Academic Language
What is academic language?
Academic language is the language used in school. Jim Cummins discovered that while many students learn enough language to engage in social communication, it takes significantly more time and support for students to develop the language skills needed to succeed in their academic classes. This is why it is common for English language learners to have high basic interpersonal communication skills while having low cognitive academic language proficiencies.
What is the difference between social English and academic English?
Social English
BICS - Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills
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Academic English
CALP - Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency
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Why should I teach academic language?
Students need to be able to understand a teacher's explanation, read for different purposes, discuss what is being learned, and write about their learning. Research shows that vocabulary instruction improves comprehension, which is why it is necessary for students to acquire a deep understanding of their content vocabulary so they can achieve academic success.
What are some examples of academic language in my content area?
Brick words are the words specific to the content taught in a specific discipline. The following words are all examples of brick words that can be found in each content area.
English
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Social Studies
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Science
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Mathematics
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Arts
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Physical Education
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What type of academic language is used in all content areas?
Mortar words are used in all academic settings. They are words used to construct sentences and engage in discussions using academic language. Mortar words and phrases connect language, which is why they are essential for student comprehension.
Examples of Mortar Words
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What are some strategies I can use to build academic language?
1. Encourage students to read diverse texts.
2. Introduce summary frames.
3. Help students translate from social English to academic English and back.
4. Have students complete scripts of academic routines.
5. Introduce academic language in an engaging way.
6. Help students diagram similarities and differences.
7. Have students write with a list of transition words.
8. Teach key words necessary for understanding standardized test prompts.
2. Introduce summary frames.
3. Help students translate from social English to academic English and back.
4. Have students complete scripts of academic routines.
5. Introduce academic language in an engaging way.
6. Help students diagram similarities and differences.
7. Have students write with a list of transition words.
8. Teach key words necessary for understanding standardized test prompts.