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Best Ways to Teach New Vocabulary to Young Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
One of the things of the English language that can make English hard to get to grips with. Vocabulary knowledge is highly correlated with reading comprehension and reading achievement. Vocabulary is required for students to achieve cognitive academic language proficiency. All good reasons to make sure that your vocabulary teaching is interesting, useful and effective.
The Good Ways To Teach Vocabulary
Set achievable goals
What should we give to students with a new vocabulary
What the right FCs are
When teaching FCs for young learners, I follow these steps
These are some activities I often use when teaching with FCs:
1. Charades
2. Picture word match race
3. Flash the card
4. Pass the flashcard
5. Flashcards Station
Do you want to teach English abroad?... [Read more]
The 3 Ways to Teach Vocabulary Effectively - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Lewis (1993) claims that "Lexis is the core or heart of language" (p 89). Indeed, it is one of the basic steps of mastering a foreign language. Vocabulary knowledge is what makes verbal communication between people possible. Most teachers face problems when teaching new items. They feel the need to use techniques to have an effective lesson. Over the years, teachers have tried to find the most effective and practical strategies to teach vocabulary. They have been applying several methods like fill in the blank definitions, pre-teaching unfamiliar words and stressing high-frequency words. This essay will just focus on three strategies that can help teach vocabularies such as using visual aids, highlighting vocabulary in context and vocabulary practice.... [Read more]
Board Game - Name it, Spell it - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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With this fun board game, you can practice vocabulary and spelling in an enjoyable way with your ESL students.
The questions can be adapted to make it more challenging should it prove to be too easy. Make learning fun with this board game.
For higher-level learners, you can ask students to name 2 or 3 answer instead of just one.
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Effective Ways to Teach ESL to Younger Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching English online can be an amazing way to connect with people from all around the world, while not having to commit to picking up and moving to a different country. Although it may be easier to teach an online course from any location, it does not necessarily make the lesson planning and teaching part easier. Online teaching, if done effectively, can be useful to both the teacher and the students, so what are some effective ways to teach English online to young learners?
Environment
Noise Control
Focus
Materials and Activities
Team Work
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jordan A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the... [Read more]
Ways to Teach English to Young Students Online - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I chose the topic, "How to teach English to children online" because this is ultimately what I want to do with this TEFL certificate. This topic also incorporates a few of the other topics. I will however just focus on teaching children and how I can be the best teacher to them and help them achieve their goals. I will mainly refer to what I have learned in Unit 19, Teaching special groups.
Benefits of online lessons
English usage at maximum
Things to avoid
Practicing patience
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zahn-Mari T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
It is my understanding that being... [Read more]
Two Main Ways of Teaching Vocabulary to English Language Learners - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Vocabulary has a direct impact on written and spoken language comprehension. All students come to school with differences in their vocabulary knowledge, and part of teaching them how to be successful in English is to teach them vocabulary. Vocabulary development plays a critical role in helping English language learners increase their ability to communicate in the receptive and expressive domains in English. This is why vocabulary must be explicitly and systematically taught.
Learn how to teach vocabulary effectively with a TEFL course today!
Listen to this blog post
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Gina A.
Research suggests the following three big ideas about teaching and learning new words:
Also read: 4 Super... [Read more]
7 Fun Ways to Introduce New EFL Vocabulary - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
Learning vocabulary words is a big part of any EFL classroom. Sometimes, it can be challenging for students to learn and remember new words - this is where the following activities come in handy! Here are 7 fun ways to introduce new EFL vocabulary!
Listen to this blog post:
1. Get Physical
2. Sing it Loud
3. Keep It Real
4. The Root of the Issue
5. Introduce Couples
6. Tell it like It Is
7. Picture It
Which is your favorite teaching activity?
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
This activity works well for a lot of vocabulary words. It is based around the total physical response method, which links physical movement with learning. Illustrate new vocabulary by acting out the words as you introduce them to... [Read more]
Clothes Vocabulary - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ESL Worksheet For Beginners
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This worksheet for beginner English language students is great to teach clothes vocabulary and sentences.
There are 8 items of clothing pictures with 8 Jumbled up sentences. Students should write the correct sentence about the item of clothing in the picture.
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Useful Techniques for Teaching Vocabulary to Primary School Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
No one denies the importance of English language in the present time as a global language. If a language was a house, vocabulary would be construction material to build up that house.
