CTET key terms

The gap between what a learner can do alone and what they can achieve with guidance from a more knowledgeable person. Teachers should target instruction within this range to maximise learning.

Temporary support a teacher or peer provides so a learner can complete a task they cannot yet manage independently. Support is gradually withdrawn as the learner gains competence and confidence.

A mental framework or organised pattern of knowledge that helps a person interpret new information and experiences. Learners connect new ideas to existing schemas, which may need restructuring when new information conflicts.

A learning theory holding that learners actively build knowledge by connecting new experiences with prior understanding, rather than passively receiving facts. Teaching therefore emphasises exploration, questioning, discussion and hands-on activity.

An approach where all children, including those with disabilities or diverse backgrounds, learn together in mainstream classrooms. Schools adapt curriculum, teaching and assessment so every learner can participate fully.

A persistent difficulty in learning specific academic skills such as reading, writing or mathematics, despite average intelligence and adequate instruction. It is neurological in origin and requires individualised support, not punishment.

Ongoing assessment used during teaching to gather evidence about student understanding and adjust instruction. It is low-stakes, descriptive and focused on helping learners improve rather than assigning final grades.

The drive to engage in an activity because it is interesting, enjoyable or personally meaningful, not for external rewards. It supports sustained effort, curiosity and deeper learning in classrooms.

A theory describing moral reasoning as progressing through preconventional, conventional and postconventional levels. Each level contains two stages, moving from obedience and self-interest to social conformity and finally universal ethical principles.

Bandura's theory that people learn by observing others' behaviour and its consequences. Attention, retention, reproduction and motivation determine whether an observed action is imitated, making modelling a powerful classroom tool.

The smallest unit of sound in a language that can change meaning; for example, the first sound in 'pat' differs from that in 'bat'. Phonemic awareness helps children decode words when learning to read.

The smallest meaningful unit of language, either a free morpheme that stands alone (e.g., 'book') or a bound morpheme attached to another (e.g., '-s' for plural). Understanding morphemes supports vocabulary and spelling.

The rules governing how words are arranged to form phrases and sentences in a language. Syntax determines grammatical order, such as subject-verb-object in English, and affects clarity of expression.

The study of meaning in language, including how words, phrases and sentences convey ideas. Semantics deals with literal meaning, while pragmatics considers meaning in context.

The study of how context influences meaning in communication, including implied meaning, politeness and social rules. It explains why the same sentence can mean different things in different situations.

The ability to use two languages for communication, ranging from basic competence to full fluency. In education, it can be an asset; teachers may allow code-switching to support understanding.

A fast reading strategy used to get the general idea or gist of a text without reading every word. Readers glance at headings, first sentences and key phrases to decide relevance.

An approach that prioritises real communication and meaningful interaction over memorising grammar rules. Classroom activities include role-play, pair work and problem-solving tasks that require learners to use the target language purposefully.

A conclusion drawn from evidence and reasoning rather than stated directly. Readers make inferences by combining text clues with prior knowledge to understand implied meaning.

Words and phrases such as pronouns, conjunctions and repetition that link sentences and paragraphs, helping a text read as a unified whole. They guide readers through logical connections between ideas.

The variety of language used in a particular social setting or for a particular purpose, such as formal, informal, academic or conversational. Speakers adjust vocabulary and grammar according to audience and context.

A figure of speech that describes one thing as if it were another, without using 'like' or 'as', to suggest a shared quality. For example, 'the classroom was a zoo' implies chaos.

To restate the meaning of a text in one's own words while keeping the original ideas. It demonstrates comprehension and is used in summaries, answers and note-making.

Hints within a sentence or paragraph, such as definitions, examples, synonyms or contrasts, that help a reader work out the meaning of an unfamiliar word. They build independent vocabulary skills.

An approach to reading that asks learners to question whose interests a text serves, what is included or omitted, and how language positions the reader. It connects comprehension with social awareness and evaluation.

The value a digit has because of its position in a number. In 352, the 3 means 300, the 5 means 50 and the 2 means 2; understanding this underpins calculation with larger numbers.

An intuitive understanding of numbers, their magnitudes, relationships and operations. Learners with strong number sense can estimate, judge reasonableness and choose efficient strategies rather than relying only on memorised procedures.

A teaching progression where mathematical ideas are first explored with physical objects, then with drawings or diagrams, and finally with symbols and abstract notation. It supports learners who need hands-on grounding before formal rules.

The process of examining a learner's incorrect work to identify the pattern or misconception behind it, rather than simply marking it wrong. Teachers use findings to plan targeted remediation and feedback.

The total distance around the boundary of a closed two-dimensional shape. It is measured in linear units and is calculated by adding side lengths; for a rectangle, twice the sum of length and breadth.

A property where a shape or figure can be folded, rotated or reflected so that its parts match exactly. Line symmetry and rotational symmetry are common topics that develop spatial reasoning in primary mathematics.

Collecting, organising, representing and interpreting information. In primary classes, learners use tally marks, pictographs and bar graphs to answer simple questions and draw conclusions from data.

A comparison of two or more quantities of the same kind, showing how many times one value contains or is contained within another. It is written as a:b and used in scaling and proportion problems.

A community of living organisms interacting with each other and with their non-living surroundings such as soil, water and air. Energy flows and nutrients cycle within it.

A sequence showing how energy and matter pass from one organism to another through feeding relationships, starting with producers and moving through consumers to decomposers. Arrows indicate the direction of energy flow.

The continuous movement of water between the atmosphere, land and oceans through evaporation, condensation and precipitation. It replenishes freshwater and shapes weather and climate.

A feature or behaviour that helps an organism survive and reproduce in its particular habitat, such as thick fur in cold regions or roots that store water in deserts. Adaptations develop over many generations.

The variety of living things within an ecosystem or across the planet, including differences in species, genes and habitats. High biodiversity generally makes ecosystems more resilient to change.

The introduction of harmful substances or excess energy into the environment, causing damage to living things and natural systems. Common types include air, water, soil and noise pollution.

The careful use and protection of natural resources so that they remain available for future generations. It includes reducing waste, recycling, saving water and protecting habitats and wildlife.