Words that Matter in Science and Technology

Abstract

This article reports on a study conducted in Papua New Guinea on students’ comprehension of 45 non‐technical words used in science classes. Over 2000 students in Grades 7 to 12 and first year university were tested. Each word was tested in four different formats—each format representing a different context and different level of difficulty. In some grades, whilst many students apparently understood the words at a relatively superficial level, they were unable to make the discriminations of meaning required for effective communication in science classes.