TESOL Concepts & Theories
What is the first language a learner speaks called?
L1 or mother tongue
What is one basic skill of language, along with reading, writing, and listening?
Speaking
What does TESOL stand for?
Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
What is the most commonly used letter in the English language?
E
What does the “ZPD” stand for in Vygotsky’s theory?
Zone of Proximal Development
What is a minimal pair?
A minimal pair is two words in a language that differ by only one sound (phoneme) and have different meanings.
What does ELL stand for?
English Language Learner
In which country is “Singlish” spoken?
Singapore
What is the “critical period hypothesis” in language acquisition?
The theory that there is a limited window in childhood during which language can be acquired more easily and naturally.
What does scaffolding mean in language teaching?
Providing temporary support (like modeling, prompts, visuals) to help learners accomplish a task they can't do alone—gradually removing help as they gain independence.
What does “L2” mean in language learning?
Second language or any language learned after the first.
Which language contributed the most words to English vocabulary?
Latin
What are intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?
Intrinsic: motivation from within (e.g., enjoyment or interest). Extrinsic: motivation from outside (e.g., grades, rewards).
What is Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)?
Lessons are organized around real-world tasks (e.g., planning a trip), emphasizing language use for meaning, not forms.
What’s the difference between ESL and EFL?
ESL = Learning English within an English-speaking environment.
EFL = Learning English outside an English-speaking environment.
Which English word is spelled the same forwards and backwards?
example: "level", "madam", "civic"
Name two differences between language acquisition and language learning in Krashen’s theory.
Acquisition is subconscious and natural (like children learning L1); learning is conscious and formal (like grammar rules).
What are “focus on form” and “focus on forms,” and how do they differ?
“Focus on form” integrates grammar during communication; “focus on forms” teaches grammar in isolation.
What is a formative assessment? Give one example.
Ongoing assessment during learning to guide instruction (e.g., quizzes, observation, peer feedback). Not graded for final marks.
How many different vowel sounds are there in English?
Around 20 (depending on accent)