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The Story of Becoming an ESL Teacher - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching is one of the most difficult jobs in the world. You have to deal with different personalities inside the classroom and somehow, you need to work things out for the class to have an atmosphere that is conducive to learning. You have to prepare yourself both mentally and emotionally to be an effective teacher. It is not a cakewalk and you need to have the drive and work ethics to succeed in this profession.
Childhood Dreams
First Teaching Job
Working on Teaching Skills
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Fitz B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Growing up, I never really thought of... [Read more]
Speaking Activity: Conversation Cards about Books - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Using speaking cards is a great way to encourage conversations among ESL learners. The cards act as guides to give the students a direction in their conversations. Below you will find conversation cards about books and reading for your ESL classroom.
Let's take a look at all of the questions and possible answers.
Possible answer: I recently finished reading the first book of the Outlander series. It's a fantastic book about an English woman from 1945 who travels back in time to Scotland in 1745. The story is very compelling and the characters' personalities are very well thought-through.
Possible answer: One of my favorite books is "The Da Vinci Code" written by Dan Brown. Even though it is a fictional story, Dan... [Read more]
What TEFL Course to Choose: Non-Native Teacher Needs Analysis - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
hello and welcome to the itt's weekly live stream my name is lisa and i'm super glad to welcome you at a new live session uh so we are just about to start uh but we are going to wait for some people to join us so uh if you are watching this uh video as a recording please skip this beginning um in three minutes or so probably um while i'm going to introduce today's live session and stuff like that uh but if you want to um learn a little bit more about itttt and about myself as a host of these sessions uh stay here and uh yeah let's do it together so um yeah i'm super glad to welcome you guys thanks a lot for joining in uh let me know if you see and hear me clearly because i'm not sure if my equipment is working if my um camera and mic are all right so let me know via the comment section uh... [Read more]
First Step in Teaching: Reasons to take a TEFL Course - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I would rather start by sharing my experience with the combination of teaching and living in several different countries to clarify why I have chosen this topic:
My Story
Special Education
Getting Ready
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate moein m. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
In the past, when I was younger, I did not have any interest and was not enthusiastic about learning English, and I remember that I always used to escape from foreign language classes. Once I turned to 16 and 17, during high school, I spent most of my time with some friends who knew English well and they were always... [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."
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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]
TEFL Chile - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Dynamic English Teacher Santiago Chile ann. 2
Date posted:2022-11-04 | Writer: Dynamic English | Email: [email protected]
We are looking to add some new members to our wonderful team of teachers! We are based in Santiago, Chile and are currently offering visa sponsorship for new teachers looking to come to Chile to teach in-person classes or hybrid classes (partially in-person and partially online). - Positions available starting in March 2023.Our classes are 1-1 or small groups of up to 4 students. Our students are primarily adult learners, and our classes are conversation based and dynamic.We offer professional development opportunities, teacher and curriculum support, competitive hourly wages, and free weekly Spanish classes!Future Dynamic Teachers must:*have a native level of English*be TEFL or CELTA certified (or equivalent)*hold at... [Read more]
Top 5 Skills Teachers Need To Set Their Students Up For Success - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Teachers play important roles in the lives of the students in their classrooms. Teachers are best known for their role of educating the students. The best teachers possess excellent communication skills, understand classroom management and appropriate discipline techniques to ensure a positive learning environment. As with all skills, teachers need to continue to improve their teaching skills by sharing with other teachers, continuing education and classroom experience. There are five important skills that teachers need in the classroom to set their students up for success. The focus needs to be on strengthening these skills to increase the effectiveness of the lessons.
1. Giving Clear Instructions
2. Checking For Understanding
3.... [Read more]
Top Tips For Teaching English Through Stories - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Stories... we live in a world of stories. Every single day we have a story to tell. A funny story, a serious story, a scary story or even an upsetting story. These are the pictures we keep in our minds, like our own little movie playing in our heads. Attached to every story, is language. Language completes our story, it gives our story meaning.
The Power of Stories
Choice of Stories
For Children
For Teenagers
For Adults
Are you ready to teach English through good old stories?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lindie N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Teaching language is giving someone the power to add another voice to their... [Read more]
Do TEFL teachers need a second language? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
The simple answer is no, you do not need to have any knowledge or experience of languages other than English to take a TEFL course or to become an EFL teacher. The ability to speak other languages is not required as the vast majority of TEFL classrooms around the world rely on the communicative approach to English teaching that specifies that English is the only language used in the classroom.
How can I teach English if I don't speak the student's language?
Does it help if a teacher has learnt a foreign language?
Should I learn the local language while teaching English abroad?
In a diverse EFL classroom, where students may hail from varied linguistic backgrounds, speaking one or two native languages isn't always beneficial. In fact, in monolingual settings, students might lean on... [Read more]
Using Storytelling Activities to Teach English in African Cultures - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Storytelling is used in the African culture to teach morals, values, historical lessons, and to communicate truths to all ages. Because words are highly valued by Africans, a skilled storyteller is viewed as an influential leader in a community, able to give wise advice. Since the method of storytelling is so widely used in African cultures for instruction, why not integrate it into teaching English to African students as a foreign language?
