Teaching Knowledge Test Preparation Course

Course code: TKT

What is this course about?

The course aims to acquaint teachers with background knowledge about the teaching of English to speakers of other languages and to prepare them to eventually sit for the Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test.

What are the aims of the course?

• To become familiar with terms and concepts common in English language teaching.
• To pinpoint factors essential to the learning of English.
• To focus on the range and functions of the pedagogic choices available to teachers to cater for these learning factors.
• To clarify considerations and actions of teachers while planning.
• To become familiar with linguistic and methodological reference resources available to guide teachers in their planning.
• To focus on and understand the range and function of different materials and teaching aids.
• To become aware of what happens in the classroom in terms of the language used by teachers and learners.
• To recognise and understand the roles the teacher can fulfil.
• To be knowledgeable of the ways in which the teacher can manage and exploit classroom events and interaction.

Who is this course for?

• Student-teachers.
• In-service teachers without an official qualification.
• Teachers who wish to update and refresh their knowledge of ELT.
• Anybody who wishes to become familiar with ELT current practices and methodology.

How long is the course?

Eight weeks

Contents:

Module 1: Introduction
1. TKT Examination overview
2. Course structure and tools
3. Portfolio production

Module 2: TKT Module 1
1. Introduction to module 1
2. Describing language and language skills
3. Background to language learning
4. Background to language teaching

Module 3: TKT Module 2
1. Introduction to module 2
2. Planning and preparing lessons
3. Selection and use of resources

Module 4: TKT Module 3
1. Introduction to module 3
2. Teachers' and learners' language in the classroom
3. Classroom management

Module 5: Integration
1. Tips
2. Practice exams

Methodology

• This course will be taught on the Internet through the Net-Learning System.
• It is all on-line.
• It will be structured around questioning, thinking, speaking, reading and writing.
• Portfolio production will be taught and will form part of the evaluation.
• Weekly forums will be held, moderated by the tutors.

Evaluation

The course is evaluated by continuous assessment of the forum participation and a final assignment:

1. Continuous assessment of Forum Participation
2. Submission of a portfolio in week 7 (50 marks)
3. Accreditation will be recognized by a certificate at the following levels

Grading
Distinction (band 4): 85 %
Merit (band 3): 65 %
Pass (band 2): 55 %

Instruction and Tutorials

Reception and delivery of the materials and the forum will be through the Internet on Net- Learning. The tutor is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Tutors

Susan Hillyard B.Ed.
Susan Hillyard was awarded a B.Ed.from Warwick University (U.K.) in 1972 in Dramatic Arts and Sociology and has lived and worked, since then, as a classroom teacher, a coordinator or Head of Sector and a teacher trainer in five different countries; England, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, Spain and now, Argentina. Most recently she has taught Language IV at both the National Teacher Training College in Buenos Aires (I.S.P. en Lenguas Vivas) and at the National University of Technology (U.T.N). She was the Director of the ESSARP Teachers´ Centre, Buenos Aires, for five years from 1993-1998 where she organised professional development courses and conferences for teachers in bilingual schools from KG to Secondary in both English and Spanish.
Her most recent full-time post was as Secondary English Headmistress at Wellspring School , Del Viso, Argentina . She is now working as a freelance teacher trainer, speaker and educational consultant. She is educational advisor for "The Performers", an educational theatre group which produces plays for three levels in English and performs all over South America and beyond. She has co-authored a Resource Book for Teachers (edited by Alan Maley, Oxford University Press) entitled "Global Issues".