Teacher Training & TKT

This course will prepare teachers for the Cambridge Teacher Knowledge Test (TKT). It aims to develop the basic knowledge of language and teaching skills required to teach English as a foreign language to children or adults. The course is designed as an introductory teacher development course for groups teachers with little or no experience of teaching English language. The course requires a minimum level of English of intermediate (CEF level B1) or IELTS band 4.0. Teachers will leave with the Cambridge TKT qualification. See the CambridgeESOL website for more details on the TKT.

 

Course Structure

Part 1: Online Reading tasks, written assignments, short research projects (approx. 40 hours)  

Part 2: Face-to-Face Lessons, tutorials, teaching observations (2 weeks x 25 hours per week)

TKT Test: Cambridge ESOL's Teacher Knowledge Test (3 x 80 minute exams)

 

Course Objectives

General Aims: The course aims to...

• Explain the key concepts and terms of English language teaching
• Introduce current teaching theories, approaches and techniques
• Raise awareness of useful learning and teaching resources
• Provide materials and activities that explore the concepts and approached presented

Specific Aims: By the end of the course, participants should be able to...

• Describe the features of language skills (listening, reading, writing & speaking)
• Describe the features of language systems (grammar, lexis, pronunciation, function)
• Understand different learner styles and motivation
• Understand the differences between L1 and L2 learning
• Identify suitable learning aims
• Plan effective learning activities
• Plan sequences of lessons
• Evaluate coursebooks and supplementary materials
• Utilise a variety of teaching aids
• Give simple and effective instructions
• Present materials and activities in an engaging way
• Assess learners’ progress and provide appropriate feedback
• Follow a variety of teaching approaches
• Manage learners’ interaction
• Create a learner-centred classroom

 

Teaching and Learning Methods

The course is delivered in two parts combining the best of face-to-face and online training.  

Part 1 is delivered online through the Glasgow School of English online learning tool, LearningZone. Participants are assigned reading and research tasks and asked to provide short essays demonstrating their understanding and experience. This allows trainer to assess both the participants’ background knowledge and also their language ability. It also helps participants learn new terminology before beginning Part 2 and therefore gain more from, and contribute more to, classroom discussions.

Part 2 is a very intensive 2 week programme delivered face-to-face by a qualified teacher trainer to a group of participants. The learning activities include presentation, quizzes, discussion, role play, review, and practice tests. There is an emphasis on collaborative learning and the participants will often work in pairs and groups, learning from the experiences each other.

Throughout Parts 1 and 2, participants will be required to research learning and teaching and to reflect on their own experiences. This helps participants develop autonomous learning to enable them to continue developing as teachers after the course has been completed.

 

Teaching and Learning Materials

We only use the latest quality resources from Oxford and Cambridge Universities and other trusted ELT publishers which are supplemented with online materials. Sample materials shown below.  

Core Materials

Spratt, Pulverness & William (2005) The TKT Course, Cambridge
Harmer (2007) How to Teach English, Pearson
Scrivener (2005) Learning Teaching, 2nd ed. Macmillan

 

Evaluation

Before beginning the course, participants’ language ability and prior experience of language learning and teaching will be assessed. Language ability is measured by an online placement test. Participants also complete a questionnaire to determine their level of teaching experience and knowledge of language learning which can be completed and returned by email. During a course, participants’ progress is evaluated by continual assessment and a practice test. A certificate of completion is given to all participant who actively engage in the lessons, show an understanding of the course content and demonstrate achievement of the course objectives.

 

Payment & Booking

This course is only available to groups.  The price per person including the Cambridge TKT test fee is £650 per person for a minimum group size of 6 teachers.  Contact the school directly for bookings. 

 

TKT Example Timetable (Glasgow)
TKT Handbook for Candidates