Why English Is Important For Students

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Everybody knows that English is the most popular language nowadays, and it has been for centuries. Besides the popularity, it is one of the most important and crucial skills and is an international means for communication and expressing one's feelings anytime and anywhere. We can safely surmise that English as a language performs four important services: (a) International Language, (b) Window to new knowledge, (c) Common medium of Reference, and finally (d) Link Language. Listen to this blog post: 1. Role of a teacher 2. Teacher's Responsibilities 3. Teacher's Competence Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Richa A. Please note that this blog post...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!   Studying words in pairs of opposites is a great way to build vocabulary quickly. Every teacher should have this list of the most important opposite words in English in their teaching materials.   Pairing opposite words is a great way to learn new vocabulary. It is much easier to attach meaning to a word when students are also presented with a word’s antonym. For instance, the meaning of the word “tall” is a lot easier to grasp when presented as “tall/short.” Images are also very helpful when learning opposites. Words such as “big/small,” when accompanied by visuals of big and small animals or objects, can be instantly understood. Opposites can also be reinforced through various fun activities such as the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A teacher's personal qualities play a huge role in the success of their students! One of the best things I learned from this course was what makes a good teacher, and what a good teacher needs to be aware of when teaching EFL. Depending on whom you ask or what website you look at, you will get different thoughts and opinions on the qualities an English teacher needs to have. In this essay I am going to talk about the personal traits I believe are the most important and why. Care Motivate Manage Organize Ask Treat and Encourage Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sarah R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Games are one of the most important components in an EFL classroom. Foreign language learning games can be considered as a framework to provide a meaningful context for language acquisition. Students can improve their understanding of written and spoken English via games, as well as learn new words, structures, pronunciation, and spelling, all while having a great deal of fun. The Versatility of Games in the Classroom Games Are Not Just About Having Fun The Many Benefits of Games in the Classroom Games Are Not Just For Young Learners Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Shiva R. Games can be used to warm up the class before your lesson...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Here is a collection of the most important English formal and informal words.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences American English and British English are two varieties which are taught in English teaching programs around the world. Although it is accepted that no one version is corrected, there are certainly preferences in use. Someone who can speak, read or understand one variety of English, he/she'll also probably be able to understand most of the other varieties without problem. Pronunciation differences Vocabulary differences Spelling differences Grammar differences Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sumeyra Y. The differences between American and British English can be categorized in four ways: British English and American sound remarkably different. The...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The personal qualities of a teacher are the characteristics of an individual. These attributes and traits are what make up their personality. Personal qualities are what make a person unique, allow them to navigate a new situation, make new friends and possible connections, or work through conflict or tensions. Important personal qualities for English teachers include listening and being a good listener, thoughtfulness, being personable, timeliness, and adaptability. Biased attitude toward native speakers Kindness and patience Personal learning experience An ability to listen and understand Teacher's roles Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anna E....  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Prepositions are one of the most important parts of English grammar. Here is a list of the 100 most important prepositions in English.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Walking into a kindergarten classroom in any language may have most teachers running right back out the door. A kindergarten classroom can be like a circus. The teacher is the ringmaster. The students range from man-eating lions to trapeze artists to clowns. It's important to remember that kindergarten students do not understand they are meant to be learning great truths and skills that will set them up for the rest of their life. They want to play, love, be loved, and enjoy every aspect of life to the fullest, even when they are sitting in the classroom. Even the physical excitement that kindergarteners have can be used to create an even deeper understanding of language and should never be seen as bad. Children love to explore and learn....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This summative essay will exam the importance of teaching the differences between American English and British English for EFL learners. I will examine the intention behind teaching these differences, and when these teachings should be applied, and to what effect and purpose. This essay will focus primarily on the problems of pronunciation and spelling, which are the two main differences. I am a British citizen, born and raised in London, England, and currently teach at a public high school in Tokyo. Spelling Challenges for Beginners and Intermediate Learners What do Students Think? Grammar Interesting Experience for Adults Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Verbs are one of the most important parts of speech in English and incredibly important for learners of English. The below infographic showcases all types of verbs in the English language.   Generally speaking, a verb is a word that shows an action, state or an event. It is an essential part of a sentence and is known as the soul of language. For example: "They study English grammar." (Action) "We celebrate independence day." (Event) "I sleep at night." (State)    Following are the different types of verbs:   When a verb's past tense (2nd form) and past participle (3rd form) is created by adding ‘d’ or ‘ed’, it is called a regular verb. Some examples of a regular verb include: Walk Walked ...  [Read more]