Language and Vocabulary
Textbooks
Visual Clues
Games
Audio-lingual Approach
Video Format
Tests
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dung N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Therefore, studying a language cannot be separated from studying vocabulary. Besides, vocabulary plays an important role because it appears in every language skill. However, it is not easy to study perfect English vocabulary. It is difficult to... [Read more]
How to Motivate High School Students in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Motivation in the classroom is the biggest reason why I teach students in a high school setting. I am a public-school teacher and I get English as a Second Language students all the time in my classroom. I am a 10th-grade teacher but my students' ages range from 14 years old to 19 years old. The number one factor that I teach is for motivation. My students are already matured and have seen things they probably should not have at their ages. Once they get to my classroom, they are mine to teach. I do my utmost best to teach my students. I have students from all over the world, Saudi Arabia, Germany, Egyptian, Asian, Africa, to name a few countries. I now have wonderful scores. I also have a high likability rating from my students; the... [Read more]
Some of the differences between American English and British English ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
British and American English differs in several ways that encompass vocabulary, grammarand spelling, and a student is not wrong if they use either version. Teachers should teach the English that they themselves speak but also have an awareness of the differences between the two. If a teacher is required to teach a course book that is in a version of English different to their own, then they should teach the English used in the book.
Some of the differences in vocabulary covered in this graphic are fairly well known such as ‘pavement’ (GB) and ‘sidewalk’ (US), others not so much as in the case of ‘fortnight’ (GB) and ‘two weeks’ (US). While the differences between the two don’t generally matter, a teacher may prefer to teach one version... [Read more]
Top-5 Fun Flashcard Activities - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Flashcards can be great tools for eliciting vocabulary, but teachers should not overlook the numerous other uses for these great tools. Flashcard games can add excitement to young learners' classes. The following activities are aimed to drill the vocabulary in the second study phase of the lesson, after the elicitation of vocabulary.
1. Game for liars
2. Get on the other side of the bridge
3. Memory challenge
4. Keyword race
5. More for listening skills
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kiyomi Ann H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The liar game is a flashcard activity that can be used to... [Read more]
The Principles of Building a Strong Vocabulary - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Perhaps more than anything, the size of a student's vocabulary puts a limit on what he or she can and cannot do in English! Because although I think that grammar certainly has a place in the teaching of English, my own experience has shown me that the number of words and phrases in your language arsenal will be a bigger determining factor of your ability to understand and to use a language actively. Here I will explain why I believe that vocabulary is key when it comes to mastering English and at the same time give some examples of how to teach English vocabulary effectively to students in line with the ESA methodology.
Active vs. Passive Vocabulary
Benefits of a Large Vocabulary
Ways to Build a Strong Vocabulary
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a... [Read more]
Important Ideas to Consider when Teaching Vocabulary - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
In my personal opinion, vocabulary learning is the basic and most substantial part in any language learning. It's like the bricks for building a house. Moreover, the process of vocabulary learning is the most difficult and time-consuming. It requires not only memorizing skills but also a good understanding of the word, and constant practice.
Problems for Chinese English learners
The importance of careful vocabulary selection
Knowing what to teach
Choosing an appropriate teaching method
Learn how to teach vocabulary effectively with a TEFL course today!
Listen to this blog post
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dan W.
For most English learners in China, they often encounter the same problem when learning vocabulary,... [Read more]
Vocabulary as the Main Part of ESL Learning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Vocabulary represents one of the most important skills necessary for teaching and learning a foreign language. It is the basis for the development of all the other skills like Reading comprehension, Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and pronunciation. Vocabulary is the main tool for students to use English effectively. When he/she is confronted with a native English Speaker, when watching a movie or when listening to a favorite song, when reading a text or when writing a letter to a friend, students will always need to operate with words.
WHY IS VOCABULARY IMPORTANT?
TECHNIQUES FOR MEMORIZING VOCABULARY:
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vivian M.... [Read more]
Best Methodology for EFL Teaching - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Teaching English to foreign-speaking students comes with much responsibility, creativity, patience, and kindness. On the opposite end, learning another language is challenging, requires practice and can be frustrating. To make the teaching and learning exchange seamless there are a variety of lesson structures and independent/ group activities available for teachers to implement into classrooms. Although many methods can be used, grammar, vocabulary, reading, listening, writing, and speaking are all important structures taken into consideration as learning the language comfortably and fluently is always the end goal. Throughout this summative task, different methodologies will be paired and compared to find out which one is the best.
