MTEL ESL STUDY GUIDE UPDATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
The Acquisition-learning Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that
there are two systems for learning a second language:
The Acquired System-which is the subconscious approach that focuses on meaningful interaction
with natural communication.
The Learned System-which is the conscious approach that focuses on formal language
instruction that focuses on grammar, phonics, reading and writing process.
The Monitor Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that the Second
language learner uses a monitor to plan, edit and correct his or her language use. There are three
types of users:
Over-user-learners that use their monitor all the time (introverts and profectionists)
Under-users-learners that have not learned or prefer not to use their monitor (extrovert)
Optimal-users-learners that use their monitor appropriately.
The Natural Order Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that learning a
second language follows a natural order for the acquisition of grammatical structures
The Input Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that the Second
language learner will acquire the language in a natural order when the input is one step above the
learners current stage of linguistic competence.
The Affective Filter Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that variables
such as motivation, self confidence and anxiety plays a facilitating role in second language
acquisition. For example: If a second language learner has no motivation, low self-esteem and is
under a lot of stress these variables can impede the acquisition of the language by raising the
filter and preventing language acquisition.
Evolution of Language Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Fishman) studied "dying"
languages such as Gaelic, Welsh and Yiddish and how these languages survived with very few
speakers and literate adults. His study concluded that forces in society helps such language
survive because the language is linked to history, ethnicity, religion, and nationalism. These links
help to preserve the language.
,Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins)
is language needed to interact socially with other people. The language used in a social context
such as on the playground, lunchroom, parties and on the phone. The language is not very
demanding or specialized. This language develops for Second language learners within six
months to a year.
Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins) is the language needed to succeed in academia. The language is
content specific, demanding and specialized. It includes skills needed to compare, contrast,
classify, synthesize, evaluate and infer meaning in context reduced situations. This language
developed for Second language learners within five to seven years.
Additive Bilingualism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins) is where the learner's first
language and first culture continues to be valued and developed while the second language is
acquired. Research suggests students learning in this environment succeed at a greater extent in
language acquisition.
Subtractive Bilingualism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins) is where the learners first
language and first culture diminishes as a result from learning a second language.
Social Constructivism (Interactionist Theory of Language Acquisition) - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅(Vygotsky) states that cognitive skills and patterns of thinking needed to
acquire language are the products of activities practiced in the social institutions in which the
individual grows up and interacts. First between people at the social level (inter psychological)
and then at the individual level (intrapsychological)
Zone of Proximal Development - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Vygotsky) is the functions
and activities a learner can perform but only with the assistance of someone else (scaffolding). In
terms of language learning the authenticity of the environment and the affinity between the
participants are essential for language acquisition (mentoring, peer relations and collaboration)
More Knowledgeable Others (MKO) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Vygotsky) the MKO
can be a peer, a family member, a role model, or the teacher. MKO has the skills and knowledge
,necessary that would help lead the learner to build upon their current knowledge to aid in
acquiring new information (scaffolding)
Piaget's Theory of Language Acquisition - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅states that learners
construct knowledge about language thorough the complex process of assimilation, stressing the
inherent capabilities of the brain to adapt to stimulation. Language acquisition is a reflection of
thought not environment.
Operant Conditioning Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Skinner) is changing a learners
behavior by reinforcing the desired response. Three types of operants:
Neutral-neither increases nor decreases the learners behavior
Reinforcer-increases the probability of the behavior being repeated (can be positive or negative)
Punisher-increases the probability of the behavior being repeated (punishment weakens
behavior)
Restricted Language Code - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Bernstein) is the language used by
speakers with similar backgrounds and experiences. The users understand each others
assumptions, perspectives, feelings and ways of communicating (language between two friends)
Elaborated Language Code - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Bernstein) is the language used by
speakers who do not share the same background or experiences. The users use more elaborate
speech to express ideas (language between strangers)
Universal Grammar (transformational grammar) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Chomsky)
states that language is part of our biological make-up. This biological aspect is called universal
grammar or linguistic corpus. Language is acquired by nature and language is enhanced by social
exposure. Chomsky argues language is comprehensive. It involves listening, accepting, and
rejecting information, conceptualizing input, organizing input and producing further language
within the social context where language is shared. It is a mental, psychological and cognitive
process that is more complex than mere behavioral input.
