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English Speaking and Writing Errors made by Chinese Primary Students - TEFL Blog
William Noble
Destinations Teaching Ideas
I have been an online ESL teacher to Chinese students for over 13 years, mostly with primary students but also with secondary and adult students. I am also a father and have homeschooled my daughter over her primary years. Like many teachers, I've enjoyed teaching at this level of education as it lays the foundation in English. As it set the foundation, my teaching helped students to overcome common errors in production skills, speaking and writing. Teaching both my daughter and Chinese students at the primary level also helped me also to understand the different expectations between first language and second language students.
Speaking Errors
Phonetics
Dark L
Aspiration
Consonant Clusters
Suprasegmentals
Intonation
Psychology
Writing Errors... [Read more]
Problems for Learners in China and How to Help Teachers Overcome Them - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
After spending five years in China as an ESL teacher, corporate trainer and university lecturer I would like to share a few of the most common problems for Chinese learners and ways for teachers to overcome them. I will focus on problems regarding cultural differences, pronunciation and first language interference.
Social challenges
Pronunciation
First language influence
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Michal W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Despite China's opening to the outside world in recent decades, it is still a very closed society with only anecdotal knowledge of Western culture (by... [Read more]
How to Build Confidence in Chinese Business Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Self-confidence has been seen as a major contributor to a person learning a language. As a teacher and a counselor, I agree with Jack Welch's quote: Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do because then they will act. Confidence exists of three realms: who I am, what I can learn, and what I can do. These are steps that can be taken to help Chinese Business English students improve confidence in these realms.
What is self-confidence?
Who am I?
What can I learn?
What can I do?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate William N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.... [Read more]
Troubles Faced by Students from China When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
If you think of Chinese ESL students it is safe to assume that most teachers would immediately worry about how they should teach phonics to Mandarin speakers. It is also true that the media has portrayed the Chinese accent as one of the most challenging to understand or even get rid of.
Personal Experience
Phonetical Errors
Grammar Challenges
Problems Due to Geographical Origin of Students
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Graciela G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Usually, the first thing you will notice as an ESL teacher, speaking from experience, is the difficulty Chinese ESL students face... [Read more]
How to Help Chinese Native Speaking Students in Their ESL Practice - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
China is one of the leading countries in the world that has been in the search and quest to learn the English language. In recent years the demand to learn English has been on a rise. Every school tries to have a teacher who can teach the language to the learners. However, in this process of learning, many learners encounter a series of problems which make the language learning process not an easy task both for teachers and students. However, we are going to be looking at very common problems students learning English as a foreign language face in China.
First Language
Lack of Interest
Pronunciation Difficulties
Ways to Solve The Abovementioned Problems
1. Speak English to Students Only
2. Work on Building Students' Confidence
Do you want to teach... [Read more]
Problems for ESL Learners in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The English language has become so essential in china because the country wants to successfully promote internationalism and keep the lines of communication open for trade and business matters. As one of the global powers, it's in the country's best interest to keep afloat of shifting trends in international matters.
Governmental decision
Spelling
Pronunciation
Singular / Plural Aspect
Gender
Articles
Lack of opportunities to practice
Word order
Individual differences
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ramy M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The government has recognized that English is now... [Read more]
How Mandarin Chinese Helps Me in Teaching English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Foreign language experience is complexed on so many different levels, it is a window into a different culture, often a different country and even a different paradigm of thinking. There is a multitude of language experiences people can have, each with their own intricacies and uniqueness. As a native English speaker from South Africa, living in China has provided me with extraordinary foreign language experience.
The Most Difficult Language
Benefits of Mandarin Experience
Do you want to teach English in China?
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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]
How Learning Chinese Made Me A Better English Teacher In China - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
The following blog post is about an ITTT graduate who shares his story on how learning Chinese helped him to become a better English teacher in China.
What do you call someone who speaks only one language?
"My insights into their language and culture were incredibly helpful."
"Many Chinese are anxious about speaking English with natives - more so than is to be considered normative."
"The best ESL teachers are the ones with experience with the native language of their students."
