CTEL CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories 3

Question 1

Cummins' distinction between BICS and CALP suggests that ELL students who appear fluent in everyday conversation may still struggle academically because:

Accepted Answer

CALP takes significantly longer to develop than BICS

Answer

BICS can develop in 1–3 years while CALP may take 5–7+ years, so conversational fluency does not indicate readiness for unscaffolded academic tasks.

Question 2

The 'Output Hypothesis' proposed by Merrill Swain argues that language production helps acquisition by:

Accepted Answer

Forcing learners to notice gaps in their linguistic knowledge

Answer

Swain's Output Hypothesis holds that producing language—not just receiving it—pushes learners to notice gaps and test hypotheses about the target language.

Question 3

A teacher who praises an ELL student's attempt to communicate but gently recasts an error is applying which SLA principle?

Accepted Answer

Implicit negative feedback through corrective recast

Answer

A recast is an implicit corrective feedback move where the teacher reformulates the learner's erroneous utterance correctly without interrupting communication.

Question 4

Which SLA theory most directly supports using cooperative learning groups with mixed language proficiency levels?

Accepted Answer

Sociocultural theory and ZPD

Answer

Sociocultural theory holds that higher-proficiency peers can scaffold lower-proficiency learners within their ZPD, making mixed-level cooperative groups theoretically justified.

Question 5

The 'natural order hypothesis' in Krashen's Monitor Model predicts that:

Accepted Answer

Grammatical morphemes are acquired in a predictable, universal sequence

Answer

Based on Dulay and Burt's morpheme studies, Krashen proposed that learners acquire grammatical morphemes in a predictable order regardless of their L1 or the order taught.

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories 3