RR - Academic Language for ELLS discussion

There seems to be a couple major areas of concern in the second chapter. As teachers of English Language Learners, I think we need to specifically pay attention to problems in word choice, sentence structure and mechanics. It seems that conversational language crosses into academics when the L2 (newly acquired language) is weak. I have experienced this in the classroom; the student has an idea of what they want to say, and he often even understands the academic concept, but he cannot express himself in the higher level academic language that is expected.

I agree. One way we can facilitate this is by recognizing that different areas of language develop at different speeds, and it's not the same for every learner. Kevin may have a far easier time expressing himself in writing than orally, while Juan may be more comfortable in the oral academic registers than in written ones. If we encourage development where they are already excelling, then the other will follow.