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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 - Teaching English Esl Efl Tips/tips Teaching Beginners - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Regardless of which type of beginners you are teaching here are our top 10 tips for the teaching of beginner 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 to grips with each section before moving onto the next.
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Unit 6 was about the past tenses and how to use them correctly. It described the different situations of when to use each tense and how to properly structure them. Sadly, there aren't any rules for knowing the irregular verbs. You simply just have... [Read more]
How Mandarin Chinese Helps Me in Teaching English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Foreign language experience is complexed on so many different levels, it is a window into a different culture, often a different country and even a different paradigm of thinking. There is a multitude of language experiences people can have, each with their own intricacies and uniqueness. As a native English speaker from South Africa, living in China has provided me with extraordinary foreign language experience.
The Most Difficult Language
Benefits of Mandarin Experience
Do you want to teach English in China?
Related Articles:
Listen to this blog post:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Marlan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Mandarin, the national language of... [Read more]
Clothes Vocabulary - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ESL Worksheet For Beginners
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This worksheet for beginner English language students is great to teach clothes vocabulary and sentences.
There are 8 items of clothing pictures with 8 Jumbled up sentences. Students should write the correct sentence about the item of clothing in the picture.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
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Teaching English to Beginners in Japan - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Japanese is certainly one of the most interesting languages in the world thanks to its three types of writing (hiragana, katakana and kanji).
International Links
Main Challenges: Phonetic System
Main Challenges: Exposure to English
Main Challenges: Grammar
Main Challenges: Beginners
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Desiree I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
After the outbreak of intercontinental travel (therefore with the appearance of commercialization and missionaries around the world) many terms of different languages, including English ones, also became part of the language of Japan.... [Read more]
How Learning Chinese Made Me A Better English Teacher In China - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
The following blog post is about an ITTT graduate who shares his story on how learning Chinese helped him to become a better English teacher in China.
What do you call someone who speaks only one language?
"My insights into their language and culture were incredibly helpful."
"Many Chinese are anxious about speaking English with natives - more so than is to be considered normative."
"The best ESL teachers are the ones with experience with the native language of their students."
Listen to this blog post
Now it's your turn to get TEFL certified!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph S.
A common saying imparted to me by one of my professors goes like this: "What do you call someone who speaks three languages?... [Read more]
The Typical Challenges for Chinese English Learners - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
This essay answers the question for number 10 "what are the main problems for learners in the country of China?" I am a professor at Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China and share my observations. Our students are in the North American College (NAC), with partners in Canada at Lambton College and Northwood University, USA. Three areas are most interesting to their learning challenges: college preparation, listening and writing.
Exam System
Lexical Units
Digital Autism
Writing
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Annette P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Students enter NAC with a low score on... [Read more]
Troubles Faced by Students from China When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
If you think of Chinese ESL students it is safe to assume that most teachers would immediately worry about how they should teach phonics to Mandarin speakers. It is also true that the media has portrayed the Chinese accent as one of the most challenging to understand or even get rid of.
Personal Experience
Phonetical Errors
Grammar Challenges
Problems Due to Geographical Origin of Students
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Graciela G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Usually, the first thing you will notice as an ESL teacher, speaking from experience, is the difficulty Chinese ESL students face... [Read more]
English Speaking and Writing Errors made by Chinese Primary Students - TEFL Blog
William Noble
Destinations Teaching Ideas
I have been an online ESL teacher to Chinese students for over 13 years, mostly with primary students but also with secondary and adult students. I am also a father and have homeschooled my daughter over her primary years. Like many teachers, I've enjoyed teaching at this level of education as it lays the foundation in English. As it set the foundation, my teaching helped students to overcome common errors in production skills, speaking and writing. Teaching both my daughter and Chinese students at the primary level also helped me also to understand the different expectations between first language and second language students.
Speaking Errors
Phonetics
Dark L
Aspiration
Consonant Clusters
Suprasegmentals
Intonation
Psychology
Writing Errors... [Read more]
How to Help Chinese Native Speakers to Follow English Grammar Rules in Speaking - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Grammar is the rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in a natural language. Simply put, grammar is the general rule of a language. Language is logical; grammar tells us in which order we say words. It's about how words become phrases; how words and phrases become sentences and how sentences become language.
The Essence of Grammar
Different languages have different grammar rules
How to teach grammar (EFL: how to teach Chinese students English)
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yang S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Some of these rules are acquired naturally in... [Read more]
How can I get a TEFL job abroad if I don’t have any previous teaching experience? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
hi guys hello hi and welcome to another live session my name is linda and this live stream is hosted by itt the international tefl and tesol training uh welcome back again this week uh we go live every week so if this is your first time watching hello and welcome if you've watched before welcome back thanks so much for joining again this week and this week's topic is teaching english abroad without any experience how you can do it all the tips and tricks and everything that's involved with that so um yeah thanks so much for being here again today um please let me know where you are right now in the world where are you right now where are you watching from i am actually in south korea it is 10 a.m friday uh morning super exciting i'm so happy to be here usually um this is my usual time for... [Read more]
English Learning Problems For Chinese Native Speakers and Solutions - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Most teachers come to China to teach English with only a general idea about Chinese culture and language which they should have to deal with as soon as they arrive in China. The reason I chose this topic is that I am fluent in Chinese and have experienced Chinese culture in all its facets for over than seven years. But let's not beat around the bush and get down to the nitty-gritty.
Shyness/lack of confidence:
Grammar issues:
Pronunciation issues:
Th: /s/ instead of /th/
V: /w/ instead of /v/ (mostly with southern Chinese)
Lt: /t/ instead of /lt/
Intonation:
Lack of learning structure:
Do you want to teach English in China?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ruben M.
Chinese people often seem to be shy or... [Read more]
Classroom Actions - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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These classroom actions are ideal to teach your beginner ESL students for smooth classroom management.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
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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
Are you ready to teach English abroad?
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Where to start?
Many teachers... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Teaching English Esl Efl Tips/types Of Beginners - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The first group of students we are looking at in this series are the beginners. It is important to understand that beginners can be of any age. This is why we break this category down into the following sub-categories: absolute beginners, false beginners, adult beginners, young beginners and beginners without the Roman alphabet. Find out more about this type of student group in this video.
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... [Read more]
Problems for Young English Learners in Public Schools in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Since the opening of China to the Western world, Chinese society and economic prowess have both continued to grow at exponential rates. This has led to its status as a rising power, culturally and economically, and an international power increasingly interconnected with many parts of the globe. As Chinese educational infrastructure tries to match pace with the rapidity of the country's progress, one educational mandate that has persisted in importance over time has been that of English learning for all young learners across the country. The government sees English proficiency as a matter of national economic competitiveness, in fact requiring that English is taught as part of the public school curriculum as preparation for China's 高考 (gaokao),... [Read more]
Problems for ESL Learners in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The English language has become so essential in china because the country wants to successfully promote internationalism and keep the lines of communication open for trade and business matters. As one of the global powers, it's in the country's best interest to keep afloat of shifting trends in international matters.
Governmental decision
Spelling
Pronunciation
Singular / Plural Aspect
Gender
Articles
Lack of opportunities to practice
Word order
Individual differences
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ramy M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The government has recognized that English is now... [Read more]
Problems for Learners in China and How to Help Teachers Overcome Them - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
After spending five years in China as an ESL teacher, corporate trainer and university lecturer I would like to share a few of the most common problems for Chinese learners and ways for teachers to overcome them. I will focus on problems regarding cultural differences, pronunciation and first language interference.
Social challenges
Pronunciation
First language influence
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Michal W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Despite China's opening to the outside world in recent decades, it is still a very closed society with only anecdotal knowledge of Western culture (by... [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]
How to Build Confidence in Chinese Business Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Self-confidence has been seen as a major contributor to a person learning a language. As a teacher and a counselor, I agree with Jack Welch's quote: Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do because then they will act. Confidence exists of three realms: who I am, what I can learn, and what I can do. These are steps that can be taken to help Chinese Business English students improve confidence in these realms.
What is self-confidence?
Who am I?
What can I learn?
What can I do?
