| An Overview of TKT
General description
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).
Paper format
TKT consists of three free-standing modules each testing different areas of teaching knowledge. There are 80 questions in each module.
Answer format
For all modules candidates indicate their answers by shading the correct lozenges on an OMR answer sheet.
Task Types
Objective tasks, such as matching, multiple choice, sequencing, ordering, odd one out.
Timing
1 hour 20 minutes per module.
Marks
Each question carries one mark.
| Module |
Title |
Timing |
Content |
| 1 |
Language and background to language learning and teaching |
1 hour 20 minutes |
Three parts with 80 objective format items
|
| 2 |
Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching
|
1 hour 20 minutes |
Two parts with 80 objective format items
|
| 3 |
Managing the teaching and learning process |
1 hour 20 minutes |
Two parts with 80 objective format items |
TKT aims
- to test candidates’ knowledge of concepts related to language, language use and the background to and practice of language teaching and learning.
- to provide an easily accessible test about teaching English to speakers of other languages, which is prepared and delivered to international standards, and could be used by candidates to access further training and enhance career opportunities.
- to encourage teachers in their professional development by providing a first step in a developmental framework of awards for teachers of English.
TKT Candidature
TKT is suitable for teachers of English in primary, secondary or adult teaching contexts and is intended for an international audience of non-first language or first language teachers of English.
Candidates taking TKT will normally have some experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages. TKT may also be taken by
- pre-service teachers
- teachers who wish to refresh their teaching knowledge
- teachers who are moving to English teaching after teaching another subject.
Candidates are not required to fulfil any specific entry requirements for TKT.
In order to keep a record of their professional development and reflections on their teaching, candidates are encouraged to keep a portfolio. Through the portfolio candidates are encouraged to become reflective practitioners by analysing their teaching and how this impacts on their students’ learning. The portfolio does not form part of the assessment for TKT, however.
Language level
To access TKT, candidates need a level of English proficiency of at least Level B1 of the Council of Europe’s Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. This level is specified in the Council of Europe’s Threshold document (Threshold 1990, J A van Ek & J L M Trim; CUP August 1998). However, candidates are not required to have taken any specific English language examinations.
TKT candidates are expected to be familiar with language relating to the practice of ELT. A non-exhaustive glossary of teaching terminology can be found in the TKT Glossary.
Preparing for TKT
TKT is designed to offer maximum flexibility and accessibility for candidates and therefore does not include a compulsory course component or compulsory teaching practice. However, it is likely that centres and other institutions will wish to offer courses for TKT preparation and these may also include some teaching practice if desired.
It is anticipated that in preparing for TKT candidates will have the opportunity to extend their knowledge of English language teaching. They will familiarise themselves with concepts related to language, language use and the background to and practice of language teaching and learning.
The TKT Course, published by CUP in collaboration with Cambridge ESOL, is available in mid-April 2005. This coursebook provides approximately 60-90 hours of classroom-based or self-access study, and includes practice tasks and tests.
Further support is also available in the form of seminar programmes in different countries. More information on these programmes is available here.
Sources and text types used in TKT
Extracts, original or adapted, from the following sources may feature in TKT
- ELT coursebooks or supplementary materials
- handbooks on English language teaching and learning
- ELT journals and magazines
- testing materials
- reference materials on language, e.g. grammar books and dictionaries, including phonemic transcription (IPA – International Phonetic Alphabet)
- diagrams or other visuals
- transcriptions of classroom talk
- descriptions of classroom situations.
The full specifications for TKT are available in the TKT Handbook.
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