Today’s Agenda:
1. How do words get learned and
stay learned?
2. What do we mean by “academic
vocabulary”?
3. Implicit and explicit vocabulary
instruction
4. Classroom practices that grow
vocabulary
Academic Vocabulary
Presenter: Amy Benjamin
You may access any of today’s visuals at: www.amybenjamin.com
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•
•
•
Rich
• Aggressive
Gradual
• Purposeful
Cumulative • Pervasive
Recursive
Goals:
1. Vocabulary growth in authentic situations
2. Improved ability to derive meaning of
unfamiliar words
3. Positive attitude about words and language
The visuals for today’s presentation are available for your classroom use.
Feel free to access them at www.amybenjamin.com
Implicit:
Natural language acquisition
through immersion
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•
•
•
Aggressive
Purposeful
Pervasive
Persistent
Explicit:
Planned instruction on
targeted words:
Etymology (word histories)
Morphology (word parts
Estimation: 3% to 20% of instructional time spent on vocabulary
superhydrophobicity
superhydrophilicity
absorption
“Lotus Effect” Learning:
Study Guide: Chapter 2 of The Pearl
Vocabulary Words:
Algae—seaweed
Bulwark—a wall built for defense
Estuary– wide mouth of a river where it empties into the sea
Incandescence—brightness given off by a hot object
Mangrove—a tropical tree
Poultice—herbal medicines applied to a wound or sore
Undulating—waving, swinging
“Rose Effect” Learning:
Study Guide: Chapter 2 of The Pearl
Mangrove: a tropical tree that grows in
clusters very close to a body of water
What do we notice about mangrove trees?
(other than “mangrove”) What might I google to get a picture
of a mangrove tree?
Did you ever see mangrove trees? where?
“Rose Effect” Learning:
Study Guide: Chapter 2 of The Pearl
Poultice: a mix of herbs or other plants, crushed and placed inside cloth, to be
applied to a wound as a home remedy
Poultices can be made of herbs, garlic, carrots, potatoes, ginger,
lemon, etc.
“ Watering Can Effect” Learning:
Study Guide: Chapter 2 of The Pearl
adj: incandescent eyes
Synonyms and
Near Synonyms:
Related words:
candle
candidate
kindle
example
nonexample
incandescence: glow
Sentence: Under an
incandescent sliver of the
moon, the trees appeared
life-like..
illumination
radiance
gleam
glistening
glittering
glint
brilliance
What if ad executives taught vocabulary?
repetition
association with emotion
association with an image
humor
story
novelty
word
apprentice: (n)
one bound by legal agreement
to work for another for a
specified time in return for
his training in a trade, an art,
or a business
scheme: (n, v)
a systematic plan
of action
Definition contains unfamiliar language
Definition can be too simplistic and therefore misleading
Limited information
Usually, no context
Not all of the information about a word is captured in a definition
“Charlotte, are you thirsty?
Would you like some juice?
What kind of juice do you
want? Do you want apple
juice? That’s the yellow juice
that you liked at Nana’s. No?
Do you want the purple juice? The grape juice?
OK. Do you want your juice in the sippy cup or
the Big Girl juice box? OK, now hold it carefully.
Two hands. Don’t squeeze it! It’ll spill all over the
place. Very carefully.Sip it through the straw.
BOSU
II. New word for a simple but new concept
Categories of Word Knowledge:
photosynthesis
insulin
quadratic equation
calculus
III. New word/ new, complex concept
Concept may be understood on progressively deeper level
Of Limited Value…
Lists alone
Context alone
Definitions alone
Dictionaries and Glossaries alone
Of Durable Value…
Words in clusters
Leisure reading
Multiple exposures in various contexts
Chances to speak, hear, write
Manipulation of forms of words
Classify and categorize word lists
Word games, puzzles
Rules of Thumb
New learners need SIX (meaningful) exposures to
a new word during the initial lesson and at least
THIRTY additional exposures during the ensuing
month.
The chances of learning a word after a single
exposure in context are 10-15%.
We learn most words through non-conscious effort, in
pursuit of information of interest.
