CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A high school English Language Learner from Mexico, who has lived in the U.S. for two years, socializes with ease and speaks English fluently with his peers. However, he struggles to write academic essays and comprehend grade-level science textbooks. This student's situation is best explained by which of the following concepts?
- The distinction between BICS and CALP (Correct answer)
- The Natural Order Hypothesis
- The Affective Filter Hypothesis
- The Zone of Proximal Development
Correct answer: The distinction between BICS and CALP
This scenario illustrates Jim Cummins' distinction between Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills (BICS) and Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP). The student has developed BICS, the conversational fluency used in social situations, but is still developing CALP, the more cognitively demanding academic language required for school success.
Question 2: According to Stephen Krashen's Monitor Model, which hypothesis suggests that language acquisition is most effective when a learner is exposed to language that is slightly beyond their current level of competence?
- The Acquisition-Learning Hypothesis
- The Natural Order Hypothesis
- The Input Hypothesis (i+1) (Correct answer)
- The Monitor Hypothesis
Correct answer: The Input Hypothesis (i+1)
The Input Hypothesis, often referred to as 'i+1', posits that learners acquire language by understanding input that contains structures just a step beyond their current level of proficiency ('i'). This comprehensible input is crucial for language acquisition to occur.
Question 3: A teacher notices that a new student, an English learner, is very hesitant to speak in class. The student seems anxious, lacks self-confidence, and is afraid of making mistakes. According to Krashen, which concept is likely hindering this student's language acquisition?
- A high affective filter (Correct answer)
- Lack of comprehensible input
- The silent period
- An overactive monitor
Correct answer: A high affective filter
Krashen's Affective Filter Hypothesis explains that emotional factors such as anxiety, low motivation, and poor self-confidence can create a 'mental block' or 'affective filter'. When the filter is high, it prevents comprehensible input from being processed, thus impeding language acquisition.
Question 4: Mr. Chen is teaching a complex grammar point to his intermediate English learners. He first models the structure, then has students work in pairs to complete a guided practice activity, and finally asks them to use the structure independently in a short writing task. This teaching strategy aligns with which theoretical concept?
- Universal Grammar
- Behaviorism
- The Output Hypothesis
- Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)
This scenario exemplifies Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). The ZPD is the distance between what a learner can do independently and what they can achieve with guidance. Mr. Chen provides scaffolding (modeling and guided practice) to help students bridge this gap and move towards independent mastery.
Question 5: The theory of Universal Grammar, proposed by Noam Chomsky, suggests that:
- language learning is a process of habit formation through imitation and reinforcement.
- all languages share a common underlying structure and humans are born with an innate language acquisition device. (Correct answer)
- social interaction is the primary driver of language development.
- learners acquire grammatical structures in a predictable, universal order.
Correct answer: all languages share a common underlying structure and humans are born with an innate language acquisition device.
Universal Grammar (UG) is the theory that humans are born with an innate biological capacity for language. Chomsky proposed that this capacity, often called a Language Acquisition Device (LAD), contains a set of universal principles that are common to all human languages, which facilitates the rapid acquisition of language by children.
Question 6: Which of the following classroom activities would be MOST effective for lowering the affective filter for beginning English learners?
- Requiring students to recite a memorized dialogue in front of the class.
- Using games, songs, and pair work to practice new vocabulary. (Correct answer)
- Administering a timed grammar quiz to assess learning.
- Correcting every oral error the students make immediately.
Correct answer: Using games, songs, and pair work to practice new vocabulary.
Activities that are low-stress, engaging, and collaborative, such as games, songs, and pair work, help to lower the affective filter. They reduce anxiety and build self-confidence, making students more receptive to language input. In contrast, high-pressure situations like public speaking, timed tests, and constant error correction can raise the affective filter and inhibit acquisition.
CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories Questions and Answers
A high school English Language Learner from Mexico, who has lived in the U.S. for two years, socializes with ease and speaks English fluently with his peers.
However, he struggles to write academic essays and comprehend grade-level science textbooks.
This student's situation is best explained by which of the following concepts?