Mod 6 Discussion: Language Acquisition in a Cultural Context

One way to consistently reinforce morphological awareness and linguistic skills across the curriculum is to embed language activities that highlight the structure of words while also drawing on students’ cultural knowledge. For example, in content areas like science or social studies, I integrate word study routines that break down complex terms into prefixes, roots, and suffixes. When students encounter a word like photosynthesis in science, we look at photo (light) and synthesis (putting together) and then compare it with cognates in Spanish or other languages students may speak. This not only builds decoding strategies but also validates the linguistic resources students bring from home.

Another effective practice is using dialogue journals or shared writing experiences that emphasize affixes and word forms in meaningful contexts. When writing about a historical event in social studies, I encourage students to use words in different forms—such as migrate, migration, and migrant—and we discuss how each carries a slightly different meaning. This naturally connects grammar, vocabulary, and culture, since migration stories are often tied to students’ own family experiences.

I’ve also had success with cognate walls alongside word walls. These allow students to see side-by-side connections between English academic vocabulary and words in their native languages. This practice strengthens morphological awareness, boosts confidence, and fosters cultural pride.

Finally, language experience activities (LEA)—where students dictate their own stories from lived experiences and we analyze the word structures within their writing—create authentic opportunities to connect language skills with cultural identity. Students see that their voices and cultural narratives matter, while also practicing sight vocabulary, morphology, and comprehension strategies.

By weaving in these kinds of activities across subjects, we not only support language development but also ensure students experience literacy as culturally relevant and empowering.