Explicit Teaching: Etymology Illuminates Meaning
nostalgia
algia: pain
neuralgia
Gr: nostos: return home
Visuals illuminate meaning
Explicit Teaching: Personal connections Illuminate Meaning
nostalgia
Have you ever been homesick?
Stories illuminate meaning
Explicit Teaching: Teaching morphology facilitates use
nostalgia, nostalgic
Have you ever felt nostalgic for elementary school?
Teaching collocation facilitates use:
I’m nostalgic for…
I’m nostalgic about…
feel nostalgic….
Connecting to related words facilitates use:
sentimental, memories, forgotten, reminds me of, evokative,
deja vu
Tier 3: glossary word:
Multisyllabic
Specific to a subject area
Latin or Greek-based
topography, photosynthesis, isoceles triangle,
sedimentary, oxygenated, cartographer
Tier 2: Words of education, business,
government, religion:
Components: Prefix, root, suffix
Latin-based
elevation, formation, protrude, expansive,
isolated, remote
Tier 1: Basic conversational words: Friends & family
1 or 2 syllables
Learned naturally, through exposure
hills, grass, rocks, land, sky, clouds, fly, climb,
green, high…
Literary Vocabulary:
vexed
sagacity
waning
veracity
Academic Vocabulary:
inversion
causal
fluctuate
offset
Vocabulary List: The Tell-Tale Heart
Foresight:
Dissimulation:
Thoughtful regard for the future
Hidden under a false appearance
Vexed:
Troubled, distressed, caused agitation
Sagacity:
Sound judgment
Hearkening:
Giving careful attention
Awe:
A mixed feeling of reverence, fear, and wonder
Distinctness:
Unmistakable, clearly defined
Over-acuteness:
Very keen
Concealment:
A means of hiding
Waned:
Grown gradually less
Scantlings:
Small quantities or amounts
Understanding the words we meet in reading
Target Word:
My guess:
Dictionary Definition:
Visual:
Draw or find a picture:
Definition in my own words:
Complete sentence of at least ____words:
Must contain an action verb and a visual image.
“A noble spirit embiggens the smallest man.”
-Jebediah Simpson
Should I spend time teaching this word explicitly?
Three Questions:
1. How useful is this word? Will students be likely to encounter it again
soon? Is it necessary for comprehension?
2. Will teaching this word explicitly equip the students with word-learning
skills that can be applied to other words?
3. Am I enthusiastic about this word? Can I make it interesting?
Prior Knowledge:
How well do I know these words?
Strangers
Acquaintances
Friends
The Academic Word List (AWL):
Background: The Academic Word List consists of 570 word families that are not in the most
frequent 2,000 words of English but which occur frequently over a very wide range of academic texts.
These 570 word families are grouped into ten subsets that reflect word frequency.
A word like analyze falls into Subset 1, which contains the most frequent words, while the word
adjacent falls into Subset 10 which includes the least frequent (among this list of high incidence words).
The AWL is not restricted to a specific field of study. That means that the words are useful for learners
studying in disciplines as varied as literature, science, health, business, and law.
This high-utility academic word list does not contain technical words likely to appear in one,
specific field of study such as amortization, petroglyph, onomatopoeia, or cartilage.
Two-thirds of all academic English derive from Latin or Greek.
Understandably, knowledge of the most high-incidence adademic words in English can significantly
boost a student’s comprehension level of school-based reading material. Students who are taught
these high-utility academic words and routinely placed in contexts requiring their usage are likely
to be able to master academic material with more confidence and efficiency, wasting less time and
energy in guessing words or consulting dictionaries than those who are only equipped with the most
basic 2000-3000 words that characterize ordinary conversation.
The following link gives you a two-page version of the list:
http://www.doe.in.gov/TitleI/pdf/Word_List_Feldman.pdf
Source: Coxhead, Averil. (2000). A new academic word list. TESOL Quarterly, 34, 213-238.
