TEFL Basics of Teaching 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which classroom arrangement best supports student-centered learning and group discussion?
- Rows facing the board
- U-shape or circle seating (Correct answer)
- Students facing the back wall
- Isolated individual desks
Correct answer: U-shape or circle seating
U-shape or circle arrangements allow all students to see each other, facilitating discussion and collaboration.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of a 'warmer' activity at the start of a TEFL lesson?
- To introduce the grammar point immediately
- To assess students' prior knowledge formally
- To engage students and activate prior knowledge (Correct answer)
- To assign homework from the previous lesson
Correct answer: To engage students and activate prior knowledge
Warmers energize the class and connect new content to what students already know, easing them into the lesson.
Question 3: A student repeatedly makes the same grammar error even after correction. Which approach is most effective long-term?
- Ignore the error to avoid embarrassment
- Correct every instance immediately and loudly
- Provide focused practice targeting that specific structure (Correct answer)
- Move on to new content and hope it self-corrects
Correct answer: Provide focused practice targeting that specific structure
Targeted practice helps learners internalize the correct form through repeated, meaningful use.
Question 4: Which term describes the natural, subconscious process by which people develop language through meaningful exposure?
- Learning
- Acquisition (Correct answer)
- Drilling
- Scaffolding
Correct answer: Acquisition
Krashen's acquisition hypothesis distinguishes subconscious acquisition (through input) from conscious learning (through study).
Question 5: When teaching vocabulary, which technique uses a visual organizer showing word relationships, synonyms, and examples?
- Gap fill
- Word map / semantic map (Correct answer)
- Dictation
- Choral drilling
Correct answer: Word map / semantic map
Word maps help students connect new vocabulary to related concepts and prior knowledge visually.
Question 6: What does 'TTT' stand for in TEFL lesson analysis, and why is reducing it often recommended?
- Task, Test, Teach — reduces variety
- Teacher Talking Time — limits student practice opportunities (Correct answer)
- Target, Transfer, Test — slows pacing
- Timed Talk Tasks — increases anxiety
Correct answer: Teacher Talking Time — limits student practice opportunities
High Teacher Talking Time reduces the amount of English students produce, limiting their practice.
Question 7: Which concept refers to the gap between what a learner can do independently and what they can do with teacher support?
- Affective filter
- Zone of Proximal Development (Correct answer)
- Interlanguage plateau
- Comprehensible input
Correct answer: Zone of Proximal Development
Vygotsky's Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) identifies the learning space where teacher guidance is most valuable.
TEFL Basics of Teaching 2
Which classroom arrangement best supports student-centered learning and group discussion?