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Bilingual Certification Prep Course Module Description

The descriptions of the twelve TExES learning modules are listed here.

Unit I: Foundations of Bilingual Education (Competency 001)

Module 1: History and Research

  • Historical, theoretical and political foundations of bilingual education
  • Federal and state legislation
  • Court cases

Module 2: Bilingual Program Models

  • Overview of bilingual and ESL program models
  • Goals of different program types
  • Factors that determine nature of program on particular campus
  • Research findings on effectiveness
  • Acculturation

Module 3: Multilingual & Multicultural Learning Environment

  • Cultural and linguistic diversity in the bilingual classroom
  • Creating an effective multicultural and multilingual learning environment
  • Factors that contribute to cultural bias
  • Importance of respecting students' diverse cultural, linguistic and socioeconomic backgrounds
  • Advocacy for ELL students (particularly at SPED/LEP intersection)

Module 4: The LPAC

  • Overview of the LPAC Process and Decision-Making Manuals
  • State-mandated assessments
  • LEP exemptions from TAKS
  • Assessing LEP students with standardized tests

Unit II: Language Acquisition and Development (Competency 002)

Module 5: Concepts of Language

  • Overview of linguistics: phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon, semantics discourse and pragmatics
  • Social vs. academic language (BICS & CALP)
  • Interrelatedness of listening, speaking, reading and writing

Module 6: L1 & L2 Acquisition

  • Theories of L1 and L2 acquisition
  • Stages of L1 and L2 development
  • Interrelatedness of L1 and L2 development
  • Instructional implications of theories
  • Common difficulties experienced by ESL students

Module 7: Second Language Teaching

  • Introduction to ESL methodology
  • Review of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for ESL
  • Introduction to content-based instruction for English Language Learners
  • Effective and appropriate methods for promoting cognitive, linguistic and affective factors affecting L2 acquisition

Unit III: Literacy and Biliteracy (Competency 003)

Module 8: L1 Literacy Development and Assessment

  • Development of L1 literacy
  • Spanish language arts
  • Formal and informal L1 literacy assessment

Module 9: L1 & L2 Language Arts Standards

There will actually be two modules for Module 9, one for those seeking the EC-4 Bilingual Supplemental and one for those seeking the 4-8 Bilingual Supplemental.

  • Module 9a: L1 & L2 Language Arts TEKS for EC-4
  • Module 9b: L1 & L2 Language Arts TEKS for 4-8

Module 10: Biliteracy Development and Instruction

  • What transfers between L1 and L2 literacy
  • Promoting biliteracy
  • Biliteracy development
  • Introduction to ESL reading techniques
  • Strategies for developing L1 and L2 reading and writing
  • Facilitating reading comprehension in L1 and L2

Unit IV: Content Area Instruction (Competency 004)

Module 11: CALP and the Content Areas

  • Introducing CALP and its development
  • Approaches for comprehensible input in content instruction
  • Using content-area instruction in L1 and L2 to promote students' cognitive and linguistic development
  • Content-area learning in L2
  • Creating authentic learning in L1 and L2

Module 12: Content Area Instruction and Assessment

  • Differentiating content instruction for L1 and L2 proficiency
  • Assessing content area knowledge and CALP in L1 and L2
  • Importance of developing critical thinking skills
  • Using formal and informal assessment to plan and adapt instruction

Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT)

The descriptions of the three language proficiency prep learning modules are listed here.

Module 1: Multiple-Choice Questions

  • Learn about the multiple-choice (listening and reading) questions and understand their structure.
  • Discuss how to prepare for the multiple-choice section of the BTLPT.
  • Practice listening questions.
  • Practice reading questions.

Module 2: Oral Expression

  • Learn about the four oral expression tasks.
  • Understand the passing level expectations of the oral expression tasks.
  • Learn how to use the Web Recorder.
  • Construct practice responses using the Web Recorder.

Module 3: Written Expression

  • Learn about the three written expression tasks.
  • Understand the passing level expectations of the writing rubrics.
  • Analyze models of the three writing tasks using knowledge of the rubrics.
  • Read and apply tips on writing responses.
  • Construct practice responses.

For further details about the exam, see the BTLPT Prep Manual.