical examples of written ratios, such as the ones found on such products as squash bottles and hair dye packets, and working from there. The colon, :, seems very unfamiliar used in the ratio context to most of the ESOL learners I have taught, as it is the symbol for division in many other countries.
Beware the use of some of the ratio material much beloved by some native English speakers, as it is based around making cocktails, which may not be acceptable to some of our learners. I avoid any references to alcohol in the Maths sessions, although in Citizenship classes the minimum age for various activities in the UK is covered, including the minimum age for alcohol consumption.
JMS 2013/14