Theories
This theory of SLA views language learning from the multiple perspectives of the learner, the learner’s L1 group, and the target language group. It stresses the importance of the relationship of the language learning. If there is low social distance between two groups, it is believed that learning will be more successful. In addition, more successful learners are believed to be emotionally receptive to language learning and to the target language speakers and culture. See also psychological distance.
What is Acculturation Theory
Emphasizes the development of reading and writing abilities in academic varieties of the language. Also refers to the development of content and cultural knowledge necessary to school success and the ability to function in the school environment.
what is academic literacy
Two letters that represent one sound. These are consonants digraphs and vowel digraphs, though the term most commonly refers to consonant digraphs. Common consonant digraphs include sh, ch, th, and wh. Consonant digraphs at the beginning of words are onsets.
What are digraphs
Assesses the progress a student has made based on the specific objectives of a course or program.
What are achievement tests
A situation in which a second language is eventually added to a student’s native language without replacing it.
What is additive bilingualism
Theory that views language learning as similar to other types of human learning and emphasizes the development of automatic behaviors through practice and meaningful learning.
What is Cognitive Learning theory of SLA
The type of writing that students must do in content classes and other academic environment. Academic writing is purposeful and analytic and includes genres such as essays, compositions, outlines, and tests. It requires reflection and problem solving.
What is academic writing
The onset of a single syllable or word is the initial consonant(s) sound. The onset of the word sun is /s/. The onset of the word slide is /sl/.
What is Onset
A type of test created by an agency or organization and tested on large groups of people to determine how well people usually perform on a test
What is a standardized test
Added in 1968 as Title VII of the Elementary and Secondary Act. Before passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, it provided federal support for bilingual and other programs for ELLs and their families through competitive grants
What is Bilingual Education Act
second language learning from the multiple perspectives of the learner, the learners’ first language group, and the target language group
What is Social Theory
Refers to vocabulary words that students should be able to use when they are speaking or writing.
What is active vocabulary
The study of the meaning of words, phrases, and sentences
What is Semantics
Applied to testing, refers to whether a test actually tests what it is supposed to test. Test makers usually consider different types of validity, such as face validity, predictive validity, and concurrent validity
What is Validity
For language minority students who are English dominant and native English speakers who desire to become bilingual. Students are initially instructed 90% - 100% in the non-English target language for the first 2 years of the program. Instruction evens out gradually to 50% instruction English and 50% in the non-English language as students move up the grade level.
What is Bilingual Immersion Programs.
A second language acquisition theory based on Chomsky’s theory of language universals and marked features. In learning a new language students must reset the parameters of their L1 to achieve the features of the new language
What is Universal Grammer Theory
A form of literacy instruction designed to address an area of need within students’ writing development. Typically, guided writing lessons start with a mini-lesson on some aspect of writing: students practice the writing principle or strategy they were just taught, under the teachers’ supervision, and then share their final written projects
What is guided writing
A learner centered – conceptual approach to instruction in phonics, spelling, word recognition, and vocabulary
What is Word Study
Concrete objects that a student can use in a hands-on way during an instructional activity
What are manipulatives
Refers to language learners who maintain their first language as they develop second language competence. This term emphasizes the importance of maintaining learners’ first languages.
What is Emergent Bilingual
Refers to the distance between the kind of language learners are able to produce on their own and the language they can construct with the support of others through scaffolding. It implies that as the learners’ interlanguage develops, it will be ready to integrate the next appropriate language structure(s). This term is associated with sociocultural theories of SLA and comes from the work of Lev Vygotsky
What is Zone of Proximal Development
Refers to the variety of types of writing such as essays or poems
What is writing genre
The third layer of English orthography including meaning units such as prefixes, suffixes and word roots. During the Renaissance when English was overlaid with many words of Greek and Latin derivation
What is a meaning layer
Like the TOEFL, the academic version of this test is a four skills English test used to assess readiness for undergraduate or graduate study in an English speaking environment.
What is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
An English for the Children voter initiative passed in Arizona in 2000, placing restrictions on bilingual education.
What is Proposition 203