An ESL teacher who is planning to implement the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) with developing- and expanding-level English language learners decides to begin with lessons that address science content. Which of the following best describes the primary rationale for this decision?
  1. Students tend to require more time to comprehend science concepts because the language is more complex and abstract than that of other content areas.
  2. The vocabulary of science tends to be more universal than that of other content areas, which facilitates linguistic and conceptual transfer from students' first language.
  3. Science concepts tend to be more concrete than those of other content areas and therefore lend themselves to a contextualized, hands-on learning environment.
  4. The language of science tends to be less academic than that of other content areas, which eases students' transition from social language to academic language.
Explanation
Correct Response: C. The Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) emphasizes explicit instruction in learning strategies (i.e., metacognitive, cognitive, and social-affective) in addition to promoting language development alongside content instruction. This approach works well for English language learners who have already developed social English language skills, such as the developing- and expanding-level English language learners in this scenario. In CALLA, content topics are introduced gradually and initially emphasize those that have extensive contextual supports and/or reduced language demands, making science an ideal area of the curriculum with which to begin. A and B are incorrect because the language of science is neither more complex and abstract nor more universal than the language of other content areas. Conversely, the language of science is not less academic than the language of other content areas, making D incorrect as well.
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