Listen to this blog post
Now it's your turn to get TEFL certified!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph S.
A common saying imparted to me by one of my professors goes like this: "What do you call someone who speaks three languages?... [Read more]
Ways to Teach English to Young Students Online - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I chose the topic, "How to teach English to children online" because this is ultimately what I want to do with this TEFL certificate. This topic also incorporates a few of the other topics. I will however just focus on teaching children and how I can be the best teacher to them and help them achieve their goals. I will mainly refer to what I have learned in Unit 19, Teaching special groups.
Benefits of online lessons
English usage at maximum
Things to avoid
Practicing patience
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zahn-Mari T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
It is my understanding that being... [Read more]
The Typical Challenges for Chinese English Learners - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
This essay answers the question for number 10 "what are the main problems for learners in the country of China?" I am a professor at Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China and share my observations. Our students are in the North American College (NAC), with partners in Canada at Lambton College and Northwood University, USA. Three areas are most interesting to their learning challenges: college preparation, listening and writing.
Exam System
Lexical Units
Digital Autism
Writing
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Annette P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Students enter NAC with a low score on... [Read more]
3 Things to Consider When Teaching University Students in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching English to foreign students can be challenging, yet one of the most rewarding experiences. Providing education on the English language to young, middle-aged, or older individuals can be an eventful experience, shaping an instructor's portfolio and personal life. In this report, I explore possible advantages and disadvantages of teaching English to university students in China from a prospective instructor's perspective.
Individual Needs
Working on Personal Qualities
Listen to this blog post
Enjoying The Process
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dhanisha N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Teaching, in general, can be an action-packed... [Read more]
How to Help Chinese Native Speakers to Follow English Grammar Rules in Speaking - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Grammar is the rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in a natural language. Simply put, grammar is the general rule of a language. Language is logical; grammar tells us in which order we say words. It's about how words become phrases; how words and phrases become sentences and how sentences become language.
The Essence of Grammar
Different languages have different grammar rules
How to teach grammar (EFL: how to teach Chinese students English)
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yang S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Some of these rules are acquired naturally in... [Read more]
How to Legally Teach English in France With a Student Visa - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Visa and Legal Destinations
Europe is one of the most popular regions for teaching English as a foreign language for many teachers. However, it can often be difficult for non-EU citizens to secure a visa and work legally in Europe. If you are dreaming of living and working in France, don't despair. An attractive option for teachers from outside of the EU zone is to apply for a student visa. A student visa allows you to work a certain number of hours per week. Even though the legal working hours are limited, many teachers also take on private tutoring to supplement their income. If you are interested in teaching in France, read on to find out how to legally teach English in France with a student visa.
Application Process for a Student Visa in France
Accommodation in France... [Read more]
How to Legally Teach English in Italy with a Student Visa - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Visa and Legal
The famous Italian culture, stunning landscapes and delicious cuisine are just a few of the reasons why Italy continues to be one of the most popular destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad. Unfortunately, obtaining a work visa to legally teach English in Italy can be a challenge for non-EU citizens. However, if you have your heart set on it, all is not lost as there are alternatives to explore. One popular option that suits many people is to apply for a student visa which allows you to study a course of your choice and work up to 20 hours per week as an ESL teacher in a local language school.
Listen to this blog post:
Application process for a student visa in Italy
Study Programs in Italy
Why learn Italian?
Where to study in Italy?
Are you ready... [Read more]
How to Legally Teach English in Spain with a Student Visa - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Visa and Legal
Spain is traditionally one of the most popular destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad due to the great climate, fascinating culture and large number of jobs on offer year round. However, as the process of obtaining a work visa for non-EU citizens can be a bit of a hassle, many employers choose to only hire teachers with an EU passport. If you are not from an EU country you can apply for a student visa which enables you to legally work as an English language teacher for a set number of hours every week.
Listen to this blog post:
Application process for a student visa in Spain
Study Programs in Spain
Why Learn Spanish?
Where to study in Spain?
