Understanding Language Development in Schools

The video discusses the importance of understanding language development for English language learners. It highlights the differences between learning a first and second language and how assessments vary. The video emphasizes the need for school leaders to design programs that support language development, focusing on both social and academic language. Social language is acquired quickly, while academic language requires more instruction and is crucial for success in school settings.

Why is understanding language development crucial for school leaders?

• It ensures students learn faster.

• It eliminates the need for language teachers.

• It reduces the need for assessments.

• It helps in designing effective programs.

What does BICS stand for in language learning?

• Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills

• Basic Instructional Communication Skills

• Basic Interactive Communication Skills

• Basic Interpersonal Cognitive Skills

Which type of language is used when students make friends and engage in social activities?

• Social Language

• Academic Language

• Formal Language

• Technical Language

Why might teachers mistakenly believe a student is fully proficient in a new language?

• Because the student has a large vocabulary.

• Because the student scores high on tests.

• Because the student writes well.

• Because the student can communicate socially.

What is a common misconception about language proficiency?

• Proficiency is only about vocabulary size.

• Proficiency is achieved when social language is fluent.

• Proficiency is unrelated to academic success.

• Proficiency is the same for all students.

What is a key characteristic of academic language?

• It requires deeper cognitive skills.

• It is learned naturally without instruction.

• It is used primarily in social settings.

• It is simpler than social language.

How does academic language differ from social language?

• It is less important in school settings.

• It is learned faster than social language.

• It is used for casual conversations.

• It involves more complex sentence structures.

What role does context play in understanding academic language?

• Context is the same as in social language.

• Context makes academic language easier.

• Context is irrelevant in academic language.

• There is less context available, making it harder.

What is necessary for students to learn academic language effectively?

• Explicit instruction

• More social interactions

• Less classroom time

• More vocabulary tests

Why does academic language take longer to learn?

• It is not used in everyday life.

• It is less engaging for students.

• It requires understanding complex concepts.

• It is not taught in schools.