Content Knowledge as an Anchor to Literacy: A Guide for Teachers of English Learners

At Coterie College, we believe in evidence-informed teaching practices that make a tangible difference in the classroom. We understand that literacy development for English learners is not just about decoding words - it's about building bridges to understanding.

There is now a robust and growing body of research that reinforces a principle we have long advocated for: content knowledge is a powerful foundation for literacy development. For English learners, content-rich instruction - especially in science, social studies, and the arts - is essential to both language acquisition and academic achievement.

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Why Background Knowledge Matters

Ever since E.D. Hirsch, Jr. introduced the concept of “core knowledge” in the late 1980s, research has consistently demonstrated the importance of background knowledge in literacy development. At Coterie College, we see this daily in classrooms where academic vocabulary, schema, and content-specific concepts are explicitly taught and reinforced.

Educators Hugh Catts and Alan Kamhi emphasise this in American Educator:

“Reading comprehension is one of the most complex activities that we engage in… dependent upon a wide range of knowledge and skills… including vocabulary, grammar, reasoning abilities, text structure awareness, and background knowledge.”

American Educator, Winter 2017–2018

For English learners, who are often navigating unfamiliar syntax and culturally bound vocabulary, a strong base in content knowledge reduces cognitive overload. This allows students to focus on meaning, fluency, and critical thinking rather than merely decoding unfamiliar words.

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Teaching with the Continuum in Mind

At Coterie College, we encourage teachers to consider the novice–expert continuum when planning lessons. A study from Science Advances (August 2022) illustrates this perfectly:

“Expertise may undermine effective perspective-taking.”

This insight is critical. What may seem intuitive to experienced educators may be opaque to students—especially to those new to both the language and the cultural context of the curriculum. Effective EAL instruction requires stepping into the learner’s shoes and scaffolding meaning purposefully and consistently.

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Building Knowledge Through Interdisciplinary Instruction

So, how do we build the kind of background knowledge that boosts both academic outcomes and language development?

One proven approach is interdisciplinary, content-rich instruction. We champion the use of disciplinary read-alouds and structured thematic teaching that integrates science, social studies, and English language arts.

Research from Scientific Studies of Reading (2022) shows how powerful this approach can be: “Teachers provided more opportunities for students both to hear and use academic vocabulary by engaging in discussions to make connections between known and new topics.”

At Coterie College, we’ve seen this borne out in real classrooms: when students in Years 3–6 in our partnership schools receive spiralled science instruction that builds on key vocabulary and concepts over time. It is clear that the benefits extend well beyond the classroom. Sustaining and spiralling science schemas significantly improves students’ ability to comprehend passages and get a better understanding of the context of the passage.

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Literacy Instruction That Serves All Learners

Our approach at Coterie College is rooted in the belief that what works for English learners often enhances learning for all students.

A landmark study in the Journal of Educational Psychology (2021) found that a classroom-based content literacy intervention - focusing on science and social studies - significantly improved argumentative writing for both English learners and their English-proficient peers:

“Thematic units built students’ content and vocabulary knowledge through informational texts and concept mapping, supporting the transfer of knowledge to writing and research collaboration.”

This finding reinforces what we already know: when literacy is embedded in meaningful content, learners engage more deeply, retain more, and achieve more.

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The Role of Vocabulary in Science and Achievement

Another key pillar of our practice is targeted academic vocabulary instruction - particularly in content areas like science, where vocabulary can either unlock understanding or become a barrier.

As reported in Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools (ASHA, July 2021):

“Greater science vocabulary knowledge was associated with higher science test scores for children with language/literacy disorders and those with typical development… Increasing science vocabulary may improve science achievement outcomes.”

At Coterie College, we view disciplinary vocabulary not as an add-on, but as essential instructional content that drives both conceptual understanding and language growth.

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Practical Guidance from the Coterie Approach

Five top tips for EAL teachers

1. Integrate content and literacy instruction

Don’t silo reading from subjects like science or history—use content to teach comprehension strategies, vocabulary, and writing

2. Use structured, content-rich read-alouds

Select texts that build schema. Support comprehension with visuals, repetition, and collaborative discussion.

3. Spiral key concepts and vocabulary

Revisit big ideas and important terms frequently across units and year levels to solidify understanding.

4. Encourage academic discourse

Use sentence stems, structured dialogue, and peer-to-peer discussion to promote rich oral language and deeper content engagement.

5. Prioritise ease of implementation

Literacy integration should feel practical and intuitive. We help schools develop sustainable models that work within everyday classroom routines.

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At Coterie College, we don’t just support English learners - we empower them. Through content-rich, integrated instruction, we’re helping educators across sectors and contexts turn classrooms into engines of equity and excellence.

Because when we build content knowledge, we don’t just build better readers - we build thinkers, doers, and global citizens.