Texas Teacher Certification Test: ELA &
Reading Already Verified
Phonemes - Answer basic units of sound
Semantics - Answer The way meaning is generated in language also including the way words, phrases,
and sentences combine in ways that make sense.
How meaning is conveyed in a language through the use of its vocabulary
Syntax - Answer The way words are placed, organized, and arranged in a language
Language Acquisition is made of 3 main components: - Answer 1. innate abilities and mechanism of the
learner
2. exposure to the speech of caretakers and parents
3. the interaction of children in their immediate linguistic environment
Language Acquisition Device (LAD) - Answer Something all humans are born with that give us the
mechanisms and abilities to acquire language. This is universal and adapts to the languages being
exposed or learned.
Language only emerges if this is triggered by stimuli from people in the child's environment
6 Key components of language: - Answer phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon, pragmatics, semantics
Phonology - Answer The study of the sound system of language
Graphemes - Answer Individual letters that represent phonemes
Morphology - Answer Study of the structure of words and word formation
Morphemes - Answer the smallest unit of meaning in a language
, Lexicon - Answer Refers to the vocabulary of a language
Ex: the word "hot"
-meanings can be temperature, sexy, fashionable, lucky
-these meanings can change based on context or historical framework
Pragmatics - Answer How context can affect the interpretation of communication. The hidden rules of
communication understood by native speakers of the same language
Connotation - Answer The implied meaning of words and ideas
Denotation - Answer The literal of words and ideas (Dictionary definition)
Babbling or Pre-Language Stage - Answer 0-6 months. use reflexive crying to communicate. Play vocally
Holophrastic or One-Word Stage - Answer 11-19 months. Imitate the inflections and facial expression of
adults. Can recognize their name and follow simple instructions. Understand word concepts.
Two-word Stage - Answer 13-24 months. Children produce rudimentary phrases characterized by a
combination of pivot and open words.
Pivot word - Answer Words that accomplish multiple functions (no, up, all, see, more, and gone)
Open word - Answer Word that refer to one concept (home, milk, doggy, juice, pants)
Telegraphic stage - Answer 18-27 months. The child is beyond two-word communication. Most words
are content words that convey more meaning and can be used in multiple situations. Children use words
as they have heard them. Includes nouns, adjectives, and verbs but prepositions and articles are limited
Reading Already Verified
Phonemes - Answer basic units of sound
Semantics - Answer The way meaning is generated in language also including the way words, phrases,
and sentences combine in ways that make sense.
How meaning is conveyed in a language through the use of its vocabulary
Syntax - Answer The way words are placed, organized, and arranged in a language
Language Acquisition is made of 3 main components: - Answer 1. innate abilities and mechanism of the
learner
2. exposure to the speech of caretakers and parents
3. the interaction of children in their immediate linguistic environment
Language Acquisition Device (LAD) - Answer Something all humans are born with that give us the
mechanisms and abilities to acquire language. This is universal and adapts to the languages being
exposed or learned.
Language only emerges if this is triggered by stimuli from people in the child's environment
6 Key components of language: - Answer phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon, pragmatics, semantics
Phonology - Answer The study of the sound system of language
Graphemes - Answer Individual letters that represent phonemes
Morphology - Answer Study of the structure of words and word formation
Morphemes - Answer the smallest unit of meaning in a language
, Lexicon - Answer Refers to the vocabulary of a language
Ex: the word "hot"
-meanings can be temperature, sexy, fashionable, lucky
-these meanings can change based on context or historical framework
Pragmatics - Answer How context can affect the interpretation of communication. The hidden rules of
communication understood by native speakers of the same language
Connotation - Answer The implied meaning of words and ideas
Denotation - Answer The literal of words and ideas (Dictionary definition)
Babbling or Pre-Language Stage - Answer 0-6 months. use reflexive crying to communicate. Play vocally
Holophrastic or One-Word Stage - Answer 11-19 months. Imitate the inflections and facial expression of
adults. Can recognize their name and follow simple instructions. Understand word concepts.
Two-word Stage - Answer 13-24 months. Children produce rudimentary phrases characterized by a
combination of pivot and open words.
Pivot word - Answer Words that accomplish multiple functions (no, up, all, see, more, and gone)
Open word - Answer Word that refer to one concept (home, milk, doggy, juice, pants)
Telegraphic stage - Answer 18-27 months. The child is beyond two-word communication. Most words
are content words that convey more meaning and can be used in multiple situations. Children use words
as they have heard them. Includes nouns, adjectives, and verbs but prepositions and articles are limited
