ESL ESL Professional Development & Ethics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'reflective practice' in ESL teacher professional development?
- Reviewing student test scores at the end of the year
- Systematically examining one's own teaching decisions, beliefs, and outcomes to improve practice (Correct answer)
- Copying lesson plans from experienced teachers without modification
- Attending one professional conference per year
Correct answer: Systematically examining one's own teaching decisions, beliefs, and outcomes to improve practice
Reflective practice is an ongoing cycle of observing, questioning, and adjusting one's teaching in response to student needs and professional growth goals.
Question 2: Which term describes an ESL teacher's ongoing formal study or coursework to maintain and update their certification?
- Initial licensure
- Continuing professional development (CPD) / professional development hours (Correct answer)
- Induction training
- Student teaching practicum
Correct answer: Continuing professional development (CPD) / professional development hours
Most U.S. states require ESL teachers to complete continuing professional development hours to renew their teaching license.
Question 3: What does 'additive bilingualism' promote in ESL education?
- Replacing the student's L1 with English as quickly as possible
- Developing English proficiency while maintaining and valuing the student's home language (Correct answer)
- Using only English in all instructional settings
- Discouraging use of any language other than English at school
Correct answer: Developing English proficiency while maintaining and valuing the student's home language
Additive bilingualism views L1 and L2 as complementary, supporting development of both languages rather than replacing one with the other.
Question 4: Which ethical issue arises when an ESL teacher uses a student as an interpreter for parent-teacher conferences?
- It saves valuable school resources and is strongly recommended
- It places an inappropriate burden on the child and compromises confidentiality and accuracy (Correct answer)
- It is required under Title III guidelines
- It only poses problems with written translation, not oral interpretation
Correct answer: It places an inappropriate burden on the child and compromises confidentiality and accuracy
Using children as interpreters is ethically problematic because it burdens the child, compromises confidentiality, and risks inaccurate interpretation of sensitive information.
Question 5: What is the purpose of the World-Class Instructional Design and Assessment (WIDA) standards?
- To provide standardized literacy tests for native English speakers
- To define English language proficiency levels and guide instruction and assessment of ELLs across content areas (Correct answer)
- To rank school districts by ESL program quality nationally
- To certify ESL teachers in the United States
Correct answer: To define English language proficiency levels and guide instruction and assessment of ELLs across content areas
WIDA standards describe ELL language development across proficiency levels and content areas, guiding curriculum, instruction, and assessment decisions.
Question 6: What does 'differentiated instruction' require an ESL teacher to do?
- Teach all students the same lesson with identical materials
- Adjust content, process, product, and learning environment to meet the diverse language needs of all students (Correct answer)
- Group students permanently by proficiency level with no cross-group interaction
- Use only whole-class instruction to maintain equity
Correct answer: Adjust content, process, product, and learning environment to meet the diverse language needs of all students
Differentiated instruction requires teachers to vary their approach based on individual learner readiness, language level, interests, and learning profile.
ESL ESL Professional Development & Ethics 2
What is 'reflective practice' in ESL teacher professional development?