TEA ESL Vocabulary Development & Academic Language 3

Question 1

Which of the following best describes 'academic language' as used in ESL education?

Accepted Answer

The language associated with literacy and academic content across subject areas

Answer

Academic language encompasses the vocabulary, grammar, and discourse patterns needed to engage with academic content across all subject areas in both oral and written forms.

Question 2

A student can hold a conversation in English but struggles to read a science textbook. According to Cummins' framework, this student has developed:

Accepted Answer

BICS but not CALP

Answer

The student has developed BICS for conversational fluency but has not yet fully developed CALP needed for academic reading tasks.

Question 3

The ELPS proficiency level descriptors used in Texas to classify ELLs are organized around which level system?

Accepted Answer

Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, Advanced High

Answer

Texas ELPS proficiency level descriptors use four levels—Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced, and Advanced High—to guide instructional planning and assessment for ELLs.

Question 4

When assessing vocabulary knowledge, which assessment type best captures a student's depth of word knowledge beyond simple recognition?

Accepted Answer

Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS) requiring students to explain word use

Answer

A Vocabulary Knowledge Scale (VKS) requires students to rate and demonstrate how well they know a word, capturing depth of knowledge beyond simple recall or recognition.

Question 5

A student consistently uses academic vocabulary correctly in writing but rarely uses it in oral discussions. As an ESL teacher, the BEST response is to:

Accepted Answer

Create structured oral language activities that require use of the target vocabulary

Answer

Vocabulary knowledge must be developed across all modalities; structured speaking opportunities help students transfer written vocabulary knowledge to oral academic language use.

TEA ESL - Texas Education Agency English as a Second Language Certification Practice Test

TEA ESL - Texas Education Agency English as a Second Language Certification Practice Test

TEA ESL Vocabulary Development & Academic Language 3