CTEL CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories 4

Question 1

According to Universal Grammar (UG) theory, ELL students have an advantage if they begin L2 acquisition:

Accepted Answer

Before puberty, when access to UG is still available

Answer

Chomsky's UG theory, applied to SLA, suggests that children may have greater access to innate language acquisition mechanisms before the critical period closes around puberty.

Question 2

Which evidence best supports the existence of a Critical Period for L2 phonological acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Native-like pronunciation is rarely achieved by learners who begin after puberty

Answer

Research consistently shows that learners who begin L2 acquisition after puberty rarely achieve native-like pronunciation, supporting a critical period specifically for phonology.

Question 3

Contrastive Analysis Hypothesis (CAH) predicts that the greatest difficulty in L2 learning occurs when:

Accepted Answer

Structures in L1 and L2 are most different from each other

Answer

CAH, rooted in behaviorism, predicts that differences between L1 and L2 structures cause interference and are the primary source of learner errors.

Question 4

Error Analysis replaced Contrastive Analysis as the primary framework for studying learner language because:

Accepted Answer

Error Analysis revealed that many errors are not predictable from L1 interference

Answer

Researchers found that many learner errors—such as overgeneralization—are developmental and not caused by L1 transfer, undermining CAH's predictive power.

Question 5

A student who uses more complex language in a structured writing assignment than in casual conversation is demonstrating which SLA concept?

Accepted Answer

Style-shifting based on attention to form

Answer

Labov's style-shifting concept, applied in Krashen's Monitor Model, explains that learners use the Monitor more—and produce more accurate language—when they have time and focus on form.

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories 4