Parent tip of the week #3: Encouraging academic language

Students who use academic language do better in school.  Students who use academic language get better grade.  They are taken more seriously.  They are more likely to be successful adults. Most children are good at using social language, the language they use to speak to their friends.  But they need academic language as they grow to interact better at more formal places, such as the store, church, library, or other community areas.

So what is academic language? Academic language is the words, phrases, and sentence patterns your child needs to use to be more successful in school, college, and at a job.  It includes subject specific words, such as those from science, history, and literature.  It also includes formal language, typically having more syllables, having many meanings, and the language which illustrates your child is bright.

So how can you help your child use more academic language? 

• speak to your child using more academic language.  One trick it to use as few pronouns (he,she, this, that, they) as possible.
• Read aloud to them from age appropriate books, including nonfiction, as often as possible.
• take them to museums, galleries, and business environments.
• Join after-school academic programs offered in your community.
• Job shadowing (for older students) if your boss allows or another family members boss allows.  See if they can interview some of your co-workers.
• Listening to and participating in informal debates addressing current or historical events.
• Watching educational television programs and films about a variety of subjects to build background knowledge before teaching more precise academic vocabulary; for example, watching a show about Russia and its people (because they cannot go there!)
• Playing word games: crossword puzzles, word searches, vocabulary board games, online word/ vocabulary games, or apps. Although the app or online content might be independent, do it with your child anyway.  It will be more fun for both of you!