Fun Topics That Interest Youth

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun ESL board game about the advantages and disadvantages of different topics. The students roll the dice and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the topic they land on.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun ESL worksheet about the topic "shopping". Students complete the 15 sentences.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

General English course books for young learners differ from those for adults in a number of ways. Obviously the types of topics will be geared towards the interests of younger people but there are also differences in the way the language is presented. Grammar chants are a popular method of drilling grammar points in books for young learners and while course books for adults will generally have sections with explicit presentations of a grammar point, books for young learners do not usually cover grammar in such detail, especially those for very young learners. There are several publishers involved in producing general English course books for young learners. The main publishers are Oxford University Press and Cambridge University Press. These two publishers produce course books across...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun ESL worksheet for practicing vocabulary around the topic of clothing.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun speaking activity that is great for developing fluency on the topic of Christmas.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun worksheet about the topic of conditional type 1 using superstitions.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun board game to practice time expressions and prepositions of time. Your students talk in pairs about the topics on the sheet. Each student places their counter on one of the "start" squares and then move forward by one square at a time talking about the topic using the appropriate time expressions.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! In this fun articles board game, students review 'a', 'an' and 'the' by completing true or false statements and talking about various topics for 30 seconds.   In this free articles board game, students review a, an and the by completing true or false statements and talking about various topics for 30 seconds. Give each group of three or four a copy of the game board, a dice and counters. The players then take it in turns to roll the dice and move their counter along the board. When a player lands on a 'True or false?' square, they complete the statement with the correct article (a, an, or the) and read it to the group. If the player is able to do this correctly, they score a point. If not, they must move back to their...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun board game around the topic of travel and transportation to help teach students language connected to traveling and modes of transport.   Before the game, go through the flight and travel information in the center of the board with your students and explain any unknown vocabulary. Then, start the game at the "start" and take turns rolling dice. Students have to answer the questions by looking at the travel information in the ccenter.      Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a fun and different way to read a text with an interesting topic. Would you be able to live without money? Read and find out how this person managed.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas As we know in any case when we are going to teach a new language, it is really important to pay attention to some particular skills, that is the root of the language. Types of Skills Types of Reading Approach to Reading Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Gevorg S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. These skills are receptive skills and productive skills. Reading is one of the basic skills of learning a new language. And first of all, I would like to define reading. The process of reading a printed text louder or silently is called reading. For readers, it is important to know and understand the...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Who doesn't love Frozen? It's the perfect movie to introduce the topic of seasonal change and talk about all things winter-related! Print out this Disney's Frozen word search and let your students have some fun.   Can you find all 22 words in this Disney's Frozen word search? Your students are going to have a blast working through this word search and learn a lot of new words along the way! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The four basic language skills are divided into two categories; the receptive ("passive") skills — reading and listening, and the productive ("active") skills — speaking and writing. All are invaluable skills to learn when becoming proficient in a new foreign language and teachers should try to incorporate them into their lessons whenever possible. However, this summative task will be solely focused on receptive skills and how to teach them in the classroom. Students may need to read/listen for a purpose — for example, reading an extract of a book as part of their homework assignment, or they may want to read/listen for entertainment — for example, listening to their favorite audiobook. These skills are also important to learn...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas "We say Yes more than No. We remain curious and stay open to others' ideas. We learn by doing. By following an idea. By experimenting with our hands. By taking risks. By trying, struggling and failing forward fast. - City Studio Vancouver Manifesto" Social Practice Students' Level and Interest Environment Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rachel S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. My teaching experience comes from a background in the visual arts. I have worked as a teacher's assistant for visual artists and designers who facilitate collaborative social practice projects for youth and young...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Reading is one of the most essential parts of learning a language as it not only facilitates language development but also enhances abstract skills such as visualization and imagination. For young learners and children, reading plays a vital role, as their vivid imagination intensifies the reading experience. However, their short attention spans can pose challenges in maintaining engagement with written material. So, how can we instill a genuine love of reading in children without relying solely on authority figures? Empowering Children to Take the Initiative The Vast Array of English Language Literature Identifying and Utilizing Individual Interests Utilizing the Internet for Accessible Reading Materials Encouraging...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Many language learners will have the difficulty of creating something new in the targeted language. Reading something written out loud is not as challenging or rewarding as reading your own work. When a language learner starts creating her own work, then she can start feeling productive and confident in the targeted language. There are many different ways of teaching productive skills such as speaking or writing. Listen to this blog post: Natural skills Higher level of interest Types of writing Teaching writing What is speaking Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nalan F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One of the biggest jobs for a teacher is to motivate his or her students. Motivation is important because it keeps the students invested in the class and learning the class material. To build motivation, the teacher can do several things in the classroom and with the students. It is important to remember that a motivated student has a greater chance of success than a student without motivation. Building Motivation Points to Pay Close Attention to Choices Ideas Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Angela H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. One way to build motivation is to deliver lesson...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Friendly atmosphere in a classroom is crucially important. Not only does it create a conducive environment for the study process, where students are relaxed and therefore tend to participate more, but also provides a safe space for a teacher. From my experience, building good rapport is especially important for young teachers as it helps to boost their confidence and unleash all the potential they have in order to make lessons effective and fun. Here are some ways of forging a friendly relationship with students, that worked out for me. Listen to this blog post: 1. Learn students' names 2. Learn about their interests 3. Make fun 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]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Children usually prioritize their joy and prefer rewarding activities. They are more interested in reading when it is rewarding and beneficial to them. Interestingly, children learning a second language find it easier to learn reading compared to those who are learning to read for the first time. This is because young second language (L2) learners have already experienced that reading can be interesting and entertaining. By making reading in a second language interesting, students are likely to be motivated. Text Difficulty and Vocabulary Support Setting Achievable Reading Goals Tailoring Reading Material to Children's Interests Reading and Writing as Positive Activities Empowering Children's Choice in Reading Engaging Activities to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Any action performed by living beings is supported by a motive. In humans, we are driven by motivators unique to each one of us; without this motivation, our goals and desires remain unaccomplished. There are different types of motivators both internal and external that of which directly impact second language acquisition in the classroom. In this setting both parents and teachers alike play a pivotal role in motivating students, thus enabling their success in second language learning. This essay will outline how motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, affects students in the language learning classroom and how a teacher may establish motivation in students. What is Motivation? Internal Will External Will Teachers' Responsibilities Do you want to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When we talk about teaching language, we always think about speaking, listening, writing and reading; but now, let's just focus on reading and listening, in other words, the receptive skills. Why do we read or listen? Important Abilities Training How to bypass such problems? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mirazo L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The answers are: we do read or listen in teaching receptive skills because we need to know some instructions as how to control a video recorder which is not an usual task for a normal people so our a motivation must be higher than other in rather...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When teaching English as a foreign language there are a few settings a teacher can choose from such as teaching online, in a traditional classroom, instructing a large group, or one-on-one, among others. I will be discussing the motives, advantages and disadvantages, special considerations, and activities associated with the one to one set of instructions. Listen to this blog post: Students with special goals and requests Anticipated problems Building relationships Engaging activities Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Austin S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The most common motive for...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Music-based learning is an effective technique to develop English proficiency within an early youth classroom. Classroom-based singing can create a fun learning environment and lead to the development of musical skills, social interaction, and English vocabulary. Simple Rhymes Examples of Suitable Rhyme Songs Involving the Class Listen to the blog post Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: This post was written by our ITTT graduate Patrick H. The most effective method for younger learners is the use of various simple rhymes. Rhymes are simple in nature and may easily be adapted to the current material that is being taught. The teacher and students will benefit most from a circular seating arrangement as it allows both...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Good discipline is one of the keys to an effective lesson. Not only new teachers meet difficulties to manage students, but some veterans in this profession also can face problems. In this summative task, I will share my experience on how to maintain classroom discipline with young learners. How to find a common language? There are some tricks below: 1. Teacher's good mood. 2. Start the lesson with something interesting. It can be a short video, song, dance, unusual toy, mask or even costume. Something bright, which attracts kids. 3. During the first class establish main rules, for example: 4. Use the different activities to figure out the main interests in the group and each kid. 5. Good discipline does not mean complete silence and absolute domination...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word youthquake. This word describes a change in cultural standards brought about tastes and values by the young population. The word is a combination of youth and earthquake indicating the power of the young. 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 discussed modal verbs, the passive voice, and phrasal verbs. The best practices by teachers to...  [Read more]

