Chapter 9: Oral Language and Literacy Development

Select the key factors of oral language development.

• acquisition of a second or additional language

• social and academic language proficiency

• whether or not students can write

• first language acquisition

How does first language acquisition occur?

• by reading a book

• interactions with immediate family members and caregivers

• explicit language instruction

At which stage of the acquisition of a second language do English Language Learners begin to ask and answer simple questions, use dialogue, and initiate short conversations with peers.

• advanced language proficiency

• silent/receptive or preproductive

• immediate language proficiency

• early production

• speech emergence

There are three key literacy principals to consider when working with English Language Learners. The first principal is that comprehension is more important than decoding skills. Select the two statements that best support this principal.

• Many of the principles associated with oral language acquisition also apply to literacy development

• Reading and writing in the target language are facilitated through and supported by comprehension and meaning.

• Literacy and oral language can evolve organically if suitable learning and usage opportunities are present.

• The primary goal in reading and writing is receiving or sending meaning.

How are social literacy and academic literacy different?

• Academic literacy requires the use of texts that reflect multiple content areas, while social literacy enables students to communicate through the use of electronic devices.

• Social literacy includes more abstract concepts than academic literacy.

• Social literacy requires the use of texts that reflect multiple content areas, while academic literacy enables students to communicate through the use of electronic devices.

• Academic literacy requires the use of skills that are less cognitively demanding than social literacy.

Why is it important to determine English Language Learners' language patterns prior to entering school?

• Language patterns determine whether or not parents should continue to use their home language when communicating with their children.

• Some ELLs enter school with limited academic proficiency in either language.

• Language patterns provide the only information that is needed to determine an ELL's overall developmental level.

A teacher assesses an English Language Learner's sound-symbol recognition, vocabulary acquisition, and grammar. Which aspect of the student's oral language and literacy development is the teacher assessing?

• discrete aspects

• multiple contexts

• holistic representations

• cultural and academic language

Many factors should be taken into consideration when assessing English Language Learners. Identify three examples of personal factors.

• individual approach to style and learning

• motivation factors

• prior schooling

• talent and interests

• family situation