JEDDAH: The British Council in Jeddah is to follow the success of the Cambridge Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) course with one for teachers who regularly encounter second language speakers.
The Teacher Knowledge Test (TKT) is designed for teachers at all levels of experience who would benefit from a deeper understanding of the difficulties encountered by students who use English as a second language in a learning environment ... The course delivers strategies and techniques specifically designed to improve both teaching quality and the student’s learning experience.
“It is particularly suitable for teachers in Saudi Arabia because it caters to all level of experience — and there are a lot of teachers here who just want to keep up with the latest methodology,” said Helen Glenn, the British Council Women’s center manager. “It is also for people at the beginning of a career or who just want to teach subjects other than English — indeed, any teacher who encounters second language speakers.”
The 40-hour course run in the evenings over seven weeks prepares the student for a Cambridge exam at the end. There is no pass mark — the results are banded from one to four. One indicates that you are at the beginning of skill acquisition and four a very experienced teacher. The course is an opportunity for teachers to gauge their own abilities and effectiveness and take on some new skills.
“It’s more about teaching methods than having a deep knowledge or experience of language and linguistics,” said Rosie Anderson brought in from the UK especially to deliver the course. “It is not as rigorous as CELTA and doesn’t have the same language requirements.” She added that the TKT was valuable as a precursor to the rigors of the CELTA course. She described the course as focusing on and broadening knowledge of teaching, rather than a practical course such as CELTA, which centers on techniques. “It tests teachers’ knowledge of teaching.”
Anderson added that it would bring experienced classroom teachers up to date and for others update knowledge they have of the theoretical background. “I think it gives teachers who have a long career to reflect on their practices and to develop in a way they might not have considered before.” She emphasized that the course was about theory, materials, awareness raising of learner-centered classes and not language ability.
“It’s a test of teacher’s knowledge rather than teacher’s ability, that’s the thing.” It is possible to take the examination on demand, but Glenn advised against it as the course gives practice of the type of questions asked in the exam. It includes two-hour observations of experienced British Council teachers so they can see how the theory is applied in practice and they will also get to use their new skill in the Council’s classrooms. “It’s very hands on,” said Glenn.
