C1 - Lesson 5: Mastering the Academic Word List (AWL)
A Strategic Key to Academic English
Imagine having a "master key" that could unlock about 10% of every academic text you read. Such a key exists: it's called the Academic Word List (AWL)1. This is a list of 570 word families that appear with very high frequency across all academic disciplines. Mastering the AWL and its collocations is one of the most efficient strategies for boosting your academic proficiency2.
1. What is the AWL?
Developed by researcher Averil Coxhead, the AWL was created by analyzing a large corpus3 of academic texts. It contains the words that are common in subjects from law and science to history and the arts, but which are not among the 2,000 most common words in general English. The list is divided into 10 sublists based on frequency, with Sublist 1 being the most common.
2. Beyond the List: The C1 Skill of Collocation
Knowing the definition of an AWL word is a B2-level skill. At C1, you must master its collocations—the words it naturally partners with. This is the key to using academic vocabulary correctly and sounding like an expert.
Key AWL Words & Their Collocations
| AWL Word (Sublist) | Common Collocations |
|---|---|
| analysis (1) | to conduct an ~, a detailed ~, a critical ~, data ~ |
| approach (1) | a new/different ~, a practical ~, to take an ~ |
| Benefit (1) | a significant ~, to derive ~ from, mutual ~ |
| concept (1) | a key/central ~, to grasp a ~, to introduce a ~ |
| evidence (1) | empirical ~, statistical ~, a growing body of ~ |
| paradigm (8) | a ~ shift, the dominant ~, a new ~ |
3. A Strategy for Learning the AWL
- Assess Yourself: Find the AWL online (search for "Academic Word List with sublists"). How many words from Sublist 1 do you already know well?
- Focus on the Gaps: For any unfamiliar words, create "deep learning" notes including the definition, part of speech, and word family (e.g., `analyze`, `analysis`, `analytical`).
- Hunt for Collocations: Use a good learner's dictionary (like Oxford or Cambridge) to find the common collocations for your target words. Add these to your notes. This is the most crucial step.
- Activate Your Knowledge: Intentionally use your new AWL words and their collocations when you are writing academic-style essays or speaking in formal discussions.
Discourse in Action: A University Lecture
Notice how many AWL words (highlighted) are used in this short excerpt from a university lecture.
"Today, we will analyze a major paradigm shift in modern physics. The central concept we need to grasp is relativity. The approach Einstein took was revolutionary, and it was supported by a growing body of empirical evidence. To conduct a proper analysis of its impact, we must understand its historical context. The long-term benefits of this research are undeniable, and it challenged the fundamental scientific beliefs of the era."
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. A major, fundamental change in the way something is thought about or done is called...
- a) a data analysis.
- b) a paradigm shift.
- c) a legal context.
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) a paradigm shift.
2. Which verb is the most common and formal collocation for 'an analysis'?
- a) to do
- b) to make
- c) to conduct
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) to conduct
3. Why is the Academic Word List a powerful tool for learners?
- a) It contains the 570 most difficult words in English.
- b) It contains words that are frequent across a wide range of academic subjects.
- c) It contains all the words you need to know for informal conversations.
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) It contains words that are frequent across a wide range of academic subjects.
edit Your Mission
- Explore Sublist 1: Find the AWL Sublist 1 online. Choose one word you are not 100% confident with. Use an online learner's dictionary to find two strong collocations for that word and write them down.
- Write an Academic Sentence: Write one formal sentence about a topic you are studying or interested in. Your sentence must use an AWL word from the table above with one of its collocations (e.g., use 'a fundamental concept' or 'to derive benefits from').
- The AWL Hunt: Find the abstract of any academic paper online (you can use Google Scholar). Read the abstract and highlight all the words you can find from the AWL. You might be surprised how many there are!
book Lesson Glossary
- Academic Word List (AWL) (noun phrase) - Khmer: បញ្ជីពាក្យសិក្សា (bɑɲ-chii peak sek-saa) - A list of 570 word families that are frequently found in a wide range of academic texts. ↩
- Corpus (noun) - Khmer: ឃ្លាំងទិន្នន័យភាសា (kʰleaŋ tin-nɔ-ney pʰie-sa) - A large collection of written or spoken texts that is used for language research. ↩
- Proficiency (noun) - Khmer: ភាពស្ទាត់ជំនាញ (pʰiep stuat-chum-nienh) - A high degree of skill; expertise. ↩