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Tefl reviews - Coursebooks And Materials/use Visual Aids - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The next idea we're going to consider is the use of visual aids and visual aids can include some examples such as real, objects, which we call realia, the use of pictures and photographs and also the use of models. So let's consider some of the ideas surrounding the use of visual aids. Well, why are they useful? Well, first of all the use of a visual aid can reduce teacher talk time. It's very much more simple just to show a real object than to try to describe it so that we could just ask the students ?what is this,? and they would say ?this is a pen,? rather than trying to actually describe it. Again if we were trying to show examples of fruit and vegetables rather than to try and describe them why not use an actual model and this is going to be much more visually stimulating than... [Read more]
7 Activities for Teaching Reported Speech in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
When teaching reported speech the potential for mistakes, errors, and the general difficulty is enormous due to the number of changes that are made with verb tenses, patterns, pronouns, questions, time expressions etc.. It's important to cover the subject slowly with lots of verbal practice at every opportunity. There are plenty of standard 'change the direct speech to reported speech' activities, but your students will soon tire of these if you overuse them. Here are some ideas which have worked well in the EFL classroom and will give your students a good amount of talk time in a variety of ways.
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The Go-Between Game
The Lying Game
Pelmanism ("Concentration")
Guess Who
Reported Speech "Tennis"
Who Asked What?
Find Someone... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Study Phase Can Or Have To - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This video is a sample EFL lesson in a real-life classroom setting abroad. After the teacher introduces the two modal verbs "can" and "have to", the students are asked to distinguish their differences in various sentences written on the board. The teacher has to write on the board in clear letters so that the students can easily comprehend the information and make notes if needed.
Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next.
Register now & get certified to teach... [Read more]
TEFL vs TESOL - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The generally recognized acronym for the field of teaching English is ELT which simply means:
English Language Teaching.
Within this huge field there are a number of specialisms. One such specialism is the teaching of English to learners for whom English is not their first language. Three common acronyms that are often used when applied to this scenario are TEFL, TESL and TESOL.
By defining the terms we will show that the idea of comparing one versus the other, i.e. “TEFL vs TESOL” is not particularly useful. So what do they mean?
When the English teaching is to non native speakers and takes place in a country where the first language is not English. Examples would be teaching English in Peru or teaching English in Taiwan.
TESL applies when teaching English to non native speakers in a... [Read more]
9 Small Details That Matter When Teaching EFL - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
When you teach English as a foreign language it's important to pay attention to details that we sometimes ignore when communicating with other native level speakers, either in spoken or written English. Some people have got into the habit of writing in uppercase/capital letters, use abbreviations, and don't think much about punctuation. We also tend not to be too critical of people's spoken English as long as we get the point across. 'There's a lot of cars on the road today' is grammatically incorrect for example.
1. Punctuation
2. Upper and Lowercase
3. Abbreviations
4. Use of Colour on the Board
5. Avoid Boring Gap-Fills
6. Avoid Changing What Students Say
7. Maximizing Student Talk Time
8. Calling on Individuals
9. Pronunciation Drilling
Are you ready to... [Read more]
4 Activities for Teaching Future Tenses in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
In a previous post, we looked at various teaching ideas for future simple and here we're going to describe some fun ideas for teaching three other future tenses. There are a wide variety of usages for future tenses and it's always important to make sure your activities focus on the usages that you've taught in your lesson. For example, future continuous can be used to talk about an ongoing action at a point in the future, a fixed future event, polite enquiries or to predict the future or the present. Predicting the present is one that students often have trouble conceptualizing, so we might as well start from there.
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Predicting the present
Ongoing action at a point in the future
Expected achievements at a point in the future... [Read more]
Peculiarities of English: How it Affects Our Understanding When Learning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
English as a spoken language has become the international standard for people as a first or second language, whether it be for business, science, or just recreationally. This, of course, means that a lot of people are learning the language as a second language. For anyone who knows English as a native language, you know that it has many difficult learning curves along the way to the true understanding that make for many difficulties in how new learners communicate. This essay will touch on a few examples that people undoubtedly run into when learning English, and why it's so difficult to master.
Reasons to Confusion
Spoken English
Written English
Cultural Issues
Do you want to teach English abroad?
