There is growing interest in the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) from education ministries and teacher training institutes throughout the Middle East, North Africa
and Turkey.
The test is already up and running in Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen, with trialling about to begin in Jordan, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia.
‘TKT is likely to become a standard requirement for English language teachers in this region,’ said Craig McWilliam, Cambridge ESOL’s Development Manager, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey. ‘Many institutions will use TKT as a condition
of employment.’
TKT is already being linked to the Egyptian Government’s education reform agenda and in Kuwait the Ministry of Education is considering TKT as a benchmark for new teachers. In Yemen, a British Council teacher training course was structured around TKT to demonstrate its suitability as a benchmark qualification to the Ministry of Education, and Turkey has seen the largest entry for TKT anywhere in the world.
‘The test is also being introduced into countries where there has been no Cambridge presence for many years,’ continued Craig.
‘For example, Cambridge ESOL’s new centre in Algeria is likely to make TKT the benchmark for English language teachers working in the national oil and gas sector.’
‘TKT has certainly whet candidates’ appetites for professional development.’
Susan Haghegh, Director of Studies, Elite School Tripoli, Libya
‘[We] will benefit from an objectively assessed test with international validity. I’m confident that TKT is that test.’
Hal Hennigan, Teacher Training Co-ordinator, Higher Colleges of Technology CERT Teacher Training Centre Abu Dhabi, UAE
‘We’ve made the TKT our minimum qualification for teachers working at the school.’
Tawfik Mansurey, Director of Studies, Success School Benghazi, Libya
