LOTE Spanish EC-12
Study & Test Strategies

Strategy 1

Submitted by M.

Study Strategy

My degree is in Spanish but it's been a while. For the writing/reading/listening/speaking parts, I would recommend watching TV in Spanish, listen to the radio in Spanish, read in Spanish, and talk to someone everyday in Spanish. Make sure you know how to spell and know your grammar in Spanish. I enrolled in a Pedagogy course online by Courtney Schonefeld. She has examples of lesson plans, essays, and study material about language acquisition and other stuff that will be on the test. Very helpful!

Testing Strategy

The day of the test I was so nervous. I'm a native speaker and I thought I messed up in the first part of the test which is the speaking/reading/listening/writing. The second part, since I had studied the material from the Pedagogy course I had bought, I felt confident. I left the test center confused, not sure if I had passed because I thought I did bad in the first part. Got my results a month later and turns out I PASSED!!!! I would recommend to know your Spanish and to enroll in that samePpedagogy course that helped me pass my test.

Strategy 2

Submitted by Michelle

Study Strategy

I purchased the Mometrix LOTE - Spanish to study. It was ok; it gives you an idea of what to expect on the test and the type of questions that you may encounter. I also downloaded and printed as much material on the 5Cs. Practice, practice and practice!

Testing Strategy

The test is NOT hard. Your enemy is time; everything is timed and this gets to you and applies unnecessary pressure. You MUST manage your time very well to answer the questions. The Spanish parts are easy, if you know Spanish and are acquainted with the cultural aspects. The writing essays were not too terrible. Prepare for the lesson planning; it is one of the last items on the test and by the time you get there, you will be tired. The 5Cs are CRITICAL; you must have read and practiced this type of question. There are many questions and you have few seconds to answer them. I passed on my first try with a 265.

Strategy 3

Submitted by Texas Teachers

Study Strategy

I used the ETS material, went over basic Spanish grammar, and thought of lesson plans.

Testing Strategy

Honestly, this exam is Captain Random of Spanish tests. I have two degrees in Spanish and am fluent, so that definitely helped. However, some of the questions just seemed off the wall. One thing I would suggest is to remain relaxed going into the exam. I passed but my scores could have been a lot better had I not been so nervous and stumbled over myself during the recorded response section (but then again, I don't do well being recorded anyway). Honestly, if you know your Spanish, you'll be fine. You may also want to review the ACTFL proficiency guides and the 5 C's standards.

Strategy 4

Study Strategy

I used the ETS material, went over basic Spanish grammar, and thought of lesson plans.

Testing Strategy

Honestly, this exam is Captain Random of Spanish tests. I have two degrees in Spanish and am fluent, so that definitely helped. However, some of the questions just seemed off the wall. One thing I would suggest is to remain relaxed going into the exam. I passed but my scores could have been a lot better had I not been so nervous and stumbled over myself during the recorded response section (but then again, I don't do well being recorded anyway). Honestly, if you know your Spanish, you'll be fine. You may also want to review the ACTFL proficiency guides and the 5 C's standards.

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