Studying and Living in the US, Low-Intermediate Novel and Textbook for University ESL Students (Calderón)

Vocabulary: Academic Word List

Below are two lists of words from the Academic Word List. These words are important to know because they are frequently used in academic settings (university textbooks, lectures, etc.).

You need to know the parts of speech, word forms, and definition of all of the words. Additionally, you need to know how to use the bolded words in the right-hand list in sentences. Study these words carefully. Your teacher will introduce different ways to study vocabulary. Try each one until you find your preferred method or methods.

Receptive Knowledge of Vocabulary: This means you understand these words when you read them and hear them. *These words are italicized in the story. Productive Knowledge of Vocabulary: This means you correctly use these words in your own writing and speaking. *These words are bolded and underlined in the story

You need to recognize and understand these words when you see them. As you read textbooks for your other classes, highlight these words. Ask yourself these things:

• What part of speech is the word, and how is it used in the sentence?
• Is this word used multiple times? Is it important?
• What other words often occur near this word?
• Can I replace this word with a synonym and still understand the sentence?
• Can I recognize other word forms of this word?

You need to know and understand the words above when you find them in a reading. You should also begin to use these words in your conversations and writing. Study these words, look for them, listen for them, and ask yourself these things:

• What part of speech is the word, and how is it used in the sentence?
• How can I use this word in speaking? In writing?
• What other words often occur near this word?
• Can I replace a synonym with this word?
• Can I recognize and use other word forms of this word?

Word-Building

Scan “Stephanie’s Story” and look for compound nouns. Did you find all the compound nouns? Can you figure out how to build compound nouns?

Compound Nouns

These nouns are made by combining two words. Often, they are two nouns or an adjective and a noun.

Examples:

• The words, “home” and “work” together make the compound noun “homework.”
• Put “rest” and “room” together to make the compound noun, “restroom.”

AWL Vocabulary Preparation

The following Academic Word List words are found in the article, “IELP Expectations of Students.” Notice that many of the words are repeated from chapter 1.

Receptive Knowledge: These words appear in the Academic Word list (sub-list 3-10). You need to understand these words when you read or hear them. The words repeated from chapter 1 are italicized. The new words are in bold.