TEXES Science of Teaching Reading Practice Test

What instructional support best promotes an English learner's success in isolating initial sounds?

1. Selecting words with sounds common to both English and the learner's home language

2. Developing an alternative lesson focusing on earlier phonological skills

3. Conducting tasks requiring segmenting and blending simple English words

4. Encouraging family engagement in word play activities

The correct answer is: Selecting words with sounds common to both English and the learner's home language

Selecting words with sounds common to both English and the learner's home language is particularly effective because it builds on the learner's existing knowledge and facilitates the acquisition of new skills. When learners can relate new sounds to familiar ones from their home language, it enhances their ability to recognize and isolate initial sounds in English words. This approach taps into their prior linguistic experiences, making the learning process more meaningful and less daunting. Leveraging the similarities between the two languages helps to create connections that can ease the transition into phonological awareness in English. Thus, focusing on these shared aspects allows English learners to utilize their understanding from their home language as scaffolding to develop new phonological skills in English. Other options may provide beneficial support, but they might be less effective without considering the specific linguistic background of the learner. For instance, developing alternative lessons or focusing on segmenting and blending may not directly connect with the learner's current language knowledge, while engaging families might not target the phonological skill of isolating initial sounds as directly as leveraging familiar sounds would.