Methods And Techniques To Teach English

  Before looking at the methods or approaches themselves, there are some terms that we need to define. These are the approach, the method or the technique. Basically, these are hierarchical. The approach is an overriding set of principles that a method can actually make use of, whereas the technique are the things that we actually do in the classroom to approach that method. So, these three words are going to appear during the presentation. Again, for each of either the approaches all the methodologies we're going to ask four questions. So be it an approach or a method for each of those things: Where did it come from? What's its background? What does it involve when we're talking about actually in the classroom, in other words techniques? What is positive about it? What appears to...  [Read more]

  "In terms of the things that are negative about it, we've already said that it doesn't develop speaking but perhaps the biggest negative point about this particular methodology is that it's very unnatural. Ok, so despite the criticisms of this particular method, and particularly the fact that is unnatural, this particular methodology was in use all the way through the 17th, 18th and 19th century and indeed it's still in use today. However, Gouin in the 1880s and Berlitz in the early 1900s decided that this particular methodology was so unnatural that they wanted to come up with something new. The method that they came up with, they called the direct method. You will also sometimes see it as the natural method. What these two people were saying is that if we wish to learn a language...  [Read more]

  The purpose of grammar translation then is to basically translate between L1 and L2 and vice versa. So, we could take a simple example. Let's imagine that our native language was English and our target language was French and let's assume that we want to translate a document from French into English. Let's take a simple sentence. Here's a sentence in French "Ouvre la fenêtre" and we'll add "s'il vous plaît" at the end. What we want to do is to take this L2 and translate it back into English. Now, if we have a reasonable knowledge of French then we may well know that this particular verb "ouvre" "to open" translates directly and this female form of the and finally the fenêtre "Open the window" and this polite form of "please". This is all very well if the two structures that...  [Read more]

  Our next methodology is called the silent way and it's accredited to Caleb Gattegno and was developed in or around the 1970s. This particular methodology moved on from the behaviorist stimulus response to what's called a theory of constructivism and this constructivist approach was very very different, very radical to anything that had been tried before. The background to this particular methodology was that there was a French mathematics teacher who found that his students were finding it very difficult to understand particular concepts. What he realized was that what they needed was a more visual representation of the information. So he came up with a series of colored rods to help with those concepts in mathematics. He gave his name to those rods and they're called Cuisenaire...  [Read more]

  Before we move on to the final methodology for today, let's just recap and see where we are at this point in time. We're looking at different learning methodologies. Each of those methodologies takes its premise from being somewhere on this particular spectrum of ?nature versus nurture? and where we are on this spectrum gives us a starting point for the background or theory to that particular methodology. So, we?ve had a look starting in the 17th century and the classical method and moving on as the ideas of psychology developed to various methods, such as audiolingualism, the silent way, Suggestopedia and TPR. Each of these showing a development as knowledge about learning increased and each of these takes a different starting point on our English spectrum. Below you can read...  [Read more]

  Also in the 1970s la señal came up with a new methodology called "Suggestopedia". As psychological theory was developing, one of the ideas that came up was something called ?the effective filter?. Basically, the effective filter is a barrier to learning. It's the reasons why we inhibit our learning of a particular language. There are two main elements to the effective filter, two sets of factors, if you like, those are known as internal and external factors. The external factors to learning, the reasons why we have barriers to learning, may be just simple things such as external noise. So, people talking to us while we're trying to learn and so on and so forth. Perhaps more important are these internal factors and the internal factors one of the main things here is our previous...  [Read more]

  Our final methodology is accredited to Jeremy Harmer and it's known by the letters ESA. Around 1998, Jeremy Harmer produced a book called "How to teach English" and basically what Harmer did, is a background to this book is to do what we have done today and to work through all of the different methodologies that have come about over the last 300 years. He highlighted for each of those methodologies what was good about it, what was positive and what didn't appear to work and then put all of the positive things into a melting pot and came out with this methodology, which he called ESA. It's a three-stage methodology, where each of the letters represents a particular phase of the lesson. The first one being called the engage phase, the second the study phase and the final one the...  [Read more]

