What is a defining feature of the Speech Emergent stage?

The defining feature of the Speech Emergent stage is the increased frequency of speech with reliance on context. At this stage, learners are beginning to experiment with language and actively participate in conversations, though their skills may still be developing. They rely heavily on contextual clues—such as visual aids, gestures, and situational cues—to support their understanding and communication.

During this phase, students might not produce lengthy or complex sentences; instead, they typically generate shorter utterances, often mixing their first language with English or another target language. This reliance on context helps bridge their understanding and expression in new linguistic environments.