The Language anchor statements include the system and structure of English, but they also approach language as a matter of craft and informed choice among alternatives. The vocabulary standards focus on understanding words and phrases, their relationships, and their nuances and on acquiring new vocabulary, particularly general academic and domain-specific words and phrases.

(RF) Foundational Skills: Reading Language

By the end of grade 5, develop understanding and conceptual knowledge of, phonics, syllabication patterns, letter-sound correspondences, word analysis, morphology, and other basic conventions of written English.

(WF) Foundational Skills: Writing Language

By the end of grade 5, develop understanding and conceptual knowledge of print, phonological processing, letter formation and handwriting, and other basic conventions of the English writing system.

(SS) System and Structure of Language

By the end of grade 12, demonstrate command of grammar and usage, capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.

(KL) Knowledge of Language

By the end of grade 12, apply knowledge of language and command of vocabulary to understand how language functions in different contexts, to make effective choices for meaning or style, and to comprehend more fully when reading or listening.

(VL) Vocabulary Acquisition, Use and Literal Meaning

By the end of grade 12, determine the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words using analysis of word parts (morphemes), word solving strategies, and consulting general and specialized reference materials, as appropriate.

(VI) Vocabulary Acquisition, Use and Interpretative Meaning

By the end of grade 12, interpret figurative and connotative word meanings, including shades of meaning based on word relationships and context.