Challenges of Academic Language Learning

Annotations:

• CLIL Activities pgs. 41-54 Dale, L and Tanner, R.

1. Affective Challenges

   Annotations:

   • Emotional Challenges learners face when using L2.
   1. to concentrate for long periods of time
   2. to speak in front of peers
   3. to express emotions
   4. to keep conversation going
   5. to encourage peers
2. Linguistic Challenges
   1. Discourse-Level challenges

      Annotations:

      • Discourse refers to spoken or written language longer than one sentence.  Discourse challenges affect learners ability to understand or produce longer spoken or written text. 
      1. Speaking & Writing (output)
         1. speak spontaneously
         2. organize/use info from different sources
         3. explain logic
         4. organize and structure ideas
         5. produce appropriate language
            1. for task
            2. for audience
            3. written/spoken
         6. use linking words to show connections
      2. Reading, Listening, Watching (input)
         1. Process a lot of new information w/o visual support
         2. interpret data from visuals w/o written/spoken explanation
         3. how to read illustrations
         4. identify main points
         5. find specific info
         6. recognize diff. purpose of text
         7. understand pronoun references
         8. follow fast speech or accent
         9. understand lengthy instructions
         10. evaluate bias, reliable sources
         11. distinguish between facts/opinions
   2. Sentence-Level Challenges
      1. verb tenses
      2. word order
      3. question forms
      4. reporting structures
      5. verb patterns
      6. phrases and clauses
      7. comparisons
      8. prounouns
      9. linking clauses/sentences
   3. Word Level Challenges
      1. a lot of new vocab
      2. subject-specific
      3. specialized meanings for different subjects
      4. figurative lang.

         Annotations:

         • symbols, metaphors and similes

         Attachments:

         • Figurative Language
         • Figurative Language and Sound Devices
      5. how linking words show relationships
      6. Greek/Latin roots

         Attachments:

         • Greek and Latin roots and affixes
         • Greek and Latin Roots - Social Studies
         • Greek and Latin Roots - Science
      7. compound (noun) phrases
      8. acronyms
      9. common prefixes/suffixes
      10. spelling and pronunciation
3. Cultural Challenges
   1. understand culturally specific references
   2. understand issues from different cultural perspectives
   3. interpret use of visual, historical or cultural images
      1. cultural monuments
      2. Flags