Minh Huy Hoang TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Critical thinking is one of the fundamental abilities in the "4Cs" of 21st-century skills including Communication, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. In education, critical thinking is unquestionably significant, in EFL in particular. Why should teachers of languages do critical thinking? What kinds of critical thinking exercises can instructors do with young learners? Storytelling Odd one out Conclusion Ready to teach English as a Foreign Language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! For young learners, critical thinking may be defined as having the willingness to pick up new things, solve simple problems, make judgments, justify those conclusions, and...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences As we all know, motivation is a core aspect of teaching and learning a language. Lack of motivation is perhaps the biggest obstacle that we face as students and teachers. If a student lacks motivation, he/she will not pay attention in the class or will simply find it boring. At the same time if a teacher lacks motivation to teach he/she will be unable to attract students' attention and give them all they need. Let us be honest and say that intelligent students are those, who always eagerly attend class and enjoy the process. Here we need a highly motivated teacher who is willing help them. In this article I divide students into several categories because different situations require different approaches. How to motivate young learners Helping teenagers to get...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Classroom management is a topic that is so broad, so overwhelming that it's hard to know where to begin. A group of people coming together to learn a common subject or topic under the guidance of an instructor is called a class. The people taking the instructions are called learners and the place where the instruction takes place is called the classroom. Ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted learning environment in a classroom so that teaching takes place successfully is called classroom management. Progressively I will be discussing the strategies used to achieve effective classroom management. Key Strategies Positive Relationship Rules Encouragement Do you want to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This...  [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]