Language Acquisition - Module 4

Which stage of language acquisition is typically characterized by listening more than speaking?

• Intermediate fluency stage

• Pre-production stage

• Early production stage

• Advanced fluency stage

Answer explanation

During this Pre-Production Stage the student may remain silent and show understanding and communicate through pictures and gestures.

According to Stephen Krashen’s Input Hypothesis, what type of language input best supports acquisition?

• Material far above a learner’s ability level

• Grammar activities with no context

• Comprehensible input that is challenging but still understandable

• Memorizing vocabulary with no context

Answer explanation

Krashen stated that the language learner acquires language best when the language presented is slightly above their current proficiency level, with the student still being able to understand the overall meaning.

An ELL teacher should focus on quality language input before output for English Language Learners because...

• students should avoid listening activities during language learning

• speaking is the most important part of language acquisition

• meaningful language input helps students build language skills before producing language output

• students learn best when they are forced to speak immediately and constantly

Answer explanation

Language acquisition develops best when given thorough exposure and time to the new language. ELL students need time to listen, to observe, and to process language before building the confidence to produce the new language.

According to the BC ELL Standards, why should educators encourage students to continue developing their first language while learning English?

• First language development supports overall language growth

• Using a first language slows English acquisition.

• Students should use their home language only outside of school.

• Switching between languages is not useful when acquiring new language skills.

Answer explanation

ELL teachers should not attempt to replace a student's first language with English. Students should be encouraged to continue developing in their first language along with their English language development to promote a greater understanding of new concepts and further their acquisition of a new language.

What does the acronym BICS stand for?

• Basics In the Classroom and School

• Bilateral Intelligence and Communicational Systems

• Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills

• Behavioral Interaction and Classroom Strategies

Answer explanation

BICS refers to the conversational language that children and adults use in daily in-person interactions. This is often picked up by the ELL student in the early stages of language acquisition.

What does CALP stand for?

• Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency Skills

• Casual Academic Language Practice

• Conversational and Listening Proficiency

• Creative Applied Language Processing

Answer explanation

CALPS refers to language skills related to academic settings. It can also be referred to as academic language. Academic language is often more challenging and takes more time to learn because it contains things like long sentences, non-repetitive vocabulary, use of figurative expressions, and other unfamiliar things to the ELL student.

Why are visuals important during second-language acquisition?

• It is the only way an ELL student will acquire new language skills.

• It eliminates the need for verbal instruction.

• It is only useful when students are in early primary grades.

• It helps connect meaning to new vocabulary and concepts.

Answer explanation

Visual support materials help ELL students make connections to new and unfamiliar words and ideas. It helps improve comprehension, it reduces barriers when learning a new language, and it helps connect new language acquisition skills with the ELL's home language.

What is one important difference between first-language acquisition and second-language acquisition?

• First-language acquisition is always faster.

• Second-language learners can transfer skills and ideas from their first language.

• Second-language acquisition must only happen in a school environment

• First-language skills do not transfer to new language acquisition

Answer explanation

ELL students often draw upon vocabulary, literacy skills, and learning strategies that they have developed in their home language when learning a new language.

Which of the following best describes an ELL student in the Advanced Fluency Stage of language acquisition?

• The ELL student primarily focuses on silent observation and does not yet attempt speaking.

• The student can participate in academic discussions with fairly consistent language errors and large gaps in vocabulary.
  

• The student can participate in academic discussions with occasional language errors and minor gaps in vocabulary.

• The student relies heavily on gestures and single words.

Answer explanation

ELL learners in the advanced language acquisition stage are able to use academic vocabulary and communicate in both academic and social environments. They may still make some errors or lack some vocabulary, but can still express complex thoughts and engage in complex discussions.

What statement about errors in language acquisition is most accurate?

• Errors show you are not learning a language

• Errors should always be corrected right away.

• Students should avoid making errors when speaking until they have acquired the correct amount of language skills.

• Errors are a natural and important part of language acquisition.

Answer explanation

Errors are an important part of language acquisition. Correcting an ELL student's errors should follow a progressive model. When an ELL student is in the early stages of language acquisition, it's more about modeling correct language and focusing on comprehension as opposed to explicitly correcting student's errors. By the advanced language acquisition stage, an ELL student benefits from more direct error correction particularly in regards to academic language. All the while, in any stage the ELL student is in, a ELL teachers should be providing positive reinforcement to the ELL student.