Teaching Academic Vocabulary to English Language Learners Where do we start?

Where do we start? What academic words do we choose? Activity: Short-answer Science questions for grades 9, 11

Activity #1 Choose an appropriate Science example for your level. Underline the words you would pre-teach as academic words. Grade 9 Hipparchus, an astronomer in ancient Greece, proposed an Earth-centered model of the solar system. In this model, the Sun, Earth’s moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn not only traveled around the Earth, but also traveled in small circles called “epicycles.” A simplified illustration of Hipparchus’ solar system is shown below. Explain how our current understanding of the solar system differs from Hipparchus’ Earth-centered solar system. Grade 11 During normal human metabolism, waste products are produced. One of the waste products is carbon dioxide (CO2). Explain how carbon dioxide is removed from the human body.

What do the colors in the Vocabulary Profiler mean? Grade 8 Hipparchus an astronomer in ancient Greece proposed an Earth centered model of the solar system In this model the Sun Earth moon Mercury Venus Mars Jupiter and Saturn not only traveled around the Earth but also traveled in small circles called epicycles A simplified illustration of Hipparchus solar system is shown below Explain how our current understanding of the solar system differs from Hipparchus Earth centered solar system Grade 11 During normal human metabolism waste products are produced One of the waste products is carbon dioxide CO Explain how carbon dioxide is removed from the human body

Isabel Beck: (2002) Both usefulness and frequency should be considered for all students. Three tiers of vocabulary: –Tier 1: basic, short-easy words (see, water, up, how) August/ Snow add cognates to this basic level (map/mapa) for ELL’s who speak Spanish –Tier II: words that are critical to comprehension (every, while, although, never, reduce, expand, define, boldly, timidly ) –Tier III: subject-matter-specific words (environment, trait)

2. Teach vocabulary explicitly Kate Kinsella: (2005) Vocabulary is the single, strongest predictor of academic success for second language students. The core of the achievement gap is a profound verbal gap, and to narrow that gap we have to focus on teaching high-use academic words. Recommends direct vocabulary instruction for all struggling readers, including ELL’s. Explicit steps for instruction include: pronounce, explain, give examples, elaborate, review/assess student learning. To engage learners, use activities with constant evidence-checks – i.e. written production (word charts, sentence starters), oral sharing, gestures, partnering. Academic English must be explicitly taught.

Robert Marzano: (2004) Systematic, standards-based vocabulary instruction helps build academic background knowledge -- the basis for future academic achievement. Recommends a consistent process: (1) provide a description, explanation or example of the word (2) ask students to restate your explanation in their own words (3) ask them to draw a picture or symbol of the word (4) review words bi-weekly through discussions and activities (5) have students interact, play with words through games, and keep a detailed vocabulary notebook

3. Use repetition and multiple exposures.

4. Use rich oral language and extensive reading for incidental learning

Vocabulary growth is like a pyramid with rich oral language and word consciousness at the base - The majority of time in a classroom should be spent on increasing the breadth and depth of word knowledge through experiences with language. This includes both wide reading and rich oral language. - The smallest amount of time – the top of the pyramid – should be spent in direct instruction.

Extensive reading of text is crucial for the expansion of vocabulary knowledge and the development of academic language proficiency. Psychometrically vocabulary knowledge is virtually indistinguishable from reading comprehension. Recommends using cognates to increase vocabulary for Spanish speakers ,000 words in Spanish are easily transferred to English.

What the National Reading Panel Says About the Role of Vocabulary in Reading Instruction 1. There is a need for direct instruction of vocabulary items required for a specific text. 2. Repetition and multiple exposure to vocabulary items are important. Students should be given items that will be likely to appear in many contexts. 3. Learning in rich contexts is valuable for vocabulary learning. Vocabulary words should be those that the learner will find useful in many contexts. When vocabulary items are derived from content learning materials, the learner will be better equipped to deal with specific reading matter in content areas. 4. Vocabulary tasks should be restructured as necessary. It is important to be certain that students fully understand what is asked of them in the context of reading, rather than focusing only on the words to be learned. Restructuring seems to be most effective for low-achieving or at-risk students 5. Vocabulary learning is effective when it entails active engagement in learning tasks. 6. Computer technology can be used effectively to help teach vocabulary. 7. Vocabulary can be acquired through incidental learning. Much of a student’s vocabulary will have to be learned in the course of doing things other than explicit vocabulary learning. Repetition, richness of context, and motivation may also add to the efficacy of incidental learning of vocabulary. 8. Dependence on a single vocabulary instruction method will not result in optimal learning. A variety of methods was used effectively with emphasis on multimedia aspects of learning, richness of context in which words are to be learned, and the number of exposures to words that learners receive. (Reprinted from National Reading Panel, 2000, p. 4-4)

For ELL’s a rich ORAL language foundation is key. For ELL’s we must also explicitly teach high-frequency words and important content words For ELL’s who speak romance languages like Spanish or French, it is important to teach cognates as a connection to academic English.

So where do we start when teaching academic vocabulary to English language learners? 1.Start with frequency lists. The 2000 highest frequency words in English comprise 80% or more of text. 2.Choose academic words that cross domains (Tier 2 words). 3.In content subjects, include key technical words (Tier 3 words). How should we teach these academic words? 1.Build a base of rich oral language. 2.Teach vocabulary explicitly and actively, building connections through cognates and prior knowledge. 3.Provide multiple exposures through engaging materials.