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Ways to Say Interesting in English - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here are some alternative ways to say "interesting" in English.
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The Problems That Japanese Elementary Schoolers Face Studying English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
In the wake of the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Japan, there has been an increase in elementary school level English classes. As an assistant language teacher half into my fourth year, I have had the rare chance to work the entirety of my time in one elementary school where I have had many great memories. However, being present every day I began to notice that some students were struggling or in some cases, not even trying when it came to English class. Talking with my peers and colleagues from other elementary schools as well as my own, there are some common problems that many students seem to experience in an English class. These problems include learning in a counter-productive environment, inconsistent exposure to the language, and a lack of... [Read more]
Interesting Outdoor Activities English Teachers Can Use - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Let us imagine. How if English teachers only conduct English lessons inside the class? Will the students have fun all the time? Many English teachers reflect on that so, in reality, they try to conduct English lessons not only inside the class but also outside the class. They think that conducting English lessons outside is also needed and important. Therefore, English teachers use some outdoor activities to help when teaching English. By doing so, English teachers believe that they can help their students to increase motivation. They also believe that outdoor activities can give students fun and joy. Here are some interesting activities that English teachers can use to teach English outside the class.
Principles of Motivation
What I can do
Look around and... [Read more]
TEFL New Zealand - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Interesting Tefl Opportunity In New Zealand
Date posted:2020-06-29 | Writer: Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) | Email: [email protected]
Established in 1967, The Marine Training Centre (MTC) in Kiribati is the most important source of private sector employment for I-Kiribati, with regular opportunites for TEFL qualified teachers. Seafaring is recognised as the best overseas employment opportunity for I-Kiribati and the wages earned by MTC trainees has provided support to the extended families and communities of the seafarers. As strong written and verbal communication skills in English are essential to gaining employment on foreign vessel, this assignment will play a key role in improving students' skills in this area. As an EFL teacher, you will work alongside the Head of Deck Department to improve the curriculum,... [Read more]
How Discipline Affects Motivation In and Out of Japanese Classrooms - TEFL Blog
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]
Why Japanese Students Struggle with Communicating in English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
During my stay in Japan, Japanese people often told me how they can't communicate in English despite studying the language for six or more years in school. In Japan, students in junior and senior high learn English grammar and vocabulary in compulsory formal English classes. English is also taught in elementary school as foreign language activities. Yet despite spending several hours in English classes, many Japanese people graduate high school with poor English communication skills.
Education system
Class culture
Learning goals
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rachel M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or... [Read more]
Typical Challenges for Japanese Native Speakers in ESL - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Daisy C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Grammar
Pronunciation
Japanese schools
Japanese culture
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One problem facing many Japanese students learning English is differentiating between countable and uncountable nouns. In the Japanese language, the same word is often used for 'much' and 'many'. In English, 'much' is used to describe countable nouns, and 'many' is used to describe uncountable nouns.
A problem facing many EFL learners, especially Japanese learners, is idioms. The English language has thousands of idioms, which are used in everyday life. These are... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Interesting Vs Interested English Grammar Teaching Tips - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This video covers the difference between 'interested' and 'interesting'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. 'Interesting' describes the people or things that cause the feeling of interest to someone, for example: Today's lesson about world history is very interesting. 'Interested', on the other hand, describes how someone feels, such as here: I am very interested in learning another language.
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... [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]
Personal Teaching Experience: Navigating a Changing Curriculum as a Co-teacher in Japanese Elementary Schools - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
In Japan, elementary schools typically employ an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) to provide support to homeroom teachers during English classes. I have been working in such a capacity for the past two and a half years, first through an international program and currently as a direct-hire via my local city hall. Until recently, mandatory English classes at the elementary school level have been limited to the fifth and sixth grades, but new national requirements are being rolled out that will require mandatory English classes as early as third grade while doubling English classroom hours for the fifth and sixth grades.
English Language Tests
Designing Activities
Team Building
Group Lesson Planning
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL... [Read more]
English Students’ Favorite Flashcard Activities - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
People say that language is a tree and the vocabulary is the leaf of that tree. Therefore teaching vocabulary items are indeed an essential part of any English learners' growth. Especially for younger students, who are motivated to learn the basic words, they need to get by in the language. There are many different ways to teach vocabulary. Using flashcards is one of the most suitable media in teaching vocabulary. Because learners can easily memorize and understand the meaning of vocabulary through flashcards.
I am going to share with you my 5 favorite and effective activities with flashcards:
1. Spin the Bottle:
2. Rope Jump:
3. Roll the Dice:
4. Picture word match race:
5. Over-under:
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Related... [Read more]
Helpful and Fun Outdoor ESL Activities - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
What outdoor activities can help to teach English? I would like to say that there are plenty of outdoor activities that are effective to teach English. However, many teachers prefer indoor activities rather than outdoor, as they think that it might distract the students. Nonetheless, outdoor activities can increase their motivation for learning. Also, it helps to decrease their stress level, as they do not have to stay in the classroom as usual.