Language Acquisition Device (LAD) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Chomsky) is a specific
place in the brain that enables the acquisition of language. The organ allows individuals to use
minimal rules and regulations of language to create more words and more sentences. According
, to Chomsky humans are born with an established common grammatical knowledge (universal
grammar) a competence for language which he calls linguistic corpus. This competence is
triggered by social discourse and interaction.
Faculty of Language in the Broad Purpose (FLB) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅is the
common need to express a message, and consists on any form of communication that is possible
among living things. It is responsive, immediate and instinctive language usage that could also
be explained as language of survival for immediate purpose.
Faculty of Language in the Narrow Purpose (FLN) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅involves
critical thinking, decision making, inferring, computation, if/then conclusions and the capacity of
recursion. Recursion is the uniquely human component that composes the generative and
universal capacity for language.
Bandura's Social Learning Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Similar to Chomsky, his
theory reflects language as a very important element of development that requires both cognitive
and social input. Throughout one's lifetime, the consistent interaction to other people's behavior
lead to our own adoption or imitation of the behaviors of others depending on whether we choose
to do it. This change in behavior is what Bandura defines as learning.
Bandura's Taxonomy of Learning - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Interactive Methods-People
learn from others through conversation, discourse and open communication.
Dynamic Method-people go from one source to another to get different kinds of input and accept
or reject new learning.
Consistent Methods-people are constantly exposed to other people's behaviors
Intrapersonal Methods-becoming part of a social system and a group sets the conditions for
learning.
Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅this theory combines
both cognitive and behavioral concepts that are diverse and specific to each individual. The
intelligences are:
Visual and Spatial Intelligence
Linguistic Intelligence
Logical Mathematical Intelligence
The Acquisition-learning Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that
there are two systems for learning a second language:
The Acquired System-which is the subconscious approach that focuses on meaningful interaction
with natural communication.
The Learned System-which is the conscious approach that focuses on formal language
instruction that focuses on grammar, phonics, reading and writing process.
The Monitor Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that the Second
language learner uses a monitor to plan, edit and correct his or her language use. There are three
types of users:
Over-user-learners that use their monitor all the time (introverts and profectionists)
Under-users-learners that have not learned or prefer not to use their monitor (extrovert)
Optimal-users-learners that use their monitor appropriately.
The Natural Order Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that learning a
second language follows a natural order for the acquisition of grammatical structures
The Input Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that the Second
language learner will acquire the language in a natural order when the input is one step above the
learners current stage of linguistic competence.
The Affective Filter Hypothesis - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Krashen) states that variables
such as motivation, self confidence and anxiety plays a facilitating role in second language
acquisition. For example: If a second language learner has no motivation, low self-esteem and is
under a lot of stress these variables can impede the acquisition of the language by raising the
filter and preventing language acquisition.
Evolution of Language Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Fishman) studied "dying"
languages such as Gaelic, Welsh and Yiddish and how these languages survived with very few
speakers and literate adults. His study concluded that forces in society helps such language
survive because the language is linked to history, ethnicity, religion, and nationalism. These links
help to preserve the language.
,Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills (BICS) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins)
is language needed to interact socially with other people. The language used in a social context
such as on the playground, lunchroom, parties and on the phone. The language is not very
demanding or specialized. This language develops for Second language learners within six
months to a year.
Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins) is the language needed to succeed in academia. The language is
content specific, demanding and specialized. It includes skills needed to compare, contrast,
classify, synthesize, evaluate and infer meaning in context reduced situations. This language
developed for Second language learners within five to seven years.
Additive Bilingualism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins) is where the learner's first
language and first culture continues to be valued and developed while the second language is
acquired. Research suggests students learning in this environment succeed at a greater extent in
language acquisition.