The PPP Method... [Read more]
1st Language vs. 2nd Language Acquisition: How and TEFL Instructors Must Learn from the First to Better Teach the Second - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The contrast between primary language acquisition and second language learning interests professional linguists, language pedagogues, and ordinary students alike. To say that the processes are distinct and involve very different learning processes, as well as even altogether different spheres of the brain is an understatement: these are indeed different functions (Limacher, Ute "Language Acquisition Versus Language Learning" ).
Differences between the two types of acquisitions
Language structure and learning process
Personal experience
The Consciousness of language acquisition
Classroom setting
Natural environment
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brett... [Read more]
The Problems That Japanese Elementary Schoolers Face Studying English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
In the wake of the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Japan, there has been an increase in elementary school level English classes. As an assistant language teacher half into my fourth year, I have had the rare chance to work the entirety of my time in one elementary school where I have had many great memories. However, being present every day I began to notice that some students were struggling or in some cases, not even trying when it came to English class. Talking with my peers and colleagues from other elementary schools as well as my own, there are some common problems that many students seem to experience in an English class. These problems include learning in a counter-productive environment, inconsistent exposure to the language, and a lack of... [Read more]
Top ESL Weather Vocabulary List - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Teaching weather vocabulary early on in an English course is a great idea because it is something that the students can practice on a daily basis. Especially during daily warm ups, teachers can always ask about the weather and weather vocabulary comes in handy during other activities too.
During your usual warm up, try and get the students talking about the seasons. Then, ask students what season they like best and see if anyone can explain why. This is a great way to elicit some of the weather vocabulary you plan to practice during the lesson. When certain vocabulary words come up, write them on the board. Depending on the level of your students, you can also talk about different activities people do during particular... [Read more]
TEFL: How to teach vocabulary? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
When teaching vocabulary in TEFL, it is imperative to employ strategies that maximize retention and practical use. Key approaches include:
Harnessing these methods, TEFL teachers can ensure students not only learn but also effectively utilize new vocabulary both in and outside the classroom.
Teach new words in context
Frequent repetition is a must
Use pictures and other visuals
Use games to practice new vocabulary
One of the most beneficial strategies for helping students remember new language is teaching it in context. Simply listing new words on the board and expecting immediate comprehension might lead to disappointment. When introducing new vocabulary, it is advisable to group related words together rather than disconnected ones. Vocabulary lessons can be themed around subjects such... [Read more]
Challenges of the French Native Speakers in English Learning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Several surveys, such as EF (Education First), have shown that France has the worst English level in the European Union. We shall explain, firstly, why French students have problems in learning English and what these problems are. Then, secondly, we shall share solutions to these problems.
Origin of Typical Difficulties
Global Status of French
Lack of Exposure to English
Academical Importance
Common Vocabulary
Tenses
Pronunciation
Lesson Ideas
Ways to Engage
Grammar and Vocabulary
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohamed S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Indeed, the difficulties that French... [Read more]
Contributing to the Classroom as an ALT in Japan - TEFL Blog
Asia Ridley
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
English education in Japan has been prominent for decades and starts in elementary schools. It is in high demand as the relationship between the U.S. and Japan as well as the abundant amount of tourism. Last year straight after graduating from university in the United States, I moved to Japan and began teaching English. I was fortunate to pass the interviews and become part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme {JET}. Being an assistant language teacher {ALT} in the Japanese education system versus a conversation school has its differences. Therefore I will be diving into how one can contribute to the classroom as an ALT.
Japanese Elementary School
Collaborating with your Homeroom Teacher
Outside of the classroom
Conclusion
Are you... [Read more]
A Journey in English Teaching: From Language School to Personalized Success - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Drawing on my substantial personal teaching experience, I naturally gravitated toward this topic for a summative task. Throughout my six years of teaching English, I have encountered various settings, approaches, and challenges. Here, I recount my journey from a language school to one-on-one tutoring, highlighting my evolving teaching methods, materials, and strategies.
