Academic language is the formal language proficiency required to effectively learn, communicate, and succeed in academic settings such as schools and universities. It encompasses oral, written, auditory, and visual language skills used in classroom lessons, textbooks, tests, and assignments
. Key characteristics of academic language include:
- Formality : It is more formal than everyday conversational language, avoiding slang, idioms, and contractions, and using complete forms and precise vocabulary
- Objectivity : Academic language is unbiased and based on evidence rather than personal feelings, making arguments more convincing and professional
- Impersonality : It often avoids personal pronouns (like "I" or "we") to maintain distance from the research or topic, using passive voice or third-person constructions instead
Academic language also involves discipline-specific vocabulary and terminology, complex grammar and syntax, and rhetorical conventions that help explain, analyze, and persuade based on theories and research findings
. It is essential for mastering content across subjects and for performing academic tasks such as writing essays, reports, and research papers
. Because academic language differs from social language, students often require explicit instruction and practice to develop fluency in it, especially with vocabulary and text structures unique to each discipline
. In summary, academic language is the specialized, formal language used in educational contexts to communicate complex ideas clearly, objectively, and persuasively
