Language functions are the “reasons” for using language, as in expressing basic wants & needs, explaining a process, describing an event or persuading others. Teaching language functions and the structures needed to effectively utilize language will provide English learners with a pathway to language proficiency.
Would you like to teach language function units but just aren’t sure where to begin? Here are the 5 steps I take when planning out any new language function unit.
Step 1 – Identify the Language Function’s Learning Target
Choose a language function along with a topic that lends itself naturally to that function. For example, for a sequencing unit you might choose a life cycle topic.
Once a function and topic are chosen, identify the learning targets. By the end of the unit, what should students be able to do? Typically I want students to provide expressive language output in order to demonstrate effective use of the language function.
Here’s an example of some learning targets from a cause and effect unit. I also post a “guiding question” to help keep the end goal in mind.
Step 2 – Backwards Plan
What skills will students need in order to hit the target? Do I need to build background knowledge? How much do they already know about the topic? How much content vocabulary is involved? What grammar skills (structures) will they need to effectively use the language function? These are questions to consider while mapping out the initial plan.
I know the end goal is going to be output using expressive language, but I also need to support receptive language skills. This step 2 in planning is when I think about the types of activities my individual groups need practice with, along with the differentiated scaffolds needed for each group.
For example, my beginning level groups are going to need more vocabulary instruction and speaking practice, so I plan additional activities for them. My higher level groups are going to need more time writing, because I expect more linguistic complexity in their writing, so I plan for that.
Step 3 – Resource Round-Up
After identifying the language function topic, learning targets, activities and scaffolds, I begin gathering resources that support listening, speaking, reading and writing skills.
Having some favorite go-to places to grab resources is a huge help. These are some of my tried and true sites for finding exactly what my students need.
Once a variety of resources are gathered, I start plugging them into the lesson plan book and plan out the unit.
I plan out lessons for each group in the same order. For example, all groups no matter proficiency level start with an introduction to the unit, then a listening activity, followed by reading and speaking activity.
The length of time I spend on the lessons may vary depending on the group, and of course the activities are scaffolded and differentiated to meet the individual needs of each group, but the sequence of activities is generally the same, which makes my planning easier!
Step 4 – Instruction
All of my units start with these 4 lessons:
Day 1 Lesson) Introducing the Language Function Unit
When I start a new unit, I start it on the same day with all of my groups, give or take a day. ALL groups receive an introduction to the unit that begins at the language function board. 👇
I explain what the unit is about, tap into their background knowledge by asking what they already know about ______, connect it to something familiar, and introduce key words for the language function.
The language function board plays an essential role, as it is referenced throughout the unit. Certain portions of the board are not revealed until the lesson pertaining to that portion is given. For example, the content vocabulary is not posted on the board until the vocabulary lesson is given.
Day 2 Lesson) Listening
I love to incorporate engaging videos into my lessons. This lesson is all about practicing listening skills as students view, listen and learn about the topic.
YouTube is my go-to for finding short engaging videos. I like that I can use the closed captions when needed. EPIC Books (free to join) and BrainPOP Jr (paid subscription) are also places to find good videos.
The purpose of the listening lesson is to build background knowledge and to provide context for the unit. If the unit’s learning target is to explain the great wildebeest migration, then students will need to learn about that. For this Inquiry unit’s listening activity, I shared this video from EPIC BOOKS along with a 5 Ws & H graphic organizer.
Students were tasked with answering as many 5 W & H questions as they could with the first viewing, then for the unanswered questions, the video was watched a second time with students listening specifically for the missing information.
Day 3 & 4 Lesson) Reading
Next is a reading activity. These first few days are all about acquiring information around the topic and building specific vocabulary.
Select a text that is appropriate for each group and identify essential vocabulary that needs pre-teaching.
Day 1 of reading is explicitly teaching key vocabulary, building background knowledge, setting a purpose for reading and reading the text.
Day 2 of reading is a quick review of day 1, along with finishing the reading (or rereading the text) and responding to the reading, usually a graphic organizer, cloze activity or short written response.
Day 5 Lesson) Speaking
It’s time to take what’s been learned (input) and practice discussing it (output). As my students talk, I listen for the vocabulary being used, sentence length, grammar usage and essential understanding of the topic. This is a great time for me to evaluate which skills my students need more support with, as well as provide feedback.
During this activity is when I often realize (yes, mid-unit😉) which grammar skills my students need, so I’ll add a mini grammar lesson to the unit. Sentence frames, sentence starters and word banks are common scaffolds found in this speaking activity.
Day 6-10 Activities
The rest of the unit is sprinkled with writing, other structured speaking activities, mini grammar lessons, as well as more listening & reading if students need additional information.
I love teaching language function units because I’m able to meet my students where they are and give them exactly what they need to build their language skills in all four language domains. Another reason is, it makes my lesson planning SO much easier. All of my groups are learning the same language function, so there’s no question about WHAT I’m teaching, AND I know the sequence in which to teach it.
It’s worth mentioning that my students love the units as well; I believe that’s because there’s such a variety of activities, the learning target is clear and students are supported along the way in reaching their goal.
Step 5 – Assessing Students
Around day 10, I start prepping students for their final task, the speaking and/or writing activity. For speaking, my students record a response using Canva on a slide I’ve provided.
The writing task is usually responding to the same prompt but typing on a Google Slide. Here’s an example slide from a Cause and Effect unit (winter’s effect on plants and animals).
Here’s another example slide from the end of a Persuade unit. Students are tasked with both speaking and writing by creating a slide AND orally presenting it to the group.
Planning Tip
It’s important to stay on track and organized so that all groups finish the unit around the same time. I found that keeping track of when groups finished each lesson really helped me keep the unit moving along at a good pace and ensured that no groups were lagging behind or getting too far ahead.
Why Teach Language Function Units
Language Functions are utilized in every grade level from K-12 and beyond. When instructional focus is on the function of language, students are building the academic vocabulary and language structures needed to set them up for success throughout their academic careers across all content areas. I truly believe that teaching language functions is the most effective approach to building English language proficiency!
When thinking about whether or not you should try teaching language functions, I say go for it!! It’s fun, engaging and it’s what our students need.
Here are language function units available in my TPT store. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
Language Function Units
If you’d like to read more about language functions, as well as Forms & Functions, check out these posts;)
Language Forms and Functions in an ESL Classroom
Teaching Language Functions with English Learners
Happy Teaching! 🙌💛
