English Class Largely Unconcerned

Before you head to the airport to start your TEFL journey it is important that you are aware of the paperwork required by the country you are planning to work in. The specific type of visa you need to gain entry to your destination country and how you gain the right to work legally there can vary enormously from one place to the next. To ensure everything runs as smoothly as possible, you should visit the relevant embassy website and do a bit of online research well before you plan to leave. What basic documents are needed for teaching English abroad? What documents will I need when applying for English teaching jobs? What additional documents might be required for teaching English abroad? How do I apply for a new passport (or gain an extension to an existing one) in the U.S.A? How...  [Read more]

Lesson planning is an important part of being a teacher. While experienced teachers may appear to not require a plan it is only because they have probably taught a lesson so many times that the majority of their plan is in their head. They will still have a good idea of how they want and expect the lesson to proceed. Inexperienced teachers will need the structure a good lesson plan provides. A good plan acts as a guide to your planning. It helps a teacher consider the direction of the lesson and possible pitfalls and diversions. It also helps a teacher keep on track during the lesson but should not be so restrictive that it prevents flexibility in class. A lesson plan also serves as a record of what you have taught before enabling you to easily see what to review at later dates and to...  [Read more]

The financial aspect of teaching English overseas is a significant consideration alongside the cultural and adventurous. Generally, English teachers abroad can comfortably cover daily living expenses. However, the potential to save money varies widely by region. Many positions do allow for savings, which can be directed towards financial goals such as paying off student loans or saving for future travels. The key to maximizing savings while teaching abroad lies in choosing locations with favorable salary-to-cost-of-living ratios and managing personal expenses wisely. How much can I save while teaching English in Europe? How much can I save while teaching English in Latin America? How much can I save while teaching English in Asia? How much can I save while teaching English in the Middle...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching writing skills to elementary English learners can be an exciting and rewarding experience. With a well-structured lesson plan, you can engage students, introduce key concepts, and provide opportunities for practice. In this blog post, we'll walk you through a sample one-hour straight arrow ESA (Engage-Study-Activate) writing skills lesson plan, tailored for an elementary English class. Engage (10 minutes): Study (25 minutes): Activate (20 minutes): Summary (5 minutes): Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! To kickstart the class, begin with a lively warm-up activity that activates students' prior knowledge and generates interest...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Knowing an additional language goes beyond the ability to speak it. It connects people, helps in understanding different cultures and has also been identified as a boost to brain function and increase intelligence. Present Situation Example Lesson Plan Lesson: Receptive Skills Engage and Study Phase: Activate Phase: Expected end result: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nagashree C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In the present age of expanding businesses, capturing markets across the globe, establishing offices far and wide, more and more business are following the model of 'following...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences All humans are raised with an innate love for games. Since we were all children, playing games was our pastime activity. When comes to teaching either young learners or adults, in-class games are the foundation stone of learning. Business English The Effect of Games Strategy Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Pavlina M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching Business English (BE) to clients/adults must be a fun procedure. There are many reasons why a teacher must use games when teaching English in class regardless of students' age or occupation. To begin with, students can learn with...  [Read more]

In the field of English language instruction, various abbreviations often get mixed up, leading to confusion. A typical mix-up occurs between the terms EFL and ELL. Simply put, EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language, and ELL signifies English Language Learner. EFL pertains to the course or class, while ELL denotes the English student. What exactly does "EFL" mean? What does "ELL" stand for? EFL, or "English as a Foreign Language," denotes programs specifically constructed for ELL students. Many educational institutions offer EFL classes designed for English learners, utilizing EFL-centric curricula and programs. The term EFL broadly encapsulates the techniques and resources employed in teaching English to learners. ELL, an acronym for "English Language Learner," represents students...  [Read more]

Linda is a passionate traveler, language learner and TEFL teacher. After spending some time teaching in China, she moved to Korea in 2015. She now calls South Korea her home. Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas Schools are starting again and students and teachers flock back to the classroom. Check out these simple and powerful back-to-school ideas and your students will surely remember this first lesson of yours for a long time! Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas As an ESL teacher, getting your students talking can be one of the most difficult things to accomplish. English learners often lack the necessary confidence to speak openly and freely in English. The following activities are perfect for getting your students out of their shells! Here are 7 go-to activities for your ESL conversation...  [Read more]

hey guys welcome to a new itt's live stream uh and my name is lisa uh if you don't know me yet uh i'm a tefl and t soul expert at itt and i also teach english online as a non-native esl teacher so i'm super glad to welcome you um at today's session and it's going to be devoted to um the very first online esl class um i hope yeah my name is lisa not linda but it's okay hi uh mikey i hope i pronounce your name correctly so uh today's session is going to be devoted to everything related to the very first uh lesson with your um online students so um i'm going to share five uh five main points uh you have to remember before planning your very first lesson um so hopefully it's going to be useful i believe that if you are a new teacher it's going to be really valuable so stay tuned and let me...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The roles of an English teacher in a TEFL classroom are varied and depend largely on the stage of the lesson and the situations that may arise, both planned and unplanned. Many people see the teacher as the main source of information and an example of the English language. This, in a sense, is the primary role of a teacher; however, in order to fulfill the ultimate goal a teacher has, they must create a productive atmosphere in the class and a good, working relationship with their students. Learning trajectory Lesson flow Role model Find your role as a TEFL teacher today! Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Shannon T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Educating children is one of the most challenging and rewarding roles. Children are usually illustrated as a bath sponge when it comes to absorbing language input. They could learn easily learn a language without much force at a young age. As teachers or educators, we need to be able to nurture them to have a positive mind and become an independent individual in the future. A child's future would largely depend on the education they receive when they are young. Thus, it is a teacher's role to mold children by giving the best education in a positive direction at a young age. Teacher's Roles Teacher's Attitude and Approach Role Model Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences There is little doubt that students who are interested, involved and motivated are easier to teach. Motivated students are forthcoming and attentive, the class flows easily, and there is more response and creativity during activities. So, with a class full of motivated kids, we find our English class is more fun. But does that mean the students can learn as much? The level of motivation is tied to the teacher's response. Motivated students are more eager to learn. How to motivate your students Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Melanie S. In many countries, in fact, in many traditional schools across the world, grammar drilling,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Back in 2014, I worked at a nursery school here in South Africa. I was the English teacher for the three to four-year-olds at this school. There were 32 students in my class. My class was so small that during nap time two students had to sleep on one mattress. There was no space to leave the class once the children had fallen asleep. I had to make sure that all my belongings were out of the class once the students came in for their naptime or I had to leave whatever was forgotten behind once I was one my way to my next job. In unit 3 on page 21, they talk about the whole class grouping pros and cons and that is really explained well where they say "class grouping is suitable for activities where the teacher needs to be in control" or "have the...  [Read more]

At ITTT, we firmly believe that English language teaching is one of the most rewarding careers, particularly for those yearning to travel and embark on life-altering journeys. But like any job, teaching English does have its highs and lows. Novice teachers often harbor specific concerns unique to the teaching profession about their classroom roles. Here, we address some recurrent concerns among our TEFL graduates before they embark on their first teaching assignment. What if I don't like my students? What if my students don't like each other? What if my students don't do their homework? What if I have a lot of students? What if my students are at different levels? What if I don't speak the local language? What if my school has no resources? What if I don't like my job? Many beginner...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas It is inevitable that not all students in every class will get along. Unfriendly relationships can develop in the classroom, but they may also develop outside the class, or even exist prior to entering the EFL classroom. In any case, our first priority as teachers should be to improve the relationship between the two (or more) students who do not get along. However, if the antagonism runs deeper or becomes too disruptive to the class, it may be better to separate the students so that their dislike of each other does not bring down the atmosphere of the entire class. Engaging Activities For Enemies Speak Individually The Morale of a Larger Group Are you ready to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course to become certified! Related Articles: This post was...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas For a class to be interesting and beneficial to both the teacher and the students, quite a lot of things have to be taken into consideration. Smooth sailing of the classes and success of the students in acquiring the English language can largely be attributed to the teacher's character and/or behavior. The confidence of a teacher has great meaning as it gives birth to students' confidence in learning English. What is Confidence? Ways to Work On Confidence Self-Education Setting Up Goals Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL Course Today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tendai K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The Cambridge English...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Effective teachers not only possess expertise in content knowledge but they are also great classroom managers. If teachers cannot manage their students then they cannot teach their students. Learning will only take place when the classroom is well managed. The first day of school is the most important day for teachers to create 'rules' in the classroom. The Essence of Classroom Management Teacher Responsibilities Relationships Expectations and Directions Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nikki D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Classroom management must happen on the very first day of school...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences For a class to function properly it necessitates the teacher to put his /her student in a confident position, in this sense the teacher must know when to be firm with students and when to give them liberty. What is the classroom? Main methods of work organization Grouping Working on behavior Instructing Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate CHIFON R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Classroom here refers to a room in a school or an establishment where a group of students is being taught by a teacher or a group of teachers. Classroom administration, on the other hand, is the process of ensuring...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When a class is managed well, there is a minimum of disruptions that distract from learning. This is more of an issue in a class for children, as opposed to adults. Nevertheless, in all classes, maintaining the comportment of the group to facilitate learning is the objective of sound classroom management techniques. Furthermore, it is also important to develop cordial and friendly relations with learners on an individual basis, and with the class as a whole. Having a rapport with students, and creating a classroom community that is based on shared rules and norms that are understood and reasonable for everybody, is an essential part of classroom management. When accomplished, this creates a classroom culture that students feel safe and welcome in. This...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Besides the thousands of things they have on their minds (personal problems, health issues, daydreaming, etc.) and the temptation to just chat with their neighbors in the classroom, students can also be easily distracted by their smartphones. Distraction is not the only obstacle to the class, boredom and absenteeism don't help the class either. 1. Build rapport with students 2. Make the class interesting 3. Have fun! Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! To prevent those behaviors, students need to be motivated, which is every teacher's challenge. While all students have different backgrounds and expectations, the teacher still has plenty of resources to tease students' attention and increase their participation. How do you keep...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas You have to put the emphasis on the right syllable," I said, finishing my demonstration. Challenges in the Second Class: Timing and Assumptions Learning from Mistakes: Lessons for Effective Language Teaching Apology and Humility: A Turning Point Valuable Lessons for Language Instructors Carrying Lessons Forward: Teaching English with Confidence Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! My very first class of students learning Russian had expressed their disdain for their books with stress notes denoted on every word. They started reading from the copies without the stress marks and consequently were butchering the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I feel that this is a very important topic and part of the teaching experience, one of my biggest worries is that I won't be good enough at creating a classroom where the students feel encouraged, motivated and comfortable participating, of course, there are a lot of things that go into this, such as the way you teach the material and what you choose to teach, the way you maintain discipline in the classroom, how to create good rapport with all the students in your class, how to make the class "fun" and interesting for the students without trying to be TOO fun and derail from the point of the lesson, so I worry about a lot of these issues. Why is it necessary? Ideas to motivate students Setting up goals Establishing a positive atmosphere Knowledge race...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have been working as an English teacher for almost five years and I have a lot of experience in teaching children and adults. Therefore, after learning these units, I can gain a better understanding of class management. Reasons for Management in Class Rapport Young Learners Adults Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Wenyi L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. When it comes to teaching children, class management is essential. Children have an innate curiosity, which is a big motivation. They like looking for something new and learning it. Studying when you were a child has many advantages....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas It's my dream to be a teacher since I was a little girl. It's so lucky, I became an English teacher after I graduated from school. I like my job, I always prepared a lot before my class, such as materials, flashcards, teaching plan and so on. Because I hope my students will enjoy my class and gain knowledge through my class. 1. Attitude 2. Sense of Humor 3. Lesson Structure 4. Teaching Approach 5. Games and Activities 6. Encouragement Are you ready to teach ESL students abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: I heard that a good teacher must be a good actor. I really impressed by this sentence, it always reminds me, no matter how tired you are and how sad you are, once you enter in the classroom, you must be full of energetic and keep a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Just as a map is a guide to a territory, grammar is the guide to a language. A language course ought to include such guidance, through which the student perceives direction. The ability to read a map, and, as a result, delineating the goal´s location, facilitates the endeavor to set the student onto the right path. When a learner understands the universal logic of language, he can put his native language into context within every foreign language. This comparison of languages will reveal similarities. To learn that all languages are alike will make the acquisition easier. If the teacher wants the student to understand that languages are closely related he has to present grammar as a common aspect of all languages. Grammar describes principals of...  [Read more]

A TEFL course equips individuals with the essential skills to effectively teach the English language, regardless of whether they are native speakers. While simply knowing the language was once deemed sufficient, it is now widely recognized that successful teaching requires a structured approach. A TEFL course covers methodologies to teach English language skills, lesson planning for diverse learners, refreshing English grammar concepts, and techniques to enhance classroom engagement. Simply put, it is designed to transform a native or non-native English speaker into a proficient English language instructor. English grammar and how to teach it Lesson planning and the ESA method Classroom management Evaluation and testing The mere mention of English grammar is often enough to strike fear...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teachers who walk into a new classroom are never sure what type of students will be there. Many times, they will get a class that has a mixed ability. Some of the students may have a stronger grasp of the English language than others. An experienced teacher would know what to do. But what about an inexperienced teacher? This post will describe some of the steps and strategies that would assist them. "The teacher needs to arrive early to assess the environment of the classroom." Start with a game! Hold pre-assessments Identify your students Mix stronger students with weaker students Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate James O. On day one, the teacher...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas A New Perspective on Lesson Planning Prior to beginning this course, I had only considered lesson planning in the form of worksheets and topics, a brief lecture here and there, and some talk activities placed sporadically throughout the lesson. I also understood the critical nature of talking and listening as a means of gaining proficiency in a new language, but I did not think there would be a way to square this need with other aspects of what I perceived to be my own general education experience. Introducing the Engage, Study, Activate (ESA) Model Engage: Fostering Comfort and Preparation Study: Promoting Engagement and Confidence Activate: Culminating Experience and Real-Time Practice ESA: A Community of Learners Are...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The lesson plan is a structure of the course that you will give to your students, a clear guide as to what you want to achieve and how you are going to do it. A good lesson plan generally consists of learner objectives, personal aims, language points, procedure, phase, and interaction, etc. It is of great importance because it can help teachers to have confidence in class, make the class go more smoothly and help to improve the course. What is lesson planning for? Lesson flow Course effectiveness Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yanfen G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Firstly, it can help...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I work in two schools. I am an assistant language teacher at one commercial (low-level English) high school, and an integrated (high-level English) academic junior high and high school. I have had experiences with different kinds of students, Japanese-English teachers, and classroom atmospheres. In Japan, students take an entrance exam to get into high school. If they scored low on the entrance exam, then they are placed in the lowest ranking class. Each school has a certain number of classrooms for each grade. Both of my high schools have six classes total for each grade. There are usually around forty to forty-two students in each class as well. Teaching forty plus students in a crowded classroom is difficult. And unlike many stereotypes of...  [Read more]