SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Differentiate the language used in academic text from
various disciplines. (CS_EN11/12A-EAPP-Ia-c2)
 Lesson
Language in Academic Text
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EXPECTATIONS
In this module, you will have to differentiate the language used in academic text
from various disciplines.

Specifically, this module will help you to:

 define what an academic language is;
 identify the characteristics of an academic language; and
 use academic language in academic writing.

Let us start your journey in learning more about the Language Used in Academic Text from Various
Disciplines. I am sure you are ready and excited to answer the Pretest. Smile and cheer up!

PRETEST
I. Directions: Read the statements carefully. Write True if the statement is
correct or False if wrong in the blanks provided.
1. Jargons are the specific terms used in a particular course or
field.
2. The words such as “haven’t”, “you’re” and “could’ve” are examples of
acronyms.
3. The colloquial words are the denotative words found in the
dictionary.
4. Hedges are used to express absolute certainty of a stance.
5. Grammar is one of the elements that need to be properly observed in an
academic writing.

II. Directions: Analyze the sentences carefully. Replace the italicized two-
word verb in each sentence with a single-word verb from the choices. Write
the correct answers in the blanks.
produces conducted raised eliminate tolerate
refuses produces creates established increased
1. Mothers cut down spending on grocery items.
2. Scientists come up with a good solution to the problem.
3. Teachers brought up some issues on cheating during
examinations.
4. Private schools nowadays get rid of tuition fee hike. 5.
The team leader turns down the first project proposal
because of its inconvenience for the members.

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Great! You finished answering the questions. You may request your facilitator to check your work.
Congratulations and keep on learning!

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Teachers play a very important role in helping and assisting students
express their views, sentiments, thinking by merely developing academic
language in them. Teachers always want the students to use language to
convey understanding in school. Learning academic language is vital
because students who master it are more likely to be successful in academic
and professional setting.
Academic writing is a challenging but satisfying activity. It needs great
preparations. One of the necessary preparations is on language use.
Academic writing requires academic language. Language use is a qualifying
component of a text to be categorized as an academic text.
Several definitions and explanations can be given to academic
language which is considered a formal way to present words on a certain
field. In general, Academic language or text is used in classroom setting
– in textbooks, teacher-made tests and other forms of academic disciplines.
Moreover, it includes variety of formal language skills such as
vocabulary, grammar, punctuation, syntax and the likes. These allow students
to acquire knowledge and academic skills needed to do the work of schools.
In other words, academic language can always be associated with academic
disciplines such as discourse features, grammatical constructions across different
language domains.
Distinctive Attributes of Academic Language
A. Formality – Generally, academic writing is formal where the following
should be avoided:
*Colloquial words and expressions and idiomatic expressions
*Abbreviated words such as can’t, doesn’t, shouldn’t and others
*Two-word verbs such as put off, bring up
*Expanded terms over their abbreviated equivalents such as “as soon
as possible” instead of ASAP
B. Precision – In academic writing, facts, figures, graphs, illustrations are
given precisely. The exactness and accuracy of the data presented are
visible. Writer is advised not to use “several workers” when he/she
can use “10 million workers”.
C. Explicitness – The writer makes sure that the various parts of the text
are related to one another, free from obscurity and easy to understand.
D. Accuracy – Academic writing uses vocabulary and statistics

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 accurately that conform to the correct value or standard. A writer
chooses the appropriate word; let us say “meeting, assembly,
gathering, and conference”.
E. Hedging – Writer makes decisions about his/her stance on a particular
subject. The strength of the claims must be considered. He/She also
uses cautious language.
Language used in Hedging
*Introductory Verbs**Certain Lexical Verbs**Certain Modal Verbs*
seem, be sure believe will, must
tend, indicate assume would, may
look like suggest might, could
appear to be
think
believe
doubt
*Adverbs of Frequency* *Modal Nouns* *That Clauses*
often assumption It could be the case that
sometimes possibility It might be suggested that
usually probability There is every hope that
*Modal Adverbs* *Modal Adjectives* *Phrases*
Certainly certain on the whole
Definitely definite more or less
Clearly clear
Probably probable
Possibly possible
perhaps
conceivably
F. Responsibility – Writer must be responsible for demonstrating and
understanding of any source text used. All evidences and
justifications are provided to support the claims.
Moreover, the writer has to paraphrase and summarize the read
academic text and acknowledge the source of ideas and information
through proper citations.
G. Organization – Academic writing is well-organized where the ideas are
presented in a logical manner.

