ESL Certification TX 154 Review Domains 1 & 3

1. Which of the following is most important for effective second-language acquisition?

• A. Engaging in social activities and meaningful interactions

• B. Memorizing and practicing frequently used words and phrases

• C. Interacting primarily with the teacher and other adults

• D. Learning with various structured and roteactivities

Answer explanation

Option A is correct because second-language acquisition occurs most easily with meaningful interaction in social settings. Option B is incorrect because memorizing frequently used words and phrases with no genuine context will not have a positive effect on second-language acquisition. Option C is incorrect because secondlanguage acquisition occurs most often when interacting with peers as well as adults. Option D is incorrect because second-language acquisition occurs most often when interacting primarily in social settings rather than structured settings. second language

2. Which of the following statements most accurately identifies state-mandated Limited English Proficient (LEP) policies?

• A. EBs who meet requirements and exit the special language program are monitored for one year.

• B. School districts that have at least two EBs at one grade level must provide ESL services.

• C. The Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) assesses the proficiency levels of EBs annually.

• D. The identification and placement of EBs occurs within the first four weeks of their enrollment in school.

Answer explanation

Option D is correct because state requirements require that EB identification and placement must occur within the first four weeks of enrollment. Option A is incorrect because students who meet requirements and exit the ESL program are monitored for two years. Option B is incorrect because school districts with one EB must provide ESL services. Option C is incorrect because the LPAC is not responsible for assessing the students.

4. Which of the following statements is primarily true about the relationship between a student’s first- and second language acquisition?

• A. Cognitive development in L1 should be discontinued through the elementary years in order to achieve cognitive and academic success in L2.

• B. Cognitive development in L1 should be limited through the elementary years in order to achieve cognitive and academic success in L2.

• C. Students who receive formal schooling in L1 do better at acquiring L2 than students with no schooling in L1.

• D. Students who receive formal schooling in L1 do worse at acquiring L2 than students with no schooling in L1

Answer explanation

Option C is correct because first-language acquisition has a positive correlation to second-language acquisition. Option A is incorrect because cognitive development in L1 should be continued through the elementary years in order to achieve cognitive and academic success in L2. Option B is incorrect because cognitive development in L1 must be developed to at least the comparable level of native English speaking peers in order to achieve cognitive and academic success in L2. Option D is incorrect because students who receive formal schooling in L1 do better than students with no primary language schooling.

5. Marcos is an EB who is literate in his native language and speaks English well but struggles with reading informative texts in English. After assigning a research project, the teacher wants to find a way to support Marcos’ English literacy development as he completes the assignment. Which of the following is the best way to accomplish the teacher’s goal?

• A. Providing Marcos with research in English presented in an audio format that he can listen to and then present his findings to the class

• B. Supplementing English texts with research in Marcos’ native language and having him present his findings in English

• C. Translating informative texts to Marcos’ native language and having him conduct his research using the translated texts

• D. Pairing Marcos with a native English speaking peer who can help to explain the research they find in English

Answer explanation

Option B is correct because the use of native-language research to supplement English texts will help Marcos understand the academic content and continue to develop his English-speaking skills. In addition, it will allow Marcos to use his native language to scaffold his learning in English. Option A is incorrect because simply providing an audio version of research in English will not be an effective way to support English literacy or academic content. Option C is incorrect because translating the texts into his native language and limiting his research to the translated texts will not develop his English literacy. Option D is incorrect because although working with a classmate is a good procedure for listening to English, it will not help the nonnative speaker become proficient in literacy.

27. Which of the following is a primary characteristic of teaching EBs using the sheltered English instruction model?

• A. Students are provided with content adapted to their level of proficiency to facilitate comprehension.

• B. Students receive instruction exclusively in English and do not have the distractions of a mainstream classroom environment.

• C. Students are taught in both English and their native language so that they eventually become fluent in both.

• D. Students who recently arrived in the United States are given specific interventions to help their transition.

Answer explanation

Option A is correct because this is a characteristic of using sheltered English instruction. Option B is incorrect because this is a characteristic of an immersion program. Option C is incorrect because this is a characteristic of a dual language program. Option D is incorrect because this is a characteristic of newcomer centers.

