TExES ESL Supplemental (154) Book + Online

by Jacalyn Mahler M.A., Beatrice Mendez Newman PhD, Sharon Alverson B.A., Loree DeLys Evans M.A.

Overview

REA's TExES ESL Supplemental (154) Test Prep with Online Practice Tests
Gets You Certified and in the Classroom!

Nationwide, more than 5 million teachers will be needed over the next decade, and all must take appropriate tests to be licensed. REA gets you ready for your teaching career with our outstanding library of Teacher Certification test preps.

Our test prep is designed to help teacher candidates master the information on the TExES ESL Supplemental (154) exam and get certified. It's perfect for college students, teachers, and career-changing professionals who are looking to become Texas ESL teachers.

The book contains in-depth reviews of all the competencies tested on the TExES ESL Supplemental (154) exam: language concepts and language acquisition, ESL instruction and assessment, and foundations of ESL education.

Two full-length practice tests are offered online in a timed format with instant scoring, diagnostic feedback, and detailed explanations of answers. Each test features every type of question, subject area, and skill you need to know for the exam. Our online practice tests replicate the TExES question format, allowing you to assess your skills and gauge your test-readiness.

The online tests at REA's Study Center offer the most powerful scoring and diagnostic tools available today. Automatic scoring and instant reports help you zero in on the topics and types of questions that give you trouble now, so you'll succeed when it counts. Every practice exam comes with detailed feedback on every question. We don't just say which answers are right - we explain why the other answer choices are wrong - so you'll be prepared on test day.

The book includes the same two practice tests that are offered online, but without the added benefits of detailed scoring analysis and diagnostic feedback. This complete test prep package comes with a customized study schedule and REA's test-taking strategies and tips.

This test prep is a must-have for anyone who wants to teach ESL in Texas!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738611471
Publisher:	Research & Education Association
Publication date:	11/28/2013
Series:	TExES Teacher Certification Test Prep Series
Edition description:	First
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	1,085,016
Product dimensions:	8.50(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Jacalyn Mahler is a language teacher, author, and educational resource developer. She holds a master’s degree in Translation and Interpretation from the Monterey Institute of International Studies and a B.A. in Spanish from Tufts University. Mahler was instrumental in developing two research-based programs adopted by the Texas State Board of Education for English-language learners. She was also a co-author of the Teaching Reading Sourcebook (Arena Press, 1999), a core text for preservice teachers endorsed by the National Council on Teacher Quality. Mahler has received awards for K–1 Spanish picture books, multimedia intervention for adolescent readers, and National Geographic’s classroom magazines.

Dr. Beatrice Mendez Newman is a professor in the English Department at The University of Texas-Pan American where she teaches first-year writing courses and writing methods classes. Her Ph.D. is from Texas A&M University where she specialized in rhetoric and composition and linguistics. She has a lifetime Texas teaching certificate in secondary English and Journalism, including ESL certification, and works extensively with local teachers in creating student-centered, engaging writing units. Mendez Newman’s book, English Teacher Certification Exams in Texas, published by Allyn and Bacon in 2005, is a study guide for the TExES ELAR exams. Mendez Newman’s research has been published in collections on teaching writing at Hispanic serving institutions and writing center pedagogy.

Sharon Alverson has been a certified elementary teacher in Texas for over 20 years and has held her ESL and Early Childhood certifications for 14 years. Alverson was an ESL District Coordinator in a North Central Texas district for three years, and as the district grew, she became an elementary ESL campus coordinator. As the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) chairperson, she trained all members and administered current tests to students. As TELPAS coordinator for the school district, she trained teachers to be raters and administered the RPTE. Alverson has mentored other campus ESL coordinators and teachers of Pre–K through high school who received their ESL certification. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education from Olivet Nazarene University.

Loree DeLys Evans has been a teacher of English, English as a Second Language, Special Education, and reading intervention in the Dallas, Texas, area for the past eight years. Evans holds a master’s degree of Education in Curriculum and Instruction, Triple Literacy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington, and a B.S. in Marketing Management from Western Governors University. She is certified in the state of Texas as a Master Reading Teacher and as a Reading Specialist in the state of Texas, as well as nationally. In addition, Evans holds certifications in English, Language Arts and Reading (8–12), English as a Second Language Supplemental, Business Education (6–12), Special Education, and Generalist (4–8).

