Language Acquisition and learning

Language Acquisition and Learning: Most Expected Questions for CTET February 2026

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Language Acquisition and Learning: Language learning is a continuous process that involves listening, speaking, reading and meaning-making. In the CTET English Pedagogy section, questions on multilingualism, language acquisition, LAC, NCF-2005 and classroom communication appear repeatedly. This blog presents the most expected MCQs along with simple explanations for CTET February 2026.

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1. Multilingualism and Language Learning

Q1. Which of the following activities is promoting multilingualism?

(a) Children interacting in their own languages
(b) Children relating the story to their previous experiences
(c) Children quickly learn things in their mother tongue
(d) First language supports learning of second language
Answer: (a)
Explanation: When children talk freely in their own languages, they naturally mix languages and learn from each other. This promotes multilingualism.

Q2. According to National Curriculum Framework 2005, which of the following is/are objective(s) of language teaching-learning?

i. The competence to understand what one hears
ii. Ability to read with comprehension
iii. Effortless expression
iv. To know the history of languages
(a) i, ii
(b) iii, ii, iv
(c) i, ii, iii
(d) only iv
Answer: (c)
Explanation: NCF-2005 focuses on comprehension (listening & reading) and meaningful expression, not memorising history.

Q3. Top-down model includes:

(a) Use of prior knowledge
(b) Making semantic and syntactic cues
(c) Moving to more specific information
(d) All the above
Answer: (d)
Explanation: Top-down reading uses background knowledge, context, grammar cues and overall meaning.

Q4. LAC stands for Language Across Curriculum. It means:

(a) Use of languages in a variety of meaningful contexts
(b) Use of language for communicative purpose only
(c) Paying more attention to second language
(d) Learning grammatical rules of second language
Answer: (a)
Explanation: LAC means using language to learn concepts in every subject—Science, Maths, EVS—not just in English class.

Q5. More specifically, language endangerment is associated with:

(a) Minor language
(b) Tribal language
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) None of these
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Minor and tribal languages are at highest risk because fewer people use them and they lack institutional support.

Q6. A teacher of class VI labels classroom objects in Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit etc. The classroom as a whole:

(a) Is creating language confusion
(b) Is focusing on three-language formula
(c) Is a rich resource for promoting multilingualism
(d) Is learning through grammar-translation method
Answer: (c)
Explanation: Vocabulary across languages helps students compare forms and meanings naturally.

2. Language Acquisition vs Language Learning

Q7. Language acquisition means:

(a) Learning a language naturally, without much practice
(b) Learning a language with much practice
(c) Learning a language in school
(d) Learning a language at home
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Acquisition is subconscious, natural learning—like how children acquire their mother tongue.

Q8. According to NCF-2005, the position of English language in India is:

(a) Official
(b) Global
(c) Second
(d) Foreign
Answer: (c)
Explanation: English functions as a second language for academic and administrative purposes.

Q9. A teacher of non-mother tongue language often faces the problem of:

(a) Reluctant and unmotivated learners
(b) Reluctant and motivated learners
(c) Studious and unmotivated learners
(d) Studious and motivated learners
Answer: (a)
Explanation: Children hesitate when exposed to a language they do not speak at home.

Q10. A teacher asks students to collect flowers and write the name in their language and in English. This activity promotes:

(a) Integration of subjects
(b) Multilingualism
(c) Language across the curriculum
(d) A love for nature
Answer: (b)
Explanation: Students use two languages for the same concept, reinforcing multilingual understanding.

3. BICS(Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills) and CALP(Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency)

Q11. Which one of the following activities comes under CALP?

(a) Making reservations
(b) Answering calls
(c) Making an appointment for a salon
(d) Writing book reviews
Answer: (d)
Explanation: CALP requires high-level academic language; writing book reviews is a cognitively demanding task.

