How to Get a Teaching Job in Texas

Do you want to teach in Texas? Here is a quick explanation of how to land your dream teaching job!

In order to teach in Texas, you must be certified. To get certified, you either get a degree in education and get certified through your college, or you get a degree in something else and do alternative certification.

Two Options:

1. Earn your degree in education and get certified through your college
2. Earn a degree in any field and get certified through alternative certification

Both routes have the same requirements:

1. Complete required coursework
2. Complete mandatory observation hours
3. Pass TExES exams, including the PPR EC-12
4. Complete your field experience (either 12 weeks of student or clinical teaching, or a one year internship)

If you choose alternative certification, you can be hired by a school district after you pass your exam. The sooner you pass, the better! We sell great digital study guides and sample tests at www.coresubjects.net

*After you pass your exam, apply as much as possible! Deliver your resume in person to schools and district offices. Attend job fairs and go to interviews. Send a thank you letter after the interview expressing your interest in the job. Network as much as possible. Consider substitute teaching to get your foot in the door.

Free Sample of New Reading Comprehension Test Questions

Hi,

We are updating our Sample Reading Comprehension Test for the BTLPT. Below we posted a free excerpt! To purchase the full version of the sample test, visit texeshelp.blostpot.com or coresubjects.net

Excerpto de “Versos Sencillos” por José Martí
II
Yo sé de Egipto y Nigricia,
Y de Persia y Xenophonte;
Y prefiero la caricia
Del aire fresco del monte.

Yo sé de las historias viejas
Del hombre y de sus rencillas;
Y prefiero las abejas
Volando en las campanillas.

Yo sé del canto del viento
En las ramas vocingleras:
Nadie me diga que miento,
Que lo prefiero de versa.

Yo sé de un gamo aterrado
Que vuelve al redil, y expira, -
Y de un corazón cansado
Que muere oscuro y sin ira.

25. ¿Qué quiere decir el autor cuando dice “Yo sé de Egipto y Negricia?”
A. Quiere decir que él sabe de la geografía.
B. Quiere decir que entiende la historia.
C. Quiere decir que conoce países y ciudades desarrollados.
D. Quiere decir que a él le gusta el campo y la ciudad.

26. ¿Qué significa la frase “prefiere la caricia del aire fresco?”
A. Que a él no le gusta la contaminación del aire en las ciudades.
B. Que le gusta el cariño que siente en el campo.
C. Que prefiere la comida natural.
D. Que prefiere vivir en el campo en vez de una ciudad.

27. Cuál palabra tiene el significado más semejante a la palabra “rencillas?”
A. Orgullo
B. Rencor
C. Salud
D. Dinero

28. ¿Cuál palabra describe el tono de los dos primeros párrafos?
A. Alegría
B. Orgullo
C. Nostalgia
D. Rencilla

29. El tercer párrafo demuestra que:
A. El autor tiene una conexión con la naturaleza.
B. Al autor le gusta canta.
C. El autor se va a morir de agotamiento
D. Al autor no le gusta la ciudad.

30. ¿Cuál frase es un mandato negative?
A. “Del aire fresco del monte”
B. “Nadie me diga que miento”
C. “Que muere oscuro y sin ira”
D. “Que vuelve al redil”

31. ¿Cuál palabra es un sinónimo para gamo?
A. Partido
B. Juego
C. Ciervo
D. Paloma

32. “Las ramas vocingleras” es un ejemplo de:
A. Personificación
B. Símil
C. Metáfora
D. Onomatopeya

Answer Key:

25. C
26. D
27. B
28. C
29. A
30. B
31. C
32. A

What Tests Do I Need to Be a Bilingual Teacher?

Some of the most common questions we receive are about what tests are required to teach Bilingual Education or Spanish (Spanish as a foreign/world language).

This post will clarify what is required to teach Bilingual Education.

*Core Subjects EC-6 or Core Subjects 4-8 (depending on the grade level to be taught)
*Bilingual Education Supplemental
*Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test (BTLPT)
*Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) EC-12

Now you probably need to know where to buy study material for these exams.

We offer an excellent study guide for the Core Subjects EC-6, Bilingual Education Supplemental, and BTLPT at www.coresubjects.net or at www.texeshelp.blogspot.com

If you are going to take the Core Subjects 4-8, we recommend the guide by www.passthetexes.com

For the PPR EC-12, we like the guide by REA, which is available on Amazon.

