Course outline

The course consists of the following main components:

 Induction: settling in to Edinburgh and Stevenson College Edinburgh, building

confidence in using English personally and professionally
 Language development in a classroom context
 Cultural awareness
 Preparation and assessment for TKT
 Input sessions and workshops on a range of topics covering the TKT syllabus
 Ideas for continued professional development

The TKT syllabus

Module 1: Language and the background to language learning and teaching

 Describing language and language skills

 Focus on the learner: motivation, needs & characteristics
 Background to language teaching: approaches and methods in language teaching

Module 2: Lesson planning and the use of resources for language teaching

 Lesson planning & preparation

 Selection and use of materials and resources

Module 3: Managing the teaching and learning process

 Learners’ language
 Mistakes and errors
 Classroom management
The Cambridge University Teachers Knowledge Test
(TKT)
We are proud to announce that candidates for the TESOL course will also sit the new Cambridge
University TKT exam, which will give them an internationally recognised certificate.
Cambridge University which is famous for its native speaker qualifications such as the CELTA
(Certificate of English Language Teaching to Adults) has now started an exam for non native
teachers. The TKT exams can be taken around the world and for the first time offers teachers an
internationally recognised standard.

An Overview of TKT

TKT tests professional knowledge about the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. It
should be noted that TKT tests teaching knowledge rather than teaching ability and that language
proficiency, e.g. listening, speaking and extended writing, are not tested.
TKT can be taken at any stage in a teacher’s career and offers candidates a step in their
professional development and enables them to move on to higher-level teaching qualifications and
access professional support materials such as journals about English language teaching (ELT).

The TKT Exam format and syllabus areas

TKT consists of five parts, the 3 Modules, the Practical, and the KAL, each testing different areas of
teaching knowledge.

TKT: Module 1 (80 minutes / 80 questions)

Language and background to language learning and teaching

This module consists of three parts:

 describing language and language skills (40 questions)

 background to language learning (15 questions)
 background to language teaching (25 questions)

What does TKT: Module 1 test?

This module tests candidates’ knowledge of the terms and concepts common in English language
teaching. It also focuses on the core knowledge underpinning the learning of English and
knowledge of the options and resources the teacher can use in the classroom.

TKT: Module 2 (80 minutes / 80 questions)

Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching

This module consists of two parts:

 planning and preparing a lesson or sequence of lessons (40 questions)

 selection and use of resources and materials (40 questions)
What does TKT: Module 2 test?

This module focuses on the knowledge and skills teachers need to be able to plan a lesson
framework or series of lessons. Teaching in this context also refers to any assessment required by
the teacher to consolidate learning. It also focuses on the resources that are available to guide
teachers in their lesson planning.

TKT: Module 3 (80 minutes / 80 questions)

Managing the teaching and learning process

This module consists of two parts:

 teachers’ and learners’ language in the classroom (40 questions)

 classroom management (40 questions)

What does TKT: Module 3 test?

This module tests candidates’ knowledge of what happens in the classroom during language
learning, the teacher’s role and the ways in which the teacher can manage and exploit classroom
events and interactions.

TKT: Practical (Specialist Module) (40-minutes lesson or two 20-minutes

lessons)

TKT: Practical is an accessible and affordable way for teachers to get certification of their teaching
abilities. It is ideal for teachers who have developed their skills and need formal confirmation of
their practical teaching competence.

What does TKT: Practical test?

TKT: Practical includes assessment of:

 lesson planning
 classroom management
 teaching skills

The test consists of the observation of the candidate’s teaching by a Cambridge ESOL assessor.
For NZLC TESOL students, the test can take place as part of a teacher training or teacher
development course. The template will be provided by Cambridge ESOL.

TKT: Knowledge About Language – KAL (Specialist Module) (80 minutes / 80

questions)

What does TKT: Knowledge About Language test?

TKT: Knowledge About Language (KAL), tests knowledge of the language systems needed by
teachers.
TKT Knowledge About Language also focuses on the teacher’s awareness of the language needs of
learners and the challenges students encounter in learning a second language.
The test is divided into four parts: testing knowledge of English from a teaching perspective in the
areas of;

 Lexis
 Phonology
  Grammar
 Discourse

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TESOL Course Entry Requirements

Participants should have at least an IELTS score between 5.0 and 5.5 (General or Academic),
Cambridge First Certificate (FCE)"A","B" or "C" pass, or TOEFL 500 – 530 paper based test / 170 -
200 computer based.
Participants without IELTS, FCE, or TOEFL, should have a "good intermediate" level of spoken
English fluency, they will be sent a test to complete in order to prove their level.

