Dong (English education, Queens College, City U of New York) offers a practical text to help secondary, subject-matter teachers teach academic vocabulary in a systematic, meaningful, contextualized, and interesting way to English language learners (ELLs). Dong provides an overview of general principles and strategies used for effective vocabulary instruction in subject-matter classes for ELLs, and unique challenges faced by ELLs, then presents a series of chapters based on those principles and strategies: tapping into prior knowledge to teach vocabulary, concept-based vocabulary instruction, interacting with new words in a rich context, and teaching vocabulary through writing. Each chapter is filled with specific hands-on instructional activities, and each activity includes an explanation of the importance and need for the activity, how it works, and examples. Various appendices provide lists of subject-matter specific vocabulary suggested for student mastery. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
In Unlocking the Power of Academic Vocabulary, Dr. Yu Ren Dong, an associate professor of English education at Queens College, City University of New York, helps secondary teachers expand their instructional repertoire to teach academic vocabulary in a systematic, meaningful, contextualized, and exciting way. Every secondary, subject-matter teacher will find strategies, easy-to-integrate activities, and tips on selecting words and planning lessons. As you teach with these strategies, your English language learners will be able to: tap into prior knowledge through cross-language transfer and cross-cultural comparisons; use concept-based vocabulary, such as analogies, metaphorical language, themes, sources, inquiry, and graphic organizers; interact with new words in context to decipher euphemisms, words with multiple meanings, connotation, and context clues; engage in interactive read-alouds, think-alouds, and wordplay; and master vocabulary through writing. Charts, student examples, suggested resources, and subject-matter vocabulary lists give teachers the hands-on tools they need to teach the concepts behind words as well as the actual definitions, spelling, and sounds. Transform your academic vocabulary instruction into an engaging, skill-building mix that carries over into students’ reading, writing, thinking, and conversations in all subject areas.
