Why is teaching a language different from teaching in it?

Check your understanding

15-question test

Answer all the questions, then check your results.

1. True / False

   1.UNESCO announced its multilingual-education guidance for International Mother Language Day in 2025.

   ATrueBFalse
2. 2.Teaching a language as a subject means using it primarily to explain another subject.

   ATrueBFalse
3. 3.An uncertain answer necessarily shows that a pupil has an uncertain understanding of history.

   ATrueBFalse

4. Reading Comprehension

   4.What distinction does the article recommend looking beyond a school's list of languages to examine?

   AWhether the school offers more languages than neighbouring schoolsBWhether every subject uses identical assessment questionsCWhether languages are studied themselves or used to teach other subjectsDWhether pupils prefer written work to classroom discussion
5. 5.Inference: What should a teacher be cautious about concluding from the hypothetical pupil's hesitant explanation?

   AThat the classroom language can be used to discuss historyBThat interpreting an event involves expressing ideasCThat the pupil necessarily lacks knowledge of the historical eventDThat the pupil's answer may require further consideration
6. 6.How does the article suggest assessing a multilingual approach?

   ABy treating its name as evidence that it worksBBy separating its intended goals from the results it achievesCBy assuming a policy announcement predicts each child's resultsDBy considering professional ambitions while excluding cultural questions

7. Grammar & Phrasal Verbs

   7.Which sentence would sound most natural in professional English?

   AThe review should distinguish the programme's aims against its outcomes.BThe review should make a distinguish between the programme's aims and outcomes.CThe review should distinguish between the programme's aims from its outcomes.DThe review should distinguish the programme's aims from its outcomes.
8. 8.Which sentence best preserves the meaning of 'An uncertain answer need not reveal uncertain historical understanding'?

   AAn uncertain answer does not necessarily indicate uncertain historical understanding.BAn uncertain answer must not be allowed to reveal uncertain historical understanding.CAn uncertain answer cannot ever indicate uncertain historical understanding.DAn uncertain answer is unlikely to involve any difficulty with expression.
9. 9.Which reformulation best preserves the nuance of the article's statement about families' ambitions?

   AFamilies are guaranteed future opportunities if they prioritise language skills.BFamilies must regard language skills as more valuable than every other skill.CFamilies rarely associate language skills with future opportunities.DFamilies may reasonably regard language skills as crucial to future opportunities.

10. Prepositions

    10.Complete the sentence: 'A family may see the teaching language as a route ___ wider opportunities.'

    AforBtoCatDwith
11. 11.Complete the sentence: 'A hesitant answer may reflect difficulty ___ expression rather than a lack of knowledge.'

    AforBtoCbyDwith
12. 12.Complete the sentence: 'An assessment should distinguish a programme's aims ___ its outcomes.'

    AfromBagainstCamongDover

13. Vocabulary & Synonyms

    13.What does 'linguistic proficiency' mean in the article?

    AExpert knowledge of the history of languagesBAbility to use a language effectivelyCPreference for studying language rather than historyDPermission to choose a classroom language
14. 14.What is the closest meaning of 'reference point' in the article?

    AA binding instruction for every schoolBA prediction of each pupil's resultsCA basis for discussion or evaluationDA final judgement that ends the debate
15. 15.Which word could replace 'assessed' in the final sentence without substantially changing its meaning?

    AevaluatedBassumedCprescribedDguaranteed