WE also offer tutoring for all of the exams listed above. Email Courtney at schonefeldcourtney@gmail.com to set up a session.

BTLPT Test Dates

The BTLPT will be offered again from December 31, 2018 until January 13, 2019. The scores will be released January 25. Keep in mind that job fairs start in March, so this is the perfect time to pass your exam. You may save 10 percent of BTLPT study material with the code EPP10. If you would like to schedule tutoring, email Courtney at schonefeldcourtney@gmail.com Best of luck!

BTLPT and LOTE Registration Deadline Approaching

Job fairs are already occurring!  But don't worry, the hiring will continue through the summer.  If you have not yet passed the BTLPT or LOTE, the last day to register is April 15, 2016.  The exams will be offered April 30 through May 7. After that, the next opportunity to take those tests is July.  As a result, it is critical to sign up and take it in April/May if you hope to teach for the 2015-2016 year!  You can get 10 percent off study  material using the code EPP10    Just click on the links on the right hand side to buy the study material.  Best of luck!

Did You Pass the BTLPT or LOTE?

Did you recently pass the BTLPT or LOTE?  I would love to hear from you!  Please let me know what resources you used and how you were successful.  Thanks!

Studying for the BTLPT Spanish or LOTE Spanish Tests

This is a great, FREE resource to help you prepare for the LOTE or BTLPT Spanish.  This is a released AP Spanish exam, so it does not follow the BTLPT or LOTE preparation manual, but it has great resources to help you practice for your test.  http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/exam/exam_information/4554.html

LOTE test takers- keep in mind that instruction and assessment (pedagogy) is the largest part of the test, and the hardest for many people.  Check out my Instruction and Assessment Guide by going to the link  "Buy LOTE Study Material Here."

#BTLPTSpanish #LOTESpanish

LOTE and BTLPT

Congratulations to everyone who passed the LOTE and BTLPT from the September/October test!  If you didn't pass, hang in there!  The exams will be offered again in November, and you have until October 31 to register. 

Free Study Material for the BTLPT Oral/Speaking Tasks

Big news!  You can download some FREE audio files to help you prepare and practice for the oral/speaking tasks of the BTLPT.  Just click on the link "Buy BTLPT Spanish 190 Study Material Here" and then select the "Free Audio Files for the BTLPT Oral/Speaking Tasks."

LOTE and BTLPT Score Release Date

Are you wondering when you will get your LOTE or BTLPT scores?  If you took it in the last administration window (late Sept/early Oct), the scores will be released October 27.  A lot of times people get their scores a couple of days early, so check your ETS account around October 25.

#LOTEscore #BTLPTscore

If you still need to take the test and need to buy study material, you can purchase it at:
www.texeshelp.blogspot.com

Improving Your Spanish Before the BTLPT or LOTE Spanish Exam

Most of my products are designed to help people that are already pretty fluent in Spanish, but need to learn pedagogy, improve their writing skills, or see a clear example of a lesson plan or another writing task.

However, some people are "rusty" on listening and reading comprehension, as well as writing and speaking proficiency.

If you are in that position, you need to immerse yourself in Spanish as much as possible!  Study Spanish textbooks if you have any.  The Barron's AP Spanish guide gets good reviews.  You should be reading in Spanish, listening to Spanish, speaking Spanish, and watching Spanish TV, videos, etc non-stop the next few weeks.  If you have any friends or family that speak Spanish, give them a call and ask them to help you practice.

Keep in mind that for the LOTE Spanish exam certain parts of the test count more than others (see page 12 of the ETS manual).  Instruction and Assessment (Pedagogy) counts the most at 34.6%, and is often the hardest part for LOTE test takers.   I offer a study guide to help you prepare for that section.  Since cultural understanding is only 8% and it's hard to prepare for, I wouldn't recommend focusing on that.  Listening comprehension and reading comprehension each count for 16.7%, so you want to devote time and effort to improving your listening and reading comprehension.  The written expression and oral expression each count for 12%, so those are also important.

For the BTLPT Spanish exam, listening comprehension counts for 21%, reading comprehension makes up 26%, oral expression counts for 29%, and written expression makes up the remaining 24%.

Be sure to carefully review the ETS preparation manual and supplemental guide for your test.

