Reading Instruction Competence Assessment (RICA) Practice Test

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Study for the Reading Instruction Competence Assessment Test. Explore flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Excel in your teaching career!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What approach can help with teaching vocabulary for English learners?

Using only written definitions
Encouraging silent reading
Incorporating cognates from students' first language
Minimizing interaction in small groups

The correct answer is: Incorporating cognates from students' first language

Incorporating cognates from students' first language is an effective approach for teaching vocabulary to English learners because it builds on the linguistic knowledge they already possess. Cognates are words that have similar meanings and forms in two languages; for instance, "information" in English and "información" in Spanish. By highlighting these connections, students can leverage their understanding of these familiar words to ease the learning of new vocabulary. This not only aids comprehension but also boosts their confidence as they see parallels between languages. Furthermore, using cognates fosters a more inclusive classroom environment, where students' linguistic backgrounds are recognized and valued, enhancing their motivation and engagement in learning English. This strategy is particularly beneficial for English learners as it reduces the cognitive load of acquiring new vocabulary, allowing them to make meaningful connections and facilitating quicker and more effective language acquisition.