English Language Teacher Training

World Wide English teacher training courses have been developed for in-service teachers of English as a foreign or second language who wish to discover more about ideas in ELT and for pre-service teachers who wish to gain an overview of theory and have the opportunity to practice teaching a variety of activities and lessons in a non-threatening environment. It is a comprehensive and systematic course of study that incorporates the latest areas of research and innovation in English language teaching to quickly improve the overall effectiveness of the practising teacher.

World Wide English courses promote the communicative classroom, learner responsibility, an interactive methodology and a learner-centred view of curriculum. We do this by:

• Exposing teachers to classroom practices and ideas that successfully develop language skills.
• Helping teachers make sense of ELT theory.
• Offering teachers plenty of practice opportunities to experiment with and evaluate new methods, materials and teaching ideas.
• Encouraging teachers to observe, reflect on, discuss and assess their current professional practice.

At the end of our courses graduates will be better equipped to make informed decisions. They will have the criteria for evaluating tasks and activities allowing them to choose wisely from the material available to them and to evaluate a textbook chosen for them. As a result, they will be able to maximise the strength of materials and supplement them according to the needs of their learners.

The programme adopts an activity-based approach and addresses the six content domains of foreign/second language teaching:

1. Teaching theory
2. Teaching skills
3. Communication skills and language proficiency
4. Subject matter knowledge
5. Pedagogical reasoning skills and decision making
6. Contextual knowledge

Areas comprehensively covered include:

• Lesson planning
• Teaching large multilevel classes
• Skills and techniques in the classroom
• Error correction
• The successful management of interactive learning
• Teaching speaking, listening, reading, writing, vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation
• The development of learner strategies
• Teaching different age groups and proficiency levels
• Assessment in the classroom

By increasing awareness and knowledge of English language teaching and opening the door to a wealth of resources, teachers will have at their fingertips all the tools they need to successfully develop their students’ English language proficiency.

Test Preparation - Cambridge ESOL approved examination centre

World Wide English is also a Cambridge ESOL approved examination center and currently offers a preparatory course for the Cambridge Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT).

The TKT is designed and produced by University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL) and tests knowledge about the teaching of English to speakers of other languages. This knowledge includes concepts related to language, language use and the background to and practice of language teaching and learning.

TKT synergy with World Wide English courses

Since the TKT tests teaches knowledge rather than teaching ability, it integrates smoothly with World Wide English teacher training courses where a much larger focus is on classroom teaching skills.

The TKT offers candidates a further step in their professional development as teachers and enables them to move onto higher-level teaching qualifications and access professional support materials, such as resource books and journals on English language teaching.

The TKT is suitable for teachers of English in primary, secondary or adult teaching contexts and is intended for an international audience of non-first language or first language teachers of English. Candidates taking the TKT will normally have some experience of teaching English to speakers of other languages. The TKT may also 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

Test center - Cambridge ESOL approved examination centre

As well as offering test preparation, World Wide English is an approved Cambridge ESOL Examination Center where candidates can sit a growing number of Cambridge ESOL  tests and exams. As an approved examination center,  World Wide English is committed to maintaining the high standards and reputation for excellence of Cambridge ESOL examinations.

Certification

On successfully passing the Cambridge ESOL TKT exam, candidates will be awarded the the Cambridge TKT certificate.