Make Disciplinary Language Clear and Inviting

Language is power, and each discipline has its own codes. By clarifying key terms and symbols, we make academic language more inclusive and build fluency for all students, especially those who are new to the field, multilingual learners, and first-generation students. Making disciplinary language clear and inviting isn't about "dumbing down" your content; it's about intentionally scaffolding students' entry into your discipline's ways of thinking and communicating. For neurodiverse learners, visual support and repetition can make abstract terms concrete and memorable. When we intentionally demystify disciplinary language, we reduce cognitive load and help students focus on learning rather than decoding.

Do one thing

Choose one way to use language that allows all students to participate.

• Identify 3–5 key terms per module and explain them with context and visuals.
• Encourage students to make or share short videos or glossaries in their own words.
• Use consistent icons, color cues, or visual metaphors to reinforce meaning.
• Add brief audio or video explanations for complex vocabulary.
• Discuss the origins of key terms and whose perspectives they represent.

Clear, transparent language invites all learners into the conversation and signals that they belong in your discipline. Small shifts in how we introduce and reinforce disciplinary language can have a powerful impact on student confidence, engagement, and persistence. By making our language more inviting and transparent, we open doors to deeper learning and more equitable participation for every student.

Reach out to your local Center for Teaching and Learning and to the College Digital Accessibility Committees for tools, techniques, and support in sharing the work across courses and departments