Academic Language

Discourse 

Discourse includes the STRUCTURES OF LANGUAGE, as well as how members of the discipline talk, write, and participate in knowledge construction. In science, language structures include 

• • symbolic representations such as chemical equations (which can be translated into words), 

  • graphic and tabular representations (which are shorthand language for complex sets of data),

  • lists (e.g. materials lists, etc.)

  • narrative (e.g. analysis and conclusions section in a lab report).

Language function 

The VERB used in the learning target, such as identify, analyze, summarize, define, explain, conclude, justify, compare, sort, etc.  

Common language functions in science include interpreting written investigative procedures, diagrams, figures, tables, graphs, and dense authoritative text; writing or presenting causal explanations; explaining models of scientific phenomena; predicting from models and data from scientific inquiries; comparing based on common attributes; summarizing scientific data from inquiries; justifying conclusions with scientific evidence; evaluating data and investigative procedures; classifying based on attributes; describing processes and procedures; drawing conclusions based on investigative results. NGSS Science and Engineering Practices represent language functions

Language demand 

Language demand is the PRODUCT the student makes, such as essay, paragraph, sentence, oral presentation, lab report, reflection, quick write, chart, etc.

Syntax 

Syntax is the SET OF CONVENTIONS for organizing symbols, words, and phrases together into structures (e.g., sentences, graphs, tables).

• • Working with databases

  • Stoichiometry

  • Dimensional Analysis

  • Maps and Visualization of Data

  • Graphic Organizers

Vocabulary

Includes WORDS and PHRASES that are used within disciplines including: (1) words and phrases with subject-specific meanings that differ from meanings used in everyday life (e.g., table); (2) general academic vocabulary used across disciplines (e.g.,compare, analyze, evaluate), and (3) subject-specific words defined for use in the

• • • Mathematical terms - translating word problems

    • Roots words for chemistry, physics, biology, and geoscience

    • Words have specific meanings in science, often different than in common language 

    • Academic word list for science - the most commonly used academic words in science

Games & activities for building academic vocabulary

• • Games

    • Jeopardy

    • Taboo

    • Pictionary

    • Bingo

    • Crossword Puzzles

    • Cloze