Tussy and Gustafson's fundamental goal is to have students read, write, and talk about mathematics through building a conceptual foundation in the language of mathematics. Their text blends instructional approaches that include vocabulary, practice, and well-defined pedagogy, along with an emphasis on reasoning, modeling, and communication skills. With an emphasis on the "language of algebra," they foster students' ability to translate English into mathematical expressions and equations. Tussy and Gustafson