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What are the best books for teaching ESL? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
The realm of ESL teaching books is expansive, with renowned publishers offering a plethora of resources. Generally, ESL teaching materials can be categorized into:
These categories encompass a range of tools, from structured lesson plans to interactive activities, essential for any ESL educator.
Book Series
Teaching Theory Books
Activity Resources
There are a number of well known book series. These are specifically written for the ESL teaching market and are generally set at the five levels most often taught. These levels are Starter or Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper-Intermediate.
A typical book series at each level will contain three books. These are the teacher book, student book and resources book (or similar names). The teacher book gives an outline... [Read more]
What are some useful ESL teaching resource books? - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
The market for ESL teaching books is very large and all the major publishers have some form of involvement in the production and selling of these resources. There are many different types of books and resources that are used in ESL teaching and we will consider three main categories.1) General teaching theory books2) ESL book series3) Activity resource books
General teaching theory books
ESL book series
Activity Resource books
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As an ESL teacher unless you spend your entire career teaching kindergarten, you are going to have to teach English grammar. There are many books that cover this well and you... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Coursebooks And Materials/resource Books Part 2 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Let's just consider next, when using these resource books, the student book, the workbook and the teachers resource book, what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of using those types of materials? Well, firstly, the main advantage perhaps of using these types of material is that it's quicker than actually creating your own. Secondly, the course books that you will get will be graded for a particular level. So there'll be a set of books for the starter level, a set of books for the elementary level and so on and so forth. So you know that the activities and materials in there will have been graded for level. The use of the book can also offer continuity so that the syllabuses have been covered in a particular way by the book itself and are presented in a logical order.... [Read more]
How Adults’ Learning Differs From Teenagers’ and Children’s Learning? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
ESL teachers must acknowledge that it is not equal teaching English Lessons to children, teenagers, and adults, there are some wide differences between the practices used in each case, classroom, population, levels, and country where English is taught, on this paper we will check how an ESL lesson may be affected by these variables, and how we could overlap them on the practices used in teenagers and adults English lessons.
Basic concepts
Self-concept
Personal Experience
Adults learning process
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Javier V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
To analyze all the... [Read more]
14 Course Books to Improve Your Business English Classes - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
TEFL Information
Business English falls under the umbrella of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and is an area of English language teaching that focuses on the language students need in order to function in an international business setting. It is a popular sector for qualified TEFL teachers to work in and one that can be financially rewarding. Students taking business English classes will generally already have a reasonable level of English language ability and course books tend to be aimed at pre-intermediate level students and above but there are books aimed at lower level students.
Oxford University Press
Cambridge University Press
Pearson/Longman
Macmillan
Collins ELT
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Course Books for Business English ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Business English is an area of English language teaching and learning that is part of the wider category of English for Specific Purposes. Unlike general English, business English focuses on the language students need in order to function in an international business setting. Students taking business English classes will generally already have a reasonable level of English language ability and course books tend to be aimed at pre-intermediate level students and above.
There are several publishers involved in producing course books for the business English classroom. The main ones are Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. These two publishers produce business English course books across a range of levels in British, American and International English... [Read more]
The Synergy of AI and English Language Learning for Foreign Students - TEFL Blog
Minh Huy Hoang
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In an era defined by technological advancements, the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education has become increasingly prevalent. One notable area where AI has made significant strides is in the realm of language learning, especially for foreign students studying English. This dynamic relationship between AI and English language acquisition has not only transformed the way individuals learn but has also opened up new possibilities for personalized and efficient learning experiences.
Tailoring Instruction to Individual Needs
Engaging Tools and Immersive Learning
Bridging Formal and Informal Learning
AI and Human Instructors: A Perfect Duo
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General English Course Books for Young Learners ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
General English course books for young learners differ from those for adults in a number of ways. Obviously the types of topics will be geared towards the interests of younger people but there are also differences in the way the language is presented. Grammar chants are a popular method of drilling grammar points in books for young learners and while course books for adults will generally have sections with explicit presentations of a grammar point, books for young learners do not usually cover grammar in such detail, especially those for very young learners.
There are several publishers involved in producing general English course books for young learners. The main publishers are Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. These two publishers produce course books across... [Read more]
General English Course Books for Adults ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
There are several publishers involved in producing course books for the ESL classroom. The main publishers are Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. These two publishers produce course books across a range of ESL sectors including, young learners, adults, business English, and English for specific purposes.
General English course books for adults will include topics geared towards the interest of adults such as the world of work, entertainment, socialising etc. They will also have more detailed explanations of grammar than you would find in books aimed at young learners.
The majority of these course books can be ordered directly through the’ websites of the publishers, online from Amazon or in the EFL section at your local bookshop. Depending where you are located,... [Read more]
Course Books for English for Specific Purposes and English for Academic Purposes ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
English for Specific Purposes is an area of English language teaching and learning that encompasses business English, English for Academic Purposes as well as courses that teach English needed for specific professions. In this infographic we look at course books aimed at teaching English to those in certain professions such as finance, law, tourism, medicine and aviation. We also look at course books available for teaching English for Academic Purposes. EAP focuses on the language and skills needed for students to study in English at university level. As with other English teaching, EAP deals with reading, writing, listening and speaking, as well as vocabulary and grammar but these are linked to the students’ specific study needs such as essay writing.
There are several... [Read more]
10 Idioms About Books - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here are 10 fun idioms about books to share with your ESL students.
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Learning English in Early Childhood - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
In the past, some scientists thought young learners do not learn as fast as adults. However today even parents are aware of the importance of starting learning a second language early.
Advantages of Early Start
Consider the Mix of Abilities
Choice of Activities
Nursery Rhymes
Flashcards
GamesThe Main Problems Young English Learners Face In China
Stories
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Safak Ä°.
When people start learning at early ages of their life, they increase the probability of gaining better language skills and favorable attitudes to other languages and cultures. Moreover, it will be possible for them to acquire native... [Read more]
Speaking Activity: Conversation Cards about Books - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Using speaking cards is a great way to encourage conversations among ESL learners. The cards act as guides to give the students a direction in their conversations. Below you will find conversation cards about books and reading for your ESL classroom.
Let's take a look at all of the questions and possible answers.
Possible answer: I recently finished reading the first book of the Outlander series. It's a fantastic book about an English woman from 1945 who travels back in time to Scotland in 1745. The story is very compelling and the characters' personalities are very well thought-through.
Possible answer: One of my favorite books is "The Da Vinci Code" written by Dan Brown. Even though it is a fictional story, Dan... [Read more]
Benefits of Music in Learning English - TEFL Blog
Hoàng Minh Huy
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In contemporary society, the undeniable role of music encompasses various aspects of entertainment and work. However, its impact extends even further, particularly within the realm of teaching and learning English. Beyond merely assisting educators, music also offers an effective tool for students to effortlessly enhance their English language skills. This essay delves into the multifaceted benefits that music brings to the process of learning English.
Enhancing Learning and Memory Through Music
Emotional Impact: Music's Role in Motivation
A Holistic Approach to Learning: Music's Expansive Benefits
Conclusion: The Melody of Progress
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Digital Technology for English Learning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
The classroom, a collective space for knowledge, interaction and exchange of information, is now in a good phase with the arrival of technological resources that go far beyond the computer lab or video room.
Importance of New Technology
How to Use?
1. Teachers can better visualize the difficulties of their students
2. Class leveling can become simpler with technology in the classroom
3. Digital games related to content
Examples Of New Technology In Education:
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Iago M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
There is no denying,... [Read more]
5 Effective Ways to Inspire Children's Passion for Books - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Nowadays, we see children who readily pick up an iPad instead of a book. It seems that reading is not as popular as it used to be. It is lessening. Reading is a receptive skill, and it is a meaningful activity that should be enjoyed by all children. So how can we instill a love for reading in children? As a person who has a passion for reading, I would like to make some recommendations.
Teach the Importance of Reading
Make Books Accessible or Low-Cost
Use Positive Reinforcement
Assess Reading Activity and Performance
Make Reading Fun!
Conclusion
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this... [Read more]
Parental Help in Students English Learning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
In the Chinese area, English as a compulsory course in school has to be learned by students for years. Since the government has strengthened the importance of English in Gaokao (College Entrance Examination ) these days, every Chinese family wants their children to start on English learning as early as possible. There is no need to highlight the importance of English to a Chinese family at all.
Bilingual daily life
Create English surroundings
Apply for online English course
Find a foreign teacher
Be a good example
Regular reading
Communicate with teachers
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xiaoyu Z. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily... [Read more]
What Books to Use: An Overview of The ESL Teaching Materials - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
hey everybody it's lisa here and i'm super glad to welcome you to the weekly live stream by itt um if you don't know me yet um once again my name is lisa and i'm a non-native english teacher from russia i've been working online primarily since 2020 and today um i would like to reach out to you and tell you about um some esl course books uh to pick out for your uh teaching i'm not going to dig into details i'm just going to briefly present my approach how i choose the most appropriate materials but anyways i hope that this topic um will be interesting and helpful so uh stay tuned uh and um let me know that you hear and see me clearly because uh right now i i can see that there are seven people watching but i'm not sure if my equipment works well so uh we've got this comment section uh... [Read more]
How Stories Transform English Learning in Early Childhood - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
Stories are a powerful tool for engaging students in learning. Stories are capable of meeting young learners at their level by making language concepts engaging and interesting. They provide the sort of context and emotional stakes that are important for thorough language acquisition in a subtle way that doesn't always feel like sitting at a desk and learning through drills. This is why stories are an especially important tool when it comes to teaching young learners. Stories can provide motivation to learn, real-life examples of language usage, and an out-of-classroom opportunity to continue learning.
