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Pronunciation Mistakes Made by Russian Speakers - TEFL Blog
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
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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]
Pronunciation Challenges of French Native-Speaking Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Each student faces their difficulties when it comes to English pronunciation depending on their country of origin. This essay will focus on the pronunciation difficulties facing ESL students in France and will also propose some solutions to help students overcome these difficulties.
French Sound System
IPA
Difficult Sounds
The Dark /L/ Sound
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kerri M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The number of English vowel sounds greatly outnumbers those found in the French language. As such, French students will have to produce sounds that they have never produced before.... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - How To Pronounce Levigate - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word levigate. This word is used as a verb and refers to the action of reducing a material to powder or a smooth paste. The word originates from the Latin 'levis' meaning 'smooth'.
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 covered the principles and forms of the conditional form and reported speech. I learned the different forms of conditionals... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tesol Tefl Reviews Video Testimonial Jessica - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Jessica from Holland completed the 120-hour TESOL course with tutor support and videos. Jessica tells us in this TESOL review that she found the course to be very useful and felt that she learned a lot from taking it. Not only does the course come with useful teaching tips, graduates also receive lifetime employment support to help with finding a job on completing the course. Jessica recommends the course for anyone wanting to start a career in English language teaching.
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... [Read more]
Problems of First Lessons and How to Overcome Them - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Challenges are inevitable especially if you want to be successful at what you do and teaching EFL is not devoid of them. In fact, teaching English as a Foreign Language can be very much exciting but also very challenging as it comes with lots of problems. Among these problems are what to do for the first lessons and how to get students motivated for the EFL course. These problems like many others have solutions and this essay seeks to highlight the problems and provide some practical solutions to them.
First impressions are the most lasting
Overcoming this issue
Getting your students motivated
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Belinda S.
What to... [Read more]
10+ Activities for Teaching English Winter Camp - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
Having to organize and hold a winter camp is a daunting task, especially for new teachers who haven't done it before. For these kinds of English camps, teachers typically create up to 10 lesson plans for the duration of the camp. Winter camps can last anywhere between one week to a month or even longer. The main goal of an English camp is to have a fun and memorable time with the students while practicing their English.
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It's all About Fun… and Props!
Making Sock Snowmen!
Making Christmas or New Year's Cards
Have Handouts Ready
Powerpoint/Computer Games
Board Games
When Your School Doesn't Have a Budget or Supplies
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video... [Read more]
Expected and Accepted — Preparing for Stress - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Learning a new language can be incredibly challenging. To even attempt to learn a language that is not one's mother tongue takes both incredible courage and humility, especially when the language is English. As a teacher of English, stress must be expected and prepared for in order to keep students feeling encouraged and wanting to try. These are my tips for doing just that.
Build Rapport
Praise
Play
Organize the Environment
End-of-The-Day Activity
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate AmyJoy G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
First, make sure... [Read more]
How to Effectively Teach a Large Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Handling a large classroom is a task that many teachers must face eventually, so it is important to be able to know how to effectively instruct a class that is a size above average. A teacher must work on his/her performance and work on how to make lessons constructive with a big crowd in mind. Without these two objectives done successfully, the teacher risks being misunderstood and the students won't be learning adequately.
Body Language
Teaching Techniques
Establishing Rapport
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Cris K.
A teacher's ability to perform is critical. Eye contact, voice, and gestures are all needed to get a large class... [Read more]
American Football as a Mirror to Understand English Language Derivatives - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Why does the English language break all its own rules and have so many words or phrases that simply make no literal sense? How does one learn such a language like this?
English Vocabulary
Reasons for Derivation
Ways of Understanding
How to Learn
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Bridget B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Football in most countries is a game where a ball is kicked around with one's foot. In American English, this sport is called soccer. The sport of American football has much less to do with the kicking of the foot but yet is still called football. And we still also have... [Read more]
English in Early Childhood: Alumni Teaching Experience - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
For two years I have been teaching Italian children in a nursery, a group of 5,2-3 years old. They are still not able to speak well their mother tongue and have a short vocabulary. They have no experience yet in being taught traditionally, may still use pacifier and diaper, so how can you teach so small children English and is it even worth it? Shouldn't they first learn their native tongue? Many parents think so.
Difficulties
Flashcards
Songs
Books
Gymnastics
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I am sure they benefit from being exposed to English vocabulary and getting used to the sound of English as young as possible. But of course, it must be done in the right way, they are not going to study English but... [Read more]
4 Positive Ways to Motivate Students in the Kindergarten Classroom - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
How to motivate and keep the students interested in learning the English language?
1. Make Class Communicative:
2. Make Class Fun:
3. Forge Relationships:
4. Give Feedback:
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Richard B.
To teach at the Kindergarten level the teacher has to be mindful of keeping students' attention and maintaining order. It is important to have structure and routines. To ensure the students are comfortable, happy and engaged while learning and practicing English there needs to be a balance between patients and strictness. To keep their attention, it is good to enlist fun little games to help maintain order in the class. It is... [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
Listen to this blog post
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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]
The Art of Teaching Younger EFL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
I have 3 years of experience in teaching English in a few kindergartens in Beijing, China and some experience in teaching adults in a training center.
Differences Between Teaching Children and Adults
Principles in Teaching Kids
Learning Atmosphere
Teacher's Responsibilities
My Personal Experience
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When I started in kindergarten, it was very difficult because I didn't have enough information about how to make a proper lesson plan. I didn't have enough materials, games, songs, and it took me a lot of time to collect all the necessary information for teaching and creating my teaching plan. Without experience, it wasn't easy for me to build a good rapport between me and my... [Read more]
Why I Did Volunteer Teaching in Nepal and You Should Too - TEFL Blog
Dan Sloat
Destinations Alumni Experiences
Volunteer teaching in Nepal is thoroughly rewarding! The need for engaging and enthusiastic teachers is so great and the positive impact you can make, even in a short period, is significant. Personally, I had a modest classroom of 16 students comprising a broad range of ages and competency. Those kiddos were quite a handful, but being their teacher was an incredible privilege. Their maturity was striking and yet, at the end of the day, they are still growing boys. They would get rowdy at times and often pulled pranks on each other. I loved their curiosity, their excitement for learning, and their playful spirits. Between lessons they would often draw pictures for me. I suppose I'm the snowman-looking character, left of the car, in this one on... [Read more]
3 Reasons We Can’t Learn Languages Without Grammar - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Admittedly, learning grammar may not be the most appealing part when learning a new language. It usually connects with conjugations, tenses and in some languages, the position of the verbs, for example, German. Grammar itself can cause a huge problem for both the teacher and students to carry out the language class smoothly. People might argue that unconscious imitation is the best approach to learning a language since it is the most natural way. I would like to say this is the idealist method. Truth speaking, not many students are able to enjoy the bilingual or even multi-lingual background. Moreover, even with the mother tongue, people will encounter grammar courses in school. This essay focuses on the necessities and importance of learning grammar... [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]
Mastering English Language Sounds: Enhancing Pronunciation and Auditory Receptive Skills - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
Explore the challenges and strategies in teaching English language sounds and pronunciation across different age groups.It's widely known that students of various age groups exhibit varying learning capacities. Despite these differences and regardless of background or origin, learners of English (referred to as L2) often struggle with speaking and listening due to the language's heavy reliance on auditory comprehension. This article delves into the importance of addressing these pronunciation challenges, especially in the context of teaching English as a second language.
Understanding Age-Related Differences
Young Learners: Nurturing the Phonetic Foundation
Navigating the Teenage Years: 12-18 Age Group
Engaging Adult Learners: The... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - How To Pronounce Lampoon - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word lampoon. This word can be used as a verb and as a noun. Used as a verb, it describes the action of criticizing a person or a topic by using ridicule. The noun lampoon refers to the actual speech or text used to critize someone or something. The word was taken from the French word lampon.
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.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
the art of teaching... [Read more]
5 Simple Ideas on Teaching Grammar - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I think of myself as having been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to learn other languages at a young age. I was taught French in primary school and at home, I learned or acquired Spanish. At school, I remember my language teacher being very textbook-oriented and she focused and followed the book to the "T". I picked up easily on the grammar because I had already learned Spanish at home and I was also very keen to learn foreign languages, especially French. The grammar didn't seem difficult or boring to me at all because I had already been exposed to the language at a very early age. However, many students didn't feel the same way I did and had difficulty with the subject and therefore, developed a disinterest in learning another language.... [Read more]
Pronunciation Problems in Ukraine - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
It is not a secret that pronouncing English sounds easily and correctly is a big challenge for non-native speakers. Of course, the complexity of English pronunciation consists not only of particular sounds but also of several other aspects such as intonation, stress, rhythm, and timing. I would like to analyze one of the biggest and most obvious pronunciation problems for Ukrainian speakers of English which, in my opinion, is sound differences and the way of pronouncing sounds.
