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Meaning of TEFL - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The term TEFL is one that is often used in a general sense, although it does have a specific meaning. Generally the meaning of TEFL is some form of ‘the Teaching of English to people whose first language is not English’ and is often used interchangeably with terms such as TESOL, TEAL, TESL and many others. It is also generally used as the name of a qualification, such as a TEFL certificate, which relates to the result of a TEFL training course.
Here we will look at the meaning of TEFL in these broad terms and also give its specific meaning, along with many other common acronyms used throughout the industry.
The general acronym for the field of teaching English is ELT: English Language Teaching. This term applies across the board to teaching English, be it to American high school... [Read more]
The Real Meaning of Teaching Skills in the ESL Environment - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Teaching skills do not only refer to lesson handouts and specific classroom ideas/techniques—although both are part of, and important to teach— but also cover qualities teachers should possess, and the various roles the instructor will (at some point) need to fill.
What makes a good instructor?
Motivation strategies
Roles of a teacher
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Carly G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The first unit of the course began by identifying qualities that make for a good instructor. These qualities are as follows: teachers must be kind, patient, lively and... [Read more]
E.G. Meaning: What Does E.G. Mean? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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What does e.g. mean? Let's take a look at the definition and usage of this expression with this ESL infographic. Learn how and when to use this abbreviation to enlarge your vocabulary word and improve your English conversations.
The term ‘for example’ gets abbreviated as ‘e.g.’ in the English language. It is only used in written language, such as in magazines, newspapers, essays or texting.
The abbreviation ‘e.g.’ is from the Latin expression ‘exempli gratia’ and means ‘for the sake of an example’ or more commonly ‘for example’.
Let's take a look at some examples of ‘e.g.’ being used in a conversation:
Person 1: Hey do you like desserts?
Person 2: Yeah.
Person 1: I... [Read more]
Animal Idioms and Phrases with Meanings and Examples - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here's a list of commonly used animal idioms in English. They are incredibly fun to teach to your ESL learners.
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Fruit Idioms and Phrases with Meanings and Examples - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here's a list of commonly used fruit idioms in English. They are incredibly fun to teach to your ESL learners.
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[Read more]
Time Idioms and Phrases with Meanings and Examples - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here's a list of commonly used time idioms in English. They are incredibly fun to teach to your ESL learners.
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[Read more]
Tefl reviews - English Lesson I Wish If Only - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this lesson Iban teaches the meanings and differences of ‘I wish’ and ‘if only’. He starts the lesson with a warm up activity before covering the lesson point. He ends the lesson with activities to give the students practice using the language point he has taught.
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 learnt the importance of selecting the correct vocabulary to teach and... [Read more]
English idioms: Food ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The English language contains many set phrases whose meanings cannot be discerned by looking at the individual words that make up the phrase. These phrases are called ‘idioms’ and they are used widely by native English speakers around the world; they are also a common cause of confusion for English language learners and as such many EFL students ask their teachers to teach them English idioms. Teachers used to think that there was no point in teaching idioms to students out of fear that they would use them incorrectly; however, as they are such a widely used part of the language it is now considered a good idea to teach them.
There are many books available for both teachers and learners that provide explanations of different idioms and exercises to help students practice. In these... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - May Vs Might English Grammar Teaching Tips - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Even though many people use "may" and "might" interchangeably, they actually have slightly different meanings. The word "may", for example refers to a possibility, while "might" conveys slightly more uncertainty. In the example "There are dark clouds in the sky. It may rain later", we use "may" because the dark clouds suggest the possibility of rain. The sentence "I'm sick but I might come to the party" uses "might" because it is not certain the person will go to the party. This means, you should use 'may' when there is some kind of a sign that predicts or indicates future happenings. You should use 'might' when expressing something a little more unlikely or uncertain.
Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course.... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - I Wish If Only - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this lesson Iban teaches the meanings and differences of 'I wish' and 'if only'. He starts the lesson with a warm up activity before covering the lesson point. He ends the lesson with activities to give the students practice using the language point he has taught.
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!
This unit contained information about the qualities of a good teacher and good student.It discussed... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - If Conditional - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
"In this video, our OTP trainee Richard elicits the topic of his class by asking his students what they would buy if they won the lottery. He then puts the information up on the board and does a quick gap-fill exercise to further elicit the second conditional. ITTT's Observed Teaching Practice courses (OTP) are ideal for teachers wanting to improve their teaching skills remotely from anywhere in the world."
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... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Warm Up If I Won The Lottery - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
"In this video, our OTP trainee Richard elicits the topic of his class by asking his students what they would buy if they won the lottery. ITTT's Observed Teaching Practice courses (OTP) are ideal for teachers wanting to improve their teaching skills remotely from anywhere in the world."
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 was disappointed with my result for Unit 5 and the confusion around the word... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Corinth Greece - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this ITTT TESOL review video a group of students discuss their experiences during their TESOL/TEFL course in Corinth, Greece. They outline some of the components of the course including the teaching practice that the course provides. ITTT's Teaching English as a Foreign Language certification qualifies you to teach English overseas. Having your TEFL certification is a first step to exploring countries and new destinations around the world, experiencing new cultures and being paid for the experience.
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... [Read more]
Many Shades of the English Language - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Every language has its peculiarities, more so in the English language, which is spoken in the largest number of countries in the world. And thus has attained the status of a global language. Factors attributed to this phenomenon are many. One of the major reasons is that the Britishers had a large number of colonies which enabled them to come in contact with the inhabitants of different parts of the world.
Vocabulary
Pronunciation
Spelling and Pronunciation
Meaning
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stone S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Moreover, the colonies had the English language as the... [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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Listen to this blog post:
This... [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]
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]
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]
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]
Tefl reviews - How To Pronounce Firebrand - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word firebrand. This word has two different meanings. The first meaning is quite literal and describes burning wood. The second meaning is rather figurative as it refers to a person who is usually inflicting change as a result of being passionate about a certain topic or cause.
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 learnt about the three topics... [Read more]
How Important is the Difference Between American English and British English for EFL Learners? - TEFL Blog
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!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - English Grammar Future Continuous Teaching Ideas Teaching English Overseas - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
ITTT's online TEFL/TESOL courses are designed to help anyone thinking of teaching English overseas. On them you will learn teaching methodologies, important parts of English grammar and ideas of how to teach this grammar to your students. This video looks at one idea for the future continuous tense. For this activity students are each given a planner filled with different activities on different dates. The planners are rigged so that there is only one day when the students are both free. They have to interview each other to find out which day they are both free. To find out more about how you can become qualified and suitably prepared for teaching English overseas click the link above.
Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL... [Read more]
How is teaching business English different from general English? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Business English and General English serve distinct purposes and audiences:
In essence, while General English provides foundational language skills, Business English hones in on the nuanced communication needs of the business realm.
Business English classes
What's the difference between business English and general English?
Business English resources
Business English is a unique area of teaching that comes under the banner of English for Specific Purposes (ESP). Business English courses are designed for employees of any type of company who need to communicate using English in the workplace. Business English classes can cover a range of areas including:
A business English course often includes employees from all levels of a particular company, from salespeople and receptionists, to... [Read more]
English as a Global Language: What Motivates Students to Learn English? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
As an international study major in college, I learned that the United Nations, a non-governmental organization, officially recognizes six world languages: every meeting, written document, and speech are translated into these languages. English is one of them. It is spoken and written by billions of people around the world. Having traveled in eight countries myself, I was surprised to have seen how commonplace it was for countries to translate directional signs in both the official language and in English. A student's mastery of the English language, or in any language, can be a difficult journey to venture. Therefore, this essay will explore what factors may motivate a student to learn English.
English for adults
Ways to learn
English for young... [Read more]
British English vs. American English: 50 Differences Illustrated - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
The differences between British English and American English are always fun to take a look at. Below are 40 differences between the two illustrated.
Learn the difference between American English vs British English.
British vs American English
1. Post ………… Mail
2. Film ………… Movie
3. Rubbish ………… Garbage
4. Football ………… Soccer
5. Chips ………… Fries
6. Rubber ………… Eraser
7. Zip ………… Zipper
8. Sweets ………… Candy
9. Biscuit ………… Cookie
10. Maize ………… Corn
... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Productive Receptive Skills/activate Phase Speaking - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The final stage of the lesson will be the activate and the activate phase is going to form the main speaking activity within the lesson. So, it's very very important that here, we do a good demonstration of what it is that we're expecting them to do, that we elicit the type of target language we're expecting them to produce from the activity. So, one way we could go around it is to, firstly, form pairs. Each pair is going to be given a card and onto that card they're going to write the country and a month. What the teacher can then do, just to add a little bit of spice to it, is to collect all of the cards and shuffle them around and then redistribute them to the pairs so that they get a card that doesn't have their country or their month on it. What they're then going to do is to... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Lesson Planning Part 8 Process For Study Activities - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Just to finish off this particular section on lesson planning, we're going to go through a couple of procedures that should take place during the study phase periods, particularly when we're doing the activities. It is quite important that before we actually go into a study activity that we go through a process of showing how that activity is going to work and one acronym that is often used for this is D-E-GO. The D part of this stands for a demonstration of the activity. Now, it's very important that you don't try to explain how the activity is going to work but rather you actually demonstrate the process. An example of the demonstration of the process of the activity could be something as simple as taking the first question and using it and writing it on the board. This will show... [Read more]
All Types of Verbs in the English Language - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Verbs are one of the most important parts of speech in English and incredibly important for learners of English. The below infographic showcases all types of verbs in the English language.
Generally speaking, a verb is a word that shows an action, state or an event. It is an essential part of a sentence and is known as the soul of language. For example:
"They study English grammar." (Action)
"We celebrate independence day." (Event)
"I sleep at night." (State)
Following are the different types of verbs:
When a verb's past tense (2nd form) and past participle (3rd form) is created by adding ‘d’ or ‘ed’, it is called a regular verb. Some examples of a regular verb include:
Walk
Walked
... [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]
Entertaining Approach to Teaching Grammar - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Grammatical structures are the essential building blocks to any language, English is no exception. Without a frame, a painting will fall off the wall or lose its form. The meaning behind the words is very much the same as a painting in a frame. The ideas which are meant to be conveyed are like the characters of a painting, the grammatical tools are like the colors, the structure and order of the words are like the brushstrokes which add depth and tone to a work of art. English is art. Subjects, objects, and verbs are the colors, shapes, and tones of basic English.
Why to teach grammar?
Entertaining approach to teaching grammar
Engage
Elicitation and study
Activate
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today!
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