Academic language plays a key role in reading comprehension, disciplinary thinking, and overall academic success. However, many approaches to teaching academic language, such as a focus on academic vocabulary, overlook other language features that can pose challenges for students. Systemic Functional Linguistics (SFL), arguably one of the three bodies of knowledge that have most substantially contributed to disciplinary literacy theory, sheds light on the nature and functional purpose of academic language. This article explores academic language through the lens of SFL and identifies viable strategies for academic language instruction within the developmental reading classroom.