Test Information Guide

Overview and Test Objectives
Field 28: Spanish

Test Overview

Table outlining the test format, number of questions, time, and passing score.

Format	Computer-based test (CBT)
Number of Questions	Subarea I: 25–27 multiple-choice items Subarea II: 26–28 multiple-choice items Subarea III: 25–27 multiple-choice items Subarea IV: 20–22 multiple-choice items Subarea V: 1 open-response item Subarea VI: 1 open-response item
Time	4 hours (does not include 15-minute CBT tutorial)
Passing Score	240

The Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) are designed to measure a candidate's knowledge of the subject matter contained in the test objectives for each field. The MTEL are aligned with the Massachusetts educator licensure regulations and, as applicable, with the standards in the Massachusetts curriculum frameworks.

The test objectives specify the content to be covered on the test and are organized by major content subareas. The chart below shows the approximate percentage of the total test score derived from each of the subareas.

The test assesses a candidate's proficiency and depth of understanding of the subject at the level required for a baccalaureate major according to Massachusetts standards. Candidates are typically nearing completion of or have completed their undergraduate work when they take the test.

Test Objectives

Table outlining test content and subject weighting by sub area and objective.

Subareas		Range of Objectives	Approximate Test Weighting
I	Listening Comprehension	01–03	18%
II	Reading Comprehension	04–06	19%
III	Linguistics and Language Structures	07–09	18%
IV	Cultural Perspectives, Comparisons, and Connections	10–12	15%
V	Written Expression	13	15%
VI	Oral Expression	14	15%

 

Subarea I–Listening Comprehension

Objective 0001: Derive information from a variety of culturally authentic oral messages (e.g., telephone message, radio broadcast, speech, lecture, public address announcement, conversation) in the target language.

For example:

• Determine the main idea or significant details of an oral message.
• Identify a cause-and-effect relationship stated in an oral message.
• Identify a sequence of steps described in an oral message.
• Demonstrate knowledge of customary greetings, questions, or comments likely to be encountered in social situations.
• Select an appropriate response to a spoken question or comment.

Objective 0002: Apply skills of inference to a variety of culturally authentic oral messages (e.g., telephone message, radio broadcast, speech, lecture, public address announcement, conversation) in the target language.

For example:

• Draw conclusions based on information presented in an oral message.
• Predict the outcome of a situation described in an oral message.
• Infer the relationship between speakers in a conversation.
• Identify the tone or mood of a speaker in an oral message.

Objective 0003: Analyze a variety of culturally authentic oral messages (e.g., telephone message, radio broadcast, speech, lecture, public address announcement, conversation) in the target language.

For example:

• Analyze the social or cultural context of an oral message.
• Analyze the assumptions or point of view of one or more speakers in an oral message.
• Determine the intent of one or more speakers in an oral message.
• Interpret often-used figurative language (e.g., idioms) in an oral message.

 

Subarea II–Reading Comprehension

Objective 0004: Understand the literal content of a variety of authentic materials (e.g., brochure, Web site, newspaper article, letter, literary or philosophical work) written in the target language.

For example:

• Identify the main idea of a passage.
• Identify significant details in a passage.
• Identify a cause-and-effect relationship stated in a passage.
• Recognize a sequence of events in a passage.
• Select an accurate summary of a passage.

Objective 0005: Apply skills of inference to a variety of authentic materials (e.g., brochure, Web site, newspaper article, letter, literary or philosophical work) written in the target language.

For example:

• Draw conclusions based on information presented in a passage.
• Predict the outcome of a situation described in a passage.
• Discern the tone or mood of a passage.
• Infer the theme or purpose of a passage.
• Infer the intended audience of a passage.

Objective 0006: Analyze a variety of authentic materials (e.g., brochure, Web site, newspaper article, letter, literary or philosophical work) written in the target language.

For example:

• Analyze the social or cultural context of a passage.
• Determine an author's assumptions, intent, or point of view.
• Distinguish between fact and opinion in a passage.
• Interpret often-used figurative language (e.g., metaphors, similes) and common idiomatic expressions in a passage.
• Analyze the role or effect of figures of speech or features of style in a passage.

 

Subarea III–Linguistics and Language Structures

Objective 0007: Demonstrate an understanding of the nature of first- and second-language acquisition.

For example:

• Understand major theories of first- and second-language acquisition.
• Analyze similarities and differences between first- and second-language acquisition.
• Recognize predictable patterns and stages of second-language development.
• Understand ways in which knowledge of language acquisition can be applied to create an environment that promotes successful language learning.

Objective 0008: Understand and apply simple and complex linguistic structures of the target language.

