The DDSK, (Discover, Decide and Defend, Show, and Know) Method for academic vocabulary acquisition is used to teach students in different stages to learn, acquire, and utilize academic language from early childhood and throughout adult and post-secondary education. While students can be in different stages, it is adamant that students acquire and use academic language in all areas such as listening, speaking, writing, and understanding. Stages of the DDSK Method are as follows:

• Discover (look up/learn the correct definition in the appropriate context)
• Decide and defend (decide and defend which definition best matches situation or context)
• Show (draw a picture, tell, teach, share)
• Know/acquire

As such, the DDSK is critical for academic language development.

Authors: Allie Edge Adams, Ramona Boodoo, Meagan Chacon, Barba Patton

Published in: Canada International Conference on Education, 2024

• Date of Conference: 23-25 July, 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/CICE.2024.0017
• Electronic ISBN: 978-1-913572-65-5
• Conference Location: Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, Canada