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

Which stage typically follows the early production stage in second language acquisition?

1. Intermediate fluency

2. Advanced fluency

3. Beginning fluency

4. Peak cognitive stage

The correct answer is: Intermediate fluency

The stage that typically follows the early production stage in second language acquisition is intermediate fluency. At this point, learners exhibit an increased ability to create more complex sentences and demonstrate a greater range of vocabulary compared to the early production stage. The intermediate fluency phase reflects a time when learners can engage in conversations and express thoughts in more detail, employing a more varied grammatical structure. During early production, learners might rely heavily on memorized phrases and may struggle with creating spontaneous speech. As they transition to intermediate fluency, their confidence grows, and they begin to make fewer grammatical errors even though they may still make some mistakes as they develop their language skills further. This stage is essential as it builds a foundation for more advanced language use and comprehension that occurs in later stages, such as advanced fluency.