DESE English Language Learner Programs 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a Home Language Survey administered at student enrollment?
- To determine academic achievement levels in core subjects
- To identify students who may need English language proficiency screening (Correct answer)
- To assign students to bilingual versus ESL programs
- To assess parental involvement preferences
Correct answer: To identify students who may need English language proficiency screening
The Home Language Survey identifies students whose home or primary language is not English so they can be screened for ELL services.
Question 2: Cummins' BICS refers to language skills needed for:
- Academic writing and formal presentations
- Social, everyday conversational communication (Correct answer)
- Standardized test performance
- Reading comprehension of complex texts
Correct answer: Social, everyday conversational communication
BICS (Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills) refers to the conversational language fluency used in social, informal settings, typically acquired in 1–3 years.
Question 3: A district wants to implement a Two-Way Immersion program. What is a key design requirement for this model?
- All instruction must occur only in English after Grade 2
- Roughly equal numbers of native English speakers and ELL students are enrolled (Correct answer)
- Students are grouped by proficiency level at all times
- Parents must be fluent in the target language
Correct answer: Roughly equal numbers of native English speakers and ELL students are enrolled
Two-Way Immersion (dual language) programs require a balanced composition of native English speakers and students of the partner language to promote peer language learning.
Question 4: Which term describes ELL students who have attended U.S. schools for more than six years but have not yet achieved academic English proficiency?
- Newcomer ELLs
- Long-Term English Learners (LTELs) (Correct answer)
- Initially Fluent English Proficient students
- Reclassified ELLs
Correct answer: Long-Term English Learners (LTELs)
Long-Term English Learners (LTELs) are students who have been enrolled for six or more years without reaching reclassification benchmarks, often needing specialized intervention.
Question 5: Under Massachusetts Chapter 71A, which program model is the state's default instructional model for ELLs unless parents request an alternative?
- Transitional Bilingual Education
- Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) (Correct answer)
- Two-Way Immersion
- Newcomer Academy
Correct answer: Sheltered English Immersion (SEI)
Massachusetts Chapter 71A established Sheltered English Immersion (SEI) as the default instructional model for ELLs, with alternatives available upon parental waiver.
Question 6: When differentiating instruction for an ELL student at the Beginning proficiency level during a science lesson, the most appropriate scaffold would be:
- Requiring the student to write a full lab report in English
- Providing labeled diagrams and visual supports with key vocabulary (Correct answer)
- Assigning grade-level reading passages without modification
- Grouping the student only with other Beginning-level students for all tasks
Correct answer: Providing labeled diagrams and visual supports with key vocabulary
Labeled visuals and key vocabulary supports allow Beginning-level ELLs to access scientific concepts without being blocked by language demands.
Question 7: Which stakeholder must provide written informed consent before a district can exit an ELL student from language support services?
- The classroom teacher
- The parent or legal guardian (Correct answer)
- The school principal
- The district ELL coordinator
Correct answer: The parent or legal guardian
Federal and state regulations require that parents or legal guardians be notified and provide consent before a student is reclassified and exited from ELL services.
DESE English Language Learner Programs 3
What is the primary purpose of a Home Language Survey administered at student enrollment?