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Making a Second Language Comprehensible
  • Use authentic language in context
    • Students cannot acquire language skills that are divorced from context of meaning and use.
  • Use simplified codes
    • Speak more slowly
    • Articulate more clearly
    • Exaggerate intonation
    • Use fewer idioms and less slang
    • Use high frequency vocabulary
    • Use personalized language and nouns (reduce pronouns)
  • Use non-linguistic cues
    • Gestures
    • Facial expressions
    • Body language
    • Pantomime
  • Use manipulatives, visuals
    • Videos
    • Pictures, photos, drawings
    • Real objects
    • Hands-on activities
  • Use prior content introduction in the primary language
    • Preview, view, review