Trial candidates praise new TKT extensions
Teachers testing out the new optional modules of the Teaching Knowledge Test: Content and Language Integrated Learning (TKT: CLIL) and Knowledge About Language (TKT: KAL), prior to their release in October this year, have been saying how useful the test was to them.
TKT: CLIL focuses on a method of teaching in which curricular subjects are taught and studied through the medium of a non-native language.
TKT: KAL tests a candidate’s knowledge of the language systems needed by teachers for planning and teaching their lessons.
As with all its exams, Cambridge ESOL has subjected TKT: CLIL and TKT: KAL to a rigorous process of scrutiny to ensure it is accurate and fair. As part of this process, between December 2007 and February 2008, more than 250 teachers in 11 countries sat a trial version of the TKT: CLIL and nearly 300 teachers sat a trial version of TKT: KAL.
The results of these trials were vital for Cambridge ESOL to be certain that the new tests were appropriate for release to a wider audience.
TKT: CLIL and TKT: KAL are tests of English language, so it was important to investigate the relationship between performance on TKT: CLIL and TKT: KAL and language proficiency. The trial findings indicated that simply being proficient in English did not lead to a high CLIL/KAL score, and also that lower language proficiency was not a barrier for candidates to perform at a satisfactory level. This finding provides evidence for the validity of the test, as it indicates that candidates are assessed on knowledge of concepts in the CLIL/KAL exam, rather than their English ability.
Fairness is an important factor in all of Cambridge ESOL’s exams, so it was important to find that the trial results showed age or gender did not have an effect on performance when taking either TKT:CLIL or TKT:KAL. Where differences were shown between groups of candidates, it was in areas that indicated the test had been properly constructed. TKT:CLIL is a test of understanding of teaching practice and in the trial, the biggest differences in results occurred between candidates with no teaching experience and those who had some experience, indicating that an understanding of teaching practice was the key factor to success.
Similarly, TKT: KAL’s focus is on understanding of linguistic systems as embedded in teaching practice and the results showed a slight increase in scores as the length of candidate’s teaching experience progressed.
As well as the quantitative data from the exam scores, Cambridge ESOL also asked for candidate’s views and experiences of taking the test. Many were highly complimentary of the tests, with a number of the teachers expressing an interest in taking the exams when they became available.
Here are just some of the comments from TKT: CLIL trial candidates:
“It would have been useful for us as teachers if, during the last year of our degree, we had had the chance to sit a test like this….”
“The test is very interesting and enjoyable. It’s a great pleasure to get an opportunity to be able to assess our own teaching skills.”
“I’m not used to thinking about my teaching practice and in one way or the other, the test has helped me to be more aware of what I do…”
And these are some of the candidate’s comments from TKT: KAL
“I think that it is good that you have created an exam to follow TKT. This makes us teachers want to be up to date.”
“I look forward to seeing the final version of the exam. I hope the test becomes available to candidates soon.”
“A very good option for teachers who would like to continue developing as professional teachers”
“It was challenging, but it tests what a good teacher must know”
Cambridge ESOL has an ongoing programme of trialling and pretesting for all its exams and Cambridge ESOL is seeking centres and teachers prepared to join our programmes of pretesting.
For centres and teachers, taking part in pretesting can help them develop their knowledge of assessment issues and shows that they are committed to excellence and are also an active part of Cambridge ESOL’s world-renowned programme of research.
If you are interested in taking part in pre-tests for TKT: CLIL, TKT: KAL or any of our other exams, contact Jo Sharkey at pretesting@cambridgeesol.org
Further information about both exams, including sample papers for you to try, can be found at www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/clil.html and www.cambridgeesol.org/exams/teaching-awards/kal.html
