NYSTCE English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Practice Test

At which stage does an individual typically have a vocabulary of around 6,000 words and can self-correct many speech errors?

1. Emergent Literacy Phase

2. Transitional Literacy Stage

3. Intermediate Fluency Stage

4. Advanced Fluency Stage

The correct answer is: Intermediate Fluency Stage

The Intermediate Fluency Stage is characterized by an individual having a vocabulary of approximately 6,000 words. During this stage, learners are able to engage more effectively in conversation and academic discourse. They start to demonstrate greater fluency and accuracy in their speech, including the ability to self-correct many of the errors they make. This reflects a deeper understanding of the language structure and a growing ability to utilize complex grammatical forms and vocabulary in context. As students progress through earlier stages, such as Emergent Literacy and Transitional Literacy, they often have more limited vocabulary and less confidence in their communication skills. The Emergent Literacy Phase focuses on recognizing letters and sounds, while the Transitional Literacy Stage involves building a basic vocabulary but not yet reaching the level of self-correction that characterizes the Intermediate Fluency Stage. Advanced Fluency, while more developed, typically features a vocabulary that exceeds 6,000 words, illustrating that learners continue to expand their language skills beyond this stage. Recognizing these distinctions clarifies why Intermediate Fluency is the appropriate choice for the given question.