4. Language Structure and Meaning

Q12. The study of meaning in a language is known as:

(a) Syntax
(b) Semantics
(c) Morphology
(d) Linguistics
Answer: (b)

5. Classroom Practices: Indian Multilingual Context

Q13. In the multilingual classroom, learners can interact:

(a) In the medium of instruction
(b) In their own language, mixing words from more than one language
(c) Only in the language of the three-language formula
(d) In the language with which the teacher is familiar
Answer: (b)

Q14. ‘Language is arbitrary’ means that:

(a) Something is determined by judgment
(b) It is based on valid reason
(c) There is a strong relation between the words and their meaning
(d) There is no inherent relation between words and their meaning
Answer: (d)

Q15. The multilingual nature of Indian classrooms must be used as a resource so that:

(a) Every child feels secure and accepted
(b) Every child learns at the same pace
(c) Children can learn many languages
(d) The teacher develops language proficiency
Answer: (a)

Q16. A class II teacher uses learner’s mother tongue to build a bridge to English learning. Learner’s language is used as a:

(a) Hindrance
(b) Translation
(c) Resource
(d) Pattern
Answer: (c)

6. Textbook Purpose

Q17. Which one of the following is a correct statement about a textbook?

(a) A textbook is the final thing for the teacher
(b) It helps to achieve the objectives laid down in the curriculum
(c) Textbooks are the only source to read
(d) It is a planning of educational activities
Answer: (b)

7. Language Policy

Q18. Under which Act did English get the status of the associate official language?

(a) Associate Official Language Act, Article-343
(b) Three Language Formula
(c) National Curriculum Framework
(d) Official Language Act, Article-343
Answer: (d)

Most Important Takeaways for CTET English Pedagogy (Feb 2026)

  • Multilingualism must be treated as a resource.
  • Mother tongue supports second-language learning.
  • LAC expands language use in all subjects.
  • NCF-2005 promotes listening, reading comprehension and effortless expression.
  • CALP(Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency) is needed for academic learning; BICS is basic communication.
  • Semantics is the study of meaning.

For Complete CTET 2026 Preparation – Visit Exam Affinity

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Exam Affinity provides:

  • CTET English Pedagogy notes
  • Topic-wise practice sets
  • Previous year questions
  • Downloadable PDFs
  • Mock tests

Language Acquisition and Learning: Revision Notes – CTET English Pedagogy (Quick Recap)

  • Mother tongue is a powerful learning resource.
  • Multilingualism improves expression and understanding.
  • NCF-2005 emphasises comprehension and expression, not rote learning.
  • LAC uses language across all subjects.
  • CALP = Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency (CALP) means the language skills students need to understand school subjects. It involves using formal and academic language, not everyday talk, and is important for learning subjects like maths, science, and history.
  • BICS = daily communication. Basic Interpersonal Communicative Skills (BICS) refers to simple, everyday language used in daily conversations and social interactions.
  • Semantics = meaning; syntax = structure.
  • Language is arbitrary, meaning no natural connection between word & meaning.

Previous Years’ CTET Questions – Language Acquisition & Learning (With Answer Key)

Q1. A teacher of class VI has labeled the classroom objects such as blackboard, door, window, fan, table, chair, etc. in different languages (Hindi, English, Urdu, Sanskrit, etc.). Here the classroom as a whole: (Jan. 2021)

(a) is creating a language confusion in students.
(b) is focusing on three language formula.
(c) is a rich resource for promoting multilingualism.
(d) is learning through grammar translation method.
Answer: (c)

Q2. The language which is learnt from environment without any explicit teaching is: (Jan. 2021)

(a) Second language
(b) Third language
(c) School language
(d) First language
Answer: (d)

Q3. A language teacher asks students to collect flowers to make a flower scrap book. She also asks them to write the name of each flower in their language and in English. This activity will help her to promote: (Dec. 2019)

(a) integration of subjects
(b) multilingualism
(c) language across the curriculum
(d) a love for nature
Answer: (b)

