English Learners at middle and high school levels are likely to be most successful when they receive instruction in which area?

Instruction in academic language development is crucial for English Learners at middle and high school levels because this is the type of language used in educational settings. Academic language encompasses the vocabulary, grammatical structures, and discourse features that are specific to the subjects students study, such as math, science, and literature. Without a solid grasp of academic language, English Learners may struggle to comprehend complex texts, participate in discussions, and demonstrate their understanding in assessments.

Focusing on academic language development equips students with the skills they need to engage with the curriculum, express their ideas clearly, and succeed in a variety of academic tasks. This instruction helps them make sense of and critically engage with content, which is vital for their overall educational success and long-term language proficiency.

While phonemes, conversational language skills, and idioms are important aspects of language learning, they are primarily foundational or informal skills. Phonemic awareness is critical for early literacy development, conversational language skills are more about everyday interactions, and idiomatic expressions can enhance fluency, but do not specifically prepare students for the academic challenges they will face in school. Therefore, targeting academic language directly addresses the needs of English Learners in an academic context and supports their academic achievement effectively.