8 Strategies to Make Academic Language Simple for Better Learning
What does 'analyze' mean? Why can't I say 'study' instead?
These questions echo through classrooms daily as students struggle with academic language. In today's fast-paced world of texts and tweets, students face difficulty mastering academic language more than ever. While they excel at casual communication, the formal language of education often feels like a deep ocean they can't swim. It is possible to help them overcome this challenge. As a responsible English teacher, you should use the right strategies for teaching academic language. Only then your students will understand the power of academic language and use it confidently.
Best Ways to Teach Academic Language
Below are the eight proven strategies that can turn academic language from a barrier into a bridge to success:
1. Use Simple Explanations with Real-Life Examples
Break down complex academic terms by connecting them to students' daily experiences.
For 'analyze,' explain that it is similar to comparing prices while shopping or picking the best game strategy.
When teaching ‘hypothesis,’ connect it to students guessing game outcomes or movie endings.
Create a class dictionary where students add their real-world examples of academic terms. These personal connections make complex terms easier to understand and remember.
2. Encourage Strategic Reading
Reading is one of the best ways to learn academic language. However, not all reading materials are helpful. Choose books, articles, and stories that use academic language naturally. Expose students to different types of texts, such as:
- science and history articles,
- educational blogs,
- news reports, and
- research-based books.
Guide them by pointing out academic words and phrases in these readings. Discuss their meanings and encourage students to use them in writing and speaking.
3. Bridge Casual and Academic Language
Try replacing the common expressions with their academic versions regularly. Create a 'language upgrade' wall where students can post both:
- 'It got bigger' becomes "It increased exponentially"
- 'They didn't get along' becomes 'They experienced significant conflict'
- 'It happened because' becomes to 'This occurred as a result of'
Make the sessions interactive. Challenge your students to use upgraded academic versions in class discussions and writing assignments.
4. Provide Sentence Frames as Training Wheels
Try providing students with academic sentence structures they can use immediately:
- 'Based on the evidence presented, ______ demonstrates ______.'
- 'This analysis reveals that ______ correlates with ______.'
- 'Several factors contribute to ______, primarily ______.'
Create a different set of sentence frames for each subject and difficulty level. Gradually remove this support as students gain confidence in creating their academic sentences.
5. Spark Discussions and Debates
Turn your classroom into an academic thinking lab. Hold structured debates about relevant topics like environmental conservation or social media influence. Ask your students to:
- Support arguments with evidence using academic terminology
- Counter opposing viewpoints using formal language
- Summarize discussions using academic vocabulary
- Present conclusions using proper academic structures
Create 'academic language zones' where students must use formal expressions during specific class periods or activities.
6. Make Complex Terms Visual
Some academic words can feel intimidating. Using pictures, charts, and videos makes them easier to understand. For example:
- Create process flowcharts for scientific procedures
- Design cause-and-effect diagrams for historical events
- Develop vocabulary webs showing relationships between academic terms
- Use motion graphics to explain complex concepts
Consider encouraging students to create visual aids with drawings, diagrams, or digital presentations to help classmates understand academic concepts.
7. Give Constructive Feedback
Learning the academic language takes time. Mistakes are part of the process. Instead of only correcting errors, explain why a certain word or structure is more appropriate.
For example:
When a student says, 'The result was good,' you can correct them by saying, 'In academic language, we can say -The results were significant- to make it sound more professional.'
Make an aim to develop a classroom culture where academic language mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than failures.
8. Connect Academic Language Across Subjects
Academic language is not just for English class. It is used in science, math, history, and social studies. Help students see the connection between subjects by reinforcing key vocabulary:
- Use 'analyze' in math (examining data), science (studying reactions), and literature (exploring themes).
- Apply 'evaluate' across subjects to research evidence, solutions, and arguments.
- Demonstrate how 'synthesize' works in writing essays, running experiments, and solving complex problems.
When students hear and use academic language in different subjects, they become more comfortable applying it everywhere. Interdisciplinary projects and cross-subject discussions can further strengthen their ability to use academic language fluently.
Bottom Line
Start with small steps. Research says that when you have an MA in Education with TESOL, your teaching skills become much better. And when you pair it with these eight strategies, academic language learning will no longer be a hassle for your students.
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