There is a big difference between social language an academic language. Many of our students may be able to comfortably chat with their peers, but will get confused by academic vocabulary they are presented with in class. This is true for all students, not just ESOL students! Explicitly teaching all students the academic vocabulary they will need to be successful in our classes will give them a huge advantage.

A 5 year research study was undertaken by Maria Calderon and Johns Hopkins University, in which all students in the study were pre-taught academic vocabulary using her 7 step process (shown below). Over the course of the study these students' standardized test scores became much higher than those of the control group. This study included some ESOL students, but most of the students had English as their first language.

Every subject will introduce new academic words to our students.

How can we set all of our students up for success when they encounter these new words?

Here is a simple (and quick) strategy that can be used in any lesson.

• Pick out 3-5 words that will come up in your lesson, but that many of your students may not be familiar with.
• Introduce these words at the beginning of the lesson by following the seven step routine below.
• Display the word, definition and picture clearly so that all students can see.
• Try to spend no more than 1 minute introducing each word. That means no more than 5 minutes in total!

2) Use the word in a sentence

3) Share the dictionary definition

4) Share a more student friendly definition

5) Highlight one interesting or difficult feature of the word - e.g. Is it a noun or adjective? Does it have tricky spelling? Does the word have multiple meanings?

6) Think-Pair-Share. Students give examples of how the word could be used. Some students may need a sentence frame to scaffold how they can use the word

7) Summarize the word and then highlight it when it comes up in the lesson

• To encourage students to say the word aloud several times, invite them to whisper the word, say it whilst bouncing a ball, or say it using silly voices!
• If time is limited, omit the dictionary definition and only give the student friendly definition
• Invite students to work together to come up with their own sentences using the word
• Invent a secret code that students can use to demonstrate when they hear the word during the lesson. Some examples could be tapping their head, clapping their hands, folding up a pencil etc.

The difference between Social English and Academic English