Preparing for the

Teaching
Knowledge Test
(TKT)
Sonia Campbell Hamilton

Course Book for Module

1

Module 1. Language and background to language learning and

teaching. Part 1 Describing Language and Language skills.
Concepts and terminology for describing language.

Contents
INTRODUCTION
Unit 1 Grammar
Key concepts for describing parts of speech and grammatical structures.
Unit 2 Lexis
Key concepts for describing lexis. Factors which lead to vocabulary errors by
learners.
Unit 3 - Phonology
Key concepts for describing different elements of pronunciation. Transcribing text
into phonemic script with the help of a pronunciation chart.
Unit 4 - Functions
Exponents for expressing functions. Relating the formality and appropriacy of
functional language to the context in which it is used.
Unit 5 Reading
The key concepts related to reading and its sub skills.
Unit 6 Writing
The key concepts related to writing and its sub skills.
Unit 7 Listening
The differences between written and spoken language. The key concepts of
listening.
Unit 8 Speaking
The key concepts in oral communication. Issues concerning accuracy and fluency
in speaking practice.
Unit 9 - Motivation
The characteristics of motivated learners. Why motivation is important to learning.
Classroom activities and motivation.
Unit 10 Exposure and focus on form
The importance of a focus on the form in language learning. Potential learner
difficulties.
Concept questions as a means of checking learners understanding.
Unit 11 Role of error

The distinctions between different types of errors. Issues involved in error

correction.
Unit 12 Learner differences
The differences between L1 and L2 learning. Learning outside the classroom.
Unit 13 Learner characteristics
Learning styles, learning preferences and learning strategies.
Unit 14 Learner needs
Analysis of learning needs. Meeting learner needs.
Unit 15 Presentation techniques and introductory activities
Differences between warmers and lead-ins. Advantages and disadvantages of
presentation techniques.
Unit 16 Practice activities for language development
Skills involved in language practice activities. The purpose of language activities.
Unit 17 Assessment types and tasks
The difference between testing and assessment. Different test types. Purpose of
assessment.
Unit 18 Exercises Module 1

Introduction
This book was written in a very long, long journey and search. This long researching was
possible because the site scribd.com made it possible. I should thank to this site. They
were part of my successful researching for writing this book and therefore, the successful
end of this educational work. At the first time, this work started as a personal guide for
TKT Exams. After that I decided to share it. If you are reading this book is because you
are seeking for a real guide that can help you to study about this kind of exams with no
excuses or obstacles. For self-study or classroom, no matter what.
The experienced teachers already know about to study for this kind of Teaching Awards
like TKT of Cambridge ESOL Examinations its not an easy thing. You need to get a
certain amount of books, time to read them, study all material, maybe make notes for
self-study and collect all necessary knowledge of them for to be certified.
In fact, when I made the research I found in some TKT courses they provide just handouts
of teaching books to their trainees. That is not good for who is seeking to get success in
their certifications. Let me tell you this research work was invested a lot of time,
patience, caring, looking for accurate information about each topic on the web: sites,
books, libraries and material support to elaborate this work and a high expectations to
certify the TKT exams.
In the ending of each section you will find the bibliography that it was necessary to build
this work, you can take the ownership to read them if you have time and you want to go
beyond the contents. I bring you this with all my heart. Here are the contents of the
Module 1.
The contents are divided in 3 parts. And each part includes all required topics for the
exam. This module will be divided in 18 units, this module is very extensive because in
this you have to know and to test all the basic knowledge of English language teaching.
In fact, you should know this module is the hardest module of the all ones.
The first 17 units of this module are terminology and concepts of:
Unit 1, Grammar, key concepts for describing parts of speech and grammatical
structures.
Unit 2, Lexis, key concepts for describing lexis and factors which lead to vocabulary
errors by learners,
Unit 3, Phonology, key concepts for describing different elements of pronunciation,
transcribing text into phonemic script with the help of a pronunciation chart,
Unit 4, Functions, exponents for expressing functions. Relating the formality and
appropriacy of functional language to the context in which it is used,
Unit 5, Reading, the key concepts related to reading and its sub skills,
Unit 6, Writing, the key concepts related to writing and its sub skills,

Unit 7, Listening, The differences between written and spoken language, the key
concepts of listening,
Unit 8, Speaking, The key concepts in oral communication, issues concerning accuracy
and fluency in speaking practice,
Unit 9, Motivation, the characteristics of motivated learners. Why motivation is
important to learning. Classroom activities and motivation,
Unit 10, Exposure and focus on form, the importance of a focus on the form in
language learning. Potential learner difficulties. Concept questions as a means of
checking learners understanding,
Unit 11, Role of error, the distinctions between different types of errors. Issues involved
in error correction.),
Unit 12, Learner differences, The differences between L1 and L2 learning. Learning
outside the classroom,
Unit 13, Learner characteristics, learning styles, learning preferences and learning
strategies,
Unit 14, Learner needs, analysis of learning needs. Meeting learner needs,
Unit 15, Presentation techniques and introductory activities (differences between
warmers and lead-ins. Advantages and disadvantages of presentation techniques.),
Unit 16, Practice activities for language development (skills involved in language
practice activities. The purpose of language activities.),
Unit 17, Assessment types and tasks (the difference between testing and
assessment. Different test types. Purpose of assessment).
The last unit, the Unit 18 consists of exercises to review the Module 1 contents.
If you are unable to get my materials for study for the exams through Scribd.com, dont
worry. You can study through the views of this same material on Internet Archive too. I
have given my authorization as author to Internet Archive to show the material visually,
for all those teachers that are unable to get the material on scribd site.
Some recommendations before to take the TKT exam and to raise the score are, first be
familiar with the directions, terms, concepts, definitions and examples, second, be briefly
looking over the questions but not in answer choices, third, scan important facts and
information, fourth, answer the questions, fifth, eliminate answers that are clearly wrong,
sixth, mark difficult time or time consuming answers so that you can come back later if
you have time. Seven, timing is an important factor, dont spend too much time in one
question or answer. Eight, concentration is an important factor. Ninth, understand what
exactly is asking you in the question must be understood clearly. Tenth, relax the night
before the exam!
I hope you get a great success. Good luck. I wish you all the best!

Sonia Campbell Hamilton

Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico
March 2014.