WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification - Videos & Lessons

About This Chapter

Explore short lessons to gain greater insight into phonology and word identification as you study for the WEST-E Middle Level Humanities (Subtests 1 & 2) assessment. Lesson quizzes can help you gauge your readiness to take the test.

WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification - Chapter Summary

The engaging videos in this chapter make it easy to prepare for the WEST-E Middle Level Humanities (Subtests 1 & 2) exam. Brush up on your knowledge of phonology and word identification to ensure you're ready to answer questions on the test that address:

Identifying the purpose and process of descriptive linguistics
Describing the stages of phonological development in children
Explaining how to understand words by their relationships
Detailing different ways to construct meaning
Understanding spelling, word patterns and how to use affixes and roots
Defining connotation, denotation, semantics and syntax
Identifying commonly confused words in English

Simplify your studying process by watching the videos in this chapter in an order that suits you. You can also access timelines with clickable links that allow you to easily review specific topics within the videos. If you can't watch the videos on a computer, mobile features allow you to access lessons via your smartphone or tablet.

WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification Chapter Objectives

The WEST-E Middle Level Humanities (Subtests 1 & 2) assessment is a computer-based test composed of 110 multiple-choice questions. If you opt to take one subtest at a time, your test will have 55 multiple-choice questions. Each subtest features three content domains. The topics covered in this WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification chapter are found in the Reading Process and Comprehension content domain of Subtest 1, which constitutes about 42% of this subtest.

This WEST assessment is a subject-knowledge test required for teachers interested in adding the middle level humanities endorsement to their new or existing teaching certificate. To increase your chances of passing the assessment, utilize the resources in this chapter, including short self-assessment quizzes and a chapter exam that reinforce concepts covered in the lessons. Each quiz offers links back to specific topics in the videos to ensure you can answer questions confidently. If you need further assistance with the lessons or chapter, simply submit your questions to instructors who are ready to help.

11 Lessons in Chapter 1: WEST Middle Level Humanities: Phonology & Word Identification

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1. What Is Descriptive Linguistics? - Purpose & Process

This lesson will seek to explain the field of descriptive linguistics. In doing so, it will highlight the terms phonology, morphology, and syntax while discussing examples from around the globe.

2. Phonological Development in Children: Stages & Overview

In this lesson you'll learn all about how children develop the ability to turn basic units of sound into actual language. We'll cover the major phonological skills and the stages of development. Following the lesson is a short quiz.

3. Understanding Words By Their Relationships

Many words in the English language have multiple meanings. To really understand a word, we have to understand the relationship between particular words. In this lesson, we will examine this through connotations, denotations, synonyms, and analogies.

4. Constructing Meaning with Context Clues, Prior Knowledge & Word Structure

In this lesson, you will learn how readers use prior knowledge, context clues and word structure to aid their understanding of what they read. Explore these strategies through examples from literature and everyday life.

5. Spelling & Word Patterns: Prefixes, Suffixes & Root Words

How do we form words in our language? What gives them definitions? Watch this video lesson to discover how word parts like prefixes, suffixes and root words make up words and affect their meanings.

6. Using Affixes and Roots to Find the Meaning of Words

In this lesson, we will learn how to understand the meaning of words by breaking them down into the parts that form them. This requires knowledge of the Greek and Latin roots, and affixes, which are parts we add to roots to make new words.

7. What Are Connotation and Denotation? - Definitions & Examples

Discover the difference between a word's denotation and its connotation in this lesson. Explore how authors use both denotation and connotation to add layers of meaning to their work with some literary examples.

8. What Is Semantics? - Definition & Examples

Semantics, or the study of relationships between words and how we construct meaning, sheds light on how we experience the world and how we understand others and ourselves. Explore this concept with a definition and examples, and then check out the quiz to challenge your newfound knowledge.

9. Syntax in Writing: Definition & Examples

Syntax is how a writer puts his words together to create effect and artistry. Learn more about syntax and how authors use it to convey intent and cause impact for their readers.

10. Commonly Confused Words in English

Is it 'accept' or 'except?' 'Affect' or 'effect?' How do you know when to use 'there,' 'their,' or 'they're?' Watch this video lesson to learn about some confusing words in English and how to properly use each one.

11. Spelling: Words That Sound Alike (Homonyms & Homophones)

Watch this lesson to learn to differentiate between words that sound alike but may be spelled differently. We'll specifically look at homonyms, homographs, and homophones.

Chapter Practice Exam

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Practice Final Exam

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Visit the WEST Middle Level Humanities (Subtests 1 & 2)(052/053): Practice & Study Guide page to learn more.

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