Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Practice Test

Which ESL students generally do not need explicit instruction in English discourse patterns?

1. Younger age students

2. Students with kinesthetic learning styles

3. Speakers of Romance languages

4. Strong academic achievers

The correct answer is: Younger age students

The correct choice indicates that younger age students generally do not need explicit instruction in English discourse patterns. This is because young learners are often naturally adept at picking up language patterns through immersion and play. Their cognitive development allows them to absorb social and cultural norms of discourse organically as they experience interactions within their learning environments. Young children are usually less preoccupied with the formal rules of language and have a greater capacity for acquiring language intuitively rather than through analytical means, making them able to grasp discourse patterns without the necessity of structured lessons focused on those patterns. In contrast, stronger academic achievers might already have a foundation that can be built upon, but they could still benefit from explicit instruction to refine their communication skills. Meanwhile, students with kinesthetic learning styles might require more engaging or physically interactive ways to learn English that suit their learning preferences, making explicit instruction useful for them. Lastly, speakers of Romance languages might face different discourse challenges because of variations in cultural communication styles, so they may also require explicit guidance to navigate English discourse effectively.