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The Importance of Teaching Slang to ESL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
In January, I stood in front of a class of breakthrough English students at a university in Bogotá, Colombia. I'd never taught students in an ESL classroom before, but I was pretty confident having seven years of experience under my belt and a degree in literature. I was naive. I began the lesson with the class that my co-teacher had lent me for the first time. The objective of the lesson was to practice using past tense through storytelling; five minutes into it, I called on a student with his hand in the air. " What up, My Nigga!" He said it and I almost lost all of my composure on the first day while I should have been thinking about building rapport.
Tool for communication
Pronunciation peculiarities
Advanced level of vocabulary
Do you want to... [Read more]
The Importance of Evaluation and Testing in an Educational System - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Although evaluation and testing are considered to be a 'necessary evil' by some teachers and students, it is quite absurd to call them so. Evaluation and testing should never be seen as 'evil', although they are certainly 'necessary' within a properly functioning educational system. It can be argued that no serious study is possible without evaluation and testing as they are surely the best way of judging the capabilities and progress of a student, and a serious motivation for reaching new goals.
Distinctions Between Evaluation and Testing
The Purpose of Evaluation and Testing
The Importance of Planning and Instructions
Common Types of Tests
The Outcomes of Testing and Evaluation
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Weather vs. Whether - What's the Difference? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Weather and whether are a pair of homophones which means they sound the same, but they have different spellings and meanings. Here we explain how to use these words correctly.
WEATHER Definition and Examples
Weather can be a noun or a verb.
WEATHER Examples:
WHETHER Definition and Examples
Whether is a conjunction, which joins two words or phrases together.
WHETHER Examples:
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ITTT - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Question: What is TEFL?
The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. While this term is used for the physical act of actually teaching English abroad, it is also commonly used to refer to the training courses that many prospective teachers complete before heading overseas, as well as the qualification they receive upon successfully graduating from the course. By gaining a TEFL certificate it is possible to find work as an English language teacher in almost any country of your choice worldwide.
TEFL - Teaching English as a Foreign Language
TESL - Teaching English as a Second Language
TESOL - Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages
ELT - English Language Teaching
TEFL Qualifications
Choosing a TEFL Certificate Course
Online or In-Class TEFL Course
Finding a Teaching Job
Teaching Hot... [Read more]
How much should I charge for private English lessons? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Setting rates for private English tutoring should reflect your teaching experience and qualifications. Beginners in the field typically start with rates from $15 to $20 per hour. Experienced educators with a solid track record and additional credentials, like a TEFL certificate or specialized training, can sometimes charge up to $50 per hour. Many TEFL teachers complement their main teaching roles with private lessons and may eventually move to full-time tutoring. When establishing your fees, consider factors like your experience, the local demand for English lessons, the cost of living in your area, and what the market can bear to ensure competitive yet fair pricing.
How much should a newly-qualified teacher charge?
What about online lessons?
How much can I charge once I have some... [Read more]
60 Time Words in English - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here are the 60 most used time words in the English language you should know.
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E.G. Meaning: What Does E.G. Mean? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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What does e.g. mean? Let's take a look at the definition and usage of this expression with this ESL infographic. Learn how and when to use this abbreviation to enlarge your vocabulary word and improve your English conversations.
The term ‘for example’ gets abbreviated as ‘e.g.’ in the English language. It is only used in written language, such as in magazines, newspapers, essays or texting.
The abbreviation ‘e.g.’ is from the Latin expression ‘exempli gratia’ and means ‘for the sake of an example’ or more commonly ‘for example’.
Let's take a look at some examples of ‘e.g.’ being used in a conversation:
Person 1: Hey do you like desserts?
Person 2: Yeah.
Person 1: I... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - How To Pronounce Thanatology - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word "thanatology". This word refers to the description or study of death and of the psychological mechanisms for coping with the phenomena of death. The word derived from Greek mythology where Thanatos was the personification of death.
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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To me, modals, passive voice and relative clauses are easy in detail and hold a... [Read more]
Noun Types in English Grammar - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Nouns are naming words which make up the most common category of words in the English language. Within this category there are several different types of nouns with specific roles to play.
Nouns are the most common type of word in the English language and therefore make up a large part of EFL language lessons, particularly in lower level classes. As an EFL teacher it is recommended that you have a solid understanding of the different types of nouns so you can help your students make rapid progress in this area of grammar.