Freewriting time
Flashcard game
'Stand up if you've ever' game
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sarosh Z. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The teacher... [Read more]
Problems Japan Faces in Developing English as a Second Language - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
There are several challenges Japan faces when it comes to learning English as a second language. Japanese culture is a bubble. Everything, including their ad signs, TV, games, government, studies, work and even the internet is filled with one language; Japanese. In a world of globalization, where your goods and services can come from literally any part of the globe. Japan is one of the few remaining homogenous cultures where English is still seen as an optional language. As the global economy becomes more global, the English language will likely become less optional, but essential. In addition to the cultural issues, Japan's English curriculum in the school is largely unchanged from the '60s according to my Japanese cousins and uncles still living in... [Read more]
Teaching in Japan: Problems of Local Learners - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
In this essay I will be discussing the problems for young Japanese learners of English, and what problems Japanese learners often encounter as well as explaining some of the reasons why teachers can run into problems while teaching in Japan. I will be referring to the book "The Smart Guide to Teaching English in Japan' by Charlie Moritz and Martin Bragalone, as well as drawing from my knowledge and experiences of studying and volunteering in Japan. Japan can be a challenging but rewarding country to work in, despite stereotypes of Japanese people being polite and studious so it is important to consider that reality can be different when teaching in Japan.
Eikaiwa
Juku
ALT (Assistant Language Teacher)
Kindergarten/International preschool
Do you want... [Read more]
How to Effectively Integrate Slang and Idioms into TEFL - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Intelligence has been defined in many ways, including the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context (Wikipedia, 2019).
Considering Language Habits
Iconic Approach to Teaching
Why Slang?
Verb First Clauses Usually Play one of Three Roles:
Teaching Slang and Idioms
Incorporating Idioms and Slang into English language Teaching
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate... [Read more]
6 Facts about Teaching English in China - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Destinations
Teaching English in China is as popular as ever and is one of the best places to put your TEFL certificate to use. In 2014, 7.26 million students graduated with Bachelor's and Master's degrees and the numbers were expected to rise in 2015. There are over 30,000 organizations or companies offering private English classes, with the Chinese market having nearly doubled in size in the last five years and is now worth around $3.1 billion.
Money in China is good for English teachers
Head away from the famous cities to save money
China is increasingly diverse in its metropolitan areas
There is an excellent transport network
The country is ideally situated for exploring the wider region
Chinese food in China is even more delicious than back home
Do you want to teach... [Read more]
How to Help Children Become a Strong Reader - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
As language acquisition through immersion goes, reading is positively amazing. Where movies may help with attitude and tone, reading allows us to see the words, form visual connections between them, and familiarise ourselves with spelling, punctuation, and structure. The best results, of course, are seen in readers who do it for pleasure, and for whom the point of reading is not simply to be done with it. How, then, do we get our children to read for fun when most of them seem to dread it?
Step One: Drop mandatory/standardized reading
Step Two: Make it social
Step Three: Accept differences
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Smaranda E. Please note that this... [Read more]
Typical Challenges Faced by Teachers in a Kindergarten Class - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Teaching English in kindergarten is more than just teaching a child how to pronounce words. If you want to be a dedicated teacher, and you want to successfully teach the children, it is essential to teach them how to follow rules and instructions. The following paragraphs will try to equip you with the most important ingredients required to be a successful kindergarten teacher. With having more than 2 ½ years of experience teaching English at a kindergarten, I am certain that the most important thing a teacher has to do is to build a strong rapport with the children.
Behavior Management and Classroom Rules
Teaching Phonics to Children
Building Relationships or Rapport with the Children
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!... [Read more]
Contributing to the Classroom as an ALT in Japan - TEFL Blog
Asia Ridley
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
English education in Japan has been prominent for decades and starts in elementary schools. It is in high demand as the relationship between the U.S. and Japan as well as the abundant amount of tourism. Last year straight after graduating from university in the United States, I moved to Japan and began teaching English. I was fortunate to pass the interviews and become part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme {JET}. Being an assistant language teacher {ALT} in the Japanese education system versus a conversation school has its differences. Therefore I will be diving into how one can contribute to the classroom as an ALT.
Japanese Elementary School
Collaborating with your Homeroom Teacher
Outside of the classroom
Conclusion
Are you... [Read more]
5 Simple Ideas on Teaching Grammar - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I think of myself as having been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to learn other languages at a young age. I was taught French in primary school and at home, I learned or acquired Spanish. At school, I remember my language teacher being very textbook-oriented and she focused and followed the book to the "T". I picked up easily on the grammar because I had already learned Spanish at home and I was also very keen to learn foreign languages, especially French. The grammar didn't seem difficult or boring to me at all because I had already been exposed to the language at a very early age. However, many students didn't feel the same way I did and had difficulty with the subject and therefore, developed a disinterest in learning another language.... [Read more]
Regular and Irregular Verbs Spiral Reading - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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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.
