Govt funds training
for secondary school teachers

Secondary school teachers of English are now required to sit Module One of the Teaching Knowledge Test (TKT); a three-module examination devised by the University of Cambridge English for Speakers of Other Languages (Esol).

Module One tests candidates' knowledge of language use concepts and language teaching and learning methods.

One group of teachers has applied for government funding from the Office of Regional Education Region 1 Nongkhai and has successfully completed two days' training at the Education, Resources and Information Center (Eric) at Thabor School Nongkhai district.

Fear of failure

Fifty teachers were selected to undergo training with the possibility of eight further observers. Foremost on many teachers' mind was the fear of failure. The TKT examination that they are to take in June this year is an international qualification. Many teachers are concerned they would not be up to the required standard.

Though the fear of failure is common among all test-takers regardless of exam genre, it can sometimes be a negative influence on the national administration of education in Thailand, especially if it is allowed to dominate decision making.

I can remember two years ago when the idea of using TKT in Thailand was first discussed at meetings in Bangkok. Government universities and private schools were of the opinion that TKT was for other countries and that it was deemed too difficult for Thai teachers of English.

Dispelling the myth of TKT

Udon Thani Rajabhat University was one of the first to embrace this new examination and the president of the university conducted TKT tests using all three modules for thirty-four Thai teachers of English. Thirty-one teachers achieved grade three or four (the top two grades). It is clear, therefore, that Thai teachers of English have nothing to fear.

The Language Center at Udon Thani Rajabhat University, which offers support to Udon Thani province and surrounding provinces in Issan, was tasked with conducting one days' training covering all the material in Module One for the teachers' club. Module One consists of seventeen units grouped into three parts, an formidable task to cover in one day. Normally it would take a minimum of 30 hours to cover a single module.

To increase the confidence of teacher-trainees, preparation materials were downloaded from the Cambridge Esol website at www.CambridgeEsol.org/TKT and sample examination questions taken from the TKT book published by Cambridge University Press.

Because the fear of failing the international exam is a primary concern, the instructors focused on examination techniques and question types. In addition, approximately 240 questions from Module One were examined in detail. The four question types and various styles were also scrutinized.

The intense practice resulted in an overall boost in confidence as candidates realized that a good grade was indeed achievable.

The increased self-confidence of the teachers was demonstrable and it was clear that the teacher-trainees are more certain than ever that they each have an excellent chance to do well on the standardized exam, especially as they are now aware of which areas they need to further practice on.

The examination takes place in six weeks. Looking to the future

The Thai government has taken a bold step in adopting the first module of TKT and should be commended in its forward thinking. Closer scrutiny of the remaining two modules would indicate that Thai teachers of English would benefit from taking all three modules in line with Udon Thani Rajabhat University approach.

This would encourage teachers in their professional development and could be used by teachers to access further training and enhance career opportunities.

Many teachers in Thailand believe they are not remunerated adequately for the important work they do. Consequently, many do not have the ready financial resources to pay for an exam review course on their own.

It will take further funds from the government if Thai teachers of English are to complete further training and qualifications.

Proactive and ambitious teachers clubs, such as the English Teachers' Club Nongkhai Region 1, that successfully obtain government funding for teacher training are a shining example to other teacher groups of what can be done.

These teachers are prepared to go the extra mile in order to achieve a good grade in their forthcoming examination.

There are Rajabhats and Erics all over Thailand which have the capability to aid secondary school teachers in their quest for grade three and four scores on the TKT test. Government money is available as long as teachers groups are prepared to apply.

Teachers who take responsibility for their own development may well be rewarded by a government that has taken a giant decision to use the internationally recognized TKT test as its benchmark.

Steven Graham is an English language teacher at the Language Center, Udon Thani Rajabhat University in northeast Thailand. If there are any comments or areas for debate that you would like to discuss, you can contact Steve at shed_chelsea@hotmail.co.uk .