The Praxis English to Speakers of Other Languages (5362) test is used to assess the pedagogical and linguistic knowledge, skills, and abilities of prospective K-12 ESOL teachers.
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Exam Outline
The Praxis ESOL exam contains 120 selected-response questions and has a 2-hour time limit. There are several different forms of selected-response questions, any combination of which may appear on the exam:
- Single-selection multiple-choice
- Selecting ALL correct answers from a list of choices
- Clicking parts of a graphic such as a map or a chart
- Dragging and dropping answers into a targeted area on the screen
- Selecting the correct answer from a drop-down menu
The exam is split into six content categories:
I. Foundations of Linguistics (22 questions)
The questions in this category test your knowledge of the following:
- Phonetics
- Intonation patterns
- The phonetic environment’s effect on pronunciation
- IPA
- Morphemes
- English syntax
- Parts of speech
- Semantics
- How combinations of words convey meaning
- Pragmatics
- Sociolinguistic concepts
- Word English concepts
- Written English conventions
- Rhetorical patterns
- Genres used in written English
- Communicative competence
- English language irregularities and inconsistencies
II. Foundations of Language Learning (26 questions)
The questions in this category test your knowledge of the following:
- Differences between social and academic language functions
- Differences between first- and second-language acquisition
- Processes of second-language acquisition
- Different types of affective factors
- Relationship between English phonemes and graphemes and phonics rules
- Literacy development of English learners
- How first-language literacy affects second-language development
- Various factors that may affect student performance (beyond linguistic barriers)
III. Planning and Implementing Instruction (28 questions)
The questions in this category test your knowledge of the following:
- Implication of dialect variation for instruction
- Various teaching methods and approaches
- Various instructional delivery models for English learners
- Appropriate and measurable objectives
- How to design appropriate classroom activities and assessments
- Collaboration with other educators
- Effective integration of speaking, listening, reading, and writing into instruction
- Promotion of English learners’ acquisition of skills
- Various strategies for teaching language skills contextually
- Promotion of autonomous learning
- How to activate students’ prior knowledge
- Organizing instruction
- Effective teaching strategies for literacy
- Selecting, modifying, and/or creating accessible teaching materials and resources
- Use of technology to support learning and instruction
- How to create a secure and respectful learning environment
- Using constructive feedback to facilitate learning
- Promotion of academic growth by creating a language-rich environment
- Differentiation of instruction based on individual student needs
- Recognize and respond to Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFEs)
- Adaptation of instruction for students receiving special education or gifted services
- Importance of language modeling
- Importance of comprehensible input and output
- Scaffolding
IV. Assessment and Evaluation (18 questions)
The questions in this category test your knowledge of the following:
- The role of assessment in the various stages of language-support programs
- Formal and informal assessment methods for receptive and productive language skills
- How to develop summative and formative assessments
- Various accommodations for state-mandated content-area testing
- How to adapt classroom assessments
- Assessment-related issues
- Difference between norm-reference and criterion-references assessments
- How to interpret assessment data
- How to use assessment data in planning instruction
- Communicating assessment data
V. Culture (13 questions)
The questions in this category test your knowledge of the following:
- Interrelationship between culture and language
- Ways culture affects second-language acquisition and teaching
- Ways student identities may vary across and within cultures
- Implications of cultural stereotyping and cultural bias
- Difference between acculturation and assimilation
VI. Professionalism and Advocacy (13 questions)
The questions in this category test your knowledge of the following:
- Differences between disabilities and typical language proficiency development
- How to value and incorporate diverse cultures of students
- Legal provisions and ethical implications of laws and federal court decisions
- The need to serve as a professional resource and advocate for students
- How to identify appropriate strategies for planning and collaborating with students, their families, and school members
- Collaboration with school personnel
- Ways that students and their families may benefit from outside resources
- Strategies for consulting with guardians
- Strategies for communicating students’ progress and needs with guardians
- Engaging in professional development
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Registration
To register for the exam, you will need to create an online ETS account. Once this account is created, you can apply to take the exam.
During registration, you will be asked to select the test-taking format (remote or at a testing center), test location (if you are taking the test at a testing center), and test date. You will also need to pay the $130 exam fee.
Test Day
In-person Testing
On the day of your exam, you should arrive at the testing facility at least 15 minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment. After you arrive, you will be asked to show your admission ticket and two forms of valid identification, one of which must be a photo ID.
Personal items will not be allowed into the testing center, so it is best to leave things like bags, notebooks, and food items at home or in your car.
Before the exam begins, you will be given a piece of scratch paper for notes.
Remote Testing
To take the exam remotely, you must use a laptop or desktop computer (touchscreens and tablets are not allowed). Your computer will need a speaker, microphone, and camera (internal or external).
Before exam day, you will need to download and install the ETS Secure Test Browser on your computer.
Your testing area must be clear of all personal items, and you will not be allowed to wear headphones. You must also ensure that no people will enter the room during your exam. The proctor will ask you to move the camera around so that your testing area can be observed, and at the end of your exam, the proctor will watch as you erase any notes you made.
Once the proctor has approved your testing area, they will walk you through the testing process and begin your exam.
How the Exam is Scored
Your Praxis score is based on the number of questions you answer correctly, which is then converted to a scaled score. The scaled score you need to obtain differs slightly depending on which state you take the exam in, but the passing score is generally 155.
You should receive an official score report about 5 weeks after testing.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the Praxis ESOL exam?
A
There are 120 selected-response questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the Praxis ESOL exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 2 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the Praxis ESOL exam?
A
The passing score for this exam is different depending on your state, but most states require a scaled score of at least 155 to pass.
Q
How much does the Praxis ESOL exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $130.