Academic Word List: Subset 1
analyze approach area assess assume authority available benefit concept consist
context constitute contract data define derive distribute economy environment
establish estimate evident factor finance formula function income indicate individual
interpret involve issue labor legal legislate major method percent period principle
proceed process policy require research respond role section sector significant
similar source specific structure theory vary
Academic Word List: Subset 2
achieve acquire administrate affect appropriate
aspect assist category chapter commission community
complex compute conclude conduct consequent construct
consume credit culture design distinct equate element
evaluate feature final focus impact injure institute invest item
journal maintain normal obtain participate perceive positive
potential previous primary purchase range region regulate
regulate relevant reside resource restrict secure seek select
site strategy survey tradition transfer
Vocabulary-Content-Sentence (VCS)
Daily Practice:
analyze
approach
area assess
assume
authoritycomponent
available benefit
achieve
acquire
administrate
affect
appropriate
alternative
circumstance
comment
compensate
consent concept
consist
contextcategory
constitute
contract
data define
derive distribute economy
aspect assist
chapter
commission
community
considerable
constant constrain
contribute convene
coordinate core corporate
environment
establish
estimate
evident
factor finance
formula function income
complex
compute
conclude
conduct
consequent
construct
correspond criteria deduce demonstrate document dominate emphasis ensure
indicate
interpret
involve
issue
laborelement
legal legislate major method
consumeindividual
credit culture
design
distinct
equate
exclude
percent
period
principle
proceed
process
require
respond role
evaluate
feature
final focus
impact
injurepolicy
institute
investresearch
item justify
fund framework
illustrate
immigrate
imply
initial
instance
interact
layer
section
sector
significant
similar
source
specific
structure
theory
vary
journal
maintain
normal
obtain
participate
perceive
positive
link
locate
maximize
minor
negate
outcome
philosophy
physical proportion
potential
previous
primary
purchase
range
region
regulate
publish react register rely remove scheme sequence shift specify
regulate
resource
restrict secure
seek select
sufficient relevant
technicalreside
technique
technology
valid volume
site strategy survey tradition transfer
Write a sentence about something we are learning this week, employing
one of these words. You may change the form of the words to fit your
sentence. Your sentence must be at least 8 words long.
Academic Word List: Subset 3
alternative circumstance comment compensate component consent considerable
constant constrain contribute convene coordinate core corporate correspond
criteria deduce demonstrate document dominate emphasis ensure exclude
fund framework illustrate immigrate imply initial instance interact justify layer
link locate maximize minor negate outcome philosophy physical proportion
publish react register rely remove scheme sequence shift specify
sufficient technical technique technology valid volume
Academic Word List: Subset 4
access adequacy annual apparent approximate attitude
attribute civil code commit communicate concentrate
confer contrast cycle debate despite dimension domestic
emerge error ethnic grant hence hypothesis implement
implicate impose integrate internal investigate
mechanism occupy output overall parallel
parameter phase predict prior principal professional project
promote regime resolve retain series statistic status stress
subsequent sum summary undertake
Academic Word List: Subset 5
academy adjust alter amend aware capacity challeng clause compound
conflict consult contact decline discrete draft enable energy enforce entity
equivalent evolve expand expose external facilitate fundamental generate
generation image liberal license logic margin mental medical modify
monitor network notion objective orient perspective precise
prime psychology pursue ratio reject revenue stable style
substitute sustain symbol target transit trend version welfare whereas
Academic Word List: Subset 6
abstract acknowledge accuracy aggregate allocate assign
attach bond brief capable cite cooperate discriminate
display diverse domain edit enhance estate exceed
explicit federal flexible furthermore gender ignorance
interval lecture migrate minimum ministry motive neutral
nevertheless overseas precede presume rational recover
reveal scope subsidy trace transform transport underlie utilize
Academic Word List: Subset 7
adapt adult advocate aid channel chemical classic
comprehensive comprise confirm contrary convert
decade definite deny differentiate dispose dynamic equip
eliminate empirical extract file finite foundation grade