The Cultural Ambassadors Program for Teaching English in Spain
Are you ready to start a new career teaching... [Read more]
English Learning Problems For Chinese Native Speakers and Solutions - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Most teachers come to China to teach English with only a general idea about Chinese culture and language which they should have to deal with as soon as they arrive in China. The reason I chose this topic is that I am fluent in Chinese and have experienced Chinese culture in all its facets for over than seven years. But let's not beat around the bush and get down to the nitty-gritty.
Shyness/lack of confidence:
Grammar issues:
Pronunciation issues:
Th: /s/ instead of /th/
V: /w/ instead of /v/ (mostly with southern Chinese)
Lt: /t/ instead of /lt/
Intonation:
Lack of learning structure:
Do you want to teach English in China?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ruben M.
Chinese people often seem to be shy or... [Read more]
How do I apply for a student visa to legally teach English in Spain? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
To legally teach English in Spain as a non-EU citizen, obtaining a student visa is a viable option. Here is a step-by-step guide:
This method ensures you can teach English in Spain while also enhancing your language skills, offering a holistic experience in the country.
What is the application process for a student visa in Spain?
What should I do on arrival in Spain?
How easy is it to get a student visa for Spain?
To start the process you should visit your nearest Spanish Consulate at least three months before you plan to leave. At this visit you should verify the exact requirements, collect an application form, and make an appointment to submit your application. You also need to enroll on a government recognized study program in the area where you wish to live in Spain. The... [Read more]
How to Teach Reading to Young ESL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
As a part of receptive skills, reading is so important that children start to read both English and Chinese books at the very beginning of their lives. Reading is a beneficial way to learn English well, especially for young learners. They can accumulate more and more vocabulary as well as the way native speakers communicate with each other by reading various kinds of books. As we all know reading a good book just like talking with a great author.
Personal Teaching Experience
Reading Techniques
Parents' Help
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xiangnan G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Here I... [Read more]
How do I apply for a student visa to legally teach English in France? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
To legally teach English in France as a non-EU citizen, one effective method is applying for a student visa. This visa permits a specific number of work hours each week, making it ideal for teaching opportunities. Here is how you can proceed:
By combining formal teaching and private lessons, you can enjoy a fulfilling experience teaching and living in France.
What is the application process for a student visa in France?
How can I check that I have the right documents?
What should I do on arrival in France?
How easy is it to get a student visa for France?
It is recommended that you allow a minimum of four weeks for the application to be processed. You should also ensure that your passport is valid for at least six months after your trip to France is completed. Documented proof that... [Read more]
How do I apply for a student visa to legally teach English in Europe? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
For non-EU citizens who want to teach English in Europe it can be a frustrating experience when it comes to getting a work visa. Due to this frustration, many teachers decide to work with only their initial tourist visa in their passport. Although this is technically illegal, it is a widespread practice in some of the most popular destinations such as France, Italy and Spain, and it rarely causes any problems. However, if this approach does not appeal to you, a student visa might be the answer. By enrolling in a local language course, you get to learn French, Italian or Spanish, while also being free to legally work as an EFL teacher for a certain number of hours each week.
What is the application process for a student visa in France?
How can I check that I have the right documents?
... [Read more]
How do I apply for a student visa to legally teach English in Italy? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
In some European countries including Italy it can be notoriously difficult for non-EU citizens to find teaching jobs. Language schools can be reluctant to undertake the often laborious task of obtaining a work permit when they can simply hire a teacher from within the EU who requires no documentation. One option open to non-EU teachers is to apply for a student visa that allows you to legally work in a language school for up to 20 hours per week. To supplement this income, many teachers also take on private students in their free time which should enable you to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while living and working in Italy.
What is the application process for a student visa in Italy?
How can I check that I have the right documents?
What should I do on arrival in Italy?