Read an Excerpt

Passing the TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental (154) Test

Congratulations! By taking the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) test, you’re on your way to a rewarding career working with exceptional students. Our book and the online tools that come with it give you everything you need to succeed on this important exam, bringing you one step closer to being certified to teach ESL in Texas.

Our TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) Book + Online test prep package provides these key features:

• Complete overview of the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) test

• Comprehensive review of all 3 domains and 10 competencies

• Two full-length practice tests, both in the book and online, with powerful diagnostic tools to help you personalize your prep

• Detailed answer explanations that not only identify correct answers but also explain why the other answer choices are incorrect

There are many different ways to prepare for the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) exam. What’s best for you depends on how much time you have to study and how comfortable you are with the subject matter. Our Book + Online Prep has a plan that you can customize to fit both your lifestyle and study style.

How to Use This Book + Online Prep

About the Review

The review chapters in this book are designed to help you sharpen your command of pedagogical skills so you can pass the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) test. Each of the skills required for all 10 competencies is discussed at length to optimize your understanding. Keep in mind that the education courses you have taken thus far have taught you what you need to know to answer the questions on the test. You already possess the know-how to understand and make important decisions about professional situations involving ESL students.

Our review is designed to help you relate the information you have acquired to Texas’s specific competencies. Like the test itself, our review evenly covers the competencies within each domain. However, studying your class notes and textbooks together with our review will give you an excellent foundation for passing the exam.

This book is organized into three parts that correspond with the three domains on the test. The chapters in each part match up with the competencies within each domain.

About the REA Study Center

We know your time is valuable and you want an efficient study experience. At the online REA Study Center, you’ll get feedback right from the start on what you know and what you don’t know to help make the most of your study time.

Here’s what you’ll find at the REA Study Center:

■ Two Full-Length Practice Tests—These full-length tests cover everything you need to know for the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) test and are a great way to evaluate what you’ve learned.

Each practice test comes with:

■ Automatic Scoring—Find out you how you did on your test, instantly.

■ Diagnostic Score Reports—Get a specific score on each of the 10 competencies, so you can focus on the areas that challenge you the most.

■ Detailed Answer Explanations—See why the correct answer is right, and why the other answer choices are incorrect.

■ Timed Testing—Learn to manage your time as you practice, so you’ll feel confident on test day.

All TExES tests, with the exception of Braille (183), are given only as computer-administered tests, or CATs, so we recommend you take the online versions of our practice tests to simulate test-day conditions.

An Overview of the Test

The TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) test ensures that you have the essential knowledge and skills to teach the state-required curriculum, which is known as Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS.

Whether you are a student, a graduate from a Texas state-approved teacher preparation program, or an educator who has received certification in another state, you should carefully read the requirements for working with ESL students provided at the Texas Examinations of Educator Standards website cms.texes-ets.org.

What Is Tested on the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) Test?

Ten competencies are covered on the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) exam. These competencies represent the knowledge that teams of teachers, administrators, subject-area specialists, and others have determined to be important for beginning teachers who work with ESL students in the state’s public schools.

Here is the approximate percentage of the total exam devoted to each domain.

Domain I: Language Concepts and Language Acquisition - 25%

Domain II: Instruction and Assessment - 45%

Domain III: Foundations of ESL Education, Cultural Awareness, and Family and Community Involvement - 30%

What Is the Format of the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) Test?

The 70 multiple-choice questions on the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) exam are designed to assess your knowledge of the competencies and the related skills required to become an ESL teacher in Texas.

In general, the multiple-choice questions require critical thinking—mirroring the classroom imperative to promote exactly this among your future students. You are frequently expected to demonstrate more than an ability to recall factual information; you may be asked to evaluate the information, comparing it with knowledge you have, or are making a judgment about.

The multiple-choice questions are set up straightforwardly. Each question has four choices labeled A, B, C, and D. The test is scored based on the number of questions you answer correctly, and no points are deducted for wrong answers. Therefore, do not leave any item unanswered, since you will not be penalized for guessing.

You are given five hours to complete the test—which may seem like a lot—but be aware of the amount of time you are spending on each question so you allow yourself time to complete the whole test.

