ESL Acquisition Theories 2

Question 1

According to Krashen's Affective Filter Hypothesis, which condition MOST helps language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Low anxiety and a supportive environment

Answer

High anxiety and strict correction

Answer

Frequent grammar drills and memorization

Answer

Immediate error correction after every mistake

Question 2

Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) in language learning refers to:

Accepted Answer

The gap between what a learner can do alone and with expert guidance

Answer

Skills a learner can perform independently

Answer

The total vocabulary a learner has acquired

Answer

A learner's native language interference zone

Question 3

Which theorist is most closely associated with the concept of 'scaffolding' in second language acquisition?

Accepted Answer

Lev Vygotsky

Answer

Noam Chomsky

Answer

Stephen Krashen

Answer

B.F. Skinner

Question 4

The 'Critical Period Hypothesis' in SLA suggests that:

Accepted Answer

There is a biologically determined window for optimal language acquisition

Answer

Children learn languages faster due to better memory

Answer

Adults are better language learners because of metalinguistic awareness

Answer

The first language always interferes with the second

Question 5

In Behaviorist theory (Skinner), second language acquisition is primarily explained by:

Accepted Answer

Habit formation through stimulus-response and reinforcement

Answer

Innate grammatical knowledge

Answer

Conscious monitoring of grammatical rules

Answer

Social interaction with native speakers

Question 6

Which of the following best describes 'comprehensible input' in Krashen's model?

Accepted Answer

Input that is slightly beyond the learner's current level (i+1)

Answer

Input that is exactly at the learner's current level (i)

Answer

Input delivered only through reading, not listening

Answer

Input corrected by a teacher before presentation

Question 7

Swain's Output Hypothesis argues that language production helps learners because it:

Accepted Answer

Forces learners to notice gaps in their linguistic knowledge

Answer

Reduces the affective filter automatically

Answer

Activates Universal Grammar directly

Answer

Replaces the need for comprehensible input