Note: You can perform the following activities through collaborating with a partner. You can first answer the
activities individually then just communicate your results after.

ACTIVITIES
Activity 1
Directions: Study the given example. Then, rewrite each sentence by
choosing the correct hedging language from the given chart. Use the
provided spaces for your sentences.
on the whole possible (adj) more or less (phr) likely (adj)
(phr)
appear to be (v) indicates (verb) tend to (v) sometimes (adv)

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 Example:

Is that true for all younger/older people?

1. Despite a number of minor issues and problems, the strategy used in

solving them was very effective.
If these were issues and problems, was it completely effectively?
Answer:

2. The most critically endangered animals in the whole world are the eagle
and freshwater crocodile cause by illegal hunting and logging.
I don’t think the idea has proven 100% .
Answer:

3. Solar power offers a solution to producing clean, cheap energy in

developing countries.
Is it certain to work in all contexts? Isn’t it quite expensive to set up?
Answer:

4. The study shows that engaging students in writing research papers

makes them critical thinkers despite the hurdles.
This is only one study – can we say that it clearly proves the link? Is it true to all?
Answer:

Activity 2
Directions: Study the given sentences. Then, underline the colloquial words or
expressions in each sentence. Then, write their equivalent academic words
in the blanks
1. With the growing number of covid 19 related issues, a lot of people are
becoming afraid that they might be infected.
2. It is a bit improper to post your sentiments online especially on facebook.

3. Scientists and experts determined that a lot of vaccine ingredients to fight

covid 19 come from America.
4. Teachers say that a lot of incoming senior high school students are

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 interested in the DepEd’s blended learning as one of the many learning
modalities amid the pandemic.
5. Some students conduct an experiment on effectively enhancing muscle
build up.

REMEMBER
► Students who are proficient in academic language are equipped to acquire
new knowledge and skills needed in the classroom setting.
► Teachers are significant in developing understanding and critical thinking
skills among students. Moreover, they play an important role in leading the
students to attain academic progress and eventually to become successful in
the chosen field.
► Academic language is a formal way of presenting ideas and information
through words. It is also associated to the oral, written, auditory and visual
language proficiency required to learn effectively in schools.
► It is vital to a learner to develop skills in vocabulary, grammar
punctuation, syntax and the likes.
► The seven (7) distinctive attributes of academic language include the
following: Formality, Precision, Explicitness, Accuracy, Hedging,
Responsibility, and Organization. Each attribute has a unique set of rules to
consider in to come up with a good academic writing that should be clear
and concise in order to communicate its content in the best way possible.

CHECKING YOUR UNDERSTANDING

Directions: In this part, you need to apply your knowledge on what academic
language is. Rewrite the given sentences by observing the characteristics of
an academic language. Use the spaces provided for your answers.
1. Parenting is a 24/7 job.

2. The cookery class is cooking up something big and elegant.

3. The task on writing a book can’t be done successfully if you don’t burn
the midnight oil.

4. The viewers had this feeling of excitement after watching the romcom Thai
movie.

5. The employees are asked to report for work ASAP.

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POST TEST

I. Directions: Choose the correct term in the box that will complete the
thought of each sentence.
abbreviation claims evidences logical ideas
formal standard statistics illustrations value
1. Academic writing is formal where words should be
avoided such as doesn’t, couldn’t, and others.
2. In Academic writing, information such as facts, figures, graphs and
are given precisely.
3. Academic writing uses vocabulary and that conform to the
correct value or standard.
4. All evidences and justifications are provided to support the .
5. Academic writing is organized where the are presented on a
logical manner.

II. Directions: Analyze the sentences carefully. Replace the italicized two-
word verb in each sentence with a single-word verb from the choices. Write
the correct answers in the blanks.
refuses create tolerate eliminate reduced
raised produces conducted established increased

1. The vaccine ingredients for covid 19 give off a foul odor.

2. Some experts carried out a research about the origin of
covid 19.
3. Employees did not put up with the expectation of the
company.
4. Inter Agency Task Force set up new rules on the new
normal.
5. Oil price has gone up.

REFELECTIVE LEARNING SHEET NO. 1

Directions: Reflect on what you have learned after taking this lesson by answering the
questions below.
1. What were your thoughts or ideas about language in academic text prior to the
discussion of this lesson?
I thought…
2. What new or additional lessons did you learn after taking up this lesson?
I learned…