Teaching Linguistic Skills
Level of Attention
Practical Mistakes
Positive Influence on Child Development
Tools of Storytelling
Lesson Plan
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stanislav T. Please note that this blog post... [Read more]
Types of Stories to Use for Teaching English to Different Groups of Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Stories serve to be entertaining and educational in most cultures. A nice bedtime story for young children becomes a ritual in a lot of families nowadays, it makes up a sweet memory for a lot of people. When the listener is interested in the story, even when there is no verbal communication between the storyteller and the listener, there is still a bond between them. Therefore, storytelling is such a powerful tool teacher could use. Storytelling could make the lesson more interesting and memorable. To build the bond between the students and the teacher during storytelling, the teacher has to make sure the attention of his/her audiences are fully attracted. To make sure the stories are interesting for students the teacher has to consider several factors... [Read more]
Teach English Through Movies: Best Tips to Make Your Classes Engaging - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Nowadays educators and CEOs are doubtful about the efficiency of the current educational contents and system. The question which keeps us alert about our performance as teachers is "Are we preparing our students to face the working demands of the century?"
Reasons to Use Movies
Ways to Become a Facilitator
Working With Kindergarteners
Working With School Kids
Young Adolescents and Older Teens
Preparing for The Movie Class
During the Lesson
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Laura A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
It has become evident that new abilities should be developed in the... [Read more]
Christmas Movie Emoji Game - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Can your students guess these Christmas movies just by looking at emojis? Find out with this fun Christmas Movie Emoji Game. Answer key provided below.
1. A Christmas Story
2. Nightmare Before Christmas
3. Polar Express
4. Arthur Christmas
5. It's a Wonderful Life
6. Home Alone
7. Miracle on 34th Street
8. White Christmas
9. A Christmas Carol
10. Elf
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[Read more]
Why TEFL Teachers Should Work on Establishing Rapport - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Establishing rapport with students is a crucial part of any successful teacher because it allows teachers to teach their students more effectively and in different ways. Rapport is defined as, "the ability to maintain harmonious relationships based on affinity...is more colloquially thought of as what happens when two people "click"—they connect, interact well, and respond to each other favorably" (Weimer, facultyfocus.com).
Connection
Motivation
Communication
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dominic D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
This "click" is the ability of a teacher to... [Read more]
Challenges of the French Native Speakers in English Learning - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
The Importance of Speaking English in Today's World - TEFL Blog
Hoàng Minh Huy
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
Language is a tool for communication; we use it to share our ideas and learn about those of other people. Communication occurs anywhere speech is present. Without speaking, we are unable to communicate with one another. Therefore, speaking skills are crucial for language learners of any language.
The Importance of Speaking Skills in Language Learning
The Benefits of Fluent Speaking in a Second Language
Challenges Faced by Language Learners in Speaking
Strategies for Improving Speaking Skills in English
The Global Impact of English Language Proficiency
Conclusion
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
English skills include speaking,... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - How To Pronounce Whodunit - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word whodunit. This word describes a mystery or detective story that can either be a movie, a book, a play or anything to that extend. It is basically a short form of the words Who has done it?, meaning who is the criminal / murder in the story.
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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This unit was a good review of the the past tense. I especially liked... [Read more]
Top Tips for Playing Games During the ESL Class - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Learning foreign languages is a very exciting and very responsible deal. A significant role in teaching foreign languages, in particular, English, belongs to games in the classroom. Games enhance students' mental activity, helps them consolidate material of the lesson, therefore it's a very important activity. The developing value of the game we can find in itself, because where is a game - there is emotion. Where is emotion, there are attention improvisation and imagination.
How to Implement Games?
Teacher's Part
Examples of Games
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ivan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions... [Read more]
9 Ways To Get Efficient In Classroom Management - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
What is classroom management? Classroom management refers to all kinds of activities and measures taken by teachers in order to make effective use of their time, to create a good learning environment and to reduce bad behavior. In classroom teaching, in addition to the task of "teaching", the teacher also has the task of "managing", that is, coordinating and controlling all kinds of teaching factors in order to ensure the smooth progress of teaching activities.
1. Expression control method
2. Sound control method
3. Gaze method
4. Pause attraction method
5. Name method
6. Gesture method
7. Short rest method
8. Media transformation method
9. Competition stimulation
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Listen to this blog post
This... [Read more]
One More Point of View on the Importance of Stories for English Learning in Early Childhood - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Early childhood is the period from 0-8 years old, it is a time of remarkable growth with brain development at its peak. During this stage, children are highly influenced by the environment and the people that surround them. We can say further that Early childhood education is a branch of education that relates to the teaching of children from birth to the age of eight, therefore covering infancy, kindergarten and the early school years up to grades 3. So how does storytelling come in? Well, storytelling does a lot here because this stage is very crucial to a child's early physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and linguistic development.
