ESL Certification Test Prep Questions and Answers Updated 2026/2027 Version | Verified Answers

ESL Certification Test Prep Questions and Answers Updated 2026/2027 Version | Verified Answers CALP= Cognitive and Academic Language Proficiency (Dimension of language) - ANSWER Academic, higher order thinking skills Context- reduced 5- 7 years to reach same level of proficiency as a native speaker Krashen - ANSWER 5 Hypothesis of L2 Acquisition- Comprehensible Input: need to comprehend what is being communicated. Acquisition vs. Learning: natural/subconscious and formal/conscious Natural Order: essential to expose students to natural, meaningful situations Monitor Affective Filter: components that influence the acquisition of language (culture, self-image, interest and motivation, and anxiety Chomsky - ANSWER Believes children are born with an inherited ability to learn any human language. LAD (language acquisition device)- encodes the major principles of a language and its grammatical structures into the childs' brain Result Types of Motivation - ANSWER Instrumental- subtractive bilingualism; L1 is given up for L2 Integrative- additive bilingualism; L1 is maintained while L2 is acquired Pre Production (ESL proficiency stage 1) - ANSWER silent/receptive, 500 words or less, gestures, 6 months Early Production (ESL proficiency stage 2) - ANSWER 1,000 words, 1 or 2 phrases, 6 months to 1 year Speech Emergence (ESL proficiency stage 3) - ANSWER 7,000 words, short sentences and simple questions, 1 year Intermediate Fluency (ESL proficiency stage 4) - ANSWER 12,000 words, complex statements, 1 year or more Total Physical Response (TPR; teaching method) - ANSWER Early stages, teacher gives commands and physical movement, focus on listening and comprehension, body movements Natural Approach (teaching method) - ANSWER subconscious acquisition, context in the classroom, encourages speech through low anxiety situations (low affective filter), sees difference between BICS and CALP Cognitive Academic Language Learning Approach (CALLA; teaching method) - ANSWER Learning language through academic content, emphasis on all 4 language learning skills and vocab building, useful for students with developed BICS, teaches learning strategies as well as content Sheltered Instruction - ANSWER SIOP- Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol Instruction driven by content and language objectives Incorporates background knowledge, dynamic student interaction, and meaningful activities English is not taught as a language with a focus on learning the language, but content knowledge and skills are the goal ESL Best Practice - ANSWER Best to incorporate all these strategies: visuals, vocab development, active learning, interaction, learning strategies (self-monitoring, self-correcting, self-directed learning) One-Way Communication (stage 1 of development in communication skills) - ANSWER Student listens but doesn't speak, silent period, acquiring knowledge of vocab, syntax, and content Partial Two-Way Communication (stage 2 of development in communication skills) - ANSWER Student listens and responds with gestures or in L1, shows comprehension by nodding, pointing, drawing, etc. Full Two-Way Communication (stage 3 of development in communication skills) - ANSWER Student listens and responds effectively in L2 Oral Language - ANSWER Listening and speaking before reading and writing Environments with rich conversation and invites response Will speak when ready Fluency precedes accuracy Teacher acceptant of all attempts (right or wrong) LPAC= Language Proficiency Assessment Committee - ANSWER Placement- Assessment- Annual Review Members: admin, teacher, parent, other (counselor) Responsibilities: if HLS indicates another language, review it, determine if student is LEP, recommend appropriate program, notify parents HLS - ANSWER Home Language Survey Cueing Systems - ANSWER Graphophonic- letters/sounds/visual clues Semantics- sense, meaning Syntax- structure, grammar OLPT (language test) - ANSWER Oral Language Proficiency Test Determines if student is FES, LES, LEP, NES ITBS (language test) - ANSWER Iowa Test of Basic Skills Achievement test Assessment Related Issues - ANSWER Validity Reliability Cultural Bias