CTEL CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories 5

Question 1

Which scenario demonstrates 'positive transfer' from a student's L1 to English?

Accepted Answer

A Spanish speaker correctly using cognates like 'nation/nación' to aid reading comprehension

Answer

Positive transfer occurs when L1 knowledge facilitates L2 performance; Spanish-English cognates provide a direct benefit because the shared vocabulary aids comprehension.

Question 2

Gardner and Lambert's distinction between 'integrative' and 'instrumental' motivation is most relevant to CTEL teachers because:

Accepted Answer

Understanding motivation type helps teachers tailor support and build learner investment

Answer

While both motivation types can drive acquisition, recognizing whether a student is motivated by cultural belonging or practical goals helps teachers design more relevant and supportive instruction.

Question 3

The 'Threshold Hypothesis' proposed by Cummins suggests that bilingual students achieve cognitive advantages only when:

Accepted Answer

They reach a sufficiently high level of proficiency in both languages

Answer

Cummins' Threshold Hypothesis proposes that cognitive benefits of bilingualism emerge only after learners reach a threshold level of competence in both languages; limited proficiency in both yields no advantage.

Question 4

A newcomer ELL student who is silent in class for several months but absorbs language before producing it is most likely experiencing:

Accepted Answer

The preproduction/silent period described in Krashen's natural order

Answer

Krashen's stages of L2 development begin with a preproduction or silent period during which learners actively comprehend input before producing output—a normal developmental phase.

Question 5

Which of the following best explains why ELLs often make more errors in formal writing than in informal speaking, contrary to what is expected?

Accepted Answer

Students apply the Monitor too aggressively in writing, causing over-editing errors

Answer

Over-reliance on the Monitor during writing can cause learners to introduce new errors by second-guessing correct intuitive forms, a phenomenon Krashen acknowledged as Monitor over-use.

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL Exam Practice Test

CTEL CTEL Second Language Acquisition Theories 5