1-Purpose and objective of the test

Objectives of TKT test are to test candidates conceptual knowledge about language,

language use and to evidence their background to and practice of language teaching and learning.

Also, other of its objectives is to provide an easily accessible test in teaching English to speakers

of other languages, which is prepared and delivered to international standards, and could be used

by candidates as a tool of feedback, to access further training, and enhance career opportunities.

It has a motivational background, encouraging teachers’ professional development as a

fundamental instrument to support and justify awards for teachers of English.

2-Test specifications

TKT consists of three modules. Each module requires candidates to read questions and

then answer by objective tasks, such as one-to-one matching; 3/4/5-option matching; 3-option

multiple choice and odd one out. TKT required from the candidate reading skills instead listening,

speaking or extended writing. They are not required in taking this test. It is important to highlight

that knowledge of teaching is over candidate’s English proficiency or their performance in the

classroom.

Each module is based on 3 modules which measure, as mentioned previously, candidates’

knowledge on:

- Language and background to language learning and teaching.

- Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching.

- Managing the teaching and learning process.

According to the TKT handbook each module is described in the following terms;

Language and background to language learning and teaching: It is an eighty minutes

module which is compound of 3 parts with 80 objectives format questions. The tasks that must be

developed by the candidates are one-to-one matching; 3/4/5-option matching; 3-option multiple

choice and odd one out. Each part of this module have its own denomination, these are:

Describing language skills, background to language learning and background to language

teaching.

The part 1 Describing language skills requires from candidates’ knowledge their

understandings of terms and concepts common in English language teaching that are used to

describe language and its use and language skills. In this part candidates demonstrate their

understanding of concepts and terms about grammar, lexis, phonology, functions and language

skills.

The part 2 requires from candidates’ knowledge of factors underpinning the learning of

English by speakers of other languages, focusing particularly on learner or group characteristics

which differentiate one from the other in terms of learning and factors that produce influence on

what and how a teacher selects to teach an specific learner or a class, understanding the effects

that these decisions.

The syllabus areas tested through this part are: motivation, exposure to language and

focus on form, the role of error, the differences between L1 and L2 learning, learner

characteristics and learner needs.

The part 3 determines the pedagogic choices teacher have at disposal to attend for learners

characteristics, learning processes and the differences between L1 and L2 learning. Also this part

tests knowledge of concepts and terms about teaching and learning procedures and activities:

repeating, prompting, eliciting, pair work, group work.

In this part of the test candidates demonstrate their comprehension of terminology,

activities, methods and tasks about: presentation techniques and introductory activities; types of

activities and tasks for language and skills development; assessment types and tasks.

The module 2 is called Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching. It

consists in 2 parts with 80 questions. It is and eighty minutes module. This part of module 2 tests

candidates’ knowledge on planning and preparing a lesson or sequence of lessons. In terms of

lesson planning, TKT requires from candidates to identifying and selecting aims appropriate to

learners, stage of learning and lessons, to identify the different components of a lesson plan, to

plan an individual lesson (or a sequence of lessons), to choose and to sequence activities

appropriate to learners and aims, to choose assessment activities appropriate to learners, aims and

stages of learning.

This part of Module 2 tests candidates’ knowledge of how to make use of resources,

materials and aids in their lesson planning.

The other area tested by TKT in this module is how candidates make the Selection and

use of resources and materials to help in lesson preparation. They have to demonstrate how they

select and use course book materials, supplementary materials and activities and aids which are

appropriate to learners and aims.

Managing the teaching and learning process is the name of module 3. It is an eighty

minutes module with 80 questions, the tasks developed in this module as in the others are one-to-

one matching; 3/4/5-option matching; 3-option multiple choice and odd one out. This module

tests candidates’ ability to understand the functions of classroom language, to adapt teacher

language according to its audience and purpose, to evaluate teachers’ classroom language, to

analyze learners’ language and categorize learner errors.

The areas tested in this module are: Teachers and learners language in the classroom;

Classroom management; the functions commonly used by the teacher in the classroom;

identifying the functions of language used by learners in the classroom (this may involve analysis

of language which is not completely accurate); categorizing learners’ mistakes.

Resuming all the modules have 80 questions, each module must be answered in 80

minutes and each module has Objective tasks, such as one-to-one matching; 3/4/5-option

matching; 3-option multiple choice and odd one out.