ELL ELL Cultural Awareness and Diversity 3

Question 1

What is 'heritage language' and why should ELL programs support it?

Accepted Answer

The home or community language an ELL student grew up with, which supports identity, family communication, and cognitive development

Answer

Heritage languages are the home languages ELLs bring to school; supporting them strengthens family bonds, cultural identity, and cognitive flexibility, as research shows bilingualism benefits academic outcomes.

Question 2

What does 'stereotype threat' mean in the context of ELL students?

Accepted Answer

The risk of confirming a negative stereotype about one's group, which can impair academic performance through anxiety

Answer

Stereotype threat occurs when ELL students fear confirming negative stereotypes about their linguistic or cultural group, creating anxiety that can undermine academic performance.

Question 3

What is 'multicultural literature' and how does it benefit ELL students?

Accepted Answer

Books and texts that reflect diverse cultures, languages, and experiences, helping ELLs see themselves in the curriculum and develop cross-cultural understanding

Answer

Multicultural literature includes texts featuring characters and experiences from diverse cultural backgrounds, validating ELL students' identities and building all students' cross-cultural empathy and awareness.

Question 4

What is 'code-switching' in the context of bilingual ELL students?

Accepted Answer

Alternating between two languages or dialects within a single conversation or utterance

Answer

Code-switching is the natural, sophisticated practice of alternating between languages or dialects depending on context, audience, and communicative purpose, viewed by linguists as a sign of bilingual competence.

Question 5

How should ELL teachers respond when students use their home language in the classroom?

Accepted Answer

Use home language strategically as a scaffold while developing English, rather than prohibiting it entirely

Answer

Research supports strategic use of the home language as a scaffold for comprehension and concept development while English is being acquired, rather than prohibiting it as counterproductive 'English-only' policies do.

ELL - English Language Learners Practice Test

ELL - English Language Learners Practice Test

ELL ELL Cultural Awareness and Diversity 3