CLAD MCQ 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which instructional approach best supports English learners during the 'silent period' of language acquisition?
- Requiring immediate oral production
- Allowing comprehensible input without forced output (Correct answer)
- Placing students in English-only immersion without support
- Correcting all grammatical errors immediately
Correct answer: Allowing comprehensible input without forced output
The silent period is a natural phase where learners absorb language; comprehensible input without pressure supports acquisition.
Question 2: A teacher notices a student code-switches between English and their home language during instruction. The most appropriate response is to:
- Prohibit the use of the home language entirely
- Recognize code-switching as a cognitive strategy and leverage it (Correct answer)
- Send the student to EL support class immediately
- Contact parents to enforce English at home
Correct answer: Recognize code-switching as a cognitive strategy and leverage it
Code-switching reflects metalinguistic awareness and can be a valuable bridge to English proficiency.
Question 3: According to Cummins' framework, BICS typically develops within:
- 6 months to 2 years (Correct answer)
- 5 to 7 years
- 8 to 10 years
- 3 to 4 months
Correct answer: 6 months to 2 years
Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) develop relatively quickly within about 1-2 years of exposure.
Question 4: Which assessment type is most appropriate for measuring an EL student's progress in academic language development over time?
- Norm-referenced standardized tests
- Portfolio assessment (Correct answer)
- Single-point standardized tests
- Oral fluency spot checks
Correct answer: Portfolio assessment
Portfolio assessment captures longitudinal growth in language development across multiple contexts and skills.
Question 5: In the context of sheltered instruction, 'scaffolding' refers to:
- Physical classroom arrangement
- Temporary supports that help learners access content as they build independence (Correct answer)
- Permanent modifications to curriculum standards
- Grouping EL students separately from mainstream peers
Correct answer: Temporary supports that help learners access content as they build independence
Scaffolding provides temporary, adjustable support structures that are gradually removed as learner competence grows.
Question 6: A newly arrived student from Somalia refuses to make eye contact with the teacher. The teacher should first:
- Refer the student to the school counselor for behavioral issues
- Understand that avoiding eye contact may be a sign of respect in the student's culture (Correct answer)
- Require the student to maintain eye contact during instruction
- Document the behavior as a potential learning disability
Correct answer: Understand that avoiding eye contact may be a sign of respect in the student's culture
Eye contact norms vary significantly across cultures; what seems disrespectful in one culture may be respectful in another.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a content objective in a sheltered instruction lesson?
- Students will use transition words in writing
- Students will identify the causes of the American Civil War (Correct answer)
- Students will practice the past tense verb form
- Students will expand academic vocabulary
Correct answer: Students will identify the causes of the American Civil War
Content objectives address the academic subject matter (history, science, math), while language objectives address linguistic skills.
CLAD MCQ 2
Which instructional approach best supports English learners during the 'silent period' of language acquisition?