CLAD Second Language Acquisition 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Krashen's 'Affective Filter Hypothesis' states that high anxiety in a language learner will:
- Increase motivation to acquire language
- Block comprehensible input from reaching the language acquisition device (Correct answer)
- Enhance explicit grammar learning
- Accelerate pronunciation development
Correct answer: Block comprehensible input from reaching the language acquisition device
A high affective filter raises a mental block that prevents comprehensible input from being processed for acquisition.
Question 2: Which term describes a learner's transitional linguistic system that has features of both L1 and L2?
- Code-switching
- Interlanguage (Correct answer)
- Fossilization
- Transfer
Correct answer: Interlanguage
Interlanguage refers to the evolving linguistic system learners construct between their native language and the target language.
Question 3: A student consistently uses 'He go to school' despite repeated correction. This permanent stop in L2 development is called:
- Regression
- Overgeneralization
- Fossilization (Correct answer)
- Interference
Correct answer: Fossilization
Fossilization occurs when certain non-target features of interlanguage become permanent and resistant to correction.
Question 4: The 'Silent Period' in second language acquisition is best described as a phase when learners:
- Refuse to participate in class
- Absorb language input before producing output (Correct answer)
- Have reached full proficiency
- Only use their native language
Correct answer: Absorb language input before producing output
The silent period is a natural stage where learners build receptive competence before they feel ready to produce the new language.
Question 5: According to Vygotsky's sociocultural theory, learning occurs most effectively in the:
- Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) (Correct answer)
- Critical Period
- Input Hypothesis
- Monitor Model
Correct answer: Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
The ZPD is the space between what a learner can do independently and what they can do with expert guidance.
Question 6: Which sequence correctly reflects Cummins' distinction between social and academic language proficiency?
- CALP is acquired first; BICS takes longer
- BICS develops faster (1–2 years); CALP takes 5–7 years (Correct answer)
- BICS and CALP develop simultaneously
- CALP is mastered in 3 years; BICS in 7 years
Correct answer: BICS develops faster (1–2 years); CALP takes 5–7 years
Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills (BICS) emerge within 1–2 years, while Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) requires 5–7 years.
Question 7: A teacher provides a Spanish-speaking ELL with a bilingual glossary during a science test. This is an example of:
- Sheltered instruction
- Scaffolding (Correct answer)
- Immersion
- Submersion
Correct answer: Scaffolding
A bilingual glossary is a scaffold that temporarily supports comprehension until the learner can access content independently.
CLAD Second Language Acquisition 2
Krashen's 'Affective Filter Hypothesis' states that high anxiety in a language learner will: