Semi-Fluent Teacher Preparing for the BLTPT (Bilingual Target Language Proficiency Test in Spanish)

[@stephenjohnson5121]

Semi-fluent? Sounded 100% fluent to me. Very well done presentation in Spanish. It's just a matter of putting in the time to study new words, write them in sentences and use them in conversation. Repetitive drill and practice makes perfect. I hope to be this fluent in Spanish one day.

[@faith_teach_create]

Im in a similar boat. En casa hablamos español, pero en la escuela hablamos en inglés al menos que estuvimos con amigos. Lo que di me he dado cuenta es que cuando sabes lo que vas a decir y tienes confianza, hablas con más fluidez y no piensas mucho en lo que vas a decir.

[@GoldBlueSkies]

Oh you did very well!!! I know the feeling of trying to speak Spanish. Spanish was my native language as well but over the years from not practicing I have lost my fluency in speaking it. I totally understand it and can read it but I struggle speaking it at times. I am currently trying interested in a bilingual job posisition but after my interview I realized I need a lot of practice and work on my Spanish fluency. Especially since it's a call center and 90% of customers speak Spanish. Wish you luck, thank you for sharing.

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Speaking, Writing, Listening, and Reading. Reading!!!!!!!

[@fal8458]

I saw in the comments that you did not pass. I thought this video had great consejos on where to study and some great ideas. I hope you never give up on Spanish even if you don’t get to teach it. Im white and married into a Mexican family. It’s taken me years to learn and to get where I am now but I am glad I never stopped trying even with the embarrassing experiences I’ve had. Also I know the video is old but when people say espero que it normally calls for the subjunctive. Ex : espero que sepas que soy una trabajadora And also when demanding a group of people you’d say “Déjenme unos consejos” Loved the video it inspired me to try for something like this.

[@tanyabarrera9868]

Have you retaken it? You were so close! Im nervous about taking it. What sources did you use to study for it? Also how long did the test take you from start to finish?

[@mikechemist]

examen, no exam, desarrollar, no desarrolar, subraye, noun = sustantivo. Felicitaciones por querer aprender a hablar correctamente.

[@gfbeltrand]

Maybe you should offer to tutor? I am taking the ACTFL writing and could use some good insight. :)

[@sgonzalez826]

Do you have a recent update? I am almost in tears watching this. I am hopeful but at the same time frustrated with this test. I have taken it 5 times already. I've been points away from passing. Admin wants me to attempt it again because we are getting a bilingual program.

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

No. I never passed. I took it once and didn't pass the reading. Secondary English with ESL it is for me. Nimodo.

[@gabihernandez6346]

Hola Jessica, yo también soy como usted.. perdí mi español por la escuela y soy texmex! Batalló mucho con mi español, especialmente en hablar y escribir (leer, no tanto). Con tu experiencia con el examen, cuanto tiempo tomaste para estudiar tu primera ves? Fallar por 7 puntos no es mucho.

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Hola. I studied for about 15 days. 😂

[@marinethsierra9200]

Hi Jessica! What was the exam like? What did you have to write? Did they have teaching theories? What book did you use to study?

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

It wasn't easy for me. I didn't study any particular book, I was able to use a guide for practice. I think I found it online or through the registration site. They did ask me to write a lesson plan for classroom. My scores say that the reading portion was my weakest. I don't read much in Spanish so there were nouns and topics I was unfamiliar with in Spanish, live environment, ecosystem, authors and themes. I couldn't connect what I was reading into a coherent analysis. I would just understand parts of the article and so my overall comprehension was missing.

[@quetzallimendoza1684]

Hola maestra Jessica, me dio mucho gusto ver su video, nadie aquí explica cómo se desarrolla el examen y aunque es algo que me sigue quedando en duda creo que usted lo explica mejor. I have some questions, could you describe how was it? Like, when you arrive then how is the time for the test? What about speaking section? I think your Spanish is good 🙂 I just read your failed in your first attempt, did you retake?

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

I can try. I took it in a testing center, and when I walked in, there were so many people already on the speaking part. So it was kind of crazy. You're going to have to block out their voices and focus. The timing part was sufficient, I guess. I felt the tightest time was the reading. My reading is NOT so great, like I never ever really read in Spanish -for fun anyways, and I felt it. As I was reading the passages, I kept thinking "what is this talking about" and I had to reread carefully, looking for context clues, and that made me run behind on time. Then I had to rush through the rest of the reading portion because that first passage ate up time. So, that's why my reading was the lowest score, like 25/40. Everyone is different, some people struggle with speaking and writing, my biggest struggle was the reading.

[@KrishS0918]

@@hillcountrycontainerhome2506 u read n do what? Can u plz explain in detail thanks .

[@nancylombera978]

This is great! Thank you for sharing your journey ! Is this test also the one to take to be a Spanish court interpreter/ medical interpreter?

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

No, this is the one where elementary teachers can teach in both English and Spanish. I didn't pass --the reading got me. I decided to move to another area and went back to high school English, and just got my real estate license, so I'm doing that as well.

