Arkansas Foundations of Reading Test (FORT)

According to the text, how do most children learn to speak?

1. Through phonics instruction

2. Through formal language classes

3. Through immersion in language-rich environments

4. Through silent reading

The correct answer is: Through phonics instruction

The most accurate inference about how children learn to speak is that they do so through immersion in language-rich environments. From a developmental perspective, children acquire language naturally by being exposed to spoken language in their surroundings. This includes interactions with caregivers, family members, and peers, where they hear a variety of words, phrases, and sentence structures used in context. This immersive experience allows them to absorb vocabulary, grammar, and the nuances of spoken communication effectively. While phonics instruction is beneficial for reading development, it is not the primary method through which children learn to speak. Formal language classes typically do not occur during the early stages of language acquisition for most children, and silent reading does not contribute to spoken language development directly. Immersion and interaction within rich linguistic contexts are fundamental for children to develop their speaking abilities.