TKT - professional knowledge test for English teachers   A new test for English teachers from University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations offers teachers a unique opportunity to deepen their professional knowledge and earn an international qualification.   The Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) is a new teaching qualification focusing on the core knowledge needed by all teachers of English as a second language. TKT has been prepared and is delivered to international standards by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and is available from April 2005.   TKT has three modules which can be taken together in one session or separately, in any order. Candidates receive an internationally valid certificate from Cambridge for each TKT module they take. The three modules are:   Module 1 -- Language and background to language learning and teaching Module 2 -- Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching Module 3 -- Managing the teaching and learning process.   There is no compulsory course component or teaching practice in TKT: candidates can choose to prepare for the test through self-study or by following a guided course of study. Nor is there a formal entry requirement in terms of English language proficiency – although to access the test successfully, candidates need to be familiar with the ELT terminology in the TKT Glossary, which can be downloaded free from www.CambridgeESOL.org/teach/TKT   Who is TKT for? TKT is designed for teachers of primary, secondary and adult learners of English, in both the state and private sectors. It is relevant to teachers at all stages in their careers, whatever their background and teaching experience, and is ideal for teachers who need to enhance their knowledge and skills, teachers of other subjects converting to teach English and people wishing to enter the teaching profession. It also has international appeal because it is accessible to teachers in a wide range of contexts around the world.   What are the advantages of TKT?   TKT helps teachers to improve their teaching by widening both their practical and theoretical knowledge. By preparing for the test, candidates are motivated to extend their knowledge of different ways of teaching; the ‘language of teaching’, using resources, lesson planning and classroom management.    TKT is also highly useful for employers’ recruitment processes and teaching staff development plans, as it provides an independent and authoritative check of knowledge of teaching.   A key feature of TKT is the high level of support provided by Cambridge. This includes extensive, free online resources for trainers and candidates at www.CambridgeESOL.org/teach/tkt and a dedicated textbook, The TKT Course, published by Cambridge University Press.   Positive reception in Argentina TKT has been trialled in Argentina and 11 other countries. In Argentina, TKT was widely piloted at AACI, ESSARP and Universidad Católica Argentina. Early feedback from teachers during the trialling of the test clearly indicates a very positive attitude to TKT. As one candidate who participated in the trial at the Universidad Católica wrote, “I enjoyed doing the test. It was very useful and let me assess myself as a teacher”. Another reported that “the rubrics were clear and the situations were ones we come across at school every day”.   Ofelia Veltri MBE, Director of the Asociación Argentina de Cultura Inglesa (AACI), finds TKT is highly relevant to AACI’s own teacher training programme. As she explains: “English is, by far, the most popular foreign language taught in Argentina and many – if not all schools – have English as a subject in their curriculum. This is a fact though there is a variable we have to handle: some of the teachers delivering these English classes are non-graduate and are in need of professional development. This definitely creates a vast market for TKT in our country. AACI has launched two training courses incorporating TKT, an Intensive training Course for non-graduate teachers in need of professional development, and a Refresher Training Course for graduate teachers or those with solid experience in the field of ELT. TKT is also going to be included as part of the syllabus in our 4-year Teacher training School (official degree). Students from our School of Translators (official degree) will be given the opportunity to join our TKT courses ; many of them are already teaching English and have no qualifications. I believe there is a vast market for TKT in Argentina as it offers international teaching accreditation at a level not covered by any other international exam.”   Dr Cristina Banfi, Academic Co-ordinator at ESSARP has introduced TKT as an optional component of an English language course for teachers starting in April, as there is evidence that teachers wish to demonstrate their knowledge by means of an international test.   As she comments: "Implementing TKT, both in its piloting and definitive stages, has been a very rewarding experience for the teachers involved and for ESSARP as an institution. TKT provides an opportunity for a wide range of teachers to demonstrate their language and pedagogical knowledge. It has proved very valuable to teachers  who teach in English at KG and primary levels as well as teachers who teach secondary school subjects such as Biology or History."