LaC - a presentation

Language across the Curriculum (LaC)

an introduction

Poll

How would you rate our students' English competence?

• Excellent

• Good

• Acceptable

• Poor

Poll

What do you think is/are the most important issues in order to use English as MOI effectively in non-language subjects? (you can choose more than one)

• students' understanding of terminology and jargon

• students' basic language structures

  e.g. sentence structures and grammar

• understanding different language functions

  e.g. to explain cause and effect, to compare and contrast

• others

What is an LAC approach?

An LAC approach is one that integrates language learning and content learning

aims and objectives

• enhancing understanding of rhetorical functions

• acquiring academic vocabulary

• enhancing reading skills for non-fiction texts

What are rhetorical functions

The language functions that are commonly found in academic texts are often referred to as rhetorical functions (e.g. to describe, to define, to exemplify, to compare and contrast, to explain, to present cause and effect)

examples of rhetorical functions

• The food substances are categorised into … (IS) (to classify)

• Sodium resembles potassium (IS) (to compare)

• Osmosis refers to the diffusion of fluid … (IS) (to define)

• The Renaissance gave rise to many consequences, one of which was … (PSHE) (to explain cause and effect)

Reading Skills

Mastering reading skills can support students in tackling complex texts in the reading process.

What kinds of reading skills do you have?

let's try!

Multiple Choice

What does the first paragraph tell you about?

• history of BMW

• competition with Porsche

• history of BMW M division

• difference between M1 and 911 ST

Fill in the Blanks

Multiple Choice

The paragraph shows information in ...

• similarity

• contrast

• reason and effect

• exemplification

in order to read effectively, you need...

• prior knowledge

• skills to read for specific information

• understanding of text structure

• and so much more!

LaC

• helps students realise learning is not a separate process

• helps students learn vocabulary and language skills in a meaningful way

• helps students learn more effectively

• 
  

Road to full LaC curriculum

• Curriculum Mapping (English, IS, Geog)

• F1-3 LaC projects (English Lessons)

• F1-3 RaC SDL materials (CTP)

• F4-6 LaC programme

• skills and vocabulary reinforcement in non-language subjects