Keep a steady pace when answering questions. Taking our online practice tests with timed testing conditions will help you use your time efficiently. However, if you choose to take the printed versions of the tests in the book, be sure to time yourself.

When Should the TExES Test Be Taken?

Traditionally, teacher preparation programs determine when their candidates take the required tests for teacher certification. These programs will also clear you to take the examinations and make final recommendations for certification to the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC). For those seeking certification right out of college, the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) exam is generally taken just before graduation.

The TExES Registration Bulletin offers more information about test dates and locations, as well as information on registration and testing accommodations—for those with special needs. The registration bulletin is available at cms.texes-ets.org/registrationbulletin/.

Registration bulletins are also available at the education departments of Texas colleges and universities. To address issues that cannot be solved at the teacher preparation program level, you can contact the offices of SBEC at [phone] or [phone]. You can also find information about the test and registration on the SBEC website at cms.texes-ets.org/.

How Do I Register for the Test, and Is There a Registration Fee?

The TExES exams are administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), which has very specific rules for registering for the test. It is important that you read the registration information on ETS’s website (cms.texes-ets.org/texes) and follow the instructions given there. To register for an exam, you must create an account in the ETS online registration system. Registration will then be available to you online, 24/7, during the regular, late, and emergency registration periods. You must pay a registration fee to take the TExES, and you will also incur additional late fees if registering after the scheduled date.

When Will I Receive My Score Report?

On the score report release date, you will receive an email notifying you that your score report is available in your online account. Test scores are released on Tuesdays after 10 p.m. Eastern time within six weeks of the test date.

Can I Retake the Test?

If you don’t do well on the TExES English as a Second Language (ESL) Supplemental (154) test, don’t panic! You can take the exam again, and in fact, many candidates do. However, you must wait 60 days to retake it.

Table of Contents

About the Authors
About Research & Education Association Acknowledgments
Introduction
Passing the TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental (154) Test
How to Use This Book + Online Prep
An Overview of the Test
Studying for the Test
Test-Taking Tips
Test Day

TExES ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (154) DOMAIN REVIEWS

PART I • DOMAIN I
Language Concepts and Language Acquisition

Chapter 1: Competency 001
The Structure of English
Morphemic Analysis for English-Language Learners
Semantics and Pragmatics
Academic English
Review Questions

Chapter 2: Competency 002
How Children Learn Language
Cognitive Processes in Second Language Acquisition
The Relationship of L1 and L2
Effective Second-Language Instruction
Review Questions

PART II • DOMAIN II
Instruction and Assessment

Chapter 3: Competency 003
Standards-Based ESL Instruction
Developmentally Appropriate Instruction
Review Questions

Chapter 4: Competency 004
Communicative Competence
Providing Supported Opportunities for Communication
Giving Effective Feedback
The Intermediate-Level Plateau
Review Questions

Chapter 5: Competency 005
Becoming A Reader
Key Components of Effective Reading Instruction
Becoming a Writer
Writing Instruction for English-Language Learners
Review Questions

Chapter 6: Competency 006
Achievement Across the Curriculum
Review Questions

Chapter 7: Competency 007
English-Language Learners and Assessment
Initial Designation and Program Placement
Assessing English Language Proficiency
Assessing Content-Area Skills and Knowledge
Redesignation, Exit, Monitoring
Review Questions

PART III • DOMAIN III
Foundations of ESL Education, Cultural Awareness, and Family and Community Involvement

Chapter 8: Competency 008
History of ESL Education
No Child Left Behind
Program Models
Overview of Research Findings
Review Questions

Chapter 9: Competency 009
Student Diversity and Identity
Creating a Culturally Responsive Learning Community
Creating a Multilingual Learning Environment
Review Questions

Chapter 10: Competency 010
Partnering with Families
Facilitating Access to Community Resources
Review Questions

TExES ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE (154) PRACTICE TESTS

Practice Test 1 also available online at www.rea.com/studycenter
Answer Key
Answer Explanations
Answers Sorted by Domain and Competency

Practice Test 2 also available online at www.rea.com/studycenter
Answer Key
Answer Explanations
Answers Sorted by Domain and Competency

Answer Sheet for Practice Test 1
Answer Sheet for Practice Test 2

References
Index