FTCE Professional Education Practice Exam

What is one characteristic of ELL (LEP) students?

1. They have full academic proficiency in English.

2. They were born in English-speaking countries.

3. Their first language may impact their English proficiency.

4. They exclusively speak English at school.

The correct answer is: Their first language may impact their English proficiency.

The correct choice highlights that the first language of ELL (English Language Learner) or LEP (Limited English Proficient) students can significantly influence their English proficiency. Many ELL students come from diverse linguistic backgrounds, and the skills, cognitive strategies, and cultural perspectives they develop through their first language can affect how they acquire and use English. This characteristic is crucial for educators to consider because it underscores the importance of leveraging a student’s native language in the classroom to enhance learning and support the transition to English. By understanding the relationship between a student's first language and their learning experience, teachers can tailor their instructional strategies to better meet the needs of ELL students, thereby facilitating a more effective learning environment. Other options would not accurately represent the typical profile of ELL students. For example, full academic proficiency in English is not characteristic of these learners, as they are usually in the process of developing their language skills. Additionally, being born in an English-speaking country is not a requirement for ELL status, as many ELL students may have been born elsewhere and moved to an English-speaking country later. Finally, the notion that these students exclusively speak English at school is misleading, as they often use their first language in various contexts, especially in