The ESL teacher understands fundamental language concepts and knows the structure and conventions of the English language. The beginning ESL teacher: • Understands the nature of language and basic concepts of language systems (e.g., phonology, morphology, syntax, lexicon, semantics, discourse, pragmatics) and uses this understanding to facilitate student learning in the ESL classroom. • Knows the functions and registers of language (e.g., social versus academic language) in English and uses this knowledge to develop and modify instructional materials, deliver instruction, and promote ESL students' English language proficiency. • Understands the interrelatedness of listening, speaking, reading, and writing and uses this understanding to develop ESL students' English language proficiency. • Knows the structure of the English language (e.g., word formation, grammar, sentence structure) and the patterns and conventions of written and spoken English and uses this knowledge to model and provide instruction in English. The ESL teacher understands the processes of first-language (L1) and second-language (L2) acquisition and the interrelatedness of L1 and L2 development. -Knows theories, concepts, and research related to L1 and L2 acquisition.• Uses knowledge of theories, concepts, and research related to L1 and L2 acquisition to select effective, appropriate methods and strategies for promoting students' English language development at various stages. • Knows cognitive processes (e.g., memorization, categorization, generalization, metacognition) involved in synthesizing and internalizing language rules for second-language acquisition.• Analyzes the interrelatedness of first- and second-language acquisition and ways in which L1 may affect development of L2. • Knows common difficulties (e.g., idiomatic expressions; L1 interference in syntax, phonology, and morphology) experienced by ESL students in learning English and effective strategies for helping students overcome those difficulties. The ESL teacher understands ESL teaching methods and uses this knowledge to plan and implement effective, developmentally appropriate instruction. The beginning ESL teacher: • Knows applicable Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), especially the English Language Arts and Reading curriculum as it relates to ESL, and knows how to design and implement appropriate instruction to address the TEKS (i.e., listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing/representing). • Knows effective instructional methods and techniques for the ESL classroom, and selects and uses instructional methods, resources, and materials appropriate for addressing specified instructional goals and promoting learning in students with diverse characteristics and needs. • Applies knowledge of effective practices, resources, and materials for providing content-based ESL instruction, engaging students in critical thinking, and fostering students' communicative competence. • Knows how to integrate technological tools and resources into the instructional process to facilitate and enhance student learning. • Applies effective classroom management and teaching strategies for a variety of ESL environments and situations. The ESL teacher understands how to promote students' communicative language development in English. The beginning ESL teacher: • Knows applicable Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), especially the English Language Arts and Reading curriculum as it relates to ESL, and knows how to design and implement appropriate instruction to address TEKS related to the listening and speaking strands. • Understands the role of the linguistic environment and conversational support in second-language development, and uses this knowledge to provide a rich, comprehensible language environment with supported opportunities for communication in English. • Applies knowledge of practices, resources, and materials that are effective in promoting students' communicative competence in English. • Understands the interrelatedness of listening, speaking, reading, and writing and uses this knowledge to select and use effective strategies for developing students' oral language proficiency in English. • Applies knowledge of effective strategies for helping ESL students transfer language skills from L1 to L2. • Applies knowledge of individual differences (e.g., developmental characteristics, cultural and language background, academic strengths, learning styles) to select instructional strategies and resources that facilitate communicative language development. • Knows how to provide appropriate feedback in response to students' developing English language skills. The ESL teacher understands how to promote students' literacy development in English. The beginning ESL teacher: • Knows applicable Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), especially the English Language Arts and Reading curriculum as it relates to ESL, and knows how to design and implement appropriate instruction to address TEKS related to the reading and writing strands. • Understands the interrelatedness of listening, speaking, reading, and writing and uses this knowledge to select and use effective strategies for developing students' literacy in English. • Understands that English is an alphabetic language and applies effective strategies for developing ESL students' phonological knowledge and skills (e.g., phonemic awareness skills, knowledge of English letter-sound associations, knowledge of common English phonograms) and sight-word vocabularies (e.g., phonetically irregular