Which stage of second language acquisition is characterized by a working vocabulary of about 3,000 words and the ability to respond to questions, with increased participation with native speakers?

• A. Speech Emergence
• B. Intermediate Fluency
• C. Advanced Fluency
• D. Interference

Answer: (A)

Speech emergence is when learners move from short phrases to producing longer sentences and engaging in basic conversations. A working vocabulary of about 3,000 words supports answering questions and participating more with native speakers, though speech may still show grammar errors and reliance on context. This stage marks noticeable progress in social interaction and comprehension, as learners use more language to communicate despite ongoing development. Interference isn’t a stage of development but refers to native-language influence on English, while intermediate and advanced fluency involve larger vocabularies and more sustained, complex conversations.