Narrow the academic language gap to reduce the achievement gap

Ally

Reference
O’ Donovan, E. (2007). Narrow the academic language gap to reduce the achievement gap. Journal of Arts & Activities, 142(2), 41-42. Retrieved May 22, 2008, from EBSCO database.

Summary

In O’Donovan’s (2007) article, “Narrow the Academic Language Gap to Reduce the Achievement Gap,” the author mentions why teachers have to teach their students academic language and how teachers can teach their students new vocabulary successfully. First, the author states that the knowledge of academic language is very important to be successful in their school and jobs. If they know a lot of vocabulary, they can get an achievement in their speaking and writing. Next, the author explains the methods of teaching the words in class. Also, he gives us an example of the lesson that is designed by useful words. After that he mentions the rules of the specific word directions and how teachers can select the word lists. Finally, the author comments that all student need to use the academic vocabulary in their writing.

Reaction

Maybe, most EAP1 students in CESL should have been experienced learning the vocabulary in class. Especially, in my class, we choose the words that we don’t know when we start the new chapter. Then, the teacher writes the words that we choose on the board. After that, we try to select the essential vocabulary that is useful to know in many situations. Then, we pronounce the words, repeat after teacher and guess the meaning in texts. Sometimes we explain words to a partner or group members. We are given the definition of words by a teacher. It is difficult to use academic words in speaking and writing. Also, we are not familiar with using the academic words. But, if we could know lots of academic words, it might be very useful to understand the articles. However, just to remember the words is not a good way to improve English because our power of remembering might be limited. So, the teacher offers us opportunity to use several words in writing. It is very useful to remember the words and to know how to use the words in the texts. Especially, English learners like me have to try to use the academic words. In the classroom there are a lot of way to teach and learn but one of the important things is that we must develop using academic words.