  So what we're going to do is to run through a series of methodologies that were created mainly in the 1900s that adopted the idea that language learning should be much more communicative, much more natural. The first one is called audiolingualism and it's also called the army method because of where it was developed. Basically, psychology, during the 1950s and 60s, was building up new theories about behaviorism. Perhaps the most famous experiments that were done in this particular area were by Pavlov, where he was showing that most animals undergo a stimulus response mechanism and he had a series of famous experiments, where by ringing a bell, he could cause a dog to salivate, that would be his response, in the expectation of getting some food. This behaviorist idea of stimulus...  [Read more]

  So let's take an example of what those drills might involve. So here is an example of a repetition drill. I will model the language and then my class will repeat after me. So "This is a cup." "Spoon" ? "This is a spoon." "Knife" - "his is a knife." Thank you. The reason that it's called or also called the army method is that it was the method adopted by the United States military who had personnel stationed around the world at the end of Second World War and they realized that they needed those personnel to pick up the language very quickly and one of the positive things about this particular methodology is that you do very quickly learn vocabulary. Another positive thing about it is that you quickly learn the correct pronunciation of that vocabulary. However, there are some...  [Read more]

  Our next particular methodology is accredited to James Asher around 1965 and is called total physical response. Asher looked at the way in which we learn our native language and he saw that most children, before they even went to school, have picked up a very large percentage of both the grammar and the vocabulary that they would use in their native language before any type of formal schooling. So Asher started to have a look at ideas of how to use the whole of our brain in language learning in the way that we do when we're very young. It's accepted that within our brain there are two hemispheres, one is the left hemisphere the other is the right hemisphere, and one of the functions of the left hemisphere is language learning. One of the major functions of the right hemisphere is...  [Read more]

  This presentation is going to focus on the theories, methods and techniques of teaching and we're going to start with a quote. This is an interesting quotation because it contains within it a philosophical argument and it's a philosophical argument in the way in which we learn. Basically, this one is saying that the intelligence of their own children comes about due to a natural process. So this one could be said to be due to nature. This is exactly the opposite of this one, which is saying that they're teaching the environment that we create, creates that intelligence. So this one can be said to be due to nurture and this argument 'nature versus nurture' has been going on for thousands of years. These two viewpoints are two ends of a scale, or a continuum if you like, and every...  [Read more]

  Jerzy is from Poland but is currently living in Latvia. He completed our 120-hour TEFL/TESOL course to further his education and career opportunities. He enjoyed learning about the ESA method and other techniques. Moreover, he did not think that lesson planning would be that useful and is now able to independently structure and create interactive lessons for his students. He is excited to make use of the new skills in teaching overseas. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching English online can be an amazing way to connect with people from all around the world, while not having to commit to picking up and moving to a different country. Although it may be easier to teach an online course from any location, it does not necessarily make the lesson planning and teaching part easier. Online teaching, if done effectively, can be useful to both the teacher and the students, so what are some effective ways to teach English online to young learners? Environment Noise Control Focus Materials and Activities Team Work Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jordan A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

  In this TESOL review video, Youcef shares his experience of taking a TEFL course with ITTT. He loved the course and enjoyed learned a lot about teaching methods, different techniques, and classroom management. He is now ready to take his new-learned skills into his classroom and provide his students with the best learning experience possible. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anna D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. General recommendations Preparation and Class Routine Here's an example of a lesson plan: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Also Read: What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL? Also Read: What is the Central European Teaching Program CETP for teaching English in Hungary? Apply now & get certified to teach english abroad! Speak with an ITTT advisor today to put together your personal plan for teaching English abroad. Send us an email or call us toll-free at 1-800-490-0531 to speak with an ITTT advisor today.  [Read more]

We will follow a largely chronological order as we delve into the different strategies for teaching English, from time-tested methods to modern approaches. The Classical Method The Direct Method Audio-Lingual Method Task Based Learning Total Physical Response Engage Study Activate CLIL Conclusion This approach, also known as grammar translation, was originally used for teaching classical languages like Greek and Latin. It places a strong emphasis on grammar, particularly verb conjugations and language rules. Also known as the "natural approach", it strives to mimic the way we acquire our mother tongue naturally. Consequently, only the target language is employed, prioritizing speaking and listening skills. As the name suggests, this method primarily emphasizes listening ('audio') and...  [Read more]

