TExES Exam TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A two-way dual language immersion program differs from a one-way bilingual program primarily because it:
- Serves only Spanish-speaking ELLs
- Integrates English-proficient and ELL students together for mutual language development (Correct answer)
- Uses English as the sole medium of instruction
- Is only available at the secondary level
Correct answer: Integrates English-proficient and ELL students together for mutual language development
Two-way immersion programs pair ELLs with native English speakers so both groups develop bilingualism and biliteracy together.
Question 2: A teacher conducting an informal reading inventory with an ELL student should be aware that miscues involving phonological patterns may reflect:
- A reading disability requiring special education referral
- L1 phonological influence rather than a comprehension deficit (Correct answer)
- Below-average intelligence
- Lack of effort or motivation
Correct answer: L1 phonological influence rather than a comprehension deficit
ELLs often produce phonologically-influenced miscues due to differences between L1 and English sound systems, which do not necessarily signal reading difficulties.
Question 3: Under Texas Education Code, an ELL student must be monitored after being exited from ESL or bilingual services for a minimum of:
- One year
- Two years (Correct answer)
- Three years
- Five years
Correct answer: Two years
Texas requires a minimum two-year monitoring period after a student exits ESL/bilingual services to ensure continued academic progress.
Question 4: Which writing scaffold is MOST appropriate for Beginning-level ELLs learning to produce written sentences?
- Open-ended essay prompts
- Word banks combined with sentence frames (Correct answer)
- Peer editing without teacher support
- Timed free-writing assignments
Correct answer: Word banks combined with sentence frames
Word banks provide vocabulary support while sentence frames give grammatical structure, enabling Beginning ELLs to produce meaningful written output.
Question 5: A Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) in Texas is responsible for:
- Designing standardized tests for all students
- Making placement, reclassification, and exit decisions for ELL students (Correct answer)
- Hiring ESL-certified teachers
- Setting district-level budget for bilingual programs
Correct answer: Making placement, reclassification, and exit decisions for ELL students
The LPAC reviews ELL data and makes all official decisions related to identification, program placement, and exit from language support services in Texas.
Question 6: An ESL teacher notices that an ELL student's writing includes direct translations of Spanish idioms that do not convey meaning in English. This is an example of:
- Positive transfer
- Pragmatic transfer or negative transfer (Correct answer)
- Interlanguage simplification
- Overgeneralization of English rules
Correct answer: Pragmatic transfer or negative transfer
Using L1 idiomatic expressions directly in L2 writing is pragmatic or negative transfer, where L1 conventions are applied inappropriately to L2.
Question 7: Which instructional approach involves teaching language skills through meaningful, real-world tasks rather than isolated grammar drills?
- Audiolingual Method
- Grammar-Translation Method
- Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT) (Correct answer)
- Total Physical Response (TPR)
Correct answer: Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT)
Task-Based Language Teaching centers learning on authentic communicative tasks, using language as a tool to accomplish real goals rather than practicing forms in isolation.
TExES Exam TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental 5
A two-way dual language immersion program differs from a one-way bilingual program primarily because it: