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Tefl reviews - Pronunciation And Phonology/phonetic Alphabet - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
A better way to go about imparting how to make sounds or what sounds are utilized in a word, is this international phonemic alphabet. Now we have as mentioned one symbol being used in all the words which share that same sound. Now once we get a little bit more familiar with our phonemic alphabet we can also show how different our different sounds can be as in this symbol for ?ooh?, this symbol for ?ow? and this symbol for ?uh?.
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... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Pronunciation And Phonology/phonetic Alphabet Issues - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
There are two issues that need to be stressed when working with the international phonemic alphabet. First is the fact that we are no longer concerned with how a word is traditionally spelled. Additionally we need to stress that we are only concerned with the sounds needed to correctly produce a word. So rather than numerous spellings, which can often be pronounced in different ways, we have one symbol representing one sound. Once we can isolate a sound, rather than juggling various spellings, we can work with our students on how to say that sound. Doing that successfully is related to manner and place of articulation, which will be covered shortly. To get a better understanding of the phonemic alphabet, let's take a look at our chart. In the bottom half of our chart we have our... [Read more]
Pronunciation Challenges of French Native-Speaking Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Each student faces their difficulties when it comes to English pronunciation depending on their country of origin. This essay will focus on the pronunciation difficulties facing ESL students in France and will also propose some solutions to help students overcome these difficulties.
French Sound System
IPA
Difficult Sounds
The Dark /L/ Sound
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kerri M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The number of English vowel sounds greatly outnumbers those found in the French language. As such, French students will have to produce sounds that they have never produced before.... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Pronunciation And Phonology/phonemes - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this video we'll be looking at the international phonemic alphabet and how it's used in the classroom. There are other phonemic alphabets but this is the most popular and the system, which is most widely used. You may have seen some of these symbols before as any good dictionary will supplement standard English spellings with the phonemic spellings to aid in pronunciation practice. Here we have a situation where we have what are called phonemes and each phoneme represents a sound within the English language. How is this helpful? Well, what it does is help students understand how to say words rather than simply relying on the often archaic English spellings. To illustrate this point let's for a moment put ourselves in the shoes of our students when trying to understand how to say... [Read more]
TEFL English Pronunciation Videos - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ International TEFL & TESOL
In these videos our grammar expert Linda demonstrates how to correctly pronounce a wide variety of common and not so common words that you might encounter in an English language classroom. Come back regularly as our Ask Linda series is frequently updated.
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Common Pronunciation Errors Russian Native Speakers Make in English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Even though native speakers claim that it's always possible to understand people speaking English regardless of their accent, sometimes it might be extremely difficult. My native language is Russian and I can tell for a fact that Russian and English are very different in multiple things – but right now I'd like to focus on pronunciation.
All Sounds are Pronounced in Russian
Several Sounds Do not Exist in Russian
Long and Short Vowels Sound the Same for The Russians
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Viktoriia Z. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Russian learners of English tend to... [Read more]
Mastering English Language Sounds: Enhancing Pronunciation and Auditory Receptive Skills - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
Explore the challenges and strategies in teaching English language sounds and pronunciation across different age groups.It's widely known that students of various age groups exhibit varying learning capacities. Despite these differences and regardless of background or origin, learners of English (referred to as L2) often struggle with speaking and listening due to the language's heavy reliance on auditory comprehension. This article delves into the importance of addressing these pronunciation challenges, especially in the context of teaching English as a second language.
Understanding Age-Related Differences
Young Learners: Nurturing the Phonetic Foundation
Navigating the Teenage Years: 12-18 Age Group
Engaging Adult Learners: The... [Read more]
Top Reasons Why Rules of Pronunciation are Extremely Important for Teachers - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Many ESL teachers have never even heard of phonetics or phonology, yet they use these aspects of speech naturally when they speak. Phonetics and phonology are two areas of linguistics that study the sounds of language. Phonetics focuses on individual sounds, while phonology studies the features and combination of sounds (McMahon, 1-3). There are two reasons why ESL teachers need to know phonetics and phonology: first, it helps them to conceptualize English in a way that their students can understand; and second, it helps them to address their students' difficult pronunciation problems.
Why Students Suffer from Pronunciation Issues?
Lack of Subject Knowledge
Sound Awareness
Teacher as a Role Model
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Related... [Read more]
Pronunciation Problems for Learners Speaking Chinese as their First Language - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sheneil J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Problems with Consonants
Problems with Vowels
Problems with Rhythm and Stress
Problems with intonation
Minimal Pairs
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Chinese does not have either of the "th" sounds (like "that" and "this"). Most other languages do not have these sounds and they are problematic for most learners of English. The difficulty is the point of articulation- the tongue has to be between the teeth, not behind them. Many people say that English speakers look like they're sticking their tongues out all the time because of the "th" sounds. It... [Read more]
The 2 Pronunciation Problems ESL Students Suffer From in Japan - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
There are several pronunciation problems that students of English will face in Japan; however, I will focus on two.
1. Differences in the phonetic systems of two languages
2. Lack of exposure to authentic English resources
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brandie K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The first of these problems they face is the fact that Japanese doesn't have some of the same sounds in its' alphabet as English does. For example, Japanese does not have a hard R sound; instead, it has a sound that is a mix of R and L. So, when students from Japan go to say rice, for many... [Read more]
Pronunciation Mistakes Made by Russian Speakers - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
The purpose of my essay is to outline some of the most frequently occurred pronunciation mistakes made by Russian learners and share some of the teaching ideas based on a few sources and my own experience of teaching and learning English as a foreign and second language.
State of the Problem
Russian Phonetics vs. English Phonetics
Choice of Activities
Vowel Sounds
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Olga R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Teaching English phonology and pronunciation for Russian learners is always challenging as there are a great number of differences rather than similarities in the... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - How To Pronounce Inveigle - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word inveigle. This word is used as a verb and refers to the action of persuading someone to do something through flattery or deception. The word comes from aveugler in Old French meaning ?to blind?.
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!
The videos going over a non-effective way to teach and a effective way to teach was helpful for me. I was able to... [Read more]
The 3 Most Successful Play-Based Techniques for Teaching Pronunciation - TEFL Blog
Luciana Campos
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In today's world, it is essential for young adults to learn proper pronunciation to communicate effectively and confidently. Proper pronunciation helps others understand what we are saying. It is crucial for successful communication, especially when speaking English. Traditional methods of teaching pronunciation can be time-consuming and stressful for students. However, pronunciation is an essential component of language acquisition. So, there's no way to run!
Gamification as a means for learning to pronounce
Tips on Pronunciation
Last Remarks
Related articles
Ready to teach English as a Foreign Language?
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
I guess you expected me to start by providing... [Read more]
What should I teach English beginners? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
When teaching English to absolute beginners, it is pivotal to start with foundational elements. Begin with essential vocabulary - items like family names, household objects, basic adjectives, and common places. Introduce them to subject pronouns, commonly used verbs, and foundational sentence structures. While the challenge is real, many English teachers find this level especially rewarding. Remember, every word they grasp is a significant achievement, so using engaging and interactive methods can make the learning process enjoyable and effective.
How do I start teaching English to total beginners?
How do I teach English pronunciation to total beginners?
How do I quickly build vocabulary for complete beginner students of English?
How do I teach English grammar to complete beginners?
... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Ruth - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Ruth lives in Nicaragua and took the 120-hour online TESOL without tutor support from ITTT. In this TESOL review video Ruth discusses what she enjoyed about the course. She found the course units to be simple and easy to follow and particularly liked the teaching ideas that the course provided to help her teach language concepts in more varied and interesting ways. She also benefited from the job help provided at the end of the course.
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... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tefl 120 Hour Course Unit 9 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In her ninth video diary instalment, Chantelle discusses unit 9 of her online TEFL course from ITTT. This unit covers lesson planning and the importance of being well prepared for your lessons. The unit discusses whether there is a need to plan lessons, how a lesson plan should be written and what should be included in a lesson plan. It also looks at ways to plan a sequence of lessons and how important it is for teachers to reflect on past lessons to help improve future classes.
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... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Karen Ann Loquias - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this ITTT TESOL review video Karen describes her experience during her TESOL/TEFL course in Hangzhou, China. ITTT has training centers in over thirty different international locations. To find training center that suits you just visit our web site or follow the above links.
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!
Reported speech is often confusing for students because the grammar shifts between direct... [Read more]
The Main Principles of Teaching Beginners - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Whom a student is defined within about same parameters by different sources. The Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary also has two definitions of the word student.
The Basis of the Article
Useful Tips
Program Core
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The Merriam Webster dictionary (online) has two definitions of students which are as reproduced below:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate PAUL D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
For this summative assignment, the second definition by the Merriam-Webster and Collins COBUILD Dictionary will be used. Using the second definition as just stated, a beginner student will be one who is new to... [Read more]
Top Tips for Teaching Absolute Beginners in English as an EFL Teacher - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
Teaching the English language to total beginners is a challenge for any teacher - but it's so worth it! English teachers abroad are regularly faced with two possible situations: A) teaching English to a class with zero knowledge in English (often young learners), or B) having to integrate a new student into your class who has never studied English before and now he/she has to pick up the language quickly.
Assess the Exact Level of the Student(s)
What to Teach Absolute Beginners in English
Personal and family information
Social interaction
Classroom and school
Time, calendar and weather
Body parts
Food
Home
Incorporate Numbers, Colors, and Shapes
Teaching the Alphabet
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Where to start?
Many teachers... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Wieslaw Efl - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Wieslaw form Poland took the 120-hour online TESOL course with tutor support and videos. In his TESOL review video, Wieslaw tells us he is currently teaching kindergarten students in Nanjing, China. He found the material in the course clear and well put together covering several different topics including classroom management, teaching different age groups, grammar and lesson planning.
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... [Read more]
The Most Common Problems Students in South Korea Face When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Destinations Alumni Experiences
Korean learners of the English language face numerous challenges in acquiring the language on a proficient level, although English is introduced to children at an early age. English is incorporated into the primary school curriculum from the age of four, yet only a small minority master the language on a proficient conversational level. Unfortunately, the reasons seem to stem from cultural and social differences, the significant differences between the two languages; Korean and English, and the Korean Educational System is also a contributing factor.
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Problems Relating to Cultural Differences
Problems Relating to the Different Phonetic and Grammar Systems
Problems with English Education in the Korean School System... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Lenin - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this ITTT TESOL review Lenin from the United States talks about his experiences while completing the 120 hour online TESOL/TEFL certification course.
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 focuses on the basic grammar concepts that make up the English Language. It uses a systematic approach to introduce and explain the most important Parts of Speech that make up the language. I've learned... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Teaching English Esl Efl Tips/future Tenses Going To Future - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The 'going to' future tense is used to indicate future plans with intentions and predictions based on evidence. It is a very common future tense used in both spoken and written English.
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!
That was a very challenging unit because of considering every detail of pronunciation and phonics is very difficult. This is because it is something so intricate and accurate there... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Theories Methods Techniques Of Teaching The Direct Method - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
"In terms of the things that are negative about it, we've already said that it doesn't develop speaking but perhaps the biggest negative point about this particular methodology is that it's very unnatural. Ok, so despite the criticisms of this particular method, and particularly the fact that is unnatural, this particular methodology was in use all the way through the 17th, 18th and 19th century and indeed it's still in use today. However, Gouin in the 1880s and Berlitz in the early 1900s decided that this particular methodology was so unnatural that they wanted to come up with something new. The method that they came up with, they called the direct method. You will also sometimes see it as the natural method. What these two people were saying is that if we wish to learn a language... [Read more]
Problems for English Learners in Russia - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
People from different countries inevitably face problems when they are trying to learn English. Russia is no exception. Let's have a quick look at some typical problems that my fellow countrymen face.
Pronunciation
Grammar
Meaning
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sergei S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
As you may know, Russian is written using the Cyrillic alphabet, and some may think that it can cause problems. In reality, the Russians are fine with understanding the Latin alphabet and can easily pronounce each letter. However, the Devil is in the details. When it comes to speaking it... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Amy - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this TESOL review video, graduate Amy from South Africa tells us how she took two online courses with ITTT; the 120-hour course with videos and tutor support and the course in teaching English to young learners. After completing the courses Amy accepted an English teaching position in Korea.
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!
While modals, phrasal verbs, and passive voice can be challenging for... [Read more]
Most Common Problems for English Learners in Spanish-Speaking Colombia - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
For this assignment, I decided to research problems experienced by Colombian students learning English. I will be teaching English in Colombia and thought this subject would benefit me. My findings more generally reflect the difficulties of Spanish-speaking learners. The paper outlines the top ten difficulties for Spanish-speakers learning English (vocabulary, spelling/pronunciation, subject-verb-agreement, verb tense, dialects, subject omission, pronunciation, stress, slang, and literal translations) based on CCJK (2019). Where possible I relate this information to my experiences/examples and units in the TEFL course.
Vocabulary difficulties
Spelling and Punctuation Difficulties
Subject-Verb Agreement
Verb Tense
Dialects
The omission of the Subject... [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
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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 Most Distinct Differences between American and British English - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
When it comes to learning English, non-native speakers can feel quite torn on whether they should learn British English or American English. They have their similarities, but can contrast each other strongly. The differences can be confusing for English speakers as well. The diversity in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary can really throw you off. In this article, I will be focusing on these three topics. Let's explore spelling, shall we?
Important Spelling Differences
Differences in Word Choice
Same Word - Different Pronunciation
Other Things to Consider
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tabitha C.
Growing up in the USA, I learned to spell in... [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
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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]