Difficult Spellings In English

  Now let's take a look at how we go from traditional spellings into the phonemic spellings. The first step in this process is identifying each unit of sound or each phoneme within a word. Let's look at bet, bit, but, and bought. The only difference in each one of these words is in the vowel sound. We have bet, bit, but and bought. Each word simply uses three sounds. Now we have photo. That's four phonemes. Wow we have taxi. That's five phonemes. We have unite with a hidden phoneme in there being the ?y? sound before anything else. Those are five phonemes as well and now we have a longer word: chemistry. Let's give that a shot. That's eight phonemes used in the word chemistry. Now once we've isolated each sound we want to assign a phoneme for each one of those sounds let's do that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As a former teacher of English as a foreign language, I have some experience teaching business English. Majority of my classes were for general English conversation. However, as I continued teaching, my workload increased to include a few business-focused classes. At first, I was intimidated and nervous about teaching these students. Did I have enough knowledge about business to teach them? Would I have the information they needed? After a lot of preparation and a few lessons, I realized that business classes are not much different than regular English classes and I need not know much about business to be a successful business English teacher. Businessmen Are Ordinary Learners Teacher's Responsibilities My Experience Are You Ready to Teach Business...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are many different types of peculiarities when concerning the English language, and this essay is aimed at the difficulties in teaching those peculiarities to learners that are not fluent in the English language. It can be difficult for native English speakers to progressively learn the subtle nuances as children graduating to young adults and navigating complexities of the language as adults; deciphering whether or not these peculiarities warrant further investigation or retention based on usage and context. These oddities of the English language can be exponentially more difficult for those attempting to learn the English language as a second language, having fully grasped the complexities of their own language only to have to navigate the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Thailand is famously known as " the land of smiles". In some situations, smiling is the way to save face or to avoid conflicts. This often includes the time when Thai people have to communicate with foreigners in English and have no idea what the other meant. They simply smile to get out of a situation instead of making the best out of it by practicing their English speaking skill. On the other hand, they build up a fear of making mistakes and avoid being in that particular circumstance in the future. As English today plays important roles in tourism and the Thai economy as a whole, still, Thai people struggle to communicate effectively. Here are some areas suggested why it is difficult for Thai learners to improve their speaking skills. Cultural Aspects...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun picture crossword useful for reinforcing animal vocabulary and spelling.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

  "As mentioned before our four words here all are similar in using the ?b? and ?t? sounds at the end. So we know that those phonemes will be used in spelling each one of those words phonetically. Now what we're left to do is assign a phoneme for our vowel sounds. So if we analyze the word, it's ?e? as in bet. We look at our chart, we see the phoneme which corresponds to that sound and that happens to be the standard ?e? that we all recognize. Here, bet phonetically looks very similar to bet in the Roman script. Now let's take a look at ?i? bit. Now we look at our chart and we see that this symbol represents the ?i? sound and that resembles a capital I not a lowercase I but a capital I and so we've arrived at bit. Now with ?but? we have to find the sound and that corresponds to this...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Most would say it's an almost impossible task, one that requires a lot of patience and repetition. How are you supposed to keep their interest? How do you communicate to them efficiently despite not being physically present? Teaching children may not be an easy task, however, I believe it would be a most rewarding one. Teaching online is something that I have been keen on and would like to venture into after completing this course. We are moving into a digital world where we will all soon be connected over the internet. This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to reach and enrich the lives of children globally. Is it a good choice? Cultural exchange Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Weather and whether are a pair of homophones which means they sound the same, but they have different spellings and meanings. Here we explain how to use these words correctly.   WEATHER Definition and Examples Weather can be a noun or a verb. WEATHER Examples: WHETHER Definition and Examples Whether is a conjunction, which joins two words or phrases together. WHETHER Examples: Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! 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. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

  As mentioned earlier, our example sentence has used a regular verb 'to play'. With the regular verbs we simply add '-ed'. This spelling pattern changes for words that end with a consonant and a Y: 'cry' goes to 'cried', 'try' to 'tried'. Another spelling pattern we have to be aware of is our consonant plus vowel plus consonant. In these instances, we double the consonant used: 'shop' needs the double P; 'ship' needs the double P. With these spelling patterns, and most spelling patterns in general for the English language, there are always exceptions to the rules. So we have to be aware of those exceptions. We also have to impart those exceptions on to our students. We can do so through various exercises and various activities to end our class. To form the negative sentence here,...  [Read more]

