Developing Language Objectives for Secondary Science “To communicate within academic communities, students need appropriate academic language along with knowledge and skills.” Freeman and Freeman, 2006

Session Objectives Participants will understand the reason for using language objectives in secondary science. Participants will become familiar with a formula for developing language objectives that infuse the teaching of language skills into the science lesson.

Reasons to Teach Language Through Content Students receive both content and language instruction. Language is kept in its natural context. Students have real purposes to use language. Students develop the academic vocabulary of the content area. (Freeman and Freeman, 2006)

Language Objectives Language objectives include the use of linguistic supports or skills—such as vocabulary, grammatical structures, and language functions—which are essential to the integration of language and content instruction. Language objectives answer the question, What additional language skills should be taught within the context of the lesson? (Vocabulary, grammatical structures, and language functions)

Formula for Writing Language Objectives WHAT + DO + HOW WHAT = The content we want the student to know DO = What we want the student to do to learn the content (involving skills of reading, writing, speaking, or listening) HOW = How students will demonstrate understanding of the content

Examples of Language Objectives (WHAT + DO + HOW) Students will construct models of the structure of DNA to illustrate the concept taught while using appropriate vocabulary to describe the model. Students will work in small groups to discuss and create a model which shows how the genetic code of DNA is carried.

Create Your Own Language Objectives WHAT + DO + HOW = Language Objective WHAT = Content — use TEKS DO = Language Function — use verb list handout HOW = Language Support — brainstorm tasks which incorporate language learning support strategies and demonstrate student understanding

References Freeman, Y. & Freeman, D. (2006). Developing academic language for school success. Brownsville, TX: The University of Texas at Brownsville.