Q4. Which one of the following activities comes under CALP? (Jan. 2021)

(a) Making reservations
(b) Answering calls
(c) Making an appointment for a saloon
(d) Writing book reviews
Answer: (d)

Q5. A language teacher firstly asks students to introduce themselves to each other. Then she asks them to introduce their friend. This activity will help them to increase: (Jan. 2021)

(a) CALP
(b) PPPP
(c) ELT
(d) BICS
Answer: (d)

Q6. The study of meaning in a language is known as: (Dec. 2019)

(a) Syntax
(b) Semantics
(c) Morphology
(d) Linguistics
Answer: (b)

Q7. In the multilingual classroom learners can interact: (Dec. 2019)

(a) in the medium of instruction followed by the school.
(b) in their own language and can be a mix of words from more than one language.
(c) only in the language prescribed in three language formula.
(d) in the language with which the teacher is familiar.
Answer: (b)

Q8. ‘Language is arbitrary’ means that: (Jan. 2021)

(a) something is determined by judgement for a specific reason.
(b) it is based on a valid reason and not on chance.
(c) there is a strong relation between words and their meaning.
(d) there is no inherent relation between words and their meaning.
Answer: (d)

Q9. The multilingual nature of the Indian classroom must be used as a resource so that: (Dec. 2019)

(a) every child feels secure and accepted.
(b) every child learns at the same pace.
(c) children can learn many languages.
(d) the teacher develops language proficiency.
Answer: (a)

Q10. A teacher of class II uses learner’s knowledge and language to build a bridge between his mother tongue and English. Here learner’s language is used as a: (Dec. 2019)

(a) hindrance
(b) translation
(c) resource
(d) pattern
Answer: (c)

Q11. Which one of the following is a correct statement about a textbook? (July 2019)

(a) A textbook is the final thing for the teacher.
(b) It helps to achieve the objectives laid down in the curriculum.
(c) The textbooks are the only source to read.
(d) It is planning of educational activities for the session.
Answer: (b)

Q12. Under which Act did English get the status of the associate official language? (July 2019)

(a) Associate Official Language Act, Article-343
(b) Three Language Formula
(c) National Curriculum Framework
(d) Official Language Act, Article-343
Answer: (d)

PYQS : PREPARE FOR FEB 2026

Q13. In the context of the ‘Theory of Multiple Intelligences’, which one of the following intelligences is related to language? (July 2019)

(a) Fluency-Accuracy Intelligence
(b) Linguistic-Verbal Intelligence
(c) Vocabulary-Grammar Intelligence
(d) Visual-Spatial Intelligence
Answer: (b)

Q14. A child got admission to a new school. The teacher was surprised to see that she spoke four languages fluently but could not speak English. She is a: (July 2019)

(a) bilingual
(b) multilingual
(c) linguist
(d) monolingual
Answer: (b)

Q15. Which of the following statements is correct? (July 2019)

(a) It is difficult to teach English as children use their first language everywhere and ignore English.
(b) As a teacher, you should give a list of English words on the first day.
(c) Children come with rich experiences and their mother tongue acts as a resource in learning English.
(d) Children’s first language is a hurdle in learning English.
Answer: (c)

Q16. According to NCF-2005, English is a language in India: (Dec. 2018, UTET 2016)

(a) Second
(b) Foreign
(c) First
(d) Global
Answer: (a)

Q17. Language is not: (Sep. 2016)

(a) Instinctive
(b) Social
(c) Arbitrary
(d) Symbolic
Answer: (a)

Q18. When language development is a deliberate and conscious effort, language is: (Sep. 2016)

(a) Honed
(b) Brushed up
(c) Learned
(d) Acquired
Answer: (c)

Q19. The major objective of teaching English at primary level is: (Feb. 2016)

(a) using English in different situations of life.
(b) speaking English in British accent.
(c) scoring good marks in the exams.
(d) knowing the grammar of English.
Answer: (a)

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