How easy is it... [Read more]
Problems for Young English Learners in Public Schools in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Since the opening of China to the Western world, Chinese society and economic prowess have both continued to grow at exponential rates. This has led to its status as a rising power, culturally and economically, and an international power increasingly interconnected with many parts of the globe. As Chinese educational infrastructure tries to match pace with the rapidity of the country's progress, one educational mandate that has persisted in importance over time has been that of English learning for all young learners across the country. The government sees English proficiency as a matter of national economic competitiveness, in fact requiring that English is taught as part of the public school curriculum as preparation for China's 高考 (gaokao),... [Read more]
What is Grammar and How to Teach it to ESL Students? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Grammar plays a very important role in learning and teaching a foreign language. What is grammar? Crystal describes grammar as "the business of taking a language to pieces, to see how it works" (as cited in Bentsen, 2017).
Definition of Grammar
Explicit Grammar Teaching
Williams believes that meaning-focused instruction
Communicative Approach
Nunan defines communicative language teaching as
Larsen-Freeman's recommended that grammar teaching
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Meral B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
According to Swan ''grammar is essentially a limited set of devices for... [Read more]
Effective Ways to Teach ESL to Younger Students - TEFL Blog
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
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jordan A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the... [Read more]
What will I have to teach my ESL students? - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
There is a wide variety of TEFL and TESOL courses available worldwide, from online courses to intensive in-class courses. Regardless of the type of certification taken, graduates of these courses will find a huge range of teaching opportunities available to them. Here, we will consider some of the many different teaching situations that you may find yourself in. These range from Kindergarten teaching to teaching English (ESL) courses to university students, and we suggest some of the main roles you will have for each.
Young Learners
Business English
General English (schools and language centers)
English for Specific Purposes
Academic English
Kindergarten
Conclusion
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
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Check... [Read more]
Telling Time in English - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Telling the time in English is one of the most important skills for any English learner. There are a lot of expressions and phrases used when it comes to telling the time in English and teachers need to be able to teach it in a way that makes sense to the students. Below are five simple steps for telling the time in English.
There are two ways how you can tell the time in English: the 12-hour clock and the 24-hour clock. For the 24-hour system, you use the numbers from 0 – 23 to indicate the hours, whereas the 12-hour system useses only 1 - 12. To indicate morning or afternoon time, you use ‘am’ after the time in the morning and ‘pm’ after the time in the afternoon. Hereby, it's important to... [Read more]
English Idioms about Happiness - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Here are 8 English idioms about happiness. Teach them to you ESL students and have some fun!
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
[Read more]
Alumni Experience of Teaching Young Students Online - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Teaching English online has been a great experience for me. For the past two years, I have been able to provide English lessons to Chinese students between the ages of 4 and 14 through a platform called VIPKID. It is a platform that allows Chinese parents to partner their Children with North American English teachers via the Internet. The platform provides all of the lesson materials that are easy to follow after training and participating in workshops with more knowledgeable teachers. It is an impressive platform that has positively impacted my teaching experience.
Pros and Cons for Teachers
How to Solve Problems?
My Thoughts on Online Education
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our... [Read more]
Pronunciation Problems for Learners Speaking Chinese as their First Language - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sheneil J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Problems with Consonants
Problems with Vowels
Problems with Rhythm and Stress
Problems with intonation
Minimal Pairs
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Chinese does not have either of the "th" sounds (like "that" and "this"). Most other languages do not have these sounds and they are problematic for most learners of English. The difficulty is the point of articulation- the tongue has to be between the teeth, not behind them. Many people say that English speakers look like they're sticking their tongues out all the time because of the "th" sounds. It... [Read more]
Best Ways to Teach New Vocabulary to Young Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
One of the things of the English language that can make English hard to get to grips with. Vocabulary knowledge is highly correlated with reading comprehension and reading achievement. Vocabulary is required for students to achieve cognitive academic language proficiency. All good reasons to make sure that your vocabulary teaching is interesting, useful and effective.
The Good Ways To Teach Vocabulary
Set achievable goals
What should we give to students with a new vocabulary
What the right FCs are
When teaching FCs for young learners, I follow these steps
These are some activities I often use when teaching with FCs:
1. Charades
2. Picture word match race
3. Flash the card
4. Pass the flashcard
5. Flashcards Station
Do you want to teach English abroad?... [Read more]