Getting students engaged in academic vocabulary instruction doesn’t have to be a chore. Help students build their academic vocabularies in ways that are so much fun they don’t even notice they’re learning new words and gaining crucial skills. Read on to learn more!
What Is Academic Vocabulary?
When we talk about “academic vocabulary” we’re referring to words used in academic communication. These can be spoken words or textual words, but they’re specifically the ones which probably aren’t commonly used in non-academic contexts. The many types of academic language can be organized into groups or tiers to demonstrate progress in student acquisition:
- Tier 1: familiar words that students commonly use and already know
- Tier 2: unfamiliar words that are useful in any academic context for enriching conversation, writing, or otherwise completing a project or assignment
- Tier 3: unfamiliar words directly related to concepts taught in class or specific to an area of study, such as math and science terminology
What Are the Benefits of Teaching Academic Vocabulary?
Because academic vocabulary is basically the code used in academic pursuits and acts as essential shorthand for many functional aspects of education, it’s important for students to acquire. Once students become familiar with academic language, they then have tools for everything from better comprehending text to writing more accurately. Understanding the appropriate academic vocabulary enables students to progress and empowers them to succeed. Awareness of useful vocabulary and the ability to use it effectively positions students for success in their future lives and careers, as well.
What Are the Best Methods for Teaching Academic Vocabulary?
Because students enter the classroom at varying stages in the process of literacy acquisition, some will grasp and assimilate academic vocabulary instruction more slowly than others. Teachers must select the most appropriate terms to teach each level of students, conveying the information in the manner best suited to their specific learning needs. Many schools, districts, and individual instructors opt for a direct vocabulary instruction program like Wordly Wise, because of the dedicated research that forms the program’s development. The Wordly Wise program helps instructors build strong connections between academic vocabulary and reading comprehension. Research-based activities and reading passages are tiered to match students with on-grade or below-grade reading levels, allowing each student to feel motivated and engaged.
Why Choose a Direct Academic Vocabulary Instruction Program?
Academic vocabulary instruction has traditionally involved rote memorization and simple repetition. But research-based programs like Wordly Wise 3000® have revolutionized vocabulary instruction, making it more engaging for students and more effective for long-term results.
Wordly Wise uses robust activities, social sharing and interaction, and differentiated instruction to develop the link between vocabulary and reading comprehension. The Wordly Wise 3000® program further encourages more student engagement through a partnership with Quizlet, an online learning application that reinforces vocabulary words through activities and scored games.
The digital Wordly Wise i3000® program also links vocabulary with reading comprehension and enables motivating engagement through social sharing and interaction. All practice activities and assessments are scored and recorded in real time and are self-paced with helpful feedback to show students where they need more practice, offering valuable insights to teachers.
