Test-Teach-Test, or TTT for short, is a lesson shape that involves testing the students’ knowledge of a language point before and after teaching it. It is widely used in EFL classrooms, especially for grammar and vocabulary lessons. But what are the benefits of using this approach? In this blog post, I will discuss some of the advantages of TTT and how it can help both teachers and learners. First, let’s look at the stages and aims of a TTT lesson.
| Stage | Aim | Procedure |
| Lead in | To generate interest in the topic of the lesson | The teacher starts the lesson with something that gets students thinking about the topic of the lesson in pairs, perhaps answering a couple of discussion questions provided on the board. |
| Test 1 | To test what students already know in terms of the target language (T/L) | The teacher sets the task, and elicits the first example onto the board. Students do the task alone, then compare answers in pairs. |
| Teach | To teach the T/L which the students don’t know, highlighting aspects of MFP | The teacher elicits answers from the first test onto the board, asking questions to check understanding, highlighting any important aspects of form and pronunciation. |
| Test 2/Controlled practice | To test whether students have understood the T/L | The teacher sets the task, and elicits the first example onto the board. Students do the task alone, then compare answers in pairs. The teacher provides open class feedback by eliciting answers onto the board. |
| Freer practice | To give students a chance to use the T/L in a more natural way | The teacher sets a task in which students have to use T/L in a freer way, such as a discussion, role-play, or written composition. While monitoring, the teacher makes notes of any good/poor use of the T/L. |
| Error correction and feedback | To provide feedback on T/L used in previous stage | The teacher uses notes from the previous stage to highlight any good uses of the T/L, and elicit corrections from the students. |
One of the main benefits of TTT is that it allows teachers to assess the students’ needs and gaps in their language knowledge. By giving a test at the beginning of the lesson, the teacher can see what the students already know and what they need to learn. For example, if the teacher wants to teach the present perfect tense, they can give a test with sentences like “I have lived in London for two years” or “She has never been to Paris” and ask the students to identify the tense and its meaning. This can help the teacher to tailor the lesson to the students’ level and interests, and to avoid teaching something that is too easy or too difficult for them. Moreover, by giving feedback on the test, the teacher can also activate the students’ prior knowledge and prepare them for the teaching stage.
Another benefit of TTT is that it engages the students in their own learning process and motivates them to improve. By giving a test at the end of the lesson, the teacher can show the students their progress and achievement. For example, if the teacher has taught the present perfect tense, they can give a test with sentences like “Have you ever visited China?” or “He has just finished his homework” and ask the students to use the tense correctly. This can boost their confidence and self-esteem, as well as encourage them to review and consolidate what they have learned. Furthermore, by comparing their performance on the two tests, the students can also reflect on their strengths and weaknesses and set goals for future learning.
A third benefit of TTT is that it provides opportunities for practice and interaction in the classroom. By using different types of tests, such as multiple choice, gap fill, matching, or oral questions, the teacher can expose the students to a variety of language skills and contexts. For example, if the teacher wants to test the students’ listening comprehension, they can play an audio clip and ask them to answer some questions based on it. The tests can also be done individually, in pairs, or in groups, depending on the teacher’s objectives and preferences. This can create a dynamic and interactive atmosphere in the classroom, where the students can practice their language skills with each other and with the teacher.
In conclusion, TTT is a useful lesson shape that can offer many benefits for both teachers and learners in EFL classrooms. It can help teachers to assess the students’ needs and adapt their lessons accordingly. It can also help students to monitor their own learning progress and motivation. Finally, it can provide opportunities for practice and interaction in a fun and engaging way.
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