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 Related Articles: Since the student's exposure to the target language can be extremely limited outside of the classroom, it's...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching English as a foreign language presents several opportunities as well as choices for a teacher. Certainly, there are numerous teaching positions around the world in traditional, classroom settings, and most ESL teachers will spend time in those settings. For many teachers, the classroom setting is a fulfilling endeavor; however, other outlets exist for teaching English, including teaching business English. Business English teaching vs. teaching for other purposes Teaching experience Running an Activity Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Robert E. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. There...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas Image by Alice Bolden via Writix Listen to this blog post: Think outside the box Encourage creativity, not perfection Encourage students to write about what interests them Writing doesn't have to be a solo activity Introduce multi-skilled lessons Writing games Are you ready to teach writing skills in your own classroom? Related Articles: Of all the language skills that are taught in the ESL classroom, teaching writing skills is often seen as one of the least popular. Some teachers consider these lessons to be a bit boring, hard to evaluate and somewhat limited in what you can incorporate into them. However, this doesn't have to be the case as teaching writing skills to your ESL students can actually be interesting, fun and productive. Take a look at these...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Pronunciation problems in El Salvador is very common, as many know Spanish is the main Language in this country, people in El Salvador tend to speak their native Language all the time because this is what they feel more comfortable with, as there is not any other dialect, other than Spanish, they are taught English in school, English Is the only language taught in El Salvador in public schools, but only for those that can attend one, this is because there are many people that can't attend a school due to economic matter, family problems or due to the work that is done in their household many don't have time to study and there are kids that can't attend school because they have to work, but there are many that do go to school and take English classes....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas It is an undeniable fact that English nowadays has become the most influential language in the world. Many throughout the world seek to learn it as knowing it is now a must to find a good job or find good opportunities in one's life, which is why we can find countries that are rife with various English courses. This is especially true in Turkey. Where English is in high demand as everyone in the country is starting to realize its importance. It is also worth noting that the vast majority of the country do not have adequate English skills, especially in speaking, mastering said skill is a dream for many Turkish people. Students' Attitude Issues in the Educational System Unmotivated Teachers Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related...  [Read more]

For TEFL-qualified teachers seeking the best places to teach English in Spain, top cities to consider include Madrid, the vibrant capital; Barcelona, known for its rich art and architecture; and Seville, the heart of Andalusian culture. Other noteworthy options include Granada and Palma de Mallorca, both of which offer unique cultural experiences and teaching opportunities. Also read: How do I find a job teaching English in Spain? Madrid Barcelona Seville Granada Palma de Mallorca The capital of Spain, Madrid, houses over 3 million residents, and its thriving English language learning community ensures an abundance of teaching positions. Both public schools and private language institutes frequently seek new staff, while private tutoring can provide a profitable avenue. On average, Madrid...  [Read more]

While a degree can be beneficial, it is entirely possible to teach English online without one. Although some employers might prioritize degree holders, many value experience and certifications. To boost your chances of getting hired, it is important to understand employer preferences, continuously upskill, and be strategic about where you apply. Popular platforms for non-degree holders include Preply, Cambly, Palfish, and Acadsoc. Why do some online teaching jobs require a degree? What do you need to teach English online? Which TEFL course should I get for teaching English online? Normally, employers require a degree in order to obtain a work visa when hiring someone to teach English abroad. Visas are not a problem, though, when it comes to teaching online - so why do they still want...  [Read more]

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! Related Articles: 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]

The duration to secure a TEFL job varies for each individual and depends on multiple factors. While it is challenging to provide a definitive timeframe, it is encouraging to note that most of our graduates secure English teaching positions shortly after completing their certification. Factors like the chosen country's job market competition and the applicant's qualifications can strongly influence the job search duration. How does the destination impact on TEFL job recruitment? How do hiring seasons impact on TEFL job recruitment? How can an individual teacher boost his TEFL job prospects? One of the biggest factors is where you choose to work, as the demand for teachers varies greatly from region to region and country to country. China has such a huge demand that there are often not...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning English is very difficult, there are many various grammatical and spelling differences between the English spoken throughout the world. Most notably is British and American English grammar. There are also differences in the pronunciation and meanings of many words. While you would think learning English would be a simple task, it is not, after all how different can English be from English? There are a few additional factors - Canadian, Australian, South African, Indian English, etc. have their own differences, these are differences that must be taken into consideration while you study the English Language. Why Learners Have to Know Variasions Differences in Spelling Differences in Pronunciation Differences in Vocabulary Differences in...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas Of the four language skills taught in an ESL classroom, listening skills are often overlooked as teachers can be unsure how to make these lessons interesting and relevant to their students. However, as listening skills are a fundamental part of the language learning process, it is vital that we give them the classroom time they deserve. The good news is that there are many ways to make listening skills lessons both fun and productive. Here are 6 ideas for livening up your lesson plans. Popular Culture Secret Phrase Celebrity Squares Describe the Picture Listen and Quiz Vowel Cards Listen to this blog post Are you ready to teach listening skills in the classroom? Related Articles: One simple way to engage your students in a listening lesson is to use popular...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have taught English in a classroom setting to large groups of adults for 4 years through a non-profit agency located in a mixed-race urban area of the United States. More recently, I have been teaching English to foreign learners on a one-to-one basis via video chat, also for four years. Given this background, I can speak from a wealth of personal experience to the differences, advantages, and disadvantages of each. As my goal is to continue to teach individuals online, I was admittedly skeptical of what I might gain from a TEFL course, as most certification programs are geared toward classroom teaching abroad. Having completed the ITTT course, I find myself very satisfied with having gone through the process, as I have gained many new resources for my...  [Read more]

