LANGUAGE ACROSS THE CURRICULUM-BEd Notes
Unit 1 – Knowing language across the curriculum
Prepared by
Sabarish P
Contents
Language across curriculum – Meaning, Scope and significance.
Meaning
Scope
Need and significance
Meaning of LAC
LAC has two meanings: In the narrow sense it is a concept suggesting importance of language work and language training in all non-linguistic subjects. In the wider sense it is a concept demanding a comprehensive model of language education as basis of whole school language policy.The latter includes linking all languages as subjects (mother tongue education), foreign language education, and second (or third) language education.
LAC acknowledges that language education does not only take place in specific subjects such as English Lessons, but also takes place in each and every subject; in every learning activity; and across the whole curriculum. LAC emphasizes that language development is the responsibility of all teachers across the school and in all subject areas. It involves a focus on the use of English in each subject, as each subject area has both similar language to other areas and its own specific language usage and style. Each subject area also has its own specialized vocabulary and different writing genres. For e.g. Science report writing is different to History report writing.
Aims of LAC
To support language development in each learner, in all domains of language use, in each learning activity in school;
To enhance knowledge acquisition through awareness of language use;
To create a link through the learning processes;
To enhance awareness of the relatedness of aspects;
To develop critical reading, writing and learning; and
To give learners feedback about their progress.
LAC focuses on:
the conventional four skills of language, viz. Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking; and
all non-verbal means of representation and expression that we use when communicating.
The focus is on the areas because they enhance
knowledge acquisition
interrogation of knowledge
expression and presentation of knowledge – in writing or spoken form, and
critical thinking, reading and writing
Scope of LAC
The medium of instruction is key to understanding the subject content in an school. LAC approach will improve student’s language proficiency of understanding of academic content. Language across curriculum (LAC) approach is one that integrates language learning and content learning.
In a LAC classroom, the emphasis moves away from language as the subject to be studied. The emphasis is placed on CONTENT and PROCESS that leads to knowledge, Knowledge in a scientific or arithmetical or geographical or historical or musical or artistic context. The language used in search of this knowledge becomes a ‘tool’.
Role of teachers in LAC approach.
English teachers introduce and teach the skills, reinforcing them from time to time in English lessons. Content subject teachers re-teach those skills or introduce related skills/concepts in their lesson, integrating language and content.
It is important for English teachers and content subject teachers to each know what the other is doing. For instance, the English teacher can teach students how to do a vocabulary log. The content subject teachers then ask students to keep a vocabulary log for their own subject. The English teacher can collect the vocabulary logs and check from time to time to make sure that students are on the right track.
As every subject has to contribute to the language development of students, a balance between an emphasis on English and an emphasis on content is recommended. Since more time and effort has to be spent on the development of students’ language proficiency, the subject content may have to be reduced, especially at the initial stages.
Need & significance
Language cannot be effectively learnt without a context while learning in all subjects is dependent upon language. In view of the above, language and content are closely interrelated. In fact, content subjects provide a context for language while effective language development facilitates the learning of content subjects. It is therefore necessary to integrate language and content. We believe that language plays a central role in learning.
No matter what the subject area, students assimilate new concepts when they listen, talk, read and write about what they are learning. Speaking and writing reflects the thinking process that is taking place. Students learn in language, therefore if their language is weak, so is their learning.
We need to have an LAC approach because by focusing on the teaching and learning of language within a subject, the teacher will improve the students’ results in that subject. For e.g., by explicitly teaching students how to write History essays, or how best to write ‘for and against’ arguments in Liberal Studies. Experienced teachers know that it is essential to teach their students how to ‘answer’ the types of questions they are likely to find in their exams.
After understanding and working with the LAC concept, teachers across disciplines will thus be improving students learning within their own subject while also supporting the efforts of the whole school to improve English proficiency.
Benefits of LAC
For the school:
To ensure that there is an organisational structure in the school which helps to formulate and implement language policy across the curriculum. This enables teachers to contribute and get support in dealing with language in learning issues as well as to work for a common target.
For the teacher:
To use the language to teach more effectively and help students learn more effectively.
For the students:
To minimise the problems of adjusting to the new medium of instruction and to learn the subject content better.
Prepared by
Sabarish P
