Pedagogy and Professional Responsibilities (PPR) TExES Practice Exam

What should the fifth-grade social studies teacher do to better support ELL students?

1. Go to summer school for ESL certification

2. Take an online class in special education

3. Enroll in a conversational Spanish course

4. Observe techniques from the resource teacher

The correct answer is: Go to summer school for ESL certification

The best support for English Language Learners (ELL) in a fifth-grade social studies classroom comes from a proactive approach to understanding and implementing effective strategies tailored for ELL students. Pursuing ESL certification during the summer would equip the teacher with specialized knowledge and skills specifically focused on language acquisition, cultural awareness, and instructional strategies that engage ELL students. This formal training can vastly improve the teacher's ability to differentiate instruction, promote language development, and create an inclusive classroom environment that addresses the diverse needs of ELLs. While other options may offer some benefits, they do not focus specifically on the unique challenges ELL students face. Taking an online class in special education may provide insight into general educational strategies but lacks the focused approach necessary for language learners. Enrolling in a conversational Spanish course might enhance communication with Spanish-speaking students, yet it won't address the broader spectrum of strategies needed to support ELLs in understanding content and language simultaneously. Observing a resource teacher could provide some immediate techniques, but without the deeper understanding gained through formal ESL training, these observations may not be comprehensive enough to transform the teacher's approach effectively.