Tests for English teachers

Testing is a convenient, modern and fast format for testing knowledge. Tests are popular due to the easy grading system. In schools, they are used due to the ability to make several out of one option by swapping questions - which is important when teaching a large number of people.

Tutors use tests to determine the initial level of language proficiency in many ways. The effectiveness of teaching often depends on the correct result. And every five years, teachers change places with students and also pass a mandatory qualifying exam.

Types of tests for teachers

There are three types:

• entertaining,
• evaluating,
• attestation.

Entertaining interactive ones are suitable for the first lesson of the year or after quarantine, for breaks and rest when teaching children , for diversifying the educational process and maintaining a friendly atmosphere in the classroom.

Tasks for determining the level are useful for tutoring , for tracking the dynamics of students' knowledge, for borrowing exercises for working out in the classroom.

Testing of employees in the field of education is carried out in order to determine whether the specialist will be able to form the language competence of students and their ability to apply the acquired skills in school and life.

Special attention deserves testing of teachers, after which he is awarded a category.

Certification in 2019–2024

Since 2020, competence testing has been divided into 2 types: mandatory and voluntary. In the first case, it is passed by a graduate of a pedagogical university at the beginning of a career and after 2 years, and then necessarily once every five years.

Voluntary can be chosen independently if he is interested in professional growth. As a result, the first or highest category is assigned. The second category is no more.

The Ministry of Education designated the period until 2024 as a transitional period, i.e. a person can independently choose the form of certification. In connection with these innovations, the following positions will be introduced at the school: a senior teacher (methodologist) and a leader (mentor) with significantly different salaries.

Teachers take a qualification test to confirm that their knowledge is appropriate for the position they hold. The certification must:

• stimulate self-education ,
• determine and correct the performance of work,
• determine the salary base
• to introduce state standards in education.

The current aptitude test lasts 2 hours and consists of the following sections:

• English and its teaching methods - 22 tasks in the form of tests with only one correct answer and 12 tasks, which must be answered with a word or phrase.
• Pedagogy and psychology - 4 test tasks and one correct answer.
• Information technology - 3 test questions and the choice of one correct answer and 1 task with the answer in the form of a sequence of Latin letters or numbers.
• State policy in the field of education - 3 tasks, in which you need to choose one of the given options.

What are they planning to change by 2024?

The changes will affect the format. The following elements will be added:

• Written work (drawing up a plan, correcting errors in the text).
• A lesson filmed on video with a plan for its implementation and an outline.
• Case for identifying psychological and pedagogical competencies (how to resolve a conflict in a team, how to help a beginner adapt, how to avoid bullying).

Each task is completed in 4 hours, but on different days. Perhaps, quantitative indicators of student success, positive feedback from management, and feedback from former students will add points to the final amount.

The new attestation model will start working no earlier than the 2022/2023 academic year - until that time, the regions themselves decide on the form of passing.

Aptitude Exam

What do you need to pass the exam?

In addition to a high level of foreign language proficiency, it is necessary to prepare several important documents:

• Statement.
• If there have been similar tests before, then copies of the results are needed.
• Documents and copies about education.
• Personal documentation of the change of surname, if the diploma was issued in the maiden name.
• Characteristics, recommendations or a cover letter from the place of work.
• Documents on advanced training.
• Information card with the results of activities.
• Prepared portfolio .
• Computer presentation about your achievements during your work.
• Website.

The administration adds a certificate of employment, student results, and graduate reviews to the package of documents.

How to prepare for the exam?

An important process of preparation is self-education, which includes the passage of special courses , both full-time and remote . Particular attention should be paid to the TEFL/TESOL, which consist of more than 100 hours of training and will help you sort out all the problematic issues. An important plus will be the indication of the certificate in the portfolio. The training is completely remote and independent, which means the possibility of combining it with work.

Certificates indicated in the portfolio and presentation positive effect on the award of a qualification category, because they say that the specialist does not stand still and continues to develop.

Tips & Tricks

In order to make the most economical use of time, it is worth skipping questions that cause difficulties and first answering only those that are understandable. You can return to the difficult moments a little later.

Identify "weak points" and strengthen them with additional training, take tests regularly and analyze errors.

Think about what you need to complete the procedure according to the latest model: arrange with a videographer, read foreign cases of teachers, watch examples of lessons on YouTube.

Write to your former graduates on social networks, ask them to write a detailed review about you. Perhaps someone even kept school photos with you.

Good preparation is also reading special blogs for English teachers, which contain specialized articles about methods and tactics.

And most importantly, don't worry. A person who does his job with all his heart will certainly succeed!