Benefits of Using TESOL’s Standards to Guide Instructional Design Vann Edge EESL 650

 Academic language is a critical component of developing understanding within a content area.  Students in a math or science class need to know the vocabulary, grammar, distinctive language functions, genres, and discourse styles specific to the topic they are learning. What is the relationship between academic language and content?

What are the principles of academic language proficiency that underlie the TESOL English language proficiency standards?

 Language proficiency is an outgrowth of cumulative experiences both inside and outside of school.  Students use social language both in and out of school. Teachers can use the students background and knowledge to help introduce new experiences to build on their academic language. Principle 1

 Language proficiency can reflect complex thinking when linguistic complexity is reduced and support is present.  A students skill level in a language does not need to limit their level of thinking.  Students can demonstrate complex thinking using simple language. Principle 2

 Both social and language demands of school academic language proficiencies are necessary for school success.  Teachers must be aware of the social language demands of school in addition to the language students need to access content and succeed academically. Principle 3

 Academic language proficiency works in tandem with academic achievement.  Academic language proficiency is a vital component of academic achievement.  Mastery of academic language is needed by all students for long term success in the core content areas. Principle 4

 Academic language proficiency is developed through sustained content-based language instruction.  Most ELL’s learn academic language in a school setting. In order for those students to succeed fully they must receive initial and continual school based language support. Principle 5

 Native language proficiency- in particular, academic language proficiency in the native language- facilitates the acquisition of academic language proficiency in English.  If ELLs have a good foundation of academic language in their first language, it generally transfers to their new language. Principle 6

TESOL PreK-12 ELP Standards Common Topics Standards of National Organizations State Standards