TEFL/TESOL Certification Materials, Technology, and Assessment Syllabus

Define the 'flipped classroom' model.

A model where learners first encounter new content at home (e.g., via video) and use class time for active practice, application, and teacher-supported tasks, reversing traditional lecture/homework order.

State one main benefit of the flipped classroom for language teaching.

Class time is freed for communicative practice and personalized support, since content delivery happens before class, maximizing interaction and speaking opportunities.

What are the four commonly cited purposes of assessment? (Hint: types/functions)

Placement, diagnostic, formative (progress/achievement), and summative (proficiency/final achievement) purposes.

What is the difference between 'formative' and 'summative' assessment?

Formative assessment is ongoing, monitors learning to give feedback and guide teaching; summative assessment occurs at the end of a course/unit to measure overall achievement and assign grades.

What is a 'diagnostic' test used for?

To identify learners' specific strengths and weaknesses (e.g., particular grammar or skills gaps) so teaching can target those areas.

What is a 'placement' test used for?

To assign learners to an appropriate class or level by determining their current proficiency relative to a program's levels.

Distinguish a 'proficiency' test from an 'achievement' test.

A proficiency test measures overall ability independent of any course (e.g., IELTS); an achievement test measures how well learners have mastered the content of a specific course/syllabus.

Name the four principles (qualities) of a good test.

Validity, reliability, practicality, and authenticity (often also washback). These ensure a test measures the right thing accurately, feasibly, and with positive effects on learning.

Define test 'validity'.

The degree to which a test measures what it claims to measure (e.g., a speaking test actually assessing speaking ability, not reading).

Define test 'reliability'.

The degree to which a test produces consistent, dependable results across different occasions, markers, and versions.

What is 'practicality' as a test quality?

Whether a test is feasible to administer given available resources, time, cost, and ease of marking and interpretation.

What is 'washback' (backwash) in assessment?

The effect a test has on teaching and learning; positive washback encourages beneficial study/teaching, negative washback narrows it to mere test preparation.

What is the difference between 'direct' and 'indirect' testing?

Direct testing assesses the actual target skill (e.g., a real writing task to test writing); indirect testing measures underlying abilities thought to relate to the skill (e.g., a grammar item to infer writing ability).

Distinguish 'discrete-point' from 'integrative' testing.

Discrete-point testing assesses one element at a time in isolation (e.g., a single grammar point); integrative testing requires combining many skills at once (e.g., a cloze test or essay).

What is the difference between 'norm-referenced' and 'criterion-referenced' assessment?

Norm-referenced ranks a learner against other test-takers; criterion-referenced measures a learner against fixed criteria/standards regardless of others' performance.

What does the CEFR stand for and what does it describe?

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages; it describes language proficiency in six levels (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2) using 'can-do' descriptors.

List the six CEFR levels in order from lowest to highest.

A1 and A2 (Basic User), B1 and B2 (Independent User), C1 and C2 (Proficient User).

Name two well-known international English proficiency exams and the skills they assess.

IELTS and TOEFL — both assess the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. (Cambridge exams: KET, PET, FCE, CAE, CPE also map to CEFR levels.)

What is the difference between IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training?

Academic is for higher-education/professional registration (academic-style reading and writing tasks); General Training is for migration/work/secondary education (everyday and workplace texts).

Give two examples of 'objective' test item types.

Multiple choice, true/false, matching, and gap-fill (with a single correct answer) — they are scored without examiner judgment.

Give two examples of 'subjective' test item types.

Essays, short-answer/open-ended responses, and oral interviews — scoring requires examiner judgment (often using a rubric).

List two guidelines for writing good multiple-choice items.

Have only one clearly correct answer; make distractors plausible but unambiguous; avoid grammatical clues, 'all/none of the above', and overly long stems; keep options similar in length/structure.

What is 'alternative assessment' and give one example.

Non-traditional, often performance-based assessment that evaluates learners through real tasks over time. Examples: portfolios, projects, self/peer assessment, journals, and observation checklists.

What is a 'portfolio' as an assessment tool?

A purposeful collection of a learner's work over time that shows progress, effort, and achievement, often including learner self-reflection.

What is a 'rubric' in assessment?

A scoring guide listing criteria and descriptions of performance levels, used to evaluate subjective tasks consistently and transparently.

What is 'reflective teaching'?

A process in which teachers systematically examine their own practice—collecting evidence, questioning assumptions, and making informed changes—to improve and develop professionally.

Name two common tools/methods for teacher self-evaluation and reflection.

Keeping a teaching journal/diary, audio/video recording lessons, self-evaluation checklists, soliciting student feedback, and action research.

What is 'peer observation' and one of its main benefits?

One teacher observing another's lesson to give and receive feedback; benefits include sharing ideas, gaining fresh perspectives, and non-judgmental professional development without the pressure of formal appraisal.

State two principles for giving effective post-observation feedback.

Be descriptive and specific (not vague), start with positives, focus on observable behavior rather than personality, be constructive, and encourage the observed teacher's own reflection/self-evaluation.

In a TEFL career/job search, what is a 'TEFL certificate' and what is the recognized minimum hours?

A qualification certifying training to teach English as a foreign language; a widely recognized standard is a minimum of 100+ hours, with CELTA and Trinity CertTESOL being well-respected examples.

Name three key elements employers look for when hiring an EFL teacher.

A recognized TEFL/TESOL qualification, relevant teaching experience, native-like/strong language proficiency, a clear CV and cover letter, and cultural adaptability/professionalism in interview.

State two principles of professional ethics and cultural sensitivity for an EFL teacher.

Respect students' cultures, beliefs, and customs; avoid imposing your own values; maintain confidentiality and fairness; be inclusive and non-discriminatory; and behave professionally toward learners and colleagues.