Learn English For Chinese Speakers

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]

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? Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ruben M. Chinese people often seem to be shy or...  [Read more]

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) Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: 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]

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 Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: 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]

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]

Tho Nguyen Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Learning English outside of the classroom can be a great way to practice and improve your language skills, especially if you don't have access to traditional language schools or classes. Whether you are a visual learner who benefits from colorful illustrations and pictures, an auditory learner who thrives on listening to spoken English, or someone who prefers the support and encouragement of friends, there are many different ways to learn and practice English at home. IN CLASS VS AT HOME KNOW YOUR LEARNING STYLE DON'T UNDERATE A FRIEND ENVIRONMENT MATTERS PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Additionally, immersing...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The purpose of my essay is to outline some of the most frequently occurred pronunciation mistakes made by Russian learners and share some of the teaching ideas based on a few sources and my own experience of teaching and learning English as a foreign and second language. State of the Problem Russian Phonetics vs. English Phonetics Choice of Activities Vowel Sounds Are you ready to teach English to ESL students? Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Olga R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching English phonology and pronunciation for Russian learners is always challenging as there are a great number of differences rather than similarities in the...  [Read more]

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]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Malaysia is located in South East Asia which occupies parts of the Malay Peninsula and some part of the Borneo Island. These two lands are separated by the South China Sea It was once colonized by the British from the 18th century until it gained its independence in 1957 as the Federation of Malaya and later on formed Malaysia with joining of the North Borneo, Sarawak in 1963. Bahasa Melayu commonly known as the Malay Language is the national language of the country while English becomes the second language. English in the Malay History Problem For Learners in Malaysia 1. Scenario 2. Problem 3. How to solve the problem? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As an international study major in college, I learned that the United Nations, a non-governmental organization, officially recognizes six world languages: every meeting, written document, and speech are translated into these languages. English is one of them. It is spoken and written by billions of people around the world. Having traveled in eight countries myself, I was surprised to have seen how commonplace it was for countries to translate directional signs in both the official language and in English. A student's mastery of the English language, or in any language, can be a difficult journey to venture. Therefore, this essay will explore what factors may motivate a student to learn English. English for adults Ways to learn English for young...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences For both non-native and native English speakers, continuous development of language skills remains invaluable. Let's explore practical approaches to enhance your English proficiency: Listening to real-life English Immersive Language Apps Virtual Language Exchanges Formal learning Summary Ready to teach English as a Foreign Language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! To refine your English skills, immerse yourself in engaging content available on platforms like YouTube, offering channels related to interests such as woodworking, gardening, or sports, providing genuine listening experiences. Additionally, explore classic US and UK TV series online for an immersive English exposure. For...  [Read more]

Certainly! Teaching English abroad uniquely positions you for rapid foreign language acquisition. Immersion in a new culture, surrounded by native speakers daily, is one of the most effective methods to grasp a language. As an English teacher abroad, every interaction - from daily errands to classroom engagements - becomes an invaluable opportunity to hone your linguistic abilities. What are the benefits of learning a foreign language when teaching English abroad? Can I learn Chinese while teaching English abroad? Can I learn Arabic while teaching English abroad? Can I learn Spanish while teaching English abroad? Can I learn French while teaching English abroad? What other languages can I learn while teaching English abroad? Embracing a foreign language while teaching English...  [Read more]

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! Related Articles: 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]

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 Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: 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]

Where are TEFL and TESOL primarily utilized? TEFL finds its main application in the UK and Europe, whereas TESOL is the preferred terminology in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite their interchangeable usage, these terms reflect regional preferences for English teaching accreditation. Nonetheless, both TEFL and TESOL certifications offer comparable training and qualifications. What are the technical distinctions between TEFL and TESOL? Should I get TEFL or TESOL certified? Why get TEFL / TESOL certified. Video Testimonials. TEFL and TESOL, though frequently interchanged, possess distinct technical scopes. TEFL is geared towards teaching English to individuals in non-English speaking regions, typically for purposes like travel, business, or personal enrichment. In contrast,...  [Read more]

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 Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: 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]

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]

hey guys i'm super glad to welcome you at a new ITTT live stream um i'm going to wait for a moment um until some people um join me but uh today's topic is devoted to a really um challenging issue um for those teachers who are unaware about their abilities to uh find a job uh and i'm going to dwell upon the problem of um getting employed as a non-native speaker so basically this is a tough issue for all new teachers and for some current teachers i'm going to share my own experience but at the same time i would love to give you a piece of advice on how to build on your um successful teaching career and i should say that um actually today's live stream isn't for those people who expect that everything comes super easy and that someone will do everything for them so basically uh this live...  [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]

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]

