Considering the instrumental characteristics of Korean subjects, “learning language,” which affects the learning of other subjects is an important issue. Literacy, in the sense of the reading and writing ability that has been provided in the Korean subject so far, is difficult to apply according to the characteristics of each subject. This is because the language skills required in individual subjects are not uniform in nature. In order to provide a true knowledge construction tool in Korean-language education, it is necessary to develop appropriate literacy skills for each subject. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the features of learning language required in each subject for social and science subjects at the secondary school level, focusing on “explanation.” Learning language should be appropriately utilized according to the characteristics of each subject, and at this time, content elements need to be provided in the form of specific linguistic resources.