Language Theories
Which of the following theories suggests that the human mind is built and developed through experiences?
A. Acculturation Model C. The Monitor Model
B. Tabula Rasa D. Behaviorism Theory
Answer: What is B: The Tabula Rasa theory states that we are born with a clean slate or with no innate knowledge and everything that makes us who we are comes from life’s experiences.
The following are characteristics of an ELL student on Pre-Production stage except for
A. draws & points B. replies “yes” & “no”
C. nods “yes” & “no” D. non-verbal
Answer: What is B: All the above bahaviours are characteristics of a student on Preproduction stage except B. A student who produces one- or two-word responses like “yes” and “no” has moved to Early production stage.
On what stage would students benefit from teaching strategy that makes use of visual aids (posters & pictures), facial expressions and gestures, manipulatives, repeating or mimicking of words and phrases, chorus reading, as well questions like, “Show me...”, “Circle the...”?
A. Advanced Fluency B. Intermediate Fluency
C. Preproduction D. Early Production
Answer: What is C: Tiered questions or prompts such as, “Show me...”, Circle the...” can be used for students in Preproduction stage. Since the students may not verbalize and have minimal comprehension without support, the use of visual aids such as photos and posters, manipulatives, and full body gestures are effective teaching aids.
Skinner’s theory of behaviorism supports the idea of audiobilingualism which is a method of language teaching that emphasizes
A. repetition C. reading
B. writing D. dialogue
Answer: What is A: Audiobilingualism method of language teaching suggests that students learn the language through dialogue and drills. This method uses repetition to drill speaking skill especially students’ vocabulary.
A learner who has started absorbing comprehensible input but has not yet developed the ability to generate original speech is said to be on
A. Early production B. Pre-production
C. Beginning Fluency D. Speech emergent
Answer: What is B; During the Pre-production stage, the learner takes on the new language – learning many English words, ideas, and idiomatic expressions but is not comfortable speaking it. The emphasis on this stage is listening.
The ELL Standards are based on the following proficiency descriptors except for
A. arithmetic B. oral language
C. writing D. reading
Answer: What is A: The ELL Organizational Standards are language proficiency descriptors that are organized into three language skills that include writing, reading, and oral language.
Which theory proposes that we were born with the ability to learn languages because of a Language Acquisition Device (LAD), a component of the mind that allows anyone to acquire a language?
A. The Monitor Model C. Acculturation Model
B. Theory of Behaviorism D. Universal Grammar
Answer: What is D:Universal Grammar theory proposes that the human mind contains an innate mental grammar that helps humans acquire language.
Which of the following characterizes an ELL student who is on Speech Emergence stage?
A. misunderstands idioms or jokes
B. shares thoughts and ideas
C. practices pre-writing activities
D. participates in a panel discussion
Answer: What is A: Speech Emergence stage includes continued expansion of vocabulary, attempts to use simple grammar, grammar and pronunciation errors, and misunderstanding of figurative language such as jokes, idioms, etc.
A continuum is a set of expectations across a sequence of language proficiency levels. How many levels are there in one continuum?
A. 4 B. 6
C. 3 D. 5
Answer: What is D: Each continuum uses a five-level scale namely, Beginning, Developing, Expanding, Consolidating, Bridging.
Krashen’s theory suggests that we acquire language and develop literacy from comprehensible input. Which two elements are essential in language acquisition according to this theory?
A. writing and reading C. speaking and writing
B. reading and drawing D. listening and reading
Answer: What is D: The monitor model states that we acquire language and develop literacy from understanding what we hear and what we read and not from speaking and writing.
An ELL student who can synthesize and evaluate a given statement or problem and can participate fully in grade-level classroom activities if given extra support had advanced to which level?
A. Intermediate Fluency
B. Speech Emergence
C. Advanced Fluency
D. Early Production
Answer: What is C: A student who is in the Advanced Fluency stage has a near-native level of speech and has developed a sizeable amount of specialized content-area vocabulary which supports higher-order thinking, I.e., analysis, synthesis, evaluation.
According to the Monitor model, which of the following could block the affective filter that prevents learners to maximize their language acquisition potentials?
A. stress B. learning disabilities
C. culture shock D. mental health
Answer: What is A: Affective filter hypothesis states that stress inhibits learning and to maximize language learning results, students should learn in a near-zero/stress-free environment.
The language theorist who pioneered the Stages of Second Language Acquisition.
A. John Schumann B. Stephen Krashen
C. Noam Chomsky D. Frederick Skinner
Answer: What is B: The Stages of Second Language Acquisition is the brainchild of Stephen Krashen, a linguist and researcher. According to this theory, students learning a second language move through five predictable stages: Preproduction, Early Production, Speech Emergence, Intermediate Fluency, and Advanced Fluency.