Oxford University Press Launches Two New K-12 English Language Learning Books

NEW YORK, March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Oxford University Press, the world's largest university press, is announcing the launch of  two vocabulary-based English language learning development programs designed to meet the needs of K-3 and 4-8 English Language Learners (ELLs). With ELLs as the fastest growing segment and most underserved population in grades K-12, Oxford University Press is building upon its successful library of vocabulary-based education tools.

New to the Oxford line is the Oxford Picture Dictionary: Content Areas for Kids, Second Edition, for lower elementary ELLs in grades K-3, and the Oxford Picture Dictionary for the Content Areas, Second Edition, for beginning and intermediate ELLs in grades 4-8. Oxford's flagship product, the Oxford Picture Dictionary, launched in 2008, is frequently used in lower grades as general vocabulary support.

"While many ELLs have greatly benefited from our Oxford Picture Dictionary, it was evident that there was a real need for educational books targeted at specific age groups," says Laura Pearson, General Manager of Oxford's American English Language Teaching Group. "Each book addresses the specific vocabulary needs of the designated age of the ELLs," she adds.

ELLs are a highly complex group of students with varying educational needs, backgrounds and languages. Now that Common Core State Standards hold English learners and native speakers to the same expectations, the need for instructional strategies and development tools to help ELLs at all language proficiency levels reach their academic potential is at an all-time high. Built on a research-based instructional routine, the core component of the vocabulary-based language development program is the picture dictionary. The picture dictionary teaches academic and content language explicitly aligned to curriculum standards.

With words as only part of mastering academic language, Oxford University Press designed its ELL program so that students combine learned words with grammar and syntax, as well as apply them to cross-context areas, where non-specific academic words are shared. Students at all levels receive visual guidance. Teachers receive targeted instructional resources and professional support and are able to track their students' progress as well as tailor their lessons and exams to the areas in which their students need more focus.  

As technology plays an increasingly integral function of classroom activity, Oxford also provides schools and teachers the option of purchasing digital versions of both dictionaries.

To find out about OUP's English Language Teaching publications please visit www.oup.com/elt. 

SOURCE Oxford University Press