The Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT) is a test from Cambridge ESOL about teaching English to speakers of other languages. It tests the knowledge for English language teachers especially their knowledge on concepts related to language, usage of language and the background to and practice of language teaching.

TKT is designed to offer maximum flexibility and accessibility for candidates and therefore does not include a compulsory course component or compulsory teaching practice. Through maintaining their portfolios candidates get the opportunity to become reflective practitioners, analysing their teaching and how this impacts on their students’ learning.

After taking TKT, teachers who want to develop their knowledge further can progress to Cambridge ESOL's other well-established Teaching Awards, such as ICELT, CELTYL and CELTA.

AIM
TKT aims to increase teachers’ confidence and enhance job prospects by focusing on the following core areas:

• Different methodologies for teaching
• The 'language of teaching'
• The ways in which resources can be used
• The key aspects of lesson planning
• Classroom management methods for different needs.

WHO IS IT FOR
TKT is ideal for all teachers, whatever their background and teaching experience, and is also suitable for people who would like to teach English but do not yet have a teaching position. TKT can be taken at any stage in a teacher’s career. TKT is suitable for teachers of English in primary, secondary or adult teaching contexts. Candidates taking TKT will normally have some experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages.

TKT can be taken by:

• Pre-service teachers
• Teachers who wish to refresh their teaching knowledge
• Teachers who are moving to teaching English after teaching another subject.

Though there are no formal entry requirements, anyone wishing to take TKT is strongly advised to have at least an intermediate level of English — Level B1 of the Council of Europe's Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — e.g. PET, IELTS band score of 4.