IH TKT

Who is the course aimed at?

The course is aimed at teachers preparing to take the Cambridge ESOL TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test).

It is intended for teachers with some practical experience but who may not have a formal qualification in teaching English. The course is also suitable for teachers returning to teaching after a break, and wishing to brush up on their knowledge.

The course and exam are suitable for native and non-native speakers.

Aims of the course

The course aims to assist teachers in building up a portfolio of work, focussing on all content areas relevant to the test. The course provides a wide range of resources, such as input, exam practice, practical tasks and assignments which aim to fully prepare teachers for exam success.

Course content

The IH TKT course is designed around the three modules of the exam. A module represents approximately 20 hours work. Each module is divided into a series of topics:

Module Content

1 Language and background to language learning

• Grammar, Lexis, Phonology
• Receptive skills
• Productive skills
• The learners and their learning 1
• The learners and their learning 2
• Presenting and practising language
• Assessing learning

2 Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching

• Introduction to planning
• Planning a class or sequence of classes
• Assessing outcomes
• Materials and resources 1
• Materials and resources 2

3 Managing the teaching/learning process

• Overview of classroom management
• Teacher roles and responsibilities
• Task setting
• Dealing with learner error
• Review and exam practice

Course structure

The IH TKT course is an online course, using the International House virtual classroom. The following is a list of features of this course:

Forums

Forums give you the opportunity to share you ideas and learn together as part of a community of teachers and tutors. Research shows that this style of e-learning helps in the development of critical thinking skills as well as the capacity to resolve issues through dialogue, ordering and clarifying ideas and evaluating the ideas of others.

Chats

On this course, chats are intended as interactive classes. Chats are focussed around a single topic and are scheduled so that as many people as possible are online at the same time. Chats are tutor guided and provide an opportunity to get immediate response to questions or ask for further clarifications.

Input

Input is not only provided through discussion and chat but also in the form of electronic media documents. Discovery activities, new articles, quizzes, practice tasks and activities and presentations appear bi-weekly in the course contents list. Participants can share and discuss their answers to tasks in the forum. Answer keys are provided. Documents use standard Microsoft Office formats as well as Adobe PDF.

Exam practice

Regular exam practice is essential and this course provides practice materials every week. Additionally, at the end of each module there is a chance to complete a practice exam. Candidates receive feedback on their progress through out the course

Portfolio

During the course, candidates are set a series of portfolio tasks. These are completed individually but may be prepared in groups. These tasks are designed to deepen understanding of concepts related to teaching English and the portfolio serves as a record of progress and achievement on the course. The portfolio is built up using electronic documents (such as Microsoft word) and sent to the tutor for feedback when requested.

Focus on the Glossary of Terminology

Candidates need to know a glossary of 400 terms that describe the practice of English language teaching. This course includes extensive work on building up knowledge on key terminology and concepts relevant to the exam.

Online bibliography and directory of websites

The course maintains a list of recommended resources, both in print or online. The directory is updated by the tutor or the participants and forms part of the course portfolio. There are tasks and activities for participants in relation to suggested reading.

Duration

The course is designed around 60 hours of study. Learners are expected to work for a minimum of 4 hours a week in order to benefit most from the course. The courses last for 15 weeks.

Course dates

• June 16 2008 -- September 19 (14 weeks)
• September 15 -- December 19 (14 weeks)
• October 20 -- January 23 (14 weeks)
• January 19 2009 -- April 24 (14 weeks)
• March 16 2009 -- June 19 (14 weeks)

Given the nature of online courses, although we recommend you to begin on the start date given, it is possible for "late starters" to catch up quite quickly, within the first module of the course.

Minimum of six participants.

Price

€195.

Application

To apply for a place on the course, fill in the online form.

If you prefer, you can download the application form as Word document or pdf file.

Note that no payment is required until you have been accepted for a place.

For payment details, see separate page.

Online teacher training courses from IH Barcelona

Courses currently available:

• Common European Framework (CEF)
• Foundation TEFL course
• Language Analysis for English Teachers
• Teaching English pronunciation
• Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT)
• Teaching Vocabulary
• Teaching Writing Skills for Exam Classes
• Teaching Young Learners