Which approach is characterized by integrating explicit learning strategy instruction to support academic language development in content areas?

Which approach is characterized by integrating explicit learning strategy instruction to support academic language development in content areas?

• A. SIOP
• B. Sheltered instruction
• C. Content-based ESL
• D. CALLA: Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach

Answer: (D)

This item is about an approach that explicitly teaches students learning strategies to build academic language while working in content areas. Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) centers on giving students direct instruction in learning strategies—such as planning, monitoring comprehension, organizing information, and self-evaluating—and tying those strategies to the language demands of subjects like math, science, and social studies. Lessons are typically structured around modeling the strategies, guided practice with supports, and independent application, with ongoing reflection on how the strategies help with understanding content and using academic language. This method foregrounds teaching students how to learn—metacognitive and cognitive strategies—within authentic content tasks, so they can repeatedly apply these strategies to acquire language and content knowledge together. Other options focus more on making content accessible through sheltered or integrated language approaches but don’t center explicit strategy instruction in the same way. Therefore, the described approach best fits CALLA.

This item is about an approach that explicitly teaches students learning strategies to build academic language while working in content areas. Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA) centers on giving students direct instruction in learning strategies—such as planning, monitoring comprehension, organizing information, and self-evaluating—and tying those strategies to the language demands of subjects like math, science, and social studies. Lessons are typically structured around modeling the strategies, guided practice with supports, and independent application, with ongoing reflection on how the strategies help with understanding content and using academic language.

This method foregrounds teaching students how to learn—metacognitive and cognitive strategies—within authentic content tasks, so they can repeatedly apply these strategies to acquire language and content knowledge together. Other options focus more on making content accessible through sheltered or integrated language approaches but don’t center explicit strategy instruction in the same way. Therefore, the described approach best fits CALLA.