  George recently completed our 120-hour TEFL/TESOL online certification program. He is now working in Chiang Rai, Thailand, with other teachers from around the world. The course has taught him a lot of new skills and techniques on how to teach English to non-native speakers. He highly recommends this course to anyone thinking of teaching overseas. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Jon ITTT TEFL Information You've passed your TEFL course and armed with your new certificate you are ready to head to the classroom. There are thousands of teaching jobs available around the world but where is the best place to look? Many people start online and there is plenty to choose from. Search online Apply for jobs in person Send a speculative email Use a teacher recruiter Are you ready to start your job hunt? Related Articles: Searching for jobs online can be a good way to find jobs when you start looking from home. It is also a great way to suss out the local TEFL job market in a particular country. The downsides about online job adverts are that each position will attract numerous applications and if you are non-native speaker or do not have a listed qualification, the...  [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 Business English Teacher needs to consider how to structure and develop a course for students. Because students in a Business English setting are working professionals, they typically will have specific needs and learning objectives that a teacher will have to cater to. Steps for creating a course structure Understanding students' motivation and language level Content and syllabus Verifying Tracking the progress Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Knowing how to structure and develop an ESL class for adult, Business-English students involves first...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Drawing on my substantial personal teaching experience, I naturally gravitated toward this topic for a summative task. Throughout my six years of teaching English, I have encountered various settings, approaches, and challenges. Here, I recount my journey from a language school to one-on-one tutoring, highlighting my evolving teaching methods, materials, and strategies. From Language School to One-on-One Teaching Embracing One-on-One Tutoring Crafting Engaging Lessons Interactive Learning and Progress Evolving with Proficiency Shaping Language Skills Insights from Teaching Individual Students Tailoring Learning to Individual Needs Focusing on Adult Learners Crafting a Unique Teaching Methodology Expanding Knowledge with...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A method of teaching contains the techniques used by teachers to impart knowledge to students. These strategies are determined partly on the subjects to be taught and partly by the nature of the learner. In this task, I will give some examples of different teaching methodologies, compare these techniques, and explain why it is important that teachers, mostly who are teaching in a foreign country should know these methods. ESA Methodology PPP Methodology Effectiveness of the ESA Method Deeper Understanding Do you want to teach English to ESL students all over the world? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nathalie L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs...  [Read more]

  The past perfect continuous is formed with two auxiliary verbs 'had' and 'been' along with the present participle. Positive: Subject + had + been + present participle I had been teaching... Negative: Subject + had + not + present participle I had not been teaching... Question: Had + subject + been + present participle? Had you been teaching...? Some of the highest paying TEFL jobs can be found in South Korea. In order to be successful in finding a well paid teaching position there you will need to get yourself a TEFL certificate. ITTT offers a number of different courses from 100% online courses to 100% in-class or even a combination of the two. Check out our website by following the link above for more information on the types of course ITTT offers as well as useful information...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The word 'drilling' in education refers to a teaching technique in which the teacher creates a certain pattern or structure to be practiced repeatedly by the students, for them to ultimately develop a system where they may identify and use the pattern or structure independently. Drilling as a technique has been put to use in teaching almost all subjects, but its efficacy has been particularly acknowledged in the field of language teaching, for training students in both pronunciation as well as grammar. However, just as it has been lauded for being a foolproof system of making students 'practice' a language, drilling has also been criticized for being a mechanical and largely monotonous process of memorization, followed by reproduction that is often...  [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]

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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]

  Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Register now & get certified to...  [Read more]

  This is Pam’s video testimonial after the first two weeks of her 1-month TEFL in-class course in Phuket. She learned a lot about English grammar, teaching techniques as well as phonetics. She enjoyed the non-native language classes. After several theoretical classes, the trainees were then able to prepare and teach their own lessons to local EFL students at the center in Thailand. She is excited to work on her student-profiling project as well. She highly recommends the course and is excited to complete the course soon. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Asia and Latin America are two of the most popular regions for teaching English abroad. Both have a strong demand for English language instruction, and there are always plenty of employers ready to take on experienced and newly qualified teachers in a wide variety of countries. If you are undecided on which destination would suit you best, take a look at the following points as they might help you to make an informed choice. Will I be able to save money while teaching English in Latin America? Will I be able to save money while teaching English in Asia? What is the best way to find a job teaching English in Latin America? What is the best way to find a job teaching English in Asia? What is the classroom environment like in Latin America? What is the classroom environment like in...  [Read more]