CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories 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?

Accepted Answer

The distinction between BICS and CALP

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

The Input Hypothesis (i+1)

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

A high affective filter

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD)

Answer

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:

Accepted Answer

all languages share a common underlying structure and humans are born with an innate language acquisition device.

Answer

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.

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories Questions and Answers