Test, teach, test (TTT) is an approach to teaching where learners first complete a task or activity without help from the teacher.

A teacher in Spain talking at the front of the class

Then, based on the problems seen, the teacher plans and presents the target language. Then the learners do another task to practise the new language.

Example
The learners, who have not studied phrasal verbs, are given a text and asked to find examples. They are able to do this but not to deduce meaning. The teacher plans a lesson to help learners develop this, and then asks them to do a similar activity.

In the classroom
TTT is a useful approach as it enables teachers to identify the specific needs of learners concerning a language area and address this need suitably. It can be particularly useful at intermediate levels and above, where learners may have seen language before, but have specific problems with it, and also in mixed level classes to help identify objectives for each individual.

Further links:
https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/mini-talks

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