While many prominent English teaching markets like Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE favor native English speakers, non-native English speakers with the right qualifications need not be disheartened. There exists a plethora of countries eager to welcome TEFL qualified teachers regardless of their native language. A few top recommendations for non-native English speakers seeking teaching positions include: These countries value the skills and unique perspectives that non-native speakers bring, ensuring ample opportunities for those keen to teach abroad. Where can non-native speakers teach English in Asia? Where can non-native speakers teach English in Latin America? Where can non-native speakers teach English in Europe? How can I improve my job prospects as a non-native...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas To be able to answer this question, we need to think about what is the meaning of motivation. So motivation is the force that drives us to achieve our goals. What Does Students' Progress Depend on? Motivation Student-Teacher Relationships Evaluation and Assessment Parents Role Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Patrycja E. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Students' achievements depend on several factors such as students' learning opportunities, teacher's work, students' awareness, family environment and students' financial situation, parent's education, classroom atmosphere, peer group, and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Several surveys, such as EF (Education First), have shown that France has the worst English level in the European Union. We shall explain, firstly, why French students have problems in learning English and what these problems are. Then, secondly, we shall share solutions to these problems. Origin of Typical Difficulties Global Status of French Lack of Exposure to English Academical Importance Common Vocabulary Tenses Pronunciation Lesson Ideas Ways to Engage Grammar and Vocabulary Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohamed S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Indeed, the difficulties that French...  [Read more]

Definitely! Numerous non-native English speakers enroll in and successfully complete our TEFL courses annually. These graduates often embark on rewarding teaching careers both domestically and abroad. While a proficient command of English is required to ace the course, being a non-native speaker isn't a hindrance. In fact, it provides a unique perspective, making you a valuable asset in the EFL teaching world. Are there any advantages to being a non-native English language teacher? Where do non-native English language teachers teach? Non-native English teachers bring several unique advantages to the classroom. Firstly, having undergone the journey of learning English themselves, they deeply relate to their students' challenges and triumphs. This shared experience fosters rapport,...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Currently living in Bangkok, Thailand, I am teaching English to Primary Six students and I am in a supposed international context. Juggling a body of students who are not entirely international and largely Thai can at times be like pulling teeth. Losing Motivation Grammar Confusion Fear of Leaving a Comfort Zone Lack of Proper Resources Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kavitha S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The students are generally driven at first but soon lack motivation mainly because they do not have enough exposure to the English Language. Though activities like word searches have...  [Read more]

hi hello everyone linda here from itt back with another live session this week this week at a very different time a time i've never been live before it's very exciting um it is 8 p.m where i am right now in south korea on a friday evening and yeah i thought why not give this time a try and see what happens i usually go live like um 10 hours earlier so in the morning time for me but now i just thought let's see what happens because we we're gonna switch some times up sometimes you know to get other people in who maybe don't have a chance to watch it in the morning time so yeah hi and welcome if you can see me if you can hear me please just leave a quick hello in the comments we are live on facebook and on youtube at the same time um also do let me know where are you watching from right now...  [Read more]

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]

Teach and Learn with Georgia (TLG), initiated in 2010 by the Georgian Ministry of Education and Science, is a distinctive program aimed at enhancing the nation's proficiency in foreign languages, such as English, French, and German. Beyond its primary objective of placing native speakers in public schools for language instruction, TLG also fosters a deep cultural exchange, strengthening Georgia's bonds with the global community. What does the Teach and Learn with Georgia Program involve? What are the requirements for the Teach and Learn with Georgia Program? What are the benefits of the Teach and Learn with Georgia Program? Teach and Learn with Georgia (TLG) is a unique opportunity for native speakers of English, French, and German who are eager to impact young minds in a diverse...  [Read more]

Minh Huy Hoang TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Learning English during break time at the office can be an effective and enjoyable way to improve your language skills. Ready to teach English as a Foreign Language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Here are 10 hacks to make the most of your time: Utilize Language Learning Apps:Use language learning apps like Duolingo, Babbel, or Rosetta Stone. These apps offer quick lessons that you can complete during short breaks. Listen to English Podcasts:Podcasts are a great way to improve your listening skills. Find podcasts that match your interests, and listen to them during breaks. This will expose you to natural, conversational English. Flashcards for Vocabulary:Create...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Children begin learning from their parents. Parents teach their kids how to walk, how to eat and how to behave. Children learn from their parents as soon as they are born and always look up to their parents as role models. Therefore, parents have a responsibility to be involved in their child's education. Children are more likely to be encouraged if parents take time out of their day to sit down with their child and ask about school. There are many reasons why parents should play an active role in the education process. Attention Connection Interest Reading Rest Learning Process Involvement Listen to this blog post Learn how to help ESL learners in their everyday life. Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]