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Great Ideas for Teaching Writing Skills in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Teaching Ideas
Image by Alice Bolden via Writix
Listen to this blog post:
Think outside the box
Encourage creativity, not perfection
Encourage students to write about what interests them
Writing doesn't have to be a solo activity
Introduce multi-skilled lessons
Writing games
Are you ready to teach writing skills in your own classroom?
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Of all the language skills that are taught in the ESL classroom, teaching writing skills is often seen as one of the least popular. Some teachers consider these lessons to be a bit boring, hard to evaluate and somewhat limited in what you can incorporate into them. However, this doesn't have to be the case as teaching writing skills to your ESL students can actually be interesting, fun and productive. Take a look at these... [Read more]
Descriptive Words: A Huge List of Descriptive Adjectives, Verbs & Adverbs - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Do you want to sound more interesting? Use this list of descriptive words and step up your spoken language! This list has been chosen especially for ESL learners.
Learn synonyms of different words in English
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Where is the best place to teach English in Japan? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Deciding on the best place to teach English in Japan depends on individual preferences. Tokyo, the bustling capital, offers the allure of city life and the most job opportunities. Osaka combines vibrant urban experiences with rich history, while Kobe is renowned for its international atmosphere. Beyond the main cities, there are countless towns that provide an authentic cultural immersion. Regardless of location, teachers can expect a competitive salary and a unique cultural experience.
Tokyo
Osaka
Kobe
Sapporo
Fukuoka
Unsurprisingly, Japan's most densely populated area, Tokyo, tops the list. It is a realm of its own, brimming with teaching opportunities thanks to its nine million-plus residents and offering the country's highest salaries. Although the cost of living is notably high,... [Read more]
Review From Tefl Students In Corinth 3 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
These two TESOL trainees had a wonderful time in Corinth taking their in-class TEFL course. They enjoyed the location of the school as it was close to the beach as well as interesting sites and attractions. They did not only learn a lot about Greek culture but also how to be professional teachers in an international classroom. They appreciated the fact that they were able to utilize the methodologies and tips covered in the morning lessons in their teaching sessions in the afternoon. Moreover, they were able to quickly improve their skills through one-to-one feedback sessions with the teacher trainers.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
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Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Leslie - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Leslie is a Canadian English teacher at a junior high school in the Japanese countryside. In this TESOL review, Leslie tells us she is looking to open her own English language day care centre at her home and with this in mind she took the 120-hour certificate course with ITTT as well as the 50-hour young learners course to bring her qualifications up to date. Hopefully for Leslie this will be the first step on a rewarding career as the owner of a successful English language school in Japan.
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... [Read more]
What Can You Do With a TEFL Certificate ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Many people dream of starting a new life in another country and earning a TEFL certificate is a great way to make that dream a reality. One of the obstacles to moving abroad is finding work that you are able to do to support yourself comfortably overseas. Unless you already work for a company that has offices in your desired location it can seem difficult to find a way to earn money abroad. However, as a qualified English teacher your skills will be in demand in almost all countries around the world and you are highly likely to find work in your dream destination.
A TEFL certificate also enables you to earn money while travelling. Rather than spending just a short while in a handful of countries before your savings run out and you have to head home, you can earn a living while taking... [Read more]
What is the JET Program for teaching English in Japan? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
The Japan Exchange and Teaching Program (JET) is a prestigious initiative, established by the Japanese government more than 30 years ago, aimed at enhancing English language proficiency among Japanese students. Annually, the program recruits approximately 5,000 international participants, placing them in schools across Japan.
Beyond its educational goals, JET uniquely prioritizes fostering cultural ties between participants and the Japanese community. Given the competitive salary and array of additional benefits, securing a spot in the JET Program is highly sought-after, making the application process quite competitive.
What are the requirements for the JET Program?
What teaching positions are available through the JET Program?
What are the benefits of the JET Program?
The Japan... [Read more]
10 activities for the past simple ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Having a variety of interesting and fun activities to draw on is an important part of keepingyour lessons fresh and your students engaged in learning, especially when it comes to teaching grammar points. In this graphic we look at 10 different activities for the past simple. The aim of these activities is to provide high student talking time using the target language. They should also encourage the students to produce the language themselves with varying amounts of creativity.
Matching Pairs’ is a great activity for recognising irregular past simple verb forms. The activity helps students remember the different forms and encourages them to produce their own sentences. The ‘Diary’ activity encourages students to use the past simple with... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - English Grammar Present Continuous For The Future Tesol Certification Efl - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
To be successful teaching English overseas you will need to come up with interesting teaching ideas for your students. This video from one of ITTT's online TESOL certification courses outlines a teaching idea for the present continuous when it is used to talk about future plans. In this activity students are given a diary and have to interview each other about their future plans. For example: Student A: "What are you doing on the 6th?" Student B: "I'm having my hair done." Students keep asking and answering questions until they find a date when they are free to meet. This idea can also be adapted to use with past tenses. On ITTT's TESOL certification courses not only will you learn how the different tenses in English are formed and used but you will also learn interesting ways of... [Read more]