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]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In the past few years, teaching English as a second language on the internet has gained a lot of reputation for English teachers around the world. The convenience of only needing a stable internet connection and a computer to go to work sounds far more pleasing than going to a school or other institution to teach a couple of hours per day. Additionally, online teaching provides opportunities for English teachers to travel to new destinations while still being able to work as a freelancer. Consequently, teaching English to children online, in different parts of the world, must be one of the most rewarding aspects of the job. However, many obstacles need to be overcome to be a successful English teacher for children online. Hence, these will be...  [Read more]

For non-EU citizens who want to teach English in Europe it can be a frustrating experience when it comes to getting a work visa. Due to this frustration, many teachers decide to work with only their initial tourist visa in their passport. Although this is technically illegal, it is a widespread practice in some of the most popular destinations such as France, Italy and Spain, and it rarely causes any problems. However, if this approach does not appeal to you, a student visa might be the answer. By enrolling in a local language course, you get to learn French, Italian or Spanish, while also being free to legally work as an EFL teacher for a certain number of hours each week. What is the application process for a student visa in France? How can I check that I have the right documents? ...  [Read more]

In Argentina, English teachers can anticipate average monthly earnings between $600 and $1,200 USD. The demand for foreign English instructors is robust across the country, with Buenos Aires, the capital, standing out as the primary hub for ESL opportunities. Significant markets for ESL teachers can also be found in other major cities such as Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza, and the beach resort of Mar del Plata. What are TEFL salaries in Argentina? Who are the main employers of English language teachers in Argentina? Can I earn extra cash as a private English tutor in Argentina? What is the cost of living for English teachers in Argentina? In Argentina, TEFL teachers can anticipate a monthly salary between $600 and $1,200, based on qualifications and teaching experience. While Argentina is...  [Read more]

  Another point that students find difficult to understand is that modal auxiliary verbs have no tense. Some modals cannot be used to talk about the past or the futures. Watch this video to find out more about this topic. 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 english abroad! I found this unit to be extremely helpful. I learned in more detail the different possible structures of covering content, i.e. EAS and the related...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This summative essay will exam the importance of teaching the differences between American English and British English for EFL learners. I will examine the intention behind teaching these differences, and when these teachings should be applied, and to what effect and purpose. This essay will focus primarily on the problems of pronunciation and spelling, which are the two main differences. I am a British citizen, born and raised in London, England, and currently teach at a public high school in Tokyo. Spelling Challenges for Beginners and Intermediate Learners What do Students Think? Grammar Interesting Experience for Adults Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Congratulations if you have recently completed a TEFL certification course and are now looking for that all important first teaching position. As learning English is commonplace in the majority of countries around the world, qualified TEFL teachers rarely find it difficult to secure a good job. However, the level of demand can vary greatly from one place to the next, which also means the level of requirements can vary. What is required in one country might be completely different to the requirements in its immediate neighbor. Can I teach anywhere as a first-time EFL teacher? How hard is it to get a TEFL job? How can I get a TEFL job with no experience? Head to where you want to live and work and apply for jobs on the ground Sign up with a TEFL recruitment agency Add some experience to...  [Read more]

Teaching English as a Foreign Language is a career that is open to anyone with an excellent standard of written and spoken English, regardless of age, nationality, or academic history. All you need, apart from a solid understanding of the language, is a TEFL or TESOL certification and the drive to make your dreams come true. However, despite all the many benefits that await teachers heading overseas, there are also a few potential issues that you need to prepare for. So what are the main pros and cons of TEFL? Freedom Money Experiences Friends Loneliness Red Tape Discrimination The Job Once you have completed your TEFL certification course you will be able to apply for teaching jobs in virtually any country you can think of. If you dream of living and working by a tropical beach, or if a...  [Read more]