The TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental (154) exam measures the language-development, instructional, assessment, cultural, and professional knowledge expected of educators adding an ESL Supplemental certificate in Texas. The exam contains 80 selected-response questions covering language acquisition, ESL instruction, assessment, ESL program foundations, cultural awareness, advocacy, and family and community involvement.
What Is the TExES ESL Supplemental Exam?
The TExES English as a Second Language Supplemental (154) exam is part of the Texas Educator Certification Examination Program. It is designed to determine whether a candidate has the knowledge and skills expected of a beginning educator working with students who are developing English proficiency in Texas public schools.
The exam covers language structure and acquisition, ESL teaching methods, literacy and academic-language development, assessment, ESL program foundations, cultural awareness, advocacy, and collaboration with families and communities.
ESL Supplemental is not a standalone teaching certificate. The supplemental credential attaches to the grade level of an approved base Texas teaching certificate. Passing test 154 by itself does not create a separate standalone teaching credential.
Is TExES ESL Supplemental 154 Still Current?
Yes. Exam 154 remains the current English as a Second Language Supplemental examination in 2026.
However, Texas has already announced a replacement exam.
English as a Second Language Supplemental (154) remains available through August 31, 2028.
The redeveloped English as a Second Language Supplemental (254) exam is scheduled to begin September 1, 2028.
If you are testing before September 1, 2028: Prepare for exam 154 using the content outline on this page. Candidates testing beginning September 1, 2028 will need materials aligned with the new 254 exam. TEA currently allows candidates to use qualifying 154 scores for certification recommendations through August 31, 2029.
Who Can Take the TExES ESL Supplemental Exam?
You must have the appropriate Texas approval before registering for a certification examination such as ESL Supplemental 154.
The exact approval process depends on your certification route.
Educator Preparation Program Candidates
If you are enrolled in a Texas educator preparation program (EPP), your program must approve you to take the exam. EPP approval is provided for one exam attempt at a time, so another approval is required before a retake.
Certification-by-Exam Candidates
If you already hold a valid Texas classroom teaching certificate and a bachelor’s degree, you may be able to add an eligible classroom certification area by examination. Your testing account will show the exams for which you have approval.
Out-of-State or Out-of-Country Educators
Educators certified outside Texas must first have their credentials reviewed by the Texas Education Agency. TEA determines which examinations, if any, are required after reviewing the candidate’s credentials.
Account update: Current Texas testing procedures require first-time candidates using applicable testing routes to establish a TEA Login account, complete an Educator Profile, obtain a TEA ID, and then create a separate Pearson testing account. Older instructions saying PACT or charter-school candidates do not need a TEA account are no longer current.
TExES ESL Supplemental Exam Format
The total appointment is five hours. The first 15 minutes are reserved for the computer-administered testing tutorial and compliance agreement, followed by 4 hours and 45 minutes of testing time.
The exam may contain questions being evaluated for use on future test forms. Those questions do not contribute to your final score and are not identified during testing.
What Is on the TExES ESL Supplemental Exam?
The 80 questions are organized into three domains and ten competencies.
| Domain | Weight |
|---|---|
| I. Language Concepts and Language Acquisition | 25% |
| II. ESL Instruction and Assessment | 45% |
| III. Foundations of ESL Education, Cultural Awareness, and Family and Community Involvement | 30% |
Domain I: Language Concepts and Language Acquisition – 25%
This domain contains two competencies and measures your understanding of how language works and how first and additional languages are acquired.
Competency 001: Language Concepts and the English Language
You should understand basic language systems and be able to apply them to ESL instruction.
Topics include:
Phonology: the sound system of a language
Morphology: word formation and meaningful word parts
Syntax: sentence structure and word order
Lexicon and semantics: vocabulary and meaning
Discourse and pragmatics: language used in extended communication and social contexts
Social versus academic language
Relationships among listening, speaking, reading, and writing
Patterns and conventions of spoken and written English
Competency 002: First- and Second-Language Acquisition
This competency focuses on how languages develop and how a student’s first language can influence English development.
You should understand:
Major theories and research related to first- and second-language acquisition
Stages and patterns of additional-language development
Cognitive processes such as categorization, generalization, memorization, and metacognition
Transfer of knowledge and skills from a student’s first language to English
First-language influence on English pronunciation, morphology, syntax, and vocabulary
Strategies for addressing common challenges experienced by students learning English
Domain II: ESL Instruction and Assessment – 45%
This is the largest domain on the exam. It contains five competencies covering classroom instruction, communication, literacy, academic language, content-area learning, and assessment.
Study priority: Nearly half of the examination comes from ESL Instruction and Assessment. Be prepared to apply ESL knowledge to classroom situations rather than simply define terminology.
Competency 003: ESL Teaching Methods
You should understand how to plan and deliver effective, grade-appropriate ESL instruction.