Engaging Young Learners
Real-Life Language Usage
Fostering Independent Learning
The Enduring Power of Stories
Are you ready... [Read more]
Reasons Why Learning American English is More Common in Japan - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
British English (BrE) and American English (AmE) are two of the main varieties of the English language. There are other different varieties of English that exist such as Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, South Asian and African English.
Language Structure
1. Vocabulary and Spelling
2. Grammar
Historical Prerequisits
Diplomatic Relationships
Globalization
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Although English was introduced to America through the colonization period by the British, the two varieties of English have evolved to be quite different from each other in certain areas.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Shanique H. Please note that this blog post might... [Read more]
The Power of Stories for English Learning in Early Childhood - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
"Our lives gain meaning only when we tell our story". -David Steindl-Rast. In our case, stories not only add meaning to our lives in general but are very important in rendering language learning interesting and creative as our specific subject essay will demonstrate. Stories are an effective model for learning the English language through which we can develop the four language skills writing, speaking, listening, and reading. So why and how stories can enable us to effectively learn the English language?
Why stories are so important for English learning in early childhood?
How stories can be important for English learning in early childhood? Or how can we use them to develop the four language skills?
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL... [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]
Tefl reviews - Coursebooks And Materials/resource Books Part 1 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The next item that we're going to consider is the use of resource books. There are many different types of resource books available and within those books there tends to be a general pattern and typically the resource book pack will come in a three book series and typically that three book series will be in the form of the student book, a workbook and a teacher's resource book. So for example here are those three books for this particular series called ?Total English? and in the student book the type of information that we can gain from here is the actual background to the teaching points themselves plus some additional information in terms of short worksheets and so on and so forth and tape transcripts at the end for listening activities, which these days often come on a CD rather... [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]
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
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This... [Read more]
Troubles Faced by Students from China When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
If you think of Chinese ESL students it is safe to assume that most teachers would immediately worry about how they should teach phonics to Mandarin speakers. It is also true that the media has portrayed the Chinese accent as one of the most challenging to understand or even get rid of.
Personal Experience
Phonetical Errors
Grammar Challenges
Problems Due to Geographical Origin of Students
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Graciela G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Usually, the first thing you will notice as an ESL teacher, speaking from experience, is the difficulty Chinese ESL students face... [Read more]
Are online English teachers in demand? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Undoubtedly, the demand for online English teachers is surging. With the proliferation of diverse online teaching platforms, students worldwide are accessing specialized English lessons, from one-on-one sessions to group interactions, and from foundational speaking modules to tailored courses for business professionals. This expansive and versatile online English teaching landscape has amplified the need for teachers from varied backgrounds.
Are TEFL qualified teachers in demand in English speaking countries?
Are online English teachers in demand in China?
Yes, TEFL qualified teachers are in demand within English-speaking countries. The online teaching field offers unparalleled flexibility, allowing educators to be based anywhere, from the comfort of their homes to anywhere around the... [Read more]
Inspiring Students to Embrace English Learning in Developing Countries - TEFL Blog
Minh Huy Hoang
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In developing countries, encouraging lazy students to cultivate a passion for studying English can be a challenging task. However, with the right strategies and approaches, we can greatly improve their motivation and help them discover the benefits of mastering the English language. This article presents five effective tips to inspire even the laziest of students to love studying English.
Tip 1: Make English Relevant to Their Lives
Tip 2: Implement Interactive and Creative Activities
Tip 3: Foster an Enthusiastic and Supportive Learning Environment
Tip 4: Utilize Technology and Multimedia Resources
Tip 5: Set Achievable Goals and Celebrate Success
Conclusion
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The 4 Most Common Problems Students Face When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Prior to starting a class, an English teacher needs to take into consideration many parameters. How many students will I have to teach? How old are they? What are their levels? What knowledge did they already acquire in terms of vocabulary and grammar? What are their nationalities?
Are the students monolingual or multilingual?
Cultural Differences
Similarities and Differences in Language
Cultural Differences
Are you ready to teach students of a different nationality?
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In this blog post, we are going to focus on the problems that an English teacher can encounter when teaching to students of different nationalities and cultures.
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Manon L.
First of all, it is... [Read more]
The Most Common Problems Students in Japan Face When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Destinations Teaching Ideas
Japan is a country facing rapid change. Due to an aging population and a scarcity of workers, Japan is opening its borders to foreigners, many of whom speak English. This, along with the upcoming Tokyo Olympics, has led to an increase in demand for English teachers. I currently work in Japan, and have had the experience of teaching English to high school Japanese students for the past year. Over the course of this year, I've learned of many problems that students in Japan face when learning English. Of those, the top three problems for students in Japan are pronunciation, shyness, and large class sizes.
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Differences in Phonology
Students' Reluctance to Speak
Class Size in Japanese Schools
Are you ready to teach English... [Read more]