28. A school district is establishing an ESL program for the first time and must do so in compliance with established criteria. The district first puts into place a mechanism that will determine the program’s effectiveness in achieving its instructional goals for EBs. The evaluation ensures that the program will primarily fulfill requirements established by

• A. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka.

• B. Castañeda v. Pickard.

• C. the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001.

• D. Plyler v. Doe.

Answer explanation

Option B is correct because Castañeda v. Pickard established the requirement that programs must be evaluated to determine their effectiveness in achieving their instructional goals. Option A is incorrect because Brown v. Board of Education established the requirement that the race-based segregation of children into “separate but equal” public schools violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and is unconstitutional. Option C is incorrect because No Child Left Behind established the requirement that states, school districts, and schools must ensure that all students are proficient in grade-level math and reading. Option D is incorrect because Plyler v. Doe prohibited public schools and school personnel from adopting policies or taking actions that would deny students access to education based on their immigration status.

30. A high school ESL teacher is creating a teacher training session focusing on the linguistic diversity of the school. Which of the following paradigms will most benefit the school’s EBs?

• A. Using the EBs’ native languages and cultures as a basis for building new knowledge

• B. Encouraging all students to use only English while at school

• C. Keeping EBs in the ESL program as long as possible

• D. Asking administrators to allow teachers to lead the ESL program

Answer explanation

Option A is correct because when educators view different languages as an asset or resource, they will value those languages in the classroom. Option B is incorrect because encouraging only English usage tells students who know other languages that those languages are not an asset for them, the school, or society as a whole. Option C is incorrect because keeping EBs in the ESL program longer than needed will lead to frustration and a belief that language diversity is a problem to be solved. Option D is incorrect because administrators are vital to setting the tone of how students with diverse native languages are viewed in the school. A hands-off approach will communicate the belief that EBs and the ESL program are not important.

32. An EB in an elementary school volunteers to read a story in the general education classroom. The EB stumbles over the words and appears flustered. The teacher responds with positive reinforcement, praising the student for offering to participate. The teacher’s actions best demonstrate an understanding of the importance of which of the following?

• A. Encouraging reading fluency

• B. Lowering the affective filter

• C. Focusing on proper pronunciation

• D. Improving cognitive development

Answer explanation

Option B is correct because when a teacher provides positive reinforcement, EBs may feel more comfortable and be motivated to work harder. Option A is incorrect because praising the EB’s efforts does not address the issue of fluency. Option C is incorrect because focusing on proper pronunciation would heighten an EB’s affective filter. Option D is incorrect because the teacher is not addressing cognitive development.

34. A high school ESL teacher hosts a career day in which bilingual professionals attend and give presentations about how proficiency in more than one language has helped them succeed. Which of the following is a primary benefit of the presentations for EBs?

• A. Identifying with members of the community who speak their language

• B. Understanding the advantages of being multilingual

• C. Choosing best career paths that align with their goals

• D. Learning which companies emphasize multilingual careers

Answer explanation

Option B is correct because students are able to see personal cases of people becoming successful by using their bilingual abilities as an advantage. Option A is incorrect because the presenters may not speak their same language. Option C is incorrect because the presentation is focused on benefits of bilingualism, not various careers. Option D is incorrect because this would not be the primary benefit since it is not the topic of the presentation

37. Volunteers from local churches and businesses are interested in assisting students in a school’s ESL program. Which TWO of the following tasks are the most appropriate roles for the volunteers to fulfill? May be multiple answers

(a)  

• A. Team teaching with a general education or ESL teacher

• B. Facilitating guided reading groups and literature circles

• C. Mentoring students with the guidance of the classroom teacher

• D. Assisting with the tutoring of struggling readers and writers

• E. Administering TELPAS and other assessments to gather data

Answer explanation

Options C and D are correct because mentoring students with the teacher’s guidance and assisting with tutoring students are appropriate roles for a volunteer. These are activities that do not require knowledge of teaching strategies. Options A, B and E are incorrect because these activities require knowledge of teaching strategies. Volunteers are not certified teachers and it would be inappropriate for them to take part in teaching and assessing students.