Whose Theory?
Which Theory?
ESL Laws
ESL Terms
Grammar
Linguistics
WIDA Standards
ESL Teaching Strategies
100

The theorist known for Monitor Hypothesis, Comprehensible Input, Second Language Acquisition Theory, Natural Approach, Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis, Natural Order of Acquisition Theory, Affective Filter Theory. 

Who is Krashen (and Terrell)? 

100

The idea that learners acquire grammar naturally before developing and applying conscious language rules. 

What is the Monitor Hypothesis by Krashen?

100

Landmark legislation that prohibited racial discrimination in various aspects such as housing and education. This led to the creation of the Equal Education Opportunity Act (EEOA). 

What is the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

100

Name at least two of the four stages of Acculturation. 

What is Euphoria (excitement), Culture Shock (negativity or anxiety), Anomie (equilibrium, pros and cons, identity crisis), and/or Assimilation/Adaptation (acceptance)? 

100

What is the difference between a transitive and intransitive verb?

Transitive takes an object while intransitive does not. (I bought a car vs. The baby smiled). 

100

Phonology is the study of...

Phonemes, which are the distinct and smallest units of sound in a language. Phonemes are the basic building blocks of language sounds. Understanding this is crucial for analyzing language patterns and structures. 

100

Name the four language domains. 

Reading, writing, speaking, and listening. 

100

Name a teaching strategy that could be used to provide comprehensible input.

Modeling, visuals, hands-on activities, demonstrations, gestures, or body language. 

200

The theorist known for Innatism Theory, the Language Acquisition Device, Universal Grammar Theory, and Communicative Language Approach. Also a supporter of the Critical Period.

Who is Chomsky? 

200

The theory that language is innate and biologically based. 

What is the Nativist Theory by Chomsky? (closely related to Innatism)

200

This educational policy that came shortly after the turn of the century aimed to assist ELs in achieving proficiency and accessing high-level curriculum. It focused on the transition of ELs to English-only settings, emphasized parental involvement, and called for annual assessments and aligned curriculum. 

What is No Child Left Behind (NCLB, Title III, 2002)?

200

The process of giving temporary aid to facilitate learning. It may involve modeling, cues, or encouragement to make learning accessible. 

What is scaffolding? 

200

Define and give an example of each of the following: 

Singular Noun, Plural Noun, Common Noun, Proper Noun, Countable Noun, Non-Countable Noun, Abstract Noun, Concrete Noun, Collective Noun, Compound Noun, and Possessive Noun.

Singular: boy

Plural: flowers

Common: school

Proper: Harvard

Countable: chickens

Non-Countable: advice

Abstract: happiness

Concrete: bowl

Collective: family

Compound: toothpaste

Possessive: country's

200

Name the difference between Phonics and Phonetics. 

Phonics is a method of teaching reading by associating letters with sounds and Phonetics is the study of human speech sounds, focusing on their production and perception. They each play an essential role in language acquisition and development. 

200

What is the difference between receptive and productive language?

Receptive (listening and reading) are the words a student may understand, but not use. Productive (speaking and writing) are words the student understands and uses. 

200

Name a teaching strategy that involves explicit instruction. 

KWL charts, vocabulary development (frayer model), experiences, illustrations, webbing, story mapping). 

300

The theorist known for Behaviorism, which was initially used to inform later SLA theories. 

Who is B.F. Skinner?

300

The language system characteristic of certain speech communities in the US, especially African American communities. 

What is Ebonics by Labov (AAVE)?

300

This case came about after 1,800 Chinese students were segregated in Special Ed San Franciscan classrooms due to lack of English language proficiency. 

What is Lau v. Nichols (1974)?

300

Background knowledge or context. 

What is schema? 

300

Name the eight parts of speech and give an example of each.

Noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, preposition, conjunction, interjection.

300

What is the difference between graphemes and morphemes?

Graphemes are written representations of phonemes, forming the basis of written language. Morphemes are meaningful units of language that cannot be further divided (in/com/ing). 

300

True or False: All 50 states have adopted the WIDA standards as of 2020. 

False. 

300

Name a teaching strategy that integrates content and language objectives. 

Marking up the text, reviewing objectives several times in class, etc. 

400

The theorist known for Common Underlying Proficiency Model, the Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach, the Threshold Hypothesis, and the differentiation between BICS and CALP.

Who is Cummins? 

400

The concept that describes the difference between what a person knows and what a person could know with personal assistance. 

What is the Zone of Proximal Development by Vygotsky? 

400

Part of the RETELL Initiative aimed at providing effective instruction for ELLs, this new requirement for all teachers focused on closing proficiency gaps with the WIDA Standards, ACCESS test, and these courses for teachers. 

What is SEI Endorsement for Teachers (RETELL Regulations)? 

400
What is the difference between pragmatics and semantics?

Pragmatics involves understanding the social and culture use of language (sarcasm). 

Semantics focuses on the meanings of words, their denotations, connotations, and coherence. 

400

Give a sentence in the active voice and give a sentence in the passive voice. 

Active: I do my homework. 

Passive: My homework is done. 

400

Name the two types of affixes and give an example of each. 

Prefixes (pre-, post-, in-, un-, sub-, etc.) and Suffixes (-ness, -ize, -able, etc.). 

400

What are the four key language uses that follow students throughout their K-12 education? 

Narrate, inform, explain, and argue. 

400

Name a teaching strategy that supports student use of English. 

Group discussion, hands-on, partners, 4 corners, jigsaw, turn and talk, think pair share, etc.

500

The psychologist known for informing SLA theories with the Interactionist Theory, Sociocultural Theory, and the concept of the Zone of Proximal Development? 

Who is Vygotsky? 

500

The method inspired by Behaviorism, focusing on habit formation through repetition and memorization of sentence patterns.

What is the Audiolingual Method?

500

This 1993 act introduced equitable funding, accountability measures, and state standards (MA Frameworks). This act also implemented the MCAS and MTELs. 

What is the MA Education Reform Act (1993)?

500

What is a simplification error? Give an example. 

Leaving out elements in a sentence (for example, leaving out articles: "Pass me the salt" may become "Pass salt to me.")

500

Name at least one of each of the following: 

Conjunctive Adverb

Subordinating Conjunction

Coordinating Conjunction

Conjunctive Adverbs: Nevertheless, meanwhile, thus, also, finally, however, therefore, instead, still, hence, etc. 

Subordinating Conjunctions: ISAWAWABUB (if, since, as, when, although, while, after, before, until, because, etc.) 

Coordinating Conjunctions: FANBOYS (for, and, nor, but, or, yet, so) 

500

Name the term and give an example: A single vowel sound made up of a blend of two vowel sounds in immediate sequence and pronounced in one syllable.

What is a diphthong? (pay, great, noise, sound, road, bear, etc.) 

500

Name the six levels of the WIDA standards.

Level 1 - Entering, Level 2 - Emerging, Level 3 - Developing, Level 4 - Expanding, Level 5 - Bridging, Level 6 - Reaching. 

500

What are some ways of adapting content material for ELLs?

Graphic organizers, rewriting dense texts, books on tape, jigsaw reading, highlighting concepts, marginal notes, outlines, study guides, visuals, etc.