Notes on Academic Language and Vocabulary Acquisition

Language Learners

  • 76% of secondary students in the US for over six years are still scoring at beginning or intermediate levels.

Academic Language

  • Defined as a second language for all students.
  • Using academic vocabulary is crucial because students rarely encounter these words outside the classroom.
  • Actively encourage the use of academic words in class.
  • Incorporating academic language into the classroom is extremely important.

Three Strategies to Enhance Vocabulary Learning

  • Honoring and activating background knowledge.
  • Providing structured output.
  • Targeting vocabulary.

Honoring and Activating Background Knowledge

  • Start with concept-based, open-ended questions to engage students.
  • Acknowledge that students already possess knowledge and life experiences.
  • Use universal questions to tap into students' existing understanding.
  • Examples of Universal Questions:
    • "Is your work important?"
    • Questions related to multiplication algorithms, Romeo and Juliet, cell theory, or the influence of environment on behavior.
  • Techniques:
    • KWL charts to showcase what students already know.
    • Allow diverse forms of output, such as drawing, to accommodate different skill sets.

Providing Structured Output

  • Offer students a structured way to respond to lower the affective filter.
  • Writing can be a low-pressure way for students to respond, especially with sentence stems provided.
  • Sentence Stems:
    • Provide sentence stems for students to use (e.g., "My job is important because…").
    • Facilitate structured conversations.
    • Offer alternatives to "I don't know" to encourage engagement (e.g., "I need more information.").

Targeting Vocabulary

  • Identify key vocabulary words within texts or articles.
  • Adapt texts to different reading levels while preserving key vocabulary (use AI tools, but check the generated content).
  • Encourage students to justify why they think certain words are important.

Making Connections to Target Vocabulary

  • Link new vocabulary to words students already know.
  • Examples:
    • Connect "multiplicative" to "multiply" and "repetitive" to "repeat."
  • Use tools like word sorts to examine prefixes, suffixes, and roots.

Vocabulary Activities and Strategies

  • Word Sorts: Categorize words by prefixes, suffixes, or related meanings.
  • Frayer Models: Define words, provide examples, non-examples, and draw pictures.
  • Jigsawing: Divide vocabulary words among students, making them experts on their assigned words.

Leveraging Curriculum Resources

  • Utilize curriculum resources that are available in multiple languages.
  • Use AI tools to generate talking points.

Key Takeaways

  • Students' parents care, and they have background knowledge.
  • Address the misconception that students don't care by recognizing that behavior issues can arise when students feel disconnected.
  • Create a purposeful and engaging environment where students feel included.