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This... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Desert Vs Dessert English Grammar Teaching Tips - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This video covers the difference between 'desert' and 'dessert'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. This is such a commen mistake made by both native speakers and English learners that we simply have to cover it. The pronunciation of the words is slightly different so most mistakes occurr in writing. Let's take a look at the two words. 'Desert' spelled with one 's' refers to a waterless, dry and empty area. A suitable example would be: Crossing that desert is dangerous. 'Dessert' spelled with double 's', on the other hand, has a very different meaning. It refers to the sweet course usually served at the end of a meal, such as cake or ice-cream. A good example would be: I had some ice-cream for dessert today. Keeping this in... [Read more]
Is it worth taking a TEFL degree? - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Destinations TEFL Information
A degree in TEFL/TESOL is at level 6 (of the UK qualifications system) and is therefore a very high level of study in the English teaching world. We will show later what level six means, in the overall qualification scheme.
What can these degrees be used for?
Other jobs that will become available with your degree
1. Director of Studies in an ESL situation
2. Consulting and advisory positions
3. Writing and editing for publications such as magazines
4. Curriculum development
Levels of TEFL Degrees
Conclusion
Ready to teach English as a Foreign Language?
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A few examples of such Level 6 university courses from around the world are shown below:... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Classroom Management For Teaching English As A Foreign Language Using Students Names - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
It is very important that whenever we?re doing an activity that we use the students names wherever possible when we're asking for feedback and so on and so forth. There are a number of benefits to using the students? names and they can include helping to actually organize the class itself, certainly to acknowledge when a student has given the correct answer and so forth, to indicate who should respond, rather than just asking a general question to the whole class. By using the names we can ask an individual to respond to that particular question. One point to note here is that if you are going to ask an individual student it is very useful if you put their name at the end of the question. This is useful because if you start with their name then all of the other students know that... [Read more]
Revolutionize Your EFL Lessons with ChatGPT: Creative Tips and Tricks for Teachers - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Destinations TEFL Information
Artificial intelligence (AI) has rapidly emerged as a game-changer across various industries, including education. The integration of AI tools in the classroom has the potential to revolutionize the way students learn and teachers teach. One such tool is ChatGPT, an AI chatbot that simulates conversation with human users. In this blog post, we will delve into what AI and chatbots are and how ChatGPT can be used in English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms. We will also explore the benefits and challenges of using AI tools like ChatGPT in education.
Watch the live webinar about this topic
Defining ChatGPT, chatbots, and artificial intelligence
So what is ChatGPT?
The Benefits of Using A.I. in the EFL Classroom
Personalized learning... [Read more]
Mastering Grammar: Dynamic Approaches and Engaging Activities for Language Learners - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
In this insightful blog post, we'll explore the essence of grammar, examining various approaches to its teaching, offering a comprehensive understanding of this linguistic foundation.
What is Grammar?
Preparation
Grammar Practice Activities and Games
Grammar Quiz
Memory test
Miming an action
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For decades, mastering grammar stood pivotal in students' perception of language learning. However, contemporary perspectives vary widely on what constitutes essential learning for learners and the most effective teaching methodologies.
Here are some key questions concerning teaching grammar:
Prepare some... [Read more]
The Striking Differences Between BrE and AmE - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
When we talk about the English language, we are referring to its base form or proper English as the Brits would say. American English is a version of British English, which has been modified over time and has thus been altered to suit the different geographical locations, different culture and so on.
Lexical Differences
Grammar Structure
Spelling
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There are several areas of the English language which present the most noticeable differences and these are in vocabulary, grammar, and spelling.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kristian B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
There are hundreds of... [Read more]
Why are TEFL teachers important? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
TEFL teachers hold a unique and vital role in global education. While all educators contribute immensely, TEFL teachers address the specific challenges of teaching English as a second or foreign language. Their specialized training equips them to effectively teach in environments where English isn't the primary language, helping learners overcome linguistic barriers and bridging cultural divides. Their importance stems from their ability to foster communication and understanding in our increasingly interconnected world.
Working knowledge vs Formal Knowledge
What are the training options to become a TEFL teacher?
Types of employment
Summary
Globalized industry has led to an explosion of the use of English as the lingua franca. This trend looks as though it will continue in the near future.... [Read more]
Which English should be taught in the TEFL classroom? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
In the field of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), the choice of English variation often depends on the specific preferences of a country:
In conclusion, TEFL teachers should be aware of a country's preference and adapt their teaching accordingly.
