During which stage of second-language acquisition do learners begin to produce 1- or 2-word responses?

During the early production stage of second-language acquisition, learners typically begin to communicate using one- or two-word responses. This stage follows the preproduction stage, where learners are primarily quiet and may not speak much, focusing instead on listening and understanding the language. As they transition into early production, they start to gain more confidence and begin to formulate simple utterances, allowing for basic communication.

In this stage, learners are still developing their vocabulary and may not yet be comfortable forming complete sentences or engaging in longer conversations. However, the use of one or two words signifies a significant step in their language development, as they start to express needs and thoughts more actively.

The other stages mentioned, such as speech emergence and advanced fluency, occur later in the acquisition process, where learners can engage in more complex conversations and utilize longer sentences. The preproduction stage does not involve any output, making the early production stage distinct for its focus on minimal but active language use.