guarantee hierarchy identical ideology infer innovate insert
intervene isolate media mode paradigm phenomenon priority
prohibit publication release reverse simulate sole
submit successor thesis topic transmit ultimate unique
Academic Word List: Subset 8
abandon accompany accumulate ambiguous appendix appreciate
arbitrary automate bias chart clarify commodity complement
conform contemporary contradict crucial currency denote
detect deviate displace eventual exhibit exploit
fluctuate guideline highlight implicit induce inevitable infrastructure
inspect intense manipulate minimize nuclear offset paragraph
practitioner predominant prospect radical random reinforce
restore revise schedule tense terminate theme thereby uniform
vehicle via virtual visual widespread
Academic Word List: Subset 9
accommodate analogy anticipate assure attain behalf cease
coherent coincide commence compatible concurrent confine
controversy converse device devote diminish distort duration
erode ethic format inherent insight integral intermediate
manual mature mediate medium military minimal mutual norm
overlap passive portion preliminary protocol qualitative refine
restrain revolution rigid scenario sphere subordinate
supplement suspend temporary trigger unify violate vision
Academic Word List: Subset 10
adjacent albeit assemble collapse colleague compile conceive
convince depress encounter forthcoming incline integrity intrinsic
invoke levy likewise nonetheless notwithstanding ongoing
panel persist pose reluctance so-called straightforward undergo
whereas whereby
A Plan for School-wide Vocabulary Instruction
EXPLICIT INSTRUCTION
“Focus 40” words from the Academic Word List
selected by grade level teachers: 1 word per week
2-3 words related to or associated with each of
the “Focus 40”; each subject area teacher
decides on related words
Subject-specific words, such as those found in a glossary
Students have more opportunities to read for a variety of purposes,
including self-selected material.
Open Field
Elevated language used in class by teachers; students given
motive and opportunity to use elevated vocabulary in speech and
Academic Word List
writing.
IMPLICIT INSTRUCTION
Vocabulary Concordance
Subset 1
1.
Spanish
consists
of two- thirds Latin-based and
one third Arabic-based words.
2.
Catalan
consists
of roughly half Spanish and half
French words..
3.
To learn to play a musical
instrument, you must be
4.
Jazz
5. The U.S. government
6.
The Supreme Court
7.
Cake batter should have a smooth
consistent
in your daily practice.
consists
of African elements.
consists
of three branches: legislative,
judicial, executive.
consists
of nine Justices.
consistency
before you bake it.
Vocabulary Concordance
1.
Subset 1
The
2.
3.
Quantum physics can be
a difficult
4.
Idealists
5.
The
6.
7.
concept
Conception
begins with the union of two cells.
concept
to learn, at first.
conceptualize
concept
Conceptually
He was unable to grasp the
of life on other planets is intriguing.
concept
a world of justice and opportunity.
of the Pythagorean theorem is
still used today..
speaking, Einstein’s Theory of
Relativity could some day help
us time travel.
of derivatives in math.
Academic Vocabulary Concordance
1.
2.
The class
The student’s unwillingness
to comply with directives
led the teacher to
3.
The angle of a plane can
depend on the
4.
The
5.
6.
7.
Subset 2
perceived
perceive
that she might .need alternative
methods of instruction.
perception
of the viewer.
perceptions
Perceiving
perception
The government’s
I
the teacher’s attitude as rude and
therefore unprofessional.
perceive
and observations of the
scientist must be objective.
a potential problem because of the
river’s current, the captain changed
course.
of its role in the people’s lives is the
basis of its philosophy.
a problem with the safety rules
not being properly posted.
Vocabulary Concordance
1.
2.
When doing origami
The
3.
Synthetic diamonds require
5. The Boeing 787 is the result of
7.
precise
precise
precision
4.
6.
Subset 5
The owner’s manual illustrates
GPS satellites afford
precise
folding is essential.
measurements are required for
figuring out the dimensions of
the angle.
tools require high maintenance.
cutting.
precise
engineering.
precisely
how to assemble the bicycle.
precise
geographic locations.
Subset 2
Consequence
It occurs later.
It happens as a result.
An event’s effect.
Subset 6
Incorporate
Bring into the mix—
Creating a new oneness—
Integrate the parts.
Subset 4
Implement
Employ and apply
Put to immediate use.
Get the plan to work.
It’s easier to understand parts of speech than you think. Simply use the cues above. Not all words
follow the same morphology. It’s interesting to see how words morph into different forms.
Morphology Chart
NOUNS:
VERBS:
ADJECTIVES:
ADVERBS
The_____.
I_____; He______
Yesterday he_____
He is___________.
The ______truck
Do it___________.