From Language School to One-on-One Teaching
Embracing One-on-One Tutoring
Crafting Engaging Lessons
Interactive Learning and Progress
Evolving with Proficiency
Shaping Language Skills
Insights from Teaching Individual Students
Tailoring Learning to Individual Needs
Focusing on Adult Learners
Crafting a Unique Teaching Methodology
Expanding Knowledge with... [Read more]
The Significance of Vocabulary in Language Learning - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Vocabulary is one of the most important skills required for teaching and learning a foreign language. It is vital for effective communication and understanding of written text. A rich vocabulary helps individuals express their feelings, ideas, and needs while also enhancing their overall understanding of others. Vocabulary develops with age and presents one of the biggest challenges when learning a second language.
The Stages of Vocabulary Knowledge
The Four Types of Vocabulary in Teaching
Teaching Strategies for Vocabulary Acquisition
Overcoming Challenges in Teaching Vocabulary
Conclusion
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video... [Read more]
The 3 Most Important Tricks When Teaching English to Kindergarteners - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Walking into a kindergarten classroom in any language may have most teachers running right back out the door. A kindergarten classroom can be like a circus. The teacher is the ringmaster. The students range from man-eating lions to trapeze artists to clowns. It's important to remember that kindergarten students do not understand they are meant to be learning great truths and skills that will set them up for the rest of their life. They want to play, love, be loved, and enjoy every aspect of life to the fullest, even when they are sitting in the classroom. Even the physical excitement that kindergarteners have can be used to create an even deeper understanding of language and should never be seen as bad. Children love to explore and learn.... [Read more]
How Teaching in China Influenced me as a TEFL Specialist - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
I, as an out of school English teacher, have been teaching English in China for about one year. My students are coming from elementary schools or middle schools. The teaching is one to one. The background and personality of my students are various. Some students are very interested in learning English and want to take extra courses to improve their English proficiency.
Students' Struggles
English Speaking Environment
Forceful Learning vs. Personal Approach
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nan W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Some students feel having more challenges in grammar,... [Read more]
3 Awesome Reasons to Become an EFL Teacher Abroad - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
A teacher, in general, has the direct opportunity to make a difference and to change the future. As a teacher, you will expect every one of your students to want to learn and more importantly to understand. You want your students to fight over the seats in the front row as if they were attending a concert, not elementary school. You want to make your students wonder, make them question, make them think critically, make them write and of course to make them read.
Reason 1: You'll see amazing new things!
Reason 2: You'll increase your adaptability!
Reason 3: You'll broaden your personal horizons!
Are you ready to take your TEFL course?
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Listen to this blog post
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tebogo Z.
Being a... [Read more]
Top Time Fillers for an EFL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Teaching Ideas
As every TEFL certified English teacher will know, it is all too common to find you have completed the lesson but there is still time left before the end of the class. While first-time teachers might panic in this position, experienced teachers will always have a few go-to activities to use in these situations. To help you out we have put together the following suggestions for fun, educational activities that can be brought out with little or no preparation.
Telephone
Pictionary
The Never-Ending Story
Why/Because
Charades
Whiteboard Slam
Would You Rather
Open Questions
Listen to this blog post
Are you ready to teach English abroad?
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This is a classic old classroom game that is still great fun to use today. First, you need to arrange the... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Coursebooks And Materials/making Best Use Coursebook - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
So how do we actually make best use of the course book? Well, just a couple of factors that you need to keep into consideration when using these types of material, use the course book to help you create a balanced lesson in terms of the range of skills that are being taught and the actual types of material within that the grammar or vocabulary. Secondly, don't use it all the time, particularly with things like activities, we can create our own materials and we can tailor those materials much more specifically to the actual class that we're teaching. As very often the actual creations in the book are very general, we can make our own materials much more specific. The third thing you need to be aware of is that you can't always rely 100% on the information that's presented in those... [Read more]
Secrets of Effectively Teaching Core Vocabulary - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Being an English teacher, teaching skills are very important. The quality of learning result depends on many factors, but the teacher's methods are the essential elements for learners' learning progress, motivation, enthusiasm, etc. to help them have the best result in studying English. I will concentrate on "How to teach vocabulary effectively".
The Role of Vocabulary in Communication
Engagement
Delivering New Means of Communication
Practicing Acquired Linguistic Devices
Other Ways to Teach
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nhat D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
It can't be denied that the... [Read more]