Understanding grammar is pivotal in teaching English effectively. While there are varying class levels in English language instruction, as indicated by resources like Reward, New Headway, and others, all these levels underscore the importance of grammar. Given its foundational role in language, a teacher's proficiency in grammar ensures that students build a strong base and communicate accurately. The four skills Typical grammar and vocabulary topics studied at each level Beginner/Starter Elementary/Pre-Intermediate Intermediate/Upper-Intermediate EFL exams and correspondence of levels Summary It is very important to remember that there are four skills that are required by any language user. These four skills are, reading and listening (known as the receptive skills) and writing and...  [Read more]

Katie and Jake from Untold Wanderlust Destinations After galivanting around India, Central Asia, and Europe for the summer, we finally decided to head back to Vietnam for another year of teaching. However, this time we were going to make a huge change! Instead of going back to our jobs, apartment and friends in Ho Chi Minh City, we decided to check out what Hanoi has to offer. Although it's the same country, it's like starting all over again! As we have only recently gone through this huge change, we have decided to put together 5 important things to help you make the move to Hanoi and teach English. Looking for work as an ESL teacher Finding somewhere to live Getting around Hanoi Food Listen to this blog post Are you ready to teach English in Vietnam? Related Articles: First, you...  [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]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas As a teacher of English as a foreign language, or any subject really, you have to consider the seating arrangement in your classroom. Studies have shown that seating arrangements where the teacher can see the faces of all of the students at all times increase student engagement and are therefore beneficial for their learning. Considering this, here are the best desk arrangements for EFL students that you should try out in your classroom! Single Rows U-Shape Double Rows Clusters More things to consider regarding desk placement: Listen to this blog post Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Setting up the students' desks in single rows is great for teacher demonstrations and independent table work. While this arrangement is very formal and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas For students to be able to communicate effectively, they need to be proficient in the four language skills. Productive skills are known SPEAKING and READING, then you have your receptive skills known as READING and LISTENING. All four language skills are of importance and should be combined during lessons as they are all of importance to teach students to communicate with others. Goals Speaking Writing Integration Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Natalie B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. If a student or a student comes to a language teacher, it means he/she has a clear goal to be excellent...  [Read more]

TEFL teachers hold a unique and vital role in global education. While all educators contribute immensely, TEFL teachers address the specific challenges of teaching English as a second or foreign language. Their specialized training equips them to effectively teach in environments where English isn't the primary language, helping learners overcome linguistic barriers and bridging cultural divides. Their importance stems from their ability to foster communication and understanding in our increasingly interconnected world. Working knowledge vs Formal Knowledge What are the training options to become a TEFL teacher? Types of employment Summary Globalized industry has led to an explosion of the use of English as the lingua franca. This trend looks as though it will continue in the near future....  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Knowing when and when not to capitalize is an important part of writing correct English. Most students quickly learn that you always capitalize the first letter of a new sentence, but what are the other rules?   Although mistakes with capitalization do not generally have a big affect on the readability of your written English, it is important to get it right when writing formally for work or study purposes. Fortunately, the most common rules above are quite clear and straightforward to learn. Below are a few more capitalization rules you should be aware of. Capitalize family relationships when used as proper nouns. Capitalize “Uncle Brian,” and “Grandma Betty”. Do not use capitals when referring to a person’s...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences One of the biggest challenges in schools today is the task of motivating students and creating interesting lessons for them. To achieve this, several key factors come into play. Building Relationships and Trust Personal Perspective Setting Goals and Clear Program Individual Motivation Maintaining Dynamic Lessons Teaching Methodologies Variation and Engagement Interesting Materials and Activities The Importance of Motivation Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this blog post are solely those of the author, an alumni of ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training). They do not necessarily...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When a class is managed well, there is a minimum of disruptions that distract from learning. This is more of an issue in a class for children, as opposed to adults. Nevertheless, in all classes, maintaining the comportment of the group to facilitate learning is the objective of sound classroom management techniques. Furthermore, it is also important to develop cordial and friendly relations with learners on an individual basis, and with the class as a whole. Having a rapport with students, and creating a classroom community that is based on shared rules and norms that are understood and reasonable for everybody, is an essential part of classroom management. When accomplished, this creates a classroom culture that students feel safe and welcome in. This...  [Read more]

