Question

Teacher having students talk through their thinking as they analyze new words can be very beneficial and it is also beneficial to hear the teachers think through how they analyze new vocabulary that they meet in reading. Why is this important and helpful in building site vocabulary skill.

Answer 1

When students are introduced to academic language comprising of new words, teachers need to consider whether the students will ever become proficient in using them. It appears that students will fail to incorporate these new words that form a part of academic language and discourse into their everyday lives simply because they aren't provided opportunities to use words. They are hearing words but are not using them, and  if students aren't using the words, they aren't developing academic discourse. Therefore, it is critical that teachers encourage their use in the classroom setting.