New Hampshire Foundations of Reading Practice Test

What role does oral language proficiency play in reading for emergent readers?

1. It decreases motivation to read

2. It simplifies vocabulary use

3. It enhances phonemic awareness and increases vocabulary

4. It has no impact on reading skills

The correct answer is: It enhances phonemic awareness and increases vocabulary

Oral language proficiency plays a crucial role in the reading development of emergent readers by enhancing phonemic awareness and increasing vocabulary. Phonemic awareness refers to the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds in spoken words, which is fundamental to learning how to read. When children have a strong foundation in oral language—including the ability to articulate thoughts, understand syntax, and use varied vocabulary—they are better equipped to decode words while reading. Moreover, a rich oral language experience exposes emergent readers to new words and concepts that they may not encounter in print initially. This exposure not only bulks up their vocabulary but also aids in comprehension when they encounter new texts. The more proficient a child is in their oral language, the more likely they are to connect spoken words with their written forms, facilitating a smoother transition into reading fluency and understanding. In summary, oral language proficiency is instrumental in building the skills needed for successful reading, particularly for emergent readers, as it directly correlates to their abilities in phonemic awareness and vocabulary acquisition.