Sound System
Articulation
Aspiration
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hanna H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
There are a number... [Read more]
11 Fun ESL Activities for Young Learners - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
When teaching young learners, it's important not to spend too much time on any one activity as they can soon lose interest. It is also a good idea to have activities that give younger learners the chance to move about and use the boundless energy they have at that age. Below we present a list of short activities suitable for young and very young learners of English.
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What's the Time Mr. Wolf?
Telephone
Basketball
Volleyball
Bingo
Can you …?
I Spy
Odd One Out
Stand Up Please
Mastermind
Blindfold Obstacle Course
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
This is a good activity for practicing time with small classes. Clear a space in the center of... [Read more]
Tips for Teaching Different Types of English Learning Groups - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
There are many types of English learning groups and each group requires different teaching techniques. In my opinion, English learners can be divided into 2 groups: beginners and English learners for specific purposes. Beginners can be students who have no English at all or know a few simple structures. They can be children or adults. English learners for specific purposes are students who have a basic English level and want to achieve their specific aims of learning.
Young Beginners
Adult Beginners
English Learners for Specific Purposes
Conversation Learners
Business Students
Examination Classes
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nhung... [Read more]
Top Tips For Creating An EFL Lesson Plan For Young Learners - TEFL Blog
Ramon Perez
Teaching Ideas
With each passing day, we learn something new. We build upon the previously attained knowledge and expand our understanding of various subjects. As teachers, we have the responsibility of expanding our students' knowledge and abilities. As much as we would like to provide fun and innovative ways to present the information, it can be difficult to keep it fresh on a daily basis.
WHAT IS A LESSON PLAN?
WHAT
WHEN
HOW
WHERE
WHY
WHAT DOES A LESSON PLAN CONSIST OF?
WARM-UP
REVIEW
NEW SUBJECT
GAME
WORKSHEET
FINAL TIPS
Now you're ready! Remember, be creative and make it your own.
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There are many factors to take into consideration when teaching a new subject: what, when, how, where, and why. Because we have many factors to consider, it's vital to be as... [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
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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]
7 Useful Tips on Teaching Beginner Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching beginner students is a very challenging task for anyone. Personally, I have always found teaching English to beginners as a tough prospect, whether it is monolingual group and you know nothing of their language or it's a multilingual group and the only common language is English. However, with some work and knowledge, everything is possible to teach beginners the English language. And I believe this is one of the most rewarding to teach.
1. Give simple and clear instructions
2. Let them listen first
3. Speak English only and don't use their own mother tongue
4. Teach the basics
5. Drilling and Repeating
6. Make every English lessons fun and easy
7. Prepare well and save a lot
Are you ready to teach beginners abroad?
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Listen to... [Read more]
Where is EFL taught? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
EFL, standing for English as a Foreign Language, predominantly refers to the instruction of English in non-English speaking countries. This encompasses many popular countries for teaching such as Spain, Japan, Mexico, and numerous others. In these settings, learners engage with English even though it is not the dominant language of their environment. While EFL can also denote courses in English-speaking nations, its primary context is the teaching or learning of English where it isn't the native language.
What's the difference between EFL and ESL?
What's the difference between teaching EFL and teaching ESL?
It is very common for either of these acronyms to be used when talking about any situation where a student is learning English, however, there is a technical difference between the... [Read more]
Teach ENGLISH Online! - speaking tips - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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]
Helping Students Conquer Stress in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Learning a new language can elicit stress/fear responses in students. This is especially prominent in speaking as it can make people feel vulnerable/ashamed in front of their peers. It is very common for students to feel shy, especially if they are one of the weaker students in English or don't have the motivation to learn the language.
My Personal Language Learning Experience
Ways to Support Students
1. Classroom Dynamics
2. Attention to a Group, not to an Individual
3. Team Building and Peer Work
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Daniela A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
I have experienced... [Read more]
Last posts written by Mark
After leaving the UK to travel in the mid-1990s, Mark has to date visited over 50 countries across six continents. After completing a TEFL course in Phuket, Thailand, he decided to make it his base and has since worked as an online TEFL trainer and a freelance writer.
Mark Crocker
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
Teaching online offers a great deal of freedom and flexibility that many teachers find refreshing in comparison to a regular in-class job. ✅ However, it can also be a tough environment to work in if you approach it in the wrong way. Take a look at these simple tips for maintaining motivation when teaching English online.Are you teaching English online and finding it difficult to stay motivated? Take a look at our simple tips to help you stay at the top of your game.
Mark... [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]