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate William N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.... [Read more]
Songs in the ESL Classroom for Younger Beginners - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
7 Useful Tips on Teaching Beginner Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching beginner students is a very challenging task for anyone. Personally, I have always found teaching English to beginners as a tough prospect, whether it is monolingual group and you know nothing of their language or it's a multilingual group and the only common language is English. However, with some work and knowledge, everything is possible to teach beginners the English language. And I believe this is one of the most rewarding to teach.
1. Give simple and clear instructions
2. Let them listen first
3. Speak English only and don't use their own mother tongue
4. Teach the basics
5. Drilling and Repeating
6. Make every English lessons fun and easy
7. Prepare well and save a lot
Are you ready to teach beginners abroad?
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Listen to... [Read more]
Basic Sentence Structures - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This is the perfect sheet to hand out to your students to help them with the most basic sentence structures in English. Ideal for beginners to build a strong language foundation.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
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Hello How Are You? ESL Beginner Worksheet - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
This is an ESL worksheet for beginner English students. Students fill in the gaps with the correct word to make a correct dialog.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
[Read more]
Problems for Learners of English in Mandarin Speaking China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of teaching English as a foreign language online for a company called Education First. The format would normally be an internationally diverse group in an audio-only platform. During these sessions, I found that my students from China would have specific challenges in pronunciation that many of my European and Brazilian students would not. I recognized their tendency to add an "a" at the end of words that clearly ended in a consonant. Unfortunately, I was not educated enough in the specific challenges that Mandarin speakers faced in their attempt to learn English. I'm scheduled to begin teaching in China later this year, and it has become clear to me that I need to drill into the specific challenges faced... [Read more]
How to Help Chinese Native Speaking Students in Their ESL Practice - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
China is one of the leading countries in the world that has been in the search and quest to learn the English language. In recent years the demand to learn English has been on a rise. Every school tries to have a teacher who can teach the language to the learners. However, in this process of learning, many learners encounter a series of problems which make the language learning process not an easy task both for teachers and students. However, we are going to be looking at very common problems students learning English as a foreign language face in China.
First Language
Lack of Interest
Pronunciation Difficulties
Ways to Solve The Abovementioned Problems
1. Speak English to Students Only
2. Work on Building Students' Confidence
Do you want to teach... [Read more]
Where to teach English Online: Best Websites to Teach on for Both Native and Non-Native Speakers - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
hello everybody so lisa's here and i'm super glad to um welcome you to today's session i'm excited that um it didn't take long uh after the previous one and by the way if you didn't see uh the previous lifestyle i strongly recommend you to do that because um last week we discussed uh teaching in china and i know that many people are interested in going abroad to teach and to discover new cultures so if you want uh to know a little bit more about it um just feel free to check out the previous life and today we are actually going to talk about a slightly different approach to teaching which is online teaching uh it is also super valuable and uh today's session uh will will take approximately 45 minutes so we'll cover um first we'll cover um some of the teaching modes in online teaching... [Read more]
4 Main Challenges for ESL Students in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Destinations Alumni Experiences
I have been in China for four years; I came here on 15, September 2015, as a student. During this time pursuing my Master's degree, I taught English as a foreign language in training centers, elementary school, high school and currently teaching in a Polytechnics.
Weak Language Foundation
Late Start:
Weak Language Acquisition Device:
Teen Development Problems:
Curriculum Structure
Combined Topics Per Lesson:
Student Placement:
Course Materials:
Lack of Motivation
Testing of Students:
Student Placement:
Poor Language Training Institutions
Teaching, Learning, and Business:
Unprofessional Teachers:
Lack of Regular Training:
Are you ready to take your TEFL course?
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Listen to this blog post:
English has become one of the... [Read more]
How to teach English in Asia - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
hi everyone hello here's linda again from itt and today we're talking about something really really interesting and exciting teaching english in asia and all you need to know how to get to asia the best countries in asia where to teach with the highest demand and also the best sort of recruiters and teaching job platforms where you can find the best jobs for teaching english in asia and i'm super excited about this topic today um i myself i've been uh pretty much based in asia since 2012 2013-ish and um i spent some time in china and um i also and now i'm actually in south korea and i've been here already for a while so it's gonna be six years soon and um so i'm so excited to share my experience with you guys and hopefully maybe some of you can also share your experience if you have... [Read more]