25 September 2006
One of the leading universities in Latin America is setting new standards for language teaching in Mexico by putting all of its English teachers through the Cambridge TKT (Teaching Knowledge Test).
More than 300 teachers from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico will take the Cambridge English examination TKT from this month (September).
Professor Lourdes Pérez Valdespino, Coordinadora Institucional de Inglés at Universidad del Valle de Mexico, said: "The university has always been committed to quality language teaching, using a range of in-service training programmes to support teachers and their development. TKT will allow us to gain an objective assessment of our teachers from a world-leading authority in Cambridge English."
TKT has been designed for teachers of English as an addition to the language qualifications required by teachers in Mexico. It is also intended to be accessible: relevant to teachers at all stages in their careers, whatever their background and teaching experience, and is ideal for teachers who need to enhance their knowledge and skills and for people aiming to enter the teaching profession.
The three modules (Language and background to language learning and teaching; Lesson planning and use of resources for language teaching; Managing the teaching and learning process) can be taken together in one session or separately, as well as in any order. There is no compulsory course component or teaching practice in TKT: candidates can choose to prepare for the test through self-study or by following a guided course of study. All of the teachers from the Universidad del Valle de Mexico are expected to complete all three modules by September 2007.
The exams are to be taken in nine locations by teachers from 15 cities across the country, organised by International House Mexico, a partner to Cambridge English Language Assessment.
International House Director Ariel Lopez said: "We have coordinated a team that will run the exams in many different locations around the country at the same time, allowing us to provide convenient centres for large numbers of teachers. This significant achievement is the result of very effective team work carried out by Cambridge English, International House and of course, Universidad del Valle de Mexico."
More information on TKT is available from the Cambridge English Language Assessment website.