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Study Guide

Overview and Test Objectives
Field 086: English as a Second Language

Test Overview

Table outlining the test format, number of questions, time, and passing score.
Format Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions 100 multiple-choice questions
Time 2 hours 30 minutes*
Passing Score 220

*Does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial

Test Objectives

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective.
Subarea Range of Objectives Approximate Percentage of Questions on Test
1 Language, Linguistics, and Comparisons 001–003 15%
2 Culture 004–006 15%
3 Second Language Acquisition and Instructional Practices 007–009 15%
4 Application of Standards-Based Curriculum and Instruction 010–014 25%
5 Assessment 015–017 15%
6 Professionalism 018–020 15%

Hover over each subarea for details of subtest content or see table above.

Sub area 1 15%, Sub area 2 15%, Sub area 3 15%, Sub area 4 25%, Sub area 5 15%, and Sub area 6 15%.

Subarea 1—LANGUAGE, LINGUISTICS, AND COMPARISONS

Objective 001—Understand major concepts and principles related to the nature of language and language systems.

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Objective 002—Understand fundamentals of linguistics and comparative linguistics and how to apply this understanding to promote language and literacy development (i.e., the development of listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills) in English.

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Objective 003—Understand fundamentals of sociolinguistics and how to apply this understanding to promote language and literacy development in English.

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Subarea 2—CULTURE

Objective 004—Understand major concepts, principles, theories, and research related to the nature of culture.

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Objective 005—Understand the role of culture in language development and academic achievement.

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Objective 006—Understand how to create a culturally inclusive learning environment that supports individual students' language development and academic achievement.

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Subarea 3—SECOND LANGUAGE ACQUISITION AND INSTRUCTIONAL PRACTICES

Objective 007—Understand second language acquisition theories and research and how to apply this understanding to facilitate English Language Learners' language and literacy development.

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Objective 008—Understand individual learner variables in the second language acquisition process and how to apply this understanding to facilitate English Language Learners' language and literacy development.

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Objective 009—Understand research-based best practices related to planning, managing, and implementing ESL instruction, including how to select, adapt, and use instructional resources.

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Subarea 4—APPLICATION OF STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM AND INSTRUCTION

Objective 010—Understand the standards and benchmarks in the Michigan English Language Proficiency Standards for K–12 Schools related to listening and how to teach English Language Learners to acquire and use listening skills for academic and social purposes in English.

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Objective 011—Understand the standards and benchmarks in the Michigan English Language Proficiency Standards for K–12 Schools related to speaking and how to teach English Language Learners to acquire and use speaking skills for academic and social purposes in English.

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Objective 012—Understand the standards and benchmarks in the Michigan English Language Proficiency Standards for K–12 Schools related to reading and how to teach English Language Learners to acquire and use reading skills for academic and social purposes in English.

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Objective 013—Understand the standards and benchmarks in the Michigan English Language Proficiency Standards for K–12 Schools related to writing and how to teach English Language Learners to acquire and use writing skills for academic and social purposes in English.

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Objective 014—Understand how to support English Language Learners' access to the core curriculum as outlined in the Michigan Curriculum Frameworks as they learn language and academic content.

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Subarea 5—ASSESSMENT

Objective 015—Understand major concepts and principles related to standards-based assessment of English Language Learners.

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Objective 016—Understand various assessment issues and factors related to the assessment of English Language Learners.

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Objective 017—Understand reflective assessment practices, including how to select, develop, adapt, and use various classroom assessment tools and techniques, analyze assessment results, and adjust instruction for English Language Learners based on assessment results.

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Subarea 6—PROFESSIONALISM

Objective 018—Understand the legal and historical foundations of ESL programs.

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Objective 019—Understand the ESL teacher's role as a professional within a discipline.

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Objective 020—Understand how to serve as a resource and advocate for English Language Learners and how to build effective partnerships with English Language Learners' families and communities to support students' language development and academic achievement.

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