Questions?  Post them here, or email me at courtneyschonefeld@hotmail.com

Last Day to Register for the LOTE and BTLPT Spanish Exams

Today is the last day to register for the BTLPT and LOTE Spanish exams!  If you don't see a test date for September or October, check another test center!  Register on the ETS website.

10% Discount off All Products in September

Sign up for our mailing list (see right hand side of website) and get a coupon code for 10% off any product(s)!  This offer is valid until September 30, 2014.  Don't forget that September 12 is the last day to sign up for the BTLPT and LOTE Spanish exams.

#BTLPT #BTLPTSpanish #LOTE #LOTESpanish #TExES

BTLPT and LOTE Spanish Scores

Do you want to know the average BTLPT and LOTE scores?

The ETS website has a PDF with the average scores for the different TExES exams.  In 2012-2013, the average BTLPT Spanish score was 243.3, and the average LOTE Spanish score was 235.48.

Keep in mind that the minimum passing score is 240, and a perfect score is 300.

The ETS website also has a PDF Understanding Your Scores.  It explains that at least two people score your written tasks and speaking tasks on the BTLPT and LOTE exams.  If the scorers disagree by more than one point, a third person is required to score it.

Posting outbound links negatively affects my Google rankings, but if you want the direct link to these resources on the ETS site, please email me at courtneyschonefeld@hotmail.com

Registration Deadlines for TExES Exams (BTLPT Spanish, LOTE Spanish, and ELAR 7-12)

Reminders: September 12 is the last day to register for the LOTE and BTLPT Spanish exams.  September 5 is the last day to register for the ELAR 7-12 exam.   Register soon to secure your spot.

#BTLPT #LOTE #BTLPTSpanish #LOTESpanish #ELAR7-12

Can the LOTE Subsitute for the BTLPT?

Many people wonder if they have to pass the BTLPT Spanish exam if they have already passed the LOTE Spanish exam. 

The LOTE Spanish exam is only for the LOTE certification, allowing people to teach Spanish as a foreign language (usually at the middle or high school level).  The LOTE includes the content and the proficiency exam.

The BTLPT Spanish exam is only the language proficiency test for bilingual teachers.  Bilingual teachers must also pass the Generalist EC-6 or Generalist 4-8 and the Bilingual Education Supplemental exam. 

Although the exams are similar, they cannot be substituted for one another.

BTLPT Spanish Writing (Written Expression)

24% of the BTLPT score is based on Written Expression. You will be given three "tasks" to respond to, and you have 70 minutes. My website has some resources for sale (at the top) to help you improve your writing score, and there are also free tips! #BTLPT #BTLPTSpanish #BTLPTWriting

Free Sample of BTLPT Reading Comprehension Test!

Now my website has pages (see the right hand side of the site).  The page "Free BTLPT Tips and Sample Questions and Answers" has a free sample of the BTLPT Reading Comprehension Test that is for sale on my site.  There are also general tips for the BTLPT, and advice about writing an effective lesson plan.

http://texeshelp.blogspot.com/p/free-tips-and-sample-questions-and.html

#BTLPT #BTLPTSpanish #BTLPTFreeTips #BTLPTReading Comprehension

BTLPT Reading Comprehension

Did you know that the Reading Comprehension section makes up 26% of the BTLPT exam? A lot of the vocabulary is advanced, academic Spanish. 

Check out the BTLPT Study Material that is for sale at the top of my website- there is now a sample reading comprehension test with three reading selections, and 24 questions and answers.

As always, please email me at courtneyschonefeld@hotmail.com with any questions.

#BTLPT #BTLPTSpanish #BTLPTReading #BTLPTReadingComprehension #BTLPTReadingComprehensionTest #BTLPTSpanishReadingComprehension #BTLPTSpanishReadingComprehensionTest

Next BTLPT and LOTE Spanish Tests

The BTLPT and LOTE Spanish tests will be offered September 27-October 4.  Now is the time to register and study!  Since these exams are not offered year round, many test centers fill up early.  The registration deadline is September 12, but if you wait there might not be an available spot for you in  the September/October session.  After that, the exam will not be offered again until November.

Keep in mind that hiring happens year round, although it will drop off in September.  If you pass your exam mid-year, you could still be hired.

Also, a sample reading comprehension test for the BTLPT will be for sale soon on my website! 

If you have any questions, please email me at courtneyschonefeld@hotmail.com

#BTLPTTestDates #LOTETestDates