CAMBRIDGE TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test)

If you are a teacher of English or an aspiring teacher of English, the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) will interest you. Growing in international recognition the TKT is not a teaching qualification but an assessment instrument from Cambridge ESOL designed to test your knowledge about the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. It is the perfect way to begin (or refresh!) your teaching career.

WHAT IS TKT?
The TKT focuses on the core teaching knowledge needed by English teachers of primary, secondary or adult learners, anywhere in the world. The test focuses on:

Different methodologies for English teaching
The ‘language’ of English teaching
The ways in which resources can be used
The key aspects of lesson planning
Classroom management methods for different needs

WHO IS TKT FOR?
TKT gives a strong foundation in the core areas of knowledge needed for English language teaching. It is ideal for native and non-native speakers of English, both TESOL teachers and people who may be interested in teaching English in the future.

WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?

There are no formal entry requirements for the TKT test but it is advisable for candidates to have at least an intermediate level of English (e.g. minimum IELTS 4.0). Candidates are NOT tested on their English ability and there is no assessment of practical teaching skills.

WHAT DOES TKT INVOLVE?

ICTE-UQ is a test administration centre for the three core modules of the TKT and also administers the additional optional Knowledge About Teaching (KAL) test module.
The three core TKT (and additional KAL) test modules can be taken together in one exam session or separately, in any order, in different exam sessions. Each test module lasts 80 minutes and consists of 80 multiple choice questions.

Module 1 – Language and background to language learning and teaching

Describing language and language skills
Background to language learning
Background to language teaching

Module 2 – Planning lessons and use of resources for language teaching

Planning and preparing a lesson or sequence of lessons
Selection and use of resources and materials

Module 3 – Managing the teaching and learning process

Teachers’ and learners’ language in the classroom
Classroom management

Knowledge About Teaching (KAL)

knowledge of the language systems needed by teachers for planning and teaching their lessons
how different features of English work from a teaching perspective.
awareness of the language needs of learners, and the difficulties involved in learning a second language.

WHAT IS TKT?

Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) tests knowledge about the teaching of English to speakers of other

languages. TKT focuses on:

· different ways of teaching

· the language of teaching

· how resources can be used

· the key elements of lesson planning

· classroom management methods for different needs

WHO IS IT FOR?

TKT is designed to be suitable for teachers of English in primary, secondary or adult learning environments and is intended for an international audience of non-first language teachers of English. Candidates taking TKT will normally have some experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). It may be of special interest to: pre-service teachers, teachers who wish to refresh their teaching knowledge and teachers who are moving to teaching English from another subject. To sit TKT teachers need a level of English at least equivalent to level B1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. Candidates do not need to have taken any English language examinations.

TKT FORMAT

The test consists of the following three written modules:

Module 1 - Language and background to language learning and teaching

· Describing language and language skills.

· Background to language learning.

· Background to language teaching.

Module 2 - Planning lessons and use of resources for language teaching

· Planning and preparing a lesson or sequence of lessons.

· Selection and use of resources and materials.

Module 3 - Managing the teaching and learning process

· Teachers' and learners' language in the classroom.

· Classroom management.

For each module there is a test of 80 questions which lasts 1 hour. 20 min.

Candidates may not repeat a module within 4 months at any centre.

Each module is free-standing and candidates receive a certificate for each module they take. Each question carries one mark, so the maximum mark for each module is 80. Candidate performance in reported using four bands:-

BAND A candidate at this level demonstrates:

1 Limited knowledge of TKT contant areas

2 Basic, but systematic knowledge of TKT content areas

3 Breadth and depth of knowledge of TKT content areas

4 Extensive knowledge of TKT content areas

What Does the TKT Preparation Course Involve?

The Preparation course for TKT has three core modules. The course being offered in Sondrio will

address Module 2. It consists of 10 x 2 hour lessons at The British Language Centre. Depending on the uptake and feedback from participants, a preparation course leading to Module 3 will be offered successively.

n.b. Confident and experienced teachers may be able to take TKT without the support of a preparatory course. It is strongly suggested that if you feel you may fall into this category, you access the Cambridge ESOL website http://www.cambridge-efl.org/ and follow the links to “teaching awards”. Here you will be able to download a handbook and sample TKT exam paper and decide if you prefer to enrol only for the exam (at a cost of €37 if you qualify as an ISP candidate)