How do we teach academic vocabulary to ELs?
Academic Vocabulary must be explicitly taught to all students, with specific attention to English Learners. To do this, teachers must plan strategically and incorporate all domains of language so that students can truly experience how to manipulate a word and make meaning of it through listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
There are a lot of great resources out there- but I will share some that are specific to teaching academic language to ELs:
1. Language Power by Margo Gottlieb and Mariana Castro
2. Academic Language by Margo Gottlieb and Gisela Ernst-Slavit (This book is a series- there is a book for K-2, a book for 3-5, and a book for 6-8).
3. Scaffolding Language/Scaffolding Learning by Pauline Gibbons
Based on current research, the most impactful way to teach academic language is through oracy opportunities- when students can make meaning through listening and speaking. By utilizing WIDA's Four Key Uses (Discuss, Argue, Recount, and Explain), teachers can enhance student learning by creating carefully planned opportunities for students to utilize academic language through discourse.
It is no coincidence that the Common Core Standards utilize listening and speaking standards within their framework, as effective communication is a vital component of College & Career Readiness.
When teachers are also able to incorporate language targets into their content targets, this also enhances student learning for all students, especially ELs. Learn more about how to do this using the SIOP model.
*If you are a primary or intermediate teacher you and you utilize RAZ Kids, please click here to explore how to tie in content learning standards with language proficiency standards!
Here are some great resources to plan for instruction with special attention to academic vocabulary instruction:
1. Word Gen is a website that has weekly lesson plans for teachers grouped by grade and topic. These units are designed around controversial topics so that students can research and utilize language to form their own argument with support. Please go through the unit plans! Please also note the Educator Resources tab, which has several great videos including one on the difference between academic language and everyday language, and another which focuses on how to have teachers use different "moves" to promote academically productive language.
There are a lot of great resources out there- but I will share some that are specific to teaching academic language to ELs:
1. Language Power by Margo Gottlieb and Mariana Castro
2. Academic Language by Margo Gottlieb and Gisela Ernst-Slavit (This book is a series- there is a book for K-2, a book for 3-5, and a book for 6-8).
3. Scaffolding Language/Scaffolding Learning by Pauline Gibbons
Based on current research, the most impactful way to teach academic language is through oracy opportunities- when students can make meaning through listening and speaking. By utilizing WIDA's Four Key Uses (Discuss, Argue, Recount, and Explain), teachers can enhance student learning by creating carefully planned opportunities for students to utilize academic language through discourse.
It is no coincidence that the Common Core Standards utilize listening and speaking standards within their framework, as effective communication is a vital component of College & Career Readiness.
When teachers are also able to incorporate language targets into their content targets, this also enhances student learning for all students, especially ELs. Learn more about how to do this using the SIOP model.
*If you are a primary or intermediate teacher you and you utilize RAZ Kids, please click here to explore how to tie in content learning standards with language proficiency standards!
Here are some great resources to plan for instruction with special attention to academic vocabulary instruction:
1. Word Gen is a website that has weekly lesson plans for teachers grouped by grade and topic. These units are designed around controversial topics so that students can research and utilize language to form their own argument with support. Please go through the unit plans! Please also note the Educator Resources tab, which has several great videos including one on the difference between academic language and everyday language, and another which focuses on how to have teachers use different "moves" to promote academically productive language.