Tai kieu ve thi chung chi QT TKT

ENGLISH TEACHING CERTIFICATION
Introducing the Teaching Knowledge Test
Story by Terry Fredrickson
If you look in the Bangkok Post Classifieds section, you see advertisements for TEFL
teacher training courses virtually every day. These courses all tend to be very intensive,
involving both teaching and learning theory and a substantial practicing teaching stint.
Most importantly, they all offer certification for those who complete them successfully.
Unfortunately, the courses are also quite expensive, especially by Thai standards. That is
certainly one reason that Thai English-language teachers seldom apply. The biggest
stumbling block, however, is the language requirement. You really need to speak English
at the native or near-native level to succeed in a TEFL certificate course.
Recent surveys have shown clearly that few Thai English-language teachers come
anywhere close to that standard. They are also very unlikely to have much formal training
in English-language teaching. Indeed, relatively few of them, especially at the primary
level, ever intended to teach English in the first place.
The Thai government has recognised the problem and is offering some help. During the
last summer term break, for example, there was a crash in-service course attended by
thousands of English teachers. There is also a network of English Resource and
Instruction Centres (ERICs) at select schools throughout the country that give periodic in-
service training.
Soon, Thai teachers will have access to something entirely new � not at the government
level this time, but instead through the private sector. The University of Cambridge has
introduced a new ESOL qualification based on what it is calling the "Teaching
Knowledge Test" (TKT).
As the name implies, this is not a test of language proficiency, but an examination of a
teacher�s knowledge about the actual teaching of English. It consists of three
independent models, each with its own certificate.
The first involves the terminology and theory of language learning and teaching. The
second covers lesson planning and use of teaching resources. The third involves the
teaching and learning process. A teacher can take one, two or all three of the modules.
As is typical of Cambridge University Exams (IELTS, IGSCE, etc.), examiners in the UK

will grade the TKT and the scores will be rated according to an international standard.
Teachers will be happy to know there will be no pass-fail system and the scores will
instead be grouped in four bands. The first test will be administered this April.
Cambridge University is also coming out with a course book shortly. Theoretically, a
teacher could pass the tests strictly from self-study and personal knowledge, but the test
developers are expecting that most candidates will take some formal preparation as well.
In Thailand, it looks likely that universities will take the lead in providing the courses. In
other countries � China, for example � the Ministry of Education is an active
participant and that, the developers hope, will eventually be the case here.
While the test does not test English-language proficiency directly, this should be a
consideration for those who want to do well on the test. Extensive field testing, including
trials carried out with teachers in Thailand�s Catholic school system, has shown quite
conclusively that candidates should know enough English to pass the Cambridge
Preliminary English Test (PET) � roughly an IELTS level 4-4.5.
That's not very high � far below the proficiency is needed to take a TESL certificate
course like CELTA � but it is still beyond the level of many, if not most, Thai English
teachers in the public school system. Thus, to be adopted on a large scale in Thailand,
there will probably have to be language improvement component to the coursework as
well.
It should be well be worth it. The test and course materials are far less expensive than
TESL certificate courses and the content and standards are likely to be considerably more
consistent and transparent than the government�s own in-service programmes.
Learning post will have much more information on this test as the date for its local
introduction approaches. Meanwhile, for detailed information, contact the local
University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations office at PO Box 134, Chiang Mai
University, Chiang Mai 50202. Alternatively, email or call 053-279-
141.
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