TESOL Course Syllabus Areas

Language Skills Development

Through the demonstration and participation of model lessons TESOL candidates will develop their
own linguistic skills. All the topics for the demonstration lessons are taken from English language
teaching contexts, for example different learning styles or methodology for staging skills lessons.
Input includes:

 Developing fluency in spoken English

 Developing listening, reading and writing skills
 Expanding vocabulary with particular reference to educational context
 Building confidence in using English

Language Awareness

 Language for describing language

 Tense names and aspect. Using Timelines
 Methods for presenting grammar to students
 Understanding and teaching conditionals
 Correction techniques for writing and speaking

Classroom Lesson Observation

Participants have the opportunity to watch experienced teachers with "real" students. Participants
are given observation tasks, which form the basis of later discussion on the teaching techniques,
and methodology. There is also video lesson observation.

Classroom Management

These sessions are designed to ensure that you can manage groups of people, with motivating and
useful tasks.
The syllabus includes:

 Task design
 Lesson planning
 Effective monitoring and minimising open class report back
 Dealing with mixed levels and problem students
 Classroom language and the role of the teaching voice

Materials and Task Evaluation

The syllabus areas include:

 Evaluating published materials

 Guidelines for creating materials
 CALL
Methodology in Action

 Discussions, readings and input include the following areas:

 Understanding the learner and the learning context
 Working with input test
 Task based learning approaches to lessons
 How to test in order to teach
 Using the Total Physical Response method

Teaching Practice Internship

Participants will teach for a total of 3 hours to "real" students. Trained observers will observe these
lessons. Participants will receive:

 Group oral feedback

 Tutor oral feedback
 A written summary of the lesson with developmental points

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About the TESOL trainers

The TESOL trainers have worked internationally and bring a wide range of key experience,
qualifications and knowledge to the course. All TESOL trainers undergo a rigorous selection and
training process. To further enhance quality the Training Center invests in recruiting top trainers
from other centres around the globe to work at the Center. To ensure that the trainers are up to
date with methodology the Teacher Training Department also encourages the TESOL tutors to
work abroad each year on the international training/teaching circuit.
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Grading and Assessment on the TESOL Course

After fully completion of the TESOL course and having taken the TKT test, you will be awarded with
the following things:

1. The Cambridge TKT exam gives you a final independent qualification, the TKT Certificate
from Cambridge University.
2. At the end of the TESOL you will receive a Certificate in TESOL from the Training Center in
Auckland and a report. The report is the most important thing for you because it is what
your future employers will require; it will be an invaluable tool in gaining employment. The
TESOL report contains comments on the following areas:

Professional Development

The areas commented on in this area include:

1. Punctuality in attendance and submission of work

2. Attitude to work and colleagues
3. Willingness to participate in the course and to support others

Written Work

The areas commented on in this area include:

1. Quality of presentation
2. Demonstration of theory into practice and an understanding of the input sessions
3. Accurate use of language

Teaching Practice
The areas commented on in this area include:

1. Your ability to transfer the theory into teaching practice

2. Your ability to write comprehensive and logical plans
3. Your ability to perform a range of classroom management functions
4. Your ability to teach a variety of different activities

Portfolio

The areas commented on in this area include:

1. Portfolio presentation and organisation

Cambridge TKT Course
NB: For the sake of convenience, the Cambridge TKT is compared below to other
Cambridge ESOL teaching qualifications, but other organisations offer equally good
equivalent qualifications.

What does TKT stand for?

Teaching Knowledge Test

What is the TKT?

The TKT is an exam from Cambridge that tests your basic teaching knowledge.

What is the format of the TKT?

The TKT consists of three core modules, with one test for each. Each test lasts for 80
minutes and has 80 questions. The tests may be taken together or separately, in any
order.

What are all these other versions of the TKT?

In addition to the three core modules of the TKT itself, there are additional optional
modules available. TKT: Practical is observed teaching (40 minutes), whereas the others
are written tests. TKT: Knowledge About Language (KAL) is a higher-level
qualification in one aspect of the TKT, and Cambridge recommend at least an Upper-
intermediate level of English to take it (as against Intermediate for the other tests). TKT:
Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL) is specific to teaching other subjects
through English. Each of these two has just a single 80-minute test.

Do I need to take the TKT before I take the optional modules (Practical, KAL,
CLIL)?
No. Any TKT test can be taken separately.

Do I need to take all three core modules of the TKT together?

No. They can be taken separately or together.

How well recognised is the TKT?

TKT is offered by Cambridge ESOL, probably the world’s most well-known and well-
respected provider of qualifications in EFL and TEFL. However, the TKT is not at the
same level as a TEFL certificate course or Cambridge ICELT, and if you have the time,
money and level of English to take one of those instead, you probably should.
How can the TKT show my teaching skills if it is just a paper exam?
Just taking the TKT test is no proof of your practical teaching skills, although as with
language learning it is probable that subject knowledge has at least some positive
practical effects. To prove your actual teaching skills, you will need to take the TKT:
Practical or (preferably) a course with observed and graded teaching practice included.

What kinds of jobs can I get with the TKT?

No employers specifically ask for the TKT in the way that some job ads ask for the
Cambridge CELTA or Trinity CertTESOL (or equivalent). However, showing that you
are interested in your professional development and having an internationally
recognised certificate proving your subject knowledge can’t hurt!

Is the TKT a good introduction if I want to take a TEFL certificate course later?
Yes. However, TEFL certificate courses are designed for people with no teaching
experience and so you could just do one straight off. It is only worth taking the TKT
first if you are unsure whether you want to take a certificate course, if you don’t yet
have time to take the course, or if your level of English is not yet high enough.

I already have a TEFL qualification. Is it worth taking any of the more specialist
TKT courses/tests?
The TKT: CLIL is probably suitable if you need to be involved in teaching other
subjects through English and your previous courses didn’t have anything or much on
this. The content of the other courses would be covered in a typical 100-hour TEFL
certificate course.

What are the differences between the TKT and the CELTA?
The biggest difference is that the CELTA always has at least six hours of observed and
graded teaching practice, whereas the TKT has none or, if you take the TKT: Practical,
40 minutes. The CELTA also involves at least 100 hours of training, whereas the TKT
test can be taken after preparing on your own. The English language level for entering
the CELTA is also quite high, with course providers often asking for Cambridge
Proficiency (CPE). For all these reasons, the CELTA is considered a higher level
qualification than the TKT.

What are the differences between the Cambridge ICELT and the Cambridge
TKT?
The biggest difference is that the TKT is a test and so you don’t necessarily need to take
a preparation course (although most people do). Unless you take the optional TKT:
Practical, there is also no observed teaching practice in the TKT. This is one of the
reasons why the TKT is considered a lower-level qualification than the ICELT, along
with the lower level of English needed and the lower number of classroom hours in a
typical course. In fact, some people use the TKT as a way of preparing to enter an
ICELT course.

Which is better, an online TEFL course or the TKT?

If an online course has more than 100 hours of instruction it might well deal with more
content than is in the TKT, but the TKT still has the name of Cambridge ESOL (part of
Cambridge University) behind it. You could always combine the two by doing an online
course and then the TKT exam.
Who is the TKT most suitable for?
It is most suitable for people who have few or no qualifications in teaching English as a
foreign language or people whose training did not include more up-to-date
methodologies. That could include people with no teaching experience. However, these
groups of people would probably gain more from a course with observed teaching
practice such as a TEFL certificate like the Cambridge CELTA or the Cambridge
ICELT, so the TKT is often taken by people who do not have sufficient time or a good
enough level of English to enter those kinds of courses. The TKT: CLIL test is also
suitable for those with initial qualifications in teaching who want to know more about
this specific area.

Do I need to take an English language test to prove my level before I can enter a
TKT preparation course?
Not according to Cambridge, but local course providers may have their own criteria.

Is the TKT suitable for people with no teaching experience?

Yes.

What level of English do I need to take a TKT course/pass the TKT?

Cambridge does not set formal entry requirements but recommends a level of at least
Intermediate (CEFR B1, PET or a 4.0 in IELTS), or Upper Intermediate for the TKT:
Knowledge About Language. Preparation course providers might have different
requirements.

Is the TKT just for non-native English speaking teachers?

No, although that is the largest group of people who take the test. Native English
speakers could use the test and/or preparation courses as a way of preparing for a TEFL
certificate course, as an alternative to an online TEFL course, or to help them decide if
TEFL is for them before they pay for a 4-week course.

Is the TKT easy for native English speakers?

An educated English speaker with no language learning or teaching experience would
probably still know about half the answers in a Module 1 test. However, someone who
has learnt English as a foreign language is likely to find some other questions, such as
those on grammar terminology and phonemic symbols, easier than an average native
English speaker would.

What is the pass mark?

There is no pass and fail. All candidates get a band between 1 and 4 for each of the
exams that they take.

Will my lessons be observed as part of the assessment?

Only if you take the TKT: Practical, in which case your grade will be based on one or
two lesson observations and the accompanying lesson plans. The other tests are just a
test of knowledge, as the name of the test implies, and so courses with integrated
teaching practice, e.g. a TEFL certificate such as the CELTA or ICELT, are considered
higher level qualifications.

What exam tactics are useful in the TKT?

There is often one extra answer that is not used, so check that there is one left over and
that it doesn’t match with any of the options. In a similar way, with multiple-choice
questions you should double check that the options that you didn’t choose don’t match
the question.

What is the most important thing to do to prepare for the test?

Learn English teaching jargon such as: parts of speech; types of exercise and activity;
names of approaches to teaching; and techniques for language learning.

Can I take a TKT test without taking a course?

Yes. All you need to do is register yourself for the test at any TKT exam centre, e.g. a
local branch of the British Council.

How can I study for the test without taking a course?

There are now specific books on the TKT available and also many online resources,
including practice tests. More generally, reading English-language books and articles on
language teaching is a good way of increasing your knowledge of teaching and TEFL
terminology, and of testing how ready you are to take the exam.

Can I take the TKT as part of or after an unrelated course?

Yes, in fact that is a common use of the test. For example, some teacher training
organisations in the UK offer the TKT as an option at the end of the course.