words, high-frequency words). • Knows factors that affect ESL students' reading comprehension (e.g., vocabulary, text structures, cultural references) and applies effective strategies for facilitating ESL students' reading comprehension in English. • Applies knowledge of effective strategies for helping students transfer literacy knowledge and skills from L1 to L2. • Applies knowledge of individual differences (e.g., developmental characteristics, cultural and language background, academic strengths, learning styles) to select instructional strategies and resources that facilitate ESL students' literacy development. • Knows personal factors that affect ESL students' English literacy development (e.g., interrupted schooling, literacy status in the primary language, prior literacy experiences) and applies effective strategies for addressing those factors. The ESL teacher understands how to promote students' content-area learning, academic-language development, and achievement across the curriculum. The beginning ESL teacher: • Applies knowledge of effective practices, resources, and materials for providing content-based ESL instruction; engaging students in critical thinking; and developing students' cognitive-academic language proficiency. • Knows instructional delivery practices that are effective in facilitating ESL students' comprehension in content-area classes (e.g., preteaching key vocabulary; helping students apply familiar concepts from their cultural backgrounds and prior experiences to new learning; using hands-on and other experiential learning strategies; using realia, media, and other visual supports to introduce and/or reinforce concepts). • Applies knowledge of individual differences (e.g., developmental characteristics, cultural and language background, academic strengths, learning styles) to select instructional strategies and resources that facilitate ESL students' cognitive-academic language development and content-area learning. • Knows personal factors that affect ESL students' content-area learning (e.g., prior learning experiences, familiarity with specialized language and vocabulary, familiarity with the structure and uses of textbooks and other print resources) and applies effective strategies for addressing those factors. The ESL teacher understands formal and informal assessment procedures and instruments used in ESL programs and uses assessment results to plan and adapt instruction. The beginning ESL teacher: • Knows basic concepts, issues, and practices related to test design, development, and interpretation and uses this knowledge to select, adapt, and develop assessments for different purposes in the ESL program (e.g., diagnosis, program evaluation, proficiency). • Applies knowledge of formal and informal assessments used in the ESL classroom and knows their characteristics, uses, and limitations. • Knows standardized tests commonly used in ESL programs in Texas and knows how to interpret their results. • Knows state-mandated LEP policies, including the role of the LPAC, and procedures for implementing LPAC recommendations for LEP identification, placement, and exit. • Understands relationships among state-mandated standards, instruction, and assessment in the ESL classroom. • Knows how to use ongoing assessment to plan and adjust instruction that addresses individual student needs and enables ESL students to achieve learning goals. The ESL teacher understands the foundations of ESL education and types of ESL programs. The beginning ESL teacher: • Knows the historical, theoretical, and policy foundations of ESL education and uses this knowledge to plan, implement, and advocate for effective ESL programs. • Knows types of ESL programs (e.g., self-contained, pull-out, newcomer centers, dual language, immersion), their characteristics, their goals, and research findings on their effectiveness. • Applies knowledge of the various types of ESL programs to make appropriate instructional and management decisions. • Applies knowledge of research findings related to ESL education, including research on instructional and management practices in ESL programs, to assist in planning and implementing effective ESL programs. The ESL teacher understands factors that affect ESL students' learning and implements strategies for creating an effective multicultural and multilingual learning environment. The beginning ESL teacher: • Understands cultural and linguistic diversity in the ESL classroom and other factors that may affect students' learning of academic content, language, and culture (e.g., age, developmental characteristics, academic strengths and needs, preferred learning styles, personality, sociocultural factors, home environment, attitude, exceptionalities). • Knows how to create an effective multicultural and multilingual learning environment that addresses the affective, linguistic, and cognitive needs of ESL students and facilitates students' learning and language acquisition. • Knows factors that contribute to cultural bias (e.g., stereotyping, prejudice, ethnocentrism) and knows how to create a culturally responsive learning environment. • Demonstrates sensitivity to students' diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds and shows respect for language differences. • Applies strategies for creating among students an awareness of and respect for linguistic and cultural diversity. Lexical (parts of speech): noun, preposition, verb (auxilaries, models), interjection, adjective, conjunction, adverb, pronoun, determiners (articles, possessives, demonstratives, and quantifiers) 
