Are you ready to support dual language learners?

The number of dual language learners in early childhood classrooms is expanding every year—and teachers often feel underprepared to bridge language barriers and effectively meet students’ learning needs.

Do you have the knowledge you need to support children from diverse backgrounds and ensure their academic and social success?

Take our quiz to find out!

The quiz is adapted from the new book by Shauna Tominey and Elisabeth O’Bryon, which provides 45 strategies to expand your knowledge of best practices related to dual language learners and their families with an emphasis on culturally responsive practices.

Are you ready to support dual language learners?

Start

Congratulations - you have completed Are you ready to support dual language learners?.

You scored %%SCORE%% out of %%TOTAL%%.

Your performance has been rated as %%RATING%%

Learn more in 45 Strategies That Support Young Dual Language Learners.

Want tips you can put to work in your classroom right away? Read the blog post: 8 ways to show young children that diversity is a strength.

Your answers are highlighted below.

Good teaching is all that's required to effectively support dual language learners.

Question 1 Explanation:

b) False. Although “good teaching” and the use of developmentally appropriate practices in the classroom help support children who are DLLs, there are many different strategies and skills that educators need to support children from diverse backgrounds. These skills include strategies to support children’s language development in English and their home language as well as cultural responsiveness.

Which of the following terms applies a strength-based approach when describing children who are learning more than one language?

Question 2 Explanation:

Both a) and b). The terms "dual language learner" and "English language learner" both use a strengths-based approach to acknowledge that children are learning more than one language.

For a child to be considered a dual language learner in the United States, he or she must be born in another country and come to the United States as an immigrant or refugee.

Question 3 Explanation:

b) False. Although some dual language learners in the United States are born in other countries, many DLLs are born in the United States.

After English, what is the next most common primary home language in the United States?

Question 4 Explanation:

c) Spanish is the next most common primary home language (following English) in the United States.

Taking an English-only approach at school and at home is considered best practice for supporting dual language learners.

Question 5 Explanation:

b) False. Best practices for supporting dual language learners include supporting children’s language development in English as well as their home language and incorporating their home language whenever possible at school.

Name strategies that educators can use to get to know children and families before the school year begins.

Question 6 Explanation:

d) All of the above. There are many different ways that educators can get to know children and families before the school year begins, including sending family surveys home, engaging community organizations or cultural brokers, and offering opportunities to visit the classroom.

Labeling objects in the classroom in English, Spanish, and other classroom languages will _________.

Question 7 Explanation:

c) Labeling objects in the classroom with home languages of children in your class not only encourages literacy, it also communicates to children and families that their home language is valued. Supporting children’s home language is a best practice for supporting DLLs.

Group lessons planned at the beginning of the year should be short so that children can get used to group learning activities and develop the ability to focus.

Question 8 Explanation:

a) True. At the beginning of the school year, children may not have developed the ability and attention span to focus on group activities for long periods of time. Keeping group lessons short and gradually increasing their duration each week helps children to practice these important skills.

At the beginning of the school year, it is better to limit access to materials that children need to complete activities so that children have to ask a teacher if they need something.

Question 9 Explanation:

b) False. At the beginning of the year, it is better to make sure materials that children need are easily accessible to them so that they can find the materials themselves or easily indicate to a teacher what they need as they develop their classroom vocabulary. In addition, teachers may need to give many children extra support at the beginning of the school year, so finding ways for children to be self-sufficient makes it easier for a teacher to provide support to children who need it most.

At the beginning of the year, planning more __________ group activities rather than __________ group activities may help teachers to get to know children better and allow opportunities to provide individualized support.

Question 10 Explanation:

d) At the beginning of the year, planning more small-group activities rather than large-group activities may help teachers get to know children better and allow opportunities to provide individualized support.

Once you are finished, click the button below. Any items you have not completed will be marked incorrect.

Get Results

There are 10 questions to complete.

Return

Shaded items are complete.

You have completed

questions

question

Your score is

Correct

Wrong

Partial-Credit

You have not finished your quiz. If you leave this page, your progress will be lost.

Correct Answer

You Selected

Not Attempted

Final Score on Quiz

Attempted Questions Correct

Attempted Questions Wrong

Questions Not Attempted

Total Questions on Quiz

Question Details

Results

Date

Score

Hint

Time allowed

minutes

seconds

Time used

Answer Choice(s) Selected

Question Text

All done

beginner level.

rookie level.

intermediate level.

advanced level.

expert level.