[@MichaelDuran]

Thank you for your video. I'm frustrated, because I have attempted the BTLPT 4 times and failed just slightly each time, each time in a different area. My spoken Spanish is actually better than yours and none of the words on your vocab list were unknown to me. I have no idea why this test is so difficult. I literally passed the LOTE Spanish EC-12 test, so I can *teach* Spanish at any level, but apparently they don't think I can teach elementary school kids in Spanish! Honestly, the test is harder than it should be. You will NEVER write lesson plans in Spanish. Your principal/district doesn't want them that way -- so why is that one of the writing tasks??

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

lol! And my principal asked me to translate at the awards ceremony this year. I said "sure" why not. The need is extreme where I live, Bastrop/Cedar creek, TX. Yeah, I know. My weakest is the literature/reading. Guess I'm not cut out for Bilingual anyways. I'm good with that. Maybe it will become easier with the student demographic increasing with Spanish speakers, who knows.

[@alexia4730]

Hi Jessica, I have a some questions and hopefully I can get a response before I take my exam. In what order are the speaking, writing, listening and reading formatted on the exam? In the oral section, were the questions hard? In the reading section, are they several passages like if it was the STAAR? AND last question lol I'm sorry! I'm just so scared to take it!!!! In the writing section within the lesson plan, should we be familiar with every subject or what do you suggest for the lesson plan?

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Hi Alexia. I'll try to answer your questions. I believe the test is listening, speaking, writing amd last is reading. I remember I was really tired of reading and I was so glad it was over and done. The speaking is very much like a parent conference situation so think how you'd speak about Johnny needing interventions or speaking to a group of parents promoting a club. For writing, imagine your writing a lesson plan for all three levels elem. Middle and high. Know the words on the lesson plan for teks, modeling, guided practice, check for understanding, independent practice. Hope this helps.

[@alexia4730]

@@hillcountrycontainerhome2506 thank you!

[@maribelanaya379]

@@hillcountrycontainerhome2506 hi you are so helpful thank you🙏🏼😃

[@toYou77]

hola, estoy apunto de hacer este examen, y quisiera saber donde encontraste los estandares y competencias basicas en español. Gracias

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Hi. Go to the TEA texas education ageny website. Search teks in Spanish.

[@trucasjohnson1367]

Hola el examen es en español entonces?

[@iridianhernandez8541]

@@trucasjohnson1367 Disculpe por la tardancia pero así es el exámen esta en español.

[@jaimecarrillo4755]

Learn 10 new words everyday

[@tirizirate7593]

Hola, además de mejorar nuestro Español. Qué beneficios tiene el tomar este examen? Es como una certificación en Español? Te dan un certificado?

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

es para ser maestra bilingue. Puedes dar clases en ingles y espanol. Pagan a veces hasta 6-8 mil dolares mass a estos maestros que trabajan en grados k-3.

[@jhizzlen]

Hi there! How did it go? I am also in a similar boat and am interested to know what you thought about the test :)

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Hi! Thanks for your question. Ok, so I studied the best I could, sort of. The biggest distraction was all the other people that entered the testing center were talking into their mic while I was trying to read or when I was listening to instruction. Also, I felt that my speaking was weak because I was searching for words and paused. I will get my results tonight! I plan to release a video with my results. Cross my fingers!

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

I failed by 7 points. My lowest score was the reading comprehension portion. :( yeah I never read in Spanish.....

[@jhizzlen]

@@hillcountrycontainerhome2506 thanks so much for your response! I really appreciate your insight. I can see why that was distracting, and yes that's my concern with the speaking as well. I use your technique and study words I dont know :) You will definitely pass next time! You got this! 🙏

[@jaimecarrillo4755]

Buy yourself " diccionario del estudiante "

[@lisaarredondo3134]

Youre semi Fluent> theres alot of spanglish yet dont give up you can do this.

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Thank you. I'm a real estate agent now as well so I'm going to have to learn all those terms too! Yikes! ;) but I can do it.

[@lisaarredondo3134]

Best of Luck. Your persistence will pay off.

[@jacquelinerodriguez9388]

When you do the speaking part can you hear other around you talk ? I get distracted easily 😓

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Yes, It sucked. I had to concentrate to block them out. Just plan what you say and close your eyes and say it calmly and loudly. Sorry not the best news! You can do it --

[@jacquelinerodriguez9388]

Lovelivelearnteach thank you I will try my best

[@mariav2328]

Basan is not base…. Basan means related to

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

Thank you love. This is why I didn't pass. Go figure. :)

[@hellothere4724]

Did you pass

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

No I failed the reading comprehension

[@Maria-nv2ox]

Is this test to be able to become a Spanish teacher?

[@cesar-dd7ln]

I have that question too!!!

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

no, it's for bilingual certification for elementary. It comes with a large stipend of about 6-8 thousand, however lessons have to be created and tailored in English and spanish and are usually delivered to bilingual students using a pattern of one day english, one day spanish and so forth. Texas has many schools with this bilingual teacher certification need.

[@dinoraalcala8181]

Noun es pronombre

[@jaimejaramillo4308]

Noun=sustantivo; pronoun=pronombre

[@powerpuffgirl773]

Ciertamente tienes que estudiar muuuucho. Las palabras que mostraste en tu pizarra son básicas y no las sabes 🫤.

[@hillcountrycontainerhome2506]

You are right. That is why I failed the exam. And I stopped trying to get certified too. I am now a SPED teacher. I put this video to help give tips on where to start because it's where I started. Maybe someone will have more success than I did.