For example:

• Select the correct word, phrase, or clause to complete a sentence or passage.
• Select correct word order, phrase construction, or sentence construction to complete a sentence or passage.
• Select cohesive devices or tenses used to connect discourse in a sentence or passage.
• Select revisions to correct errors in morphology or syntax in a sentence or passage.
• Transform a sentence or short passage according to given instructions (e.g., changing the tense or mood, changing the sequence of tense, changing a sentence from a positive statement to a negative statement, changing a sentence from active voice to passive voice).
• Combine two or more sentences into one sentence that preserves the meaning of the original sentences.

Objective 0009: Understand the similarities and differences between the target language and English.

For example:

• Compare and contrast linguistic elements (e.g., sound system, morphological processes, word order) of the target language with linguistic elements of English.
• Analyze the relationship between target-language words and their derivatives and cognates in English.
• Recognize words and phrases in the target language that are commonly used in English discourse to express concepts associated with a variety of disciplines (e.g., music, art, science, philosophy, law).
• Compare and contrast the sociolinguistic features of the target language with sociolinguistic features of English.

 

Subarea IV–Cultural Perspectives, Comparisons, and Connections

Objective 0010: Understand major developments in the history of target-language-speaking cultures and the significance of these developments.

For example:

• Demonstrate knowledge of major historical events and key eras, figures, and movements and their influence on the development and perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures (e.g., the Golden Age of Spain, the colonization of the Americas, the Mexican Revolution, Sim�n Bol�var, Jos� Mart�).
• Recognize the locations and major physical and geographic features of target-language-speaking regions and the influence of these features on the development and culture of these regions (e.g., the Andean region, the rain forests).
• Demonstrate knowledge of the political, social, and intellectual history of target-language-speaking cultures.
• Compare and contrast historical development and interactions between target-language-speaking cultures and cultures of the United States.

Objective 0011: Understand the products and perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures.

For example:

• Demonstrate knowledge of products of daily life (e.g., food, clothing, types of housing) in target-language-speaking cultures and their role and significance in the culture.
• Recognize culturally significant historical and contemporary literary and nonliterary texts and authors associated with target-language-speaking cultures (e.g., Cervantes, Garc�a M�rquez).
• Demonstrate knowledge of major artistic, architectural, scientific, and technological achievements (historical or contemporary) of target-language-speaking cultures and understand their cultural significance (e.g., la Alhambra, Machu Picchu).
• Analyze the ways in which major literary texts (e.g., poems, short stories, novels) and cultural texts (e.g., films, songs, newspapers and magazines) in the target language reflect the perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures.
• Identify major regional and national differences in the products and perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures.
• Recognize the products and perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures within the United States.

Objective 0012: Understand the practices and perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures.

For example:

• Demonstrate knowledge of practices of daily life, customs, and major cultural institutions of target-language-speaking cultures and ways in which they reflect the perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures.
• Demonstrate knowledge of holidays and celebrations of target-language-speaking cultures and ways in which they reflect the perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures.
• Recognize the major political, economic, social, and cultural trends that have influenced target-language-speaking cultures.
• Identify major regional and national differences in the practices and perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures.
• Recognize the practices and perspectives of target-language-speaking cultures within the United States.

 

Subarea V–Written Expression

Objective 0013: In response to the given prompt, write a well-organized multiparagraph passage in the target language for the specified audience and purpose.

Includes:

• Compose a well-organized, focused, and clearly expressed composition in the target language that fulfills the purpose of the prompt.
• Demonstrate the ability to use appropriate language and style for a specified audience, purpose, and occasion in the target language.
• Organize ideas in a logically sequenced, well-connected, and consistently clear fashion in the target language.
• Use effective and accurate sentence structure, word choice, spelling, and mechanics of the target language.
• Use a broad range of vocabulary, idiomatic expressions, time frames, cohesive devices, and simple and complex linguistic constructions in the target language.

 

Subarea VI–Oral Expression

Objective 0014: In response to the given prompt, communicate an effective oral message in the target language for the given audience and purpose.

Includes:

• Address the purpose of the prompt fully through the use of well-developed and supported ideas.
• Organize ideas in a logically sequenced, well-connected, and consistently clear fashion.
• Use appropriate language and style for the specified audience, purpose, and occasion.
• Demonstrate a comprehensive command of syntax and grammar.
• Demonstrate an extensive command of vocabulary and idiomatic expressions.
• Maintain a strong flow of speech, with few, if any, hesitations or pauses.
• Demonstrate easily intelligible pronunciation, with few, if any, errors.

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