Challenges of Academic Language Learning

Challenges of Academic Language Learning

1. Affective Challenges

   • Emotional Challenges learners face when using L2.
   • to concentrate for long periods of time
   • to speak in front of peers
   • to express emotions
   • to keep conversation going
   • to encourage peers

2. Linguistic Challenges

   • Discourse-Level challenges
     • 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. 
     • Speaking & Writing (output)
       • speak spontaneously
       • organize/use info from different sources
       • explain logic
       • organize and structure ideas
       • produce appropriate language
         • for task
         • for audience
         • written/spoken
       • use linking words to show connections
     • Reading, Listening, Watching (input)
       • Process a lot of new information w/o visual support
       • interpret data from visuals w/o written/spoken explanation
       • how to read illustrations
       • identify main points
       • find specific info
       • recognize diff. purpose of text
       • understand pronoun references
       • follow fast speech or accent
       • understand lengthy instructions
       • evaluate bias, reliable sources
       • distinguish between facts/opinions
   • Sentence-Level Challenges
     • verb tenses
     • word order
     • question forms
     • reporting structures
     • verb patterns
     • phrases and clauses
     • comparisons
     • prounouns
     • linking clauses/sentences
   • Word Level Challenges
     • a lot of new vocab
     • subject-specific
     • specialized meanings for different subjects
     • figurative lang.
       • symbols, metaphors and similes
       • Figurative Language
       • Figurative Language and Sound Devices
     • how linking words show relationships
     • Greek/Latin roots
       • Greek and Latin roots and affixes
       • Greek and Latin Roots - Social Studies
       • Greek and Latin Roots - Science
     • compound (noun) phrases
     • acronyms
     • common prefixes/suffixes
     • spelling and pronunciation

3. Cultural Challenges

   • understand culturally specific references
   • understand issues from different cultural perspectives
   • interpret use of visual, historical or cultural images
     • cultural monuments
     • Flags

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