Language, Vocabulary, and Knowledge

Your GOAL is to effectively connect EB students' experiences to academic language and vocabulary. You can help students learn new information by connecting it to things they already know or have experienced. Use relatable examples, pictures, objects, personal stories, labels, and open-ended questions to encourage them to see the links between what they already understand and what they are learning. This makes it easier for them to build on their knowledge and understand new ideas.

What is Academic Language and Vocabulary?

Academic language is the language used in the classroom lessons, books, tests, and assignments; it's the language that students are expected to learn and achieve fluency in.

Academic vocabulary refers to specialized, high-utility words used in the classroom. Academic vocabulary also includes the language our students need to competently speak to read and discuss topics, in all content areas. Academic vocabulary includes many academic words (e.g. analyze, summarize, evaluate, formula, respond, specify, create, explain, organize, solve, demonstrate, modify)

Why is it important for an Emergent Bilingual student to increase their vocabulary?

A student's vocabulary is the basic building block used when speaking. A strong English vocabulary is crucial for effective communication, whether speaking in conversation or writing an essay, as it provides the essential building blocks to express ideas clearly and accurately, making vocabulary expansion a key aspect of learning English.

Foundation for communication:

Without a basic vocabulary, it becomes difficult to participate in conversations or convey complex thoughts hindering overall language proficiency.

Using Background and Prior Knowledge

Use pictures, real objects, maps and personal experience

Using images and personal experiences when teaching EB students is a highly effective strategy to enhance comprehension, engagement, and language acquisition by providing visual context and allowing students to connect new information to their own lives, making the learning process more relatable and accessible.

Benefits of using images and personal experiences:

Helping with understanding: Pictures and real objects give students visual clues, making it easier to understand vocabulary and tricky ideas, especially abstract ones.
Connecting cultures: Using images or items that reflect students' cultural backgrounds makes the classroom more welcoming and helps link their experiences to the lesson.
Building on what they know: Asking students to share personal experiences related to an image or object helps them remember what they already know and add to it.
Encouraging communication: Pictures and objects inspire students to talk, describe what they see, and share their thoughts, boosting their language skills.

Relate materials to student lives

To relate materials to ELL students' lives, teachers should actively incorporate elements from their students' cultural backgrounds, experiences, and everyday lives into the curriculum, using visuals, real-life examples, and relevant topics that resonate with their personal stories, which can help them connect with the learning material on a deeper level and improve comprehension.

Key strategies to relate materials to EB students' lives:

Use culturally relevant examples:
Draw on familiar cultural practices, holidays, food, or stories from their home countries to illustrate concepts.
Incorporate visuals and realia:
Utilize images, videos, objects, and props that represent their everyday lives to support language acquisition.
Connect to personal experiences:
Encourage students to share stories and anecdotes related to the topic being discussed, fostering a sense of connection.
Adapt language complexity:
Simplify vocabulary and sentence structures to ensure accessibility while still introducing new language concepts.
Utilize bilingual resources:
Leverage bilingual dictionaries, materials, or translation tools where appropriate to bridge the language gap.

Label with key words

"Labeling with key words" for EB students means attaching visible labels to classroom objects, areas, and materials with essential vocabulary words in English, often accompanied by pictures, to help them learn new language and navigate their environment easily, especially when they are still developing their English skills. .

Key points about labeling for EB students:

Visual support:
Pictures or drawings alongside the written words help students connect the visual image to the new vocabulary.
High-frequency vocabulary:
Focus on every day, essential words that students will encounter regularly in the classroom.
Bilingual labeling:
For some students, labeling in both English and their native language can be beneficial for understanding.
Contextual relevance:
Place labels where the object is located to provide immediate context for learning.

Visualize

"Visualizing" for EB students means using pictures, diagrams, and other visual aids to help them understand new vocabulary and concepts in English, as visuals provide a concrete representation that can bridge the gap in language comprehension, particularly when dealing with abstract ideas or unfamiliar terms; this strategy is crucial for supporting their learning process and building a strong foundation in the language.

Key reasons why visualization is important for EB students.

Breaking language barriers: Visuals help students understand lessons even when their English skills are still developing, by giving clear context and meaning.
Making abstract ideas clear: Complex or tricky concepts become easier to understand when shown visually, helping students "see" what is being explained.
Boosting engagement and interest: Visuals make learning more fun and interactive, encouraging students to join in and stay involved.
Learning new words: Connecting pictures to words helps students understand and remember new vocabulary more easily.
Helping all learners: Visual aids are especially helpful for visual learners, giving them a way to take in information more effectively.

Question

Asking questions is crucial for English language learners (EB students) because it allows them to actively engage with the material, identify areas of confusion, deepen their understanding, build confidence in their language skills, and ultimately, become more independent learners by taking ownership of their learning process

Key reasons why asking questions is important for EB students:

Clarifies understanding:
When students ask questions about concepts they don't fully grasp, they can receive clarification and address potential misunderstandings before moving forward.
Promotes active learning:
Instead of passively absorbing information, asking questions encourages students to actively think critically about the material and seek out new knowledge.
Identifies gaps in knowledge:
By voicing their questions, students reveal areas where they need more support or explanation, allowing teachers to tailor instruction accordingly.
Boosts confidence:
Overcoming the fear of asking questions and receiving positive feedback can build a student's confidence in their language abilities.
Improves communication skills:
Practicing asking questions in different contexts helps students develop their fluency and ability to express themselves effectively.
Encourages curiosity:
Asking questions fosters a sense of curiosity and a desire to explore new concepts further.
Provides opportunities for deeper engagement:
When students ask thoughtful questions, it can lead to richer discussions and a more meaningful learning experience for the whole class.