In the Speech Emergence Stage, students typically:

• A. Speak in full paragraphs
• B. Rely on memorized phrases exclusively
• C. Use simple phrases and sentences and begin to engage in conversations; understand two-step directions
• D. Only read silently and write extensively

Answer: (C)

In the Speech Emergence stage, learners start to move beyond isolated words toward longer phrases and sentences and they begin participating more in conversations. They use simple phrases and sentences and can engage in basic dialogue with others. They also begin to understand directions that involve two steps, especially with some visual support or modeling. This combination—speaking in simple, connected phrases, actively talking with others, and following two-step instructions—best reflects what students typically do at this stage.

Other options don’t fit this phase as well. Speaking in full paragraphs is more characteristic of later, more fluent expression. Relying on memorized phrases exclusively points to earlier stages where language is more formulaic and limited. Reading silently and writing extensively focus on literacy skills rather than oral language development in the Speech Emergence stage.