Map created by reddit user Speech500
Source: moverdb.com
How exactly do these forms of English differ?
Spelling Differences
British Grammar vs. American Grammar
Same Word - Different Pronunciation
Differences in word for the same object
Other considerations
There are a number of major differences which we will examine. The following are in no way exhaustive and you should investigate for yourself for more examples.
Mainly due to the influence of Webster (of dictionary fame) American English has focused on how words are 'sounded' to... [Read more]
Deciphering English Language Sounds: The Realm of Phonetics and Phonology - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In this blog post, we'll will delve into phonetics and phonology as described in George Yule's book, "The Study of Language." Phonetic and phonology are two branches of linguistics focused on the sound system. They are critical to understanding how speech sounds are produced, which, in turn, shapes language and communication. This discussion will explore various aspects of phonetics and phonology, breaking down the complex world of sounds in the English language.
Phonetics and the Sound System
Articulation Points
Manner of Articulation
Vowels and Diphthongs
Phonology: The Sound Patterns of Language
Teaching Phonetics and Phonology
In Conclusion
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
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The Relevance of Teaching Methodologies in Real Practice - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
A method of teaching contains the techniques used by teachers to impart knowledge to students. These strategies are determined partly on the subjects to be taught and partly by the nature of the learner. In this task, I will give some examples of different teaching methodologies, compare these techniques, and explain why it is important that teachers, mostly who are teaching in a foreign country should know these methods.
ESA Methodology
PPP Methodology
Effectiveness of the ESA Method
Deeper Understanding
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nathalie L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs... [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]
Techniques to Transmit New and Difficult Concepts to Students - TEFL Blog
Ramon Perez
Teaching Ideas
Every day, we learn something new. It can happen on the street, at work, at school and even in our home. We can attain new skills and knowledge through our interactions with our surroundings. Utilizing our 5 senses and past experiences to make sense of what is going on, we can ascertain new concepts and make proper use of them in our daily lives. However, as a teacher, we are tasked with transmitting abstract concepts that become difficult to fully grasp through traditional methods. Consequently, some teachers rely on literal translations to bring the point across.
VISUAL AIDS
ACTING/ROLE PLAY
ENUNCIATION AND SPEECH
MIMING
CONCLUSION
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Since the student's exposure to the target language can be extremely limited outside of the classroom, it's... [Read more]
Phonetics Difficulties for French Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
One of the most important problems encountered while learning a foreign language is undoubtedly pronunciation. Knowing a language fluently may not always be enough. Fluency level may be open to discussion if an accurate pronunciation is not used. Therefore as teachers, we must teach our students how to use the correct pronunciation. However, pronunciation can be a nightmare for some students, especially for young learners.
Common Errors in Pronunciation
/h/ Sound
Ways to Fix Errors
Articulation
Simple Way to Overcome the Problem
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Selin K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or... [Read more]
The Dependence of Teaching on Students Motivation - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
A highly motivated student is one who is goal-oriented, driven by passion and focused. He/she does things from the bottom of the heart. Motivation can be viewed as an internal impulse that brings us to complete an action. Without motivation, there is no action. Motivation is what moves or inspires the learner to achieve set objectives. It's the motor that drives the student to achieve pedagogical objectives. Hence it's an essential tool to equip students with, so that whatever they do it effectively and with perfection.
Behavior and Motivation
Efforts and Motivation
Get to Know Your Students
Get Your Students Involved
Vary Your Activities
Choose The Best Strategy
Find Perfect Materials
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related... [Read more]
British English vs American English. Which is Better? - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
As more and more countries place a growing importance on its people to learn English as a secondary language, for work purposes or for general use, there is a growing debate about which is the better English to learn - British English or American English.
Both versions are essentially the same
Prioritise teaching "Good English"
Certain students may need specific versions of English
Points to consider when choosing a version to teach
Exploring the differences can be an interesting lesson
Don't get obsessed with minor differences
Are you excited to teach English abroad?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Max E.
The argument stems from the growing influence of America in the modern world. British... [Read more]
Five Fun ESL Activities Every Teacher Should Know - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
The following activities may be adapted for use as warmers, engage activities, structured practice or free practice style activities. They may also be adapted for level and age.
