An important key to helping English Language Learners (ELLs) and their classmates succeed in the classroom is the mastery of academic language and vocabulary. In fact, all students are academic English Language Learners; not just ELLs. Many people first think of vocabulary, but when it comes to building academic language, it is much more than just teaching Tier 3 vocabulary words.
While content-area vocabulary words are certainly an important component, academic language also refers to the words and phrases used to connect these key words and communicate concepts. The language of school encompasses "words, grammar, and organizational strategies used to describe complex ideas, higher-order thinking processes, and abstract concepts” (Zwiers, 2008).
While an academic language's role seems obvious for reading and writing, academic language is also necessary for listening and speaking. ELLs need strategies that will provide them with a set of tools that they can use to unpack academic language independently and move from the word level to the sentence, paragraph, essay, or chapter and more sophisticated projects.
This workshop will identify ways to build academic language and vocabulary through reading, direct instruction, and interactive activities that can be used before, during and after reading. We will also develop a deeper understanding of how important background knowledge is to the building of academic language and explore ways to build that knowledge.
Fee: FREE
For questions regarding this activity, please contact the HV RBERN.