Jargon - the language of science/Discussion Points

Questions - Discussion prompts

Learning the language of science – science teacher and author Dr William Hirst talks to Roger Frost. William explains that learning the language of science can improve children’s success at school. He is the author of a science dictionary for ages 10 -14 called “William’s Words in Science” (www.williamswords.co.uk)

• Gives examples of generally shared science words that can cause confusion
• Suggest a science word that might have multiple meanings in science? [As many as ‘eighteen different meanings’ mentioned later]
• What can you say about the quantity of words and meanings required for science at age 14?
• What does Dr Hirst mean by active and passive vocabulary?
• Can we make use of the analogy with learning a language?
• How can science language be acquired? What strategies might be used for teaching words?
• What is the value to young children of science’s language, here called ‘jargon’?
• Is learning a word, like phototropism, crucial to understanding the idea?
• What does ‘apple’ mean to you as a concept - and does it match another's idea?
• Discuss approaches to teaching words in science?