CTEL CTEL ELD and SDAIE Methods 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In SDAIE instruction, what is the primary purpose of using graphic organizers?
- To replace written assignments for ELLs
- To make abstract concepts visible and support comprehension of academic content (Correct answer)
- To assess students' prior knowledge before a unit
- To group students by language proficiency level
Correct answer: To make abstract concepts visible and support comprehension of academic content
Graphic organizers make abstract or complex content visible and organized, helping ELLs access academic material while developing language skills.
Question 2: Which ELD strategy is MOST aligned with Krashen's Input Hypothesis?
- Drilling grammar rules until mastery is achieved
- Providing comprehensible input slightly above the student's current level (i+1) (Correct answer)
- Immersing students in grade-level text without modification
- Having students memorize vocabulary lists
Correct answer: Providing comprehensible input slightly above the student's current level (i+1)
Krashen's Input Hypothesis states that language acquisition occurs when learners receive input just beyond their current level, known as i+1.
Question 3: A teacher uses realia (real objects) during a science lesson on ecosystems. This SDAIE technique primarily supports ELLs by:
- Simplifying the curriculum to below-grade content
- Providing concrete, contextual anchors that connect vocabulary to meaning (Correct answer)
- Eliminating the need for academic language instruction
- Separating ELLs from the academic content mainstream
Correct answer: Providing concrete, contextual anchors that connect vocabulary to meaning
Realia provides tangible, real-world references that help ELLs connect new vocabulary and concepts to meaning without relying solely on language.
Question 4: During Designated ELD time, which activity is MOST appropriate for students at the Emerging proficiency level?
- Writing a five-paragraph argumentative essay independently
- Engaging in structured partner talk using sentence frames about a familiar topic (Correct answer)
- Silently reading grade-level informational text
- Delivering an oral presentation on a self-selected topic
Correct answer: Engaging in structured partner talk using sentence frames about a familiar topic
Structured partner talk with sentence frames provides scaffolded oral language practice appropriate for Emerging ELLs who are building basic communicative and academic language.
Question 5: Which is the BEST example of an Integrated ELD approach?
- Pulling ELLs out of math to work on grammar worksheets
- Embedding language objectives into a social studies lesson on the Civil War (Correct answer)
- Teaching vocabulary in isolation before any content instruction begins
- Assigning ELLs to a separate ELD-only curriculum track
Correct answer: Embedding language objectives into a social studies lesson on the Civil War
Integrated ELD embeds explicit language instruction within content-area lessons, helping ELLs develop academic language while engaging with grade-level subject matter.
Question 6: A SDAIE teacher consistently previews key vocabulary before a lesson using visuals and native language support. This practice BEST reflects which principle?
- Frontloading instruction to reduce cognitive overload and build schema (Correct answer)
- Replacing content instruction with vocabulary-only lessons
- Teaching vocabulary after reading to encourage inferencing
- Avoiding native language use to accelerate English acquisition
Correct answer: Frontloading instruction to reduce cognitive overload and build schema
Frontloading vocabulary and background knowledge before a lesson reduces cognitive overload and activates or builds schema, making content more accessible to ELLs.
Question 7: Which feature distinguishes Designated ELD from Integrated ELD in California's ELD Standards framework?
- Designated ELD is only for beginning-level students; Integrated ELD is for all students
- Designated ELD uses English as the subject of instruction; Integrated ELD supports language within content areas (Correct answer)
- Designated ELD is taught by a specialist; Integrated ELD is self-directed by students
- Designated ELD focuses on social language; Integrated ELD focuses only on grammar
Correct answer: Designated ELD uses English as the subject of instruction; Integrated ELD supports language within content areas
In California's framework, Designated ELD treats English itself as the subject of study, while Integrated ELD supports language development within content-area instruction.
CTEL CTEL ELD and SDAIE Methods 2
In SDAIE instruction, what is the primary purpose of using graphic organizers?