TEFL Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield TEFL facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is a 'topic sentence' and why is it important in EFL writing instruction? → The first sentence of a paragraph that states the main idea of that paragraph
2. What does 'nominating' mean in classroom interaction? → Specifically selecting a student to respond to a question or contribute to discussion
3. Which lesson planning model emphasizes a 'Test-Teach-Test' sequence? → TTT
4. What is 'positive reinforcement' in the TEFL classroom context? → Acknowledging and rewarding desired behaviours or correct language to encourage repetition
5. Often used terms that are seen to detract from written English are referred to as → clichés
6. What is 'inter-rater reliability' in speaking or writing assessment? → The degree to which two or more assessors give consistent scores to the same piece of work
7. According to sociocultural theory, language learning is primarily viewed as: → A social and interactive process mediated by tools and people
8. Which reading sub-skill is being practised when students answer multiple-choice questions about specific facts in a text? → Scanning for specific information
9. The 'Silent Period' in SLA refers to: → A phase where learners comprehend input before producing output
10. A learner who avoids using the subjunctive because they are unsure of it is demonstrating: → Avoidance strategy
11. Which term describes the output learners produce when they 'push' themselves to use more precise or complex language structures? → Comprehensible output
12. What is 'intensive reading' in TEFL? → Careful, close reading of a short text to understand language, meaning, and details fully
13. What does 'pacing' refer to in TEFL lesson delivery? → Managing the speed and flow of activities to maintain engagement and cover planned content
14. Is an article a determiner? → an
15. Additionally, physical is known as: → Kinaesthetic
16. Which of the following best describes 'backward design' in curriculum development? → Starting with the desired learning outcomes and working backward to plan instruction
17. What is the primary purpose of a 'lead-in' stage in a TEFL lesson? → To activate prior knowledge and generate interest in the topic
18. Which of these is an interjection? → Look out!
19. In terms of fundamental learning styles, "verbal" can also mean: → Linguistic
20. Which speaking task type requires students to reach an agreed outcome together? → Consensus or decision-making task
21. How long should a typical TEFL lesson aim statement be? → One clear sentence stating what learners will be able to do
22. Which has an idiom in it? → I was pulling your leg
23. What is a 'progress test' in an EFL course? → A test given periodically during a course to check learning of recently taught material
24. What is 'norm-referenced assessment'? → Ranking students relative to a group, with grades distributed on a curve
25. Which type of syllabus lists language items from simple to complex grammatical structures? → Structural syllabus
26. What is 'intensive listening'? → Listening carefully to every detail, word, and structure in a short audio segment
27. When writing lesson aims, which phrasing best follows TEFL best practice? → Students will be able to use present perfect for life experiences by the end of the lesson
28. In task-based learning, what is the 'pre-task' phase? → An introduction that activates knowledge and prepares students for the main task
29. Reading and writing are typically simpler for EFL learners than Speaking and Listening. → TRUE
30. What is a 'notional-functional syllabus' primarily based on? → The communicative purposes and meanings language serves