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

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The demand for teaching business English has been dramatically increased following the globalization of business. Many people think teaching business English requires detailed knowledge in the field where students are working. However, many students take business English classes because they want to learn and improve their communication skills with customers and coworkers, such as presenting a new product or describing the information to consumers, more than learning about their own business. Therefore, having special knowledge of the student's business is not necessary for teaching business English. Students' Age and Abilities Anticipated Problems Placement Test Methods Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English to high-school students and teaching English to university students are uniquely different and require different skills and teaching methods. High school students are in a period of development known as adolescence. One of the leading developmental psychologists, Erik Erikson, defines adolescence as a period of struggle between identity versus role confusion (Hutchison, 2013). During adolescence, high schoolers are going through many physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes (Hutchison, 2013). They are struggling to define who they are in this world not about their parents. They want to make their own choices in life based on their reasoning. A high schooler may choose on their own to learn English as a foreign language, but...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In my opinion, the most important role of the teacher is a provider of information, and all other roles are needed to help students absorb that information effectively. To prove my point let's take a look at major roles. Traditional Roles More Advanced Skills Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yurii P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The provider of the information is the traditional role of the teacher. The teacher gives lessons on a particular subject such as grammar, parts of speech, pronunciation, etc. He builds up the understanding of the English language in general and moves students...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One of the biggest jobs for a teacher is to motivate his or her students. Motivation is important because it keeps the students invested in the class and learning the class material. To build motivation, the teacher can do several things in the classroom and with the students. It is important to remember that a motivated student has a greater chance of success than a student without motivation. Building Motivation Points to Pay Close Attention to Choices Ideas Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Angela H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. One way to build motivation is to deliver lesson...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching offers the chance to change other people's lives permanently for the better. As a teacher, you can help develop someone's subject of knowledge and/or their mind and personality. Teachers are instruments that ignite powerful thoughts in students, helping them unleash their true potential. In addition to being knowledgeable in their area of expertise and having the ability to plan and execute lesson plans, to be an effective and successful teacher you need to possess some personal emulateable skills. To bring a long-term impact in the lives of your students, it's important to have the following qualities; COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION SKILLS SELF-DISCIPLINE CREATIVE PATIENCE CONFIDENCE SELF-MOTIVATED ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS CONFLICT RESOLUTION...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas "One book, one pen, one child and one teacher can change the world"Teachers influence the lives of students much more significantly than we imagine. A teacher with the right skills inspires and influences entire student lives. They are instruments who can ignite powerful thoughts in students, helping them unleash their true potential. The Essence of Teaching Downsides of Teaching Classroom Regulation Classroom Organization Rapport Building Feedback Other Thoughts Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Oleksandr U. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching is an incredibly rewarding thing to do and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Do teachers' interactions with students matter? After all, a teacher's role in the classroom is to facilitate the transfer of knowledge or skill in such a manner that a learner can accomplish a specific outcome. Is it necessary for a teacher to know students' weekend plans or when Sally is going to take her driver's test? Does know students' interests give a teacher an advantage when it comes to selecting the methodology and techniques, he/she selects in teaching subject-specific knowledge or computer skills in a classroom? If the answer to the above questions is yes, then how can a teacher best establish rapport in the classroom that leads to effective teaching? Listen to this blog post: 1. Comforting students on the first day 2. Creating classroom...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Five years ago, I didn't have the experience, nor the knowledge to teach English. However, I have the skills to speak like a Native Speaker. My First Classroom Self-Study Test Group My Surprising Observation Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Amina C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. At first, I have 3-4 students between 2-3 years old. I was given lesson plans to follow and instructions on how to teach this group and I simply followed it. Teaching 2-3 year's old non-Native speakers were both difficult and fun. It's difficult because they are not familiar with the English language....  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a great worksheet for your ESL students to ring in the new year. This word search covers the most important words related to the new year.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]