Question

A beginning-level English Language Learner can consistently blend individual phonemes to make simple English words composed of two or three phonemes but is having difficulty blending the sounds of familiar single-syllable words composed of four phonemes (e.g., clip, trap, spin). Which of the following questions would be most important for the first-grade teacher to consider when addressing the needs of this student?

A. Are the target words in the student's oral vocabulary in English?
B. Does the student's primary language have consonant blends?
C. Can the student distinguish between short and long vowel sounds in English?
D. Do the target words have cognates in the student's primary language?

Answer 1

The first-grade teacher should consider whether the student can distinguish between short and long vowel sounds in English when addressing their needs.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most important question for the first-grade teacher to consider when addressing the needs of this student is option C: Can the student distinguish between short and long vowel sounds in English?

This is important because the student is having difficulty blending the sounds of familiar single-syllable words composed of four phonemes. Understanding the difference between short and long vowel sounds will help the student accurately blend the sounds and pronounce words correctly.

For example, in the word 'clip,' the 'i' makes a short vowel sound, while in the word 'pine,' the 'i' makes a long vowel sound. Recognizing and distinguishing between these vowel sounds is crucial for blending the phonemes in multi-syllable words.