Benefits of Stories for Children
Role in Children's' Development
Teaching Ability
Do you want to teach English abroad?... [Read more]
How to Stand Out Online as a Non-Native English Teacher - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
hello everybody uh welcome to the itt uh weekly live stream my name is lisa and today we are going to discuss um an extremely important topic which is related to english teaching as a non-native esl teacher and it's rather controversial because the field is pretty competitive so many people uh want to find out uh if it is possible to stand out um or not so um let's just quickly yeah change the slide so um the reason i decided to choose this topic is that uh one of my regular regular viewers watchers visitors asked me about how to actually stand out um as a non-native esl teacher especially online and i find it really important uh so let's discuss it today and um befo before we move on please let me know that you can hear me clearly and you can see me clearly because uh just right now i... [Read more]
TEFL New York - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL Usa
The state of New York is among the most visited in America and it is no wonder why. While there are numerous vibrant cities in the state, New York is also famous for its long history and natural landscape. “The Empire State” played important roles in historic events of the past and present, which has led to the state being one of the most ethnically diverse in the country. Since the early 19th century, millions of people came to New York to seek freedom and a better life than in their home countries. It is no wonder that New York is a true melting pot of different cultures and a popular tourist destination for people from across the world.
The northern part of New York is blessed with abundant nature, including big forests and tall mountains. The exciting region is a major... [Read more]
The ESA Method to Facilitate Student Learning Needs - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Every fresh teacher, once starting his or her career, has this question: how should I teach English? What is the best way to organize my classes to make sure students would not be bored and learn something? And how to keep them motivated and enjoy every lesson? I did have all these questions at the beginning of my teaching career, and by trials and errors, I found the approach this TEFL course is based on – ESA.
My Language Learning Story
Teaching Practice
Lesson Steps
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Angelina G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
My English journey began long before... [Read more]
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]
How Teaching in China Influenced me as a TEFL Specialist - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
I, as an out of school English teacher, have been teaching English in China for about one year. My students are coming from elementary schools or middle schools. The teaching is one to one. The background and personality of my students are various. Some students are very interested in learning English and want to take extra courses to improve their English proficiency.
Students' Struggles
English Speaking Environment
Forceful Learning vs. Personal Approach
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nan W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Some students feel having more challenges in grammar,... [Read more]
How Should Teachers Analyze Their Work? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
It is critical and necessary, that as purveyors of educational content, a teacher ensures they undertake periodic analysis of their methods, rationale, and motivations for the job. Periodic self-analysis is important, as it can be one defining factor in what separates a "good" from a "great" teacher. In my experience as a teacher, I have often used a teaching log to note my findings and experiences in the classroom. Brookfield (1995) defines a teaching log "as a weekly record of the events in a teacher's life that have impressed themselves most vividly on his or her consciousness"(p.72). In this paper, I present four main ideas, based on experience, in favor of a critical self-analytical method and the use of a teacher's log to enhance the teaching... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - English Grammar Future Continuous Teaching Ideas Esol - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The teaching idea for the future continuous covered in this video involves students picking a card with a picture of an activity on it and inviting their partner to join them. The other student then has to think up an excuse not to as quickly as possible in the future continuous tense. For example: Student A: Would you like to see a movie at the weekend? Student B: Sorry I can't, I'll be washing my hair. Ideas such as this are a great way for ESOL students to put the language they are learning to use in the classroom. Teaching ESOL (teaching English to speakers of other languages) is a fascinating and highly rewarding career choice and one which has a growing number of opportunities at the moment. One of the best ways to become an ESOL teacher is to take an internationally... [Read more]
The Power of Stories for English Learning in Early Childhood - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
"Our lives gain meaning only when we tell our story". -David Steindl-Rast. In our case, stories not only add meaning to our lives in general but are very important in rendering language learning interesting and creative as our specific subject essay will demonstrate. Stories are an effective model for learning the English language through which we can develop the four language skills writing, speaking, listening, and reading. So why and how stories can enable us to effectively learn the English language?
Why stories are so important for English learning in early childhood?
How stories can be important for English learning in early childhood? Or how can we use them to develop the four language skills?
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL... [Read more]
Top Time Fillers for an EFL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Teaching Ideas
As every TEFL certified English teacher will know, it is all too common to find you have completed the lesson but there is still time left before the end of the class. While first-time teachers might panic in this position, experienced teachers will always have a few go-to activities to use in these situations. To help you out we have put together the following suggestions for fun, educational activities that can be brought out with little or no preparation.
Telephone
Pictionary
The Never-Ending Story
Why/Because
Charades
Whiteboard Slam
Would You Rather
Open Questions
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This is a classic old classroom game that is still great fun to use today. First, you need to arrange the... [Read more]
Top Tips to Teach Receptive and Productive Skills in a Kindergarten - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Over the years, globalization and living in a global village have had a major effect on various aspects of modern people, like commerce, academic domain, and tourism. Therefore, this phenomenon has necessitated people to learn the English language so as to communicate and interact in different situations more easily and successfully. Likewise, there has been a noticeable tendency among the parents who have found it really vital to have their children learn the English language from an early age. There are some main reasons why they are so insistent on getting their kids to learn English.
Listen to this blog post:
Some tips to teach receptive and productive skills:
Speaking
Writing
Listening
Reading
Are you ready to teach English abroad?
Related... [Read more]