Glossary

Academic Language - language used in the learning of academic content in formal schooling contexts; aspects of language strongly associated with literacy and academic achievement, including specialized academic terms or technical language, speech registers and discourse related to each field of study.

Affective Factors - influences that affect language learning, such as emotions, self esteem, investment, resilience, empathy, anxiety, attitude and motivation

Biculturalism - the ability to negotiate effectively within two different cultural system

Bilingualism - the use of two languages by the same person or group

Blended Learning - teaching and learning using standard classroom setting plus online or computer activities; also known as hybrid learning.

Communicative Competence - the ability to recognize and produce authentic and appropriate language correctly and fluently in any situation; the use of language in realistic, everyday settings; involves grammatical competence, sociolinguistic competence, discourse competence, and strategic competence.

Cross- Cultural Competence - the ability to function according to the cultural rules of more than one cultural system; the ability to respond in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways according to the cultural demands of a given situation.


CALL - computer-assisted language learning; the use of computers and other digital technology to enhance language instruction.

Discourse - language in context across all forms and modes; a term used to describe relatively large chunks of conversation or connected written text.

English as a foreign language (EFL) - English language taught in countries where English is not generally spoken as a first language and not used routinely by a substantial portion  of the population, resulting in learners having limited access to speakers of the language.

English as a Second Language (ESL) - the field of English as a second language; curriculum, courses, classes, and or programs designed for students learning English as an additional language.

English Language Learner (ELL) - English Language Learner; refers to a nonnative English speaker who is acquiring English; in contrast to other terms(e.g. limited English proficient), this term focuses on what students can do.

High-Frequency Vocabulary - terms used regularly in everyday situations.

Home Language - language spoken in the home by significant others who reside in the home; sometimes used as a synonym for first language or primary language.

Instructional Language - a special variety of language used in classrooms and governed by the different roles that teachers and students assume and the kinds of activities that occur.

Intercultural Competence - the ability to function according to the cultural rules of more than one cultural system; the ability to respond in culturally sensitive and appropriate ways according to the cultural demands of a given situation.

International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) - https://www.iste.org/

L1 - first or native language

L2 - second language, generally English

Language Domains - also called language modes or skills; each of the four broad categories in which language is arbitrarily divided to assist with planning and delivery of instruction and assessment

Metacognitive Awareness; the knowledge of a range of problem-solving strategies, such as planning and goal setting, regarded as the key to successful language learning.

performance standards - statements that refer to how well students are meeting a content standard; specify  the quality and effect of student performance at various levels of competency; statements of how students demonstrate their proficiency and progress toward meeting a standard.

Productive Language - refers to the language domains of speaking and writing

Receptive Language - refers to the language domains of listening and reading

Sociocultural Competence - the ability to function effectively in a particular social or cultural context according to the rules or expectancies for behavior held by members of that social or cultural group.

Sociolinguistic Competence - related to communicative competence; the extent to which language is appropriately understood and used in a given situation.

Syntax - the sentence structure or grammatical strings of a language

Transformation of sample performance indicators - a process for helping educators adapt sample performance indicators to design instruction that suits individual classrooms and student needs; entails changing one or more of the elements making up a sample performance indicator - language function, content, or support to reflect local instructional targets.


Source: TESOL, PreK-12, English Language Proficiency Standards