Topics include:
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS)
English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS)
Grade-level appropriate ESL instructional methods
Content-based ESL instruction
Developing communicative competence and critical thinking
Selecting appropriate instructional resources and materials
Using technology to support language and content learning
Classroom management in a variety of ESL learning environments
Competency 004: Communicative Language Development
This competency focuses on developing students’ ability to listen and speak effectively in English.
You should know how to:
Differentiate instruction for beginning, intermediate, advanced, and advanced-high English proficiency levels
Create a comprehensible, language-rich classroom environment
Provide meaningful opportunities for students to communicate in English
Connect listening, speaking, reading, and writing instruction
Use students’ existing language knowledge as a resource for English development
Provide appropriate feedback as students develop English proficiency
Competency 005: English Literacy Development
This competency focuses on developing reading and writing skills in English.
Important topics include:
Phonological and phonemic awareness
English letter-sound relationships and common phonograms
Sight-word development
Vocabulary and reading comprehension
Text structures and cultural or societal references that affect comprehension
Transfer of literacy knowledge from a student’s first language to English
Effects of interrupted schooling and previous literacy experiences
Competency 006: Content-Area and Academic-Language Development
You need to understand how to make grade-level academic content comprehensible while simultaneously developing English proficiency.
Effective approaches include:
Scaffolding and linguistically accommodating instruction
Preteaching important academic vocabulary
Connecting new material with students’ background knowledge and experiences
Using graphic organizers, realia, visuals, media, and hands-on learning
Teaching metacognitive and other learning strategies
Adapting materials and instruction to students’ English proficiency and academic needs
Competency 007: Assessment
You should understand both formal and informal assessment and know how assessment information is used to plan instruction.
Topics include:
Basic principles of assessment design and interpretation
Diagnostic, proficiency, formative, and program-evaluation assessments
Strengths and limitations of formal and informal assessment methods
Texas assessments used with emergent bilingual students
Language Proficiency Assessment Committee (LPAC) responsibilities
Student identification, placement, instructional planning, progress monitoring, and exit procedures
Using ongoing assessment results to adjust instruction
Domain III: Foundations of ESL Education, Cultural Awareness, and Family and Community Involvement – 30%
This domain contains three competencies covering ESL programs, culturally and linguistically responsive learning environments, advocacy, and family and community partnerships.
Competency 008: Foundations and Types of ESL Programs
You should understand the historical, theoretical, policy, and research foundations of ESL education.
Topics include:
Historical and policy foundations of ESL education
Research on effective ESL instruction and program design
Self-contained and pull-out ESL programs
Newcomer programs and centers
Dual-language and immersion models
Using research evidence to make instructional and program decisions
Competency 009: Linguistic and Cultural Factors
You should understand how student background and individual characteristics can affect language development and academic learning.
Factors can include:
Age and developmental characteristics
Home language and linguistic background
Previous schooling and academic experiences
Cultural and societal factors
Home environment
Individual strengths, needs, and exceptionalities
Creating a classroom that respects linguistic and cultural differences
The goal is not simply to memorize cultural facts. Questions may ask you to recognize teaching practices that respect students’ linguistic backgrounds while maintaining high academic expectations.
Competency 010: Advocacy, Families, and Communities
This competency focuses on an ESL educator’s professional responsibilities beyond direct classroom instruction.
You should know how to:
Advocate for appropriate educational access for emergent bilingual students
Participate effectively in LPAC and other collaborative school teams
Serve as a resource for classroom teachers and other school professionals
Build productive partnerships with parents and guardians
Communicate with families in accessible and culturally responsive ways
Use appropriate community resources to support students and families
How Much Does the TExES ESL Supplemental Exam Cost?
The current examination fee is $116. Additional transaction or optional-service charges may apply.
After registering, your registration is valid for 170 days. You must schedule and take the exam within that period or withdraw according to the program’s policies.
How Do I Register?
1. Make sure you have approval to test.
If you are in an educator preparation program, your EPP must approve the exam. Other certification routes have their own approval procedures.
2. Create or verify your TEA Educator Profile.
Access your educator account through TEAL, obtain your TEA ID, and verify that your name and personal information are correct.
3. Create a Pearson testing account.
Your Pearson testing account is separate from your TEA account, but the identifying information in the two accounts must match.
4. Register for English as a Second Language Supplemental (154).
Confirm the test code before paying the registration fee.
5. Schedule your appointment.
Choose an available Pearson testing center, date, and time within your 170-day registration period.
6. Check the score-report date.
The testing program publishes the date on which results from your appointment are scheduled to become available.
When and Where Is the Exam Offered?
The TExES ESL Supplemental exam is offered year-round by appointment.
Computer-administered testing sites are available throughout Texas and elsewhere in the United States. Available locations and appointments are displayed through the Pearson registration system.
Appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so candidates testing near a certification deadline should schedule early.
Can I Reschedule or Cancel?
You may change your test date, testing time, or testing location through your Pearson account.
Changes must be completed at least 48 hours before your scheduled appointment. There is currently no fee simply to reschedule within the allowed period.
If you cancel at least 48 hours in advance and then withdraw your registration, the exam fee is refunded minus $25. Certain Texas.gov funds are nonrefundable.
If you are absent, cancel too late, or allow the 170-day registration period to expire, you do not receive a refund or exam credit.
What Should I Bring on Test Day?
Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled reporting time.
You must bring two original, current, unexpired forms of identification printed in English and in the name under which you registered.
Your primary ID must be an accepted government-issued identification document.
The required identification must provide the necessary name, photograph, and signature information.
Your first and last name must match the name in your TEA and Pearson testing records.
Erasable note-taking materials are supplied by the testing center.
Personal belongings must be stored according to the test center’s security procedures.
Personal Items
Items such as phones, smartwatches, study materials, personal paper, and other unauthorized materials cannot be used while testing.
A calculator is not needed for ESL Supplemental 154.
Are Breaks Allowed?
There is no scheduled break built into the standard ESL Supplemental 154 testing time.
You may take an unscheduled break, such as a restroom break, but the exam timer continues to run while you are away from your workstation.
You may not leave the testing center during the break, and access to personal belongings is restricted under Pearson testing rules.
How Is the TExES ESL Supplemental Exam Scored?
The exam uses a 100–300 scaled-score range.
Passing score: 240. You must earn a total scaled score of at least 240 to pass English as a Second Language Supplemental (154).
Your scaled score is derived from the raw number of scored questions you answer correctly. Scaling allows different forms of the same examination to use the same passing standard even when their exact questions differ.
A score of 240 should therefore not be interpreted as answering 80% of the questions correctly.
Is There a Guessing Penalty?
No. Your raw performance is based on the number of scored questions you answer correctly.
Incorrect answers do not subtract additional points, so you should not intentionally leave a question unanswered simply because you are unsure.
When Will I Get My Score?
Your result is released according to the score-report date associated with your testing appointment.
On the scheduled reporting date, scores become available through your testing account at approximately 10:00 p.m. Central Time.
Your results are also reported directly to the Texas Education Agency and to your educator preparation program when applicable. You do not need to send your personal score report to TEA yourself.
Your score report includes:
Your Passed or Not Passed status
Your total scaled score
Diagnostic performance information by domain and competency
Save a copy of your report for your records because paper reports are not mailed.
What If I Don’t Pass?
The old 45-day waiting period no longer applies.
You may retake ESL Supplemental 154 once 30 days have elapsed since your previous attempt.
You cannot register for the retake until the result from the previous attempt has been posted to your Texas educator record. Once it has posted, the earliest appointment available for the same exam will be at least 30 days after the previous testing date.
If you are enrolled in an educator preparation program, you must obtain new approval from your EPP before registering for another attempt.
Five-Attempt Limit
Texas generally limits certification-test candidates to five total attempts at the same certification examination: the original attempt plus four retakes.
A candidate who reaches the five-attempt limit must receive an approved test-limit waiver before an additional attempt can count toward certification.
Do not keep testing after reaching the limit without approval. Registering for the same certification exam after five attempts does not automatically give you another valid certification attempt. Follow the TEA test-limit waiver process first.
How Can I Prepare for TExES ESL Supplemental 154?
The exam emphasizes classroom application. Knowing definitions is useful, but many questions ask you to choose the most appropriate instructional, assessment, or professional response for a specific student or classroom situation.
Your study plan should therefore combine content review with scenario-based practice.
TExES ESL Supplemental Study Checklist
Know phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, discourse, pragmatics, language functions, and registers.
Review major principles and theories of first- and second-language acquisition.
Understand positive transfer and first-language influence on English development.
Know the ELPS proficiency levels and how instruction changes for students at different levels.
Practice selecting appropriate scaffolds, visuals, realia, graphic organizers, sentence supports, modeling, and collaborative activities.
Review phonological awareness, phonics, vocabulary, reading comprehension, and English literacy development.
Practice adapting grade-level content instruction without unnecessarily lowering academic expectations.
Understand formative, summative, diagnostic, formal, informal, and language-proficiency assessments.
Review LPAC responsibilities and Texas procedures involving identification, placement, progress monitoring, and exit decisions.
Know the purposes and characteristics of major ESL program models.
Review culturally and linguistically responsive instructional practices.
Know effective approaches for advocating for students and collaborating with families, teachers, administrators, and community resources.
Complete timed scenario-based practice using the current three-domain 154 blueprint.
TExES ESL Supplemental Study Resources
Use resources that are specifically aligned with exam 154 while that test remains in use.
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