Watch the video about this topic
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
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The first one is really simple but can be one of the best activities to improve grammar. Some students even at the higher levels are lacking automatic habits, which are really important for grammatical skill. Basically this activity is a grammar drill and it is supposed to be used as a warmer or as an ice-breaker activity. The main objective is to help your students automate some grammatical... [Read more]
British vs. American: Which English Accent to Choose? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
British English versus American English always sparks a lively discussion. I have read some articles so far as to compare these 2 languages and gather the information from the online resources.
Personal experience
The history of English
Vocabulary challenge
Teaching implications and classroom problems
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zahra J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
I am Iranian and have many American and British friends and I have been living abroad for about 6 years. As an English speaker as a second language, it took me a while to learn what is British and what is American English.... [Read more]
Top Strategies for Effective Teaching of Grammar - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Type in "teaching grammar effectively" into Google and the reader will be confronted with pages and pages of advice/frameworks/theories on how to effectively teach grammar.
8 Do's and Dont's for Effective Grammar Instruction
8 things to avoid
Alternative Approach
Theory
Explanations
Examples
Exercises
Supplementing the coursebook
Carry-over
7 tips for effective grammar instruction
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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Most of the content does acknowledge that there is no "golden rule" for effective grammar teaching before imparting their particular key rules or areas that should be incorporated into teaching grammar.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joe S. Please note that this blog post might... [Read more]
Key Functions of Playing Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Learning through games has become more common over the years. The traditional academic-oriented learning method of repetitive memorizing is slowly becoming outdated, and most students prefer to learn in a fun and interactive environment.
Boosting Curiosity and Creativity
Exams vs. Games
Benefits of Games
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Katherine I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Children of all ages love to play, from the tiny infants to the toddler who sings ABC songs, to primary children who plays memory games. Children learn important skills by playing. Playing enhances children's... [Read more]
5 Challenges of Teaching EFL to Kindergarten Level Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Susan W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
1. Self-introduction
2. Reasons for practicing as an EFL Teacher
3. Ways in which EFL will guide me achieve my goals
4. Games and activities in the classroom
5. Planning my New Lesson
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I am Susan and I'm 40 years female from Kenya and I have graduated with a bachelor's degree in Art in Education. I have been teaching young learners in Kenya for two years and I was invited to teach English in southern China and I am ready for the new challenge teaching abroad.
I decided to do a TEFL test online so that I can acquire the... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Classroom Management For Teaching English As A Foreign Language Classroom Arrangement - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The dynamics of classroom interaction is often dictated by the arrangement of the classroom itself and the way in which the classroom is arranged could depend upon a number of factors and they might include things such as the age of the students, so for example we're unlikely to have the same arrangement for adult learners as we would have for young learners. It could also depend upon the actual physical space available. The physical space may determine how we have to arrange our classroom to maximize the opportunity for interaction and so forth. It will also depend on what material is available and by material in this case we're talking about the actual desks and chairs and so on and so forth. Perhaps the final thing we might put here is that it could also depend upon the... [Read more]
The Most Popular TEFL Destinations For Teachers
Federico Riva
Destinations TEFL Information
Within the teaching of English as a second language (ESL) there are several classifications of learner scenarios. You have probably heard of graded classes versus mixed ability classes as an example. Another major classification is monolingual versus multilingual classes.
Federico Riva
Destinations TEFL Information
It is possible to take a course at almost every level of qualification in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) or Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Here we will look at some actual courses and what you can do with your degree. Then we will look at what those qualification levels are.
Federico Riva
Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
Explore innovative approaches to teaching... [Read more]
Managing a Class as a Foreign EFL Teacher - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
When it comes to managing a class, a teacher must be prepared to face many different challenges. This can be especially true for a teacher in classrooms abroad. In addition to teaching a subject, a foreign teacher may also have to worry about the cultural or social norms of a country they may be unaccustomed to, and other problems might arise from language barriers. An EFL teacher can better manage a classroom if they prepare for these in advance, and utilize the appropriate behaviors and routines while running the classroom.
The Importance of Planning Classes
Setting up Goals
Cultural Habits
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate David H. Please note that this... [Read more]