What with our language?

The subject of this blog is about language.
Why do we use different language at school then at home? For our students is it very confusing, because they need to learn a "new" language, and we give them points on that language.

So they need to learn the languages from us, the teachers because they copy it .. That is why we must pay attention at our vocabulary en the sentences we make.

Actualy we teach in academic language, do they understand? adults take it for granted, but for young students it's more difficult.
So we need to teach it, we can do this by offcourse talking in class, by hearing, try it, reading it they will get to know it. Off course we need to be aware of the differences in the academic language.

In math can "compare" mean: make from this exercise the math rules but in biology it means something totaly different. So the teachers need to decide together with word will mean what.

Offcourse that can't be enough, here are some tips to use:
1 be explicit
2 use "sheltered" instruction techniques
3 use appropiate grade level text
= content area instructions.

That is a first stap to become a higher achievement for all your students.

I think that we as teachers aren't aware enough of this "different" language that we speak. But if we didn't do this education we wouldn't have had this academic language. We have learned this because we are training to come teachers... So I think it's really important to understand that your students sometimes have difficulties with understanding you.. That is not your fault but just a sign that they don't understand your academic language. To help them you need to make room in your timetable, use text at there level, it must be a challange for them and offcourse tell them clearly that some words have a different use in a context.

So it isn't always our fault but also the fault of the language.

Next time if we have practical I will be aware off my language because we need to improve the language of our pupils.