TKT - The Teaching Knowledge Test

&
The TKT Course

WhatisTKT?

What is TKT?
A new certificate in teaching English
Teaching Knowledge Test
not a test of language proficiency
not a test of classroom performance
Offered internationally
Cambridge ESOL quality assurance procedures

Who is TKT for?

For pre-service teachers and for
experienced teachers
No formal entry requirements
For teachers of primary, secondary and
adult learners

Whats in each modul

Module 1
Language and background to
language learning and teaching

Part 1 Describing language

and language skills
grammar

lexis
phonology
functions
skills and subskills

Module 1
Language and background to
language learning and teaching

Part 2 Background to language learning

motivation
exposure to language and focus on form
the role of error
differences between L1 and L2 language
learning
learner characteristics and needs

Module 1
Language and background to
language learning and teaching

Part 3 Background to language teaching

presentation techniques
introductory activities
practice activities
tasks for language and skills development
assessment types and tasks

Module 2
Lesson planning and use of resources
for language teaching

Part 1 Planning and preparing a lesson

or sequence of lessons

identify and select aims

components of a lesson plan
plan a lesson
choose and sequence activities
choose assessment activities

Module 2
Lesson planning and use of resources
for language teaching

Part 2 Selection and use of resources

and materials
reference resources
selection and use of:
- coursebook materials
- supplementary materials and activities
- teaching aids

Module 3
Managing the teaching and learning
process

Part 1 Teachers and learners language

in the classroom
functions of teacher language
functions of learners language
categorise learners mistakes

Module 3
Managing the teaching and learning
process

Part 2 Classroom management

teacher roles
grouping
correcting
feedback

Grading
knowledge of TKT content
areas
Band 4
Band 3
Band 2
Band 1

extensive
breadth and depth
basic but systematic
limited

Summary of results for 2005

Band 4

37.6%

Band 3

57.6%

Band 2

4.7%

Band 1

0.1%

Questions & comments

1. Isnt the language level rather low for many
teachers?
2. You cant reduce teaching to a lot of objective
questions.
3. Teaching and learning are complex processes.
Isnt this kind of approach just reductive and
trivialising?
4. Its all matching tasks, isnt it?
5. Why not Pass/Fail? Like this, everyone passes,
dont they?

The TKT Course

Starter question and answer
Key concepts
Key concepts and
the language teaching classroom
Follow-up activities
Reflection
Discovery activities
TKT practice task

The TKT Course

3 modules, each focusing on one module of TKT. Each
module is divided into units which cover the contents
of the TKT test specifications for that module.
3 TKT practice tests, one for each module of TKT
Exam tips for preparing to take TKT
Answer keys for TKT practice tasks,
follow-up
activities and the TKT practice tests
A list of terms

Internet resources
Cambridge ESOL
www.cambridgeesol.org/tkt

TKT handbook
complete set of sample papers
examiners reports for 2005
practice materials
full glossary (with definitions & examples)

www.teacherportfolio.cambridgeesol.org

Cambridge ESOL Teacher Portfolio

Internet resources
Cambridge University Press
www.cambridge.org/elt/tkt
sample unit from The TKT Course
sample practice materials
notes for trainers
notes for teachers
exam tips

Module 1
Language and background to
language learning and teaching

Part 1 Describing language

and language skills
grammar

lexis
phonology
functions
skills and subskills

Module 1
Language and background to
language learning and teaching

Part 2 Background to language learning

motivation
exposure to language and focus on form
the role of error
differences between L1 and L2 language
learning
learner characteristics and needs

Module 1
Language and background to
language learning and teaching

Part 3 Background to language teaching

presentation techniques
introductory activities
practice activities
tasks for language and skills development
assessment types and tasks