Subtractive Bilingualism - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Cummins) is where the learners first
language and first culture diminishes as a result from learning a second language.
Social Constructivism (Interactionist Theory of Language Acquisition) - CORRECT
ANSWER✅✅✅(Vygotsky) states that cognitive skills and patterns of thinking needed to
acquire language are the products of activities practiced in the social institutions in which the
individual grows up and interacts. First between people at the social level (inter psychological)
and then at the individual level (intrapsychological)
Zone of Proximal Development - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Vygotsky) is the functions
and activities a learner can perform but only with the assistance of someone else (scaffolding). In
terms of language learning the authenticity of the environment and the affinity between the
participants are essential for language acquisition (mentoring, peer relations and collaboration)
More Knowledgeable Others (MKO) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Vygotsky) the MKO
can be a peer, a family member, a role model, or the teacher. MKO has the skills and knowledge
,necessary that would help lead the learner to build upon their current knowledge to aid in
acquiring new information (scaffolding)
Piaget's Theory of Language Acquisition - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅states that learners
construct knowledge about language thorough the complex process of assimilation, stressing the
inherent capabilities of the brain to adapt to stimulation. Language acquisition is a reflection of
thought not environment.
Operant Conditioning Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Skinner) is changing a learners
behavior by reinforcing the desired response. Three types of operants:
Neutral-neither increases nor decreases the learners behavior
Reinforcer-increases the probability of the behavior being repeated (can be positive or negative)
Punisher-increases the probability of the behavior being repeated (punishment weakens
behavior)
Restricted Language Code - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Bernstein) is the language used by
speakers with similar backgrounds and experiences. The users understand each others
assumptions, perspectives, feelings and ways of communicating (language between two friends)
Elaborated Language Code - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Bernstein) is the language used by
speakers who do not share the same background or experiences. The users use more elaborate
speech to express ideas (language between strangers)
Universal Grammar (transformational grammar) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Chomsky)
states that language is part of our biological make-up. This biological aspect is called universal
grammar or linguistic corpus. Language is acquired by nature and language is enhanced by social
exposure. Chomsky argues language is comprehensive. It involves listening, accepting, and
rejecting information, conceptualizing input, organizing input and producing further language
within the social context where language is shared. It is a mental, psychological and cognitive
process that is more complex than mere behavioral input.
Language Acquisition Device (LAD) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅(Chomsky) is a specific
place in the brain that enables the acquisition of language. The organ allows individuals to use
minimal rules and regulations of language to create more words and more sentences. According
, to Chomsky humans are born with an established common grammatical knowledge (universal
grammar) a competence for language which he calls linguistic corpus. This competence is
triggered by social discourse and interaction.
Faculty of Language in the Broad Purpose (FLB) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅is the
common need to express a message, and consists on any form of communication that is possible
among living things. It is responsive, immediate and instinctive language usage that could also
be explained as language of survival for immediate purpose.
Faculty of Language in the Narrow Purpose (FLN) - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅involves
critical thinking, decision making, inferring, computation, if/then conclusions and the capacity of
recursion. Recursion is the uniquely human component that composes the generative and
universal capacity for language.
Bandura's Social Learning Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Similar to Chomsky, his
theory reflects language as a very important element of development that requires both cognitive
and social input. Throughout one's lifetime, the consistent interaction to other people's behavior
lead to our own adoption or imitation of the behaviors of others depending on whether we choose
to do it. This change in behavior is what Bandura defines as learning.
Bandura's Taxonomy of Learning - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅Interactive Methods-People
learn from others through conversation, discourse and open communication.
Dynamic Method-people go from one source to another to get different kinds of input and accept
or reject new learning.
Consistent Methods-people are constantly exposed to other people's behaviors
Intrapersonal Methods-becoming part of a social system and a group sets the conditions for
learning.
Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory - CORRECT ANSWER✅✅✅this theory combines
both cognitive and behavioral concepts that are diverse and specific to each individual. The
intelligences are:
Visual and Spatial Intelligence
Linguistic Intelligence
Logical Mathematical Intelligence
