How the NGSS science instructional shifts and language instructional shifts support each other for English learners: Talk in the science classroom

A Framework for K-12 Science Education (National Research Council, 2012), which the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) are based on, defines teaching and learning of science in terms of blending the three dimensions of science and engineering practices, crosscutting concepts, and disciplinary core ideas to explain phenomena or design solutions to problems. As students engage in “doing science and engineering,” they rely heavily on oral language in small or large group settings. This chapter describes the critical role of oral language when students, especially English learners, engage in the NGSS science and engineering practices. Science instructional shifts promote language learning with English learners, while language instructional shifts promote science learning with English learners. Recognizing these shifts as mutually supportive can lead to better and more coherent instructional approaches that promote both science and language learning for all students, especially English learners.]