Unlocking the Power of Academic Vocabulary with Secondary English Language Learners

Teachers of secondary English language learners (ELLs) know that knowledge of academic vocabulary plays a critical role in how well ELLs understand subject matter and develop key literacy skills. If they are to succeed academically, ELLs who need more time to catch up with native English speakers must have engaging and meaningful ways to acquire content-area vocabulary.

In Unlocking the Power of Academic Vocabulary, Dr. Yu Ren Dong helps secondary teachers expand their instructional repertoire to teach academic vocabulary in a systematic, meaningful, contextualized, and exciting way.

Every secondary, subject-matter teacher will find strategies, easy-to-integrate activities, and tips on selecting words and planning lessons. As you teach with these strategies, your English language learners will be able to:
-tap into prior knowledge through cross-language transfer and cross-cultural comparisons;
use concept-based vocabulary, such as analogies, metaphorical language, themes, sources, inquiry, and graphic organizers;
-interact with new words in context to decipher euphemisms, words with multiple meanings, connotation, and context clues;
-engage in interactive read-alouds, think-alouds, and wordplay; and
-master vocabulary through writing.

Charts, student examples, suggested resources, and subject-matter vocabulary lists give teachers the hands-on tools they need to teach the concepts behind words as well as the actual definitions, spelling, and sounds.

Transform your academic vocabulary instruction into an engaging, skill-building mix that carries over into students reading, writing, thinking, and conversations in all subject areas.

Yu Ren Dong is a professor in the Department of Secondary Education and Youth Services at Queens College, City University of New York.