2. Cognitive engagement

  • the cognitive challenges of language learning are great
  • much of the content lies outside learner's direct experience and is often more abstract:
e.g., 
  1. in science lessons learners may struggle to describe and compare the properties of materials; 
  2. may find it impossible to hypothesize about why particular materials are used for particular purposes;
  3. may be able to write up the procedural part of a report after testing materials but not how to write conclusions.

  • being taught specific thinking skills and the associated language - better equipped to deal with the complex academic and cognitive demands of learning school subjects in a foreign language