Common nouns are used to name a GENERAL type of person, place or thing.
Common nouns can be divided into smaller classes such as countable and uncountable nouns, concrete and abstract nouns, and... [Read more]
Synonym Words for BAD - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here are some great synonyms for the word "bad" that will make your writing and essays more interesting.
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The 3 Ways to Teach Vocabulary Effectively - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Lewis (1993) claims that "Lexis is the core or heart of language" (p 89). Indeed, it is one of the basic steps of mastering a foreign language. Vocabulary knowledge is what makes verbal communication between people possible. Most teachers face problems when teaching new items. They feel the need to use techniques to have an effective lesson. Over the years, teachers have tried to find the most effective and practical strategies to teach vocabulary. They have been applying several methods like fill in the blank definitions, pre-teaching unfamiliar words and stressing high-frequency words. This essay will just focus on three strategies that can help teach vocabularies such as using visual aids, highlighting vocabulary in context and vocabulary practice.... [Read more]
Descriptive Words: A Huge List of Descriptive Adjectives, Verbs & Adverbs - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Do you want to sound more interesting? Use this list of descriptive words and step up your spoken language! This list has been chosen especially for ESL learners.
Learn synonyms of different words in English
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Many Shades of the English Language - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Every language has its peculiarities, more so in the English language, which is spoken in the largest number of countries in the world. And thus has attained the status of a global language. Factors attributed to this phenomenon are many. One of the major reasons is that the Britishers had a large number of colonies which enabled them to come in contact with the inhabitants of different parts of the world.
Vocabulary
Pronunciation
Spelling and Pronunciation
Meaning
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stone S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Moreover, the colonies had the English language as the... [Read more]
The Significance of Vocabulary in Language Learning - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Vocabulary is one of the most important skills required for teaching and learning a foreign language. It is vital for effective communication and understanding of written text. A rich vocabulary helps individuals express their feelings, ideas, and needs while also enhancing their overall understanding of others. Vocabulary develops with age and presents one of the biggest challenges when learning a second language.
The Stages of Vocabulary Knowledge
The Four Types of Vocabulary in Teaching
Teaching Strategies for Vocabulary Acquisition
Overcoming Challenges in Teaching Vocabulary
Conclusion
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Synonym Words for NICE - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here are some great synonyms for the word "nice" that will make your writing and essays more interesting.
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[Read more]
Silent Letters when Speaking English - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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When practicing speaking English it can be confusing for language learners to find that certain words have a silent letter that shouldn’t be used. Here we look at some of the most common examples.
When teaching English to non-native speakers the presence of silent letters can be a cause of great confusion among students and teachers alike. For the learner it can be frustrating to find that the written form of the word they have just mastered is actually spoken without using all the letters. There are a few basic rules when it comes to silent letters, but as is usually the case with English, there are often exceptions.
Silent (B) Rule 1: The letter B is usually not pronounced after M at the end of a word e.g. comb, bomb,... [Read more]
7 Fun Ways to Introduce New EFL Vocabulary - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
Learning vocabulary words is a big part of any EFL classroom. Sometimes, it can be challenging for students to learn and remember new words - this is where the following activities come in handy! Here are 7 fun ways to introduce new EFL vocabulary!
Listen to this blog post:
1. Get Physical
2. Sing it Loud
3. Keep It Real
4. The Root of the Issue
5. Introduce Couples
6. Tell it like It Is
7. Picture It
Which is your favorite teaching activity?
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
This activity works well for a lot of vocabulary words. It is based around the total physical response method, which links physical movement with learning. Illustrate new vocabulary by acting out the words as you introduce them to... [Read more]
An Overview of Comparison in English Grammar - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Just like the superlative, knowing how to form correct comparisons is very important in English. Let's take a look at how comparison works in the English language.
For example:
For example:
For example:
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Phonetics: How can Phonemic Awareness Facilitate Effective Reading? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Phonemics according to the Merriam Webster dictionary is a branch of linguistic analysis that consists of the study of phonemes. In other words, it could be explained as the study of the sound system of a given language and the analysis and classification of its phonemes. Phonemics awareness, on the other hand, is the ability to examine language independently to its meaning and to manipulate its component sound[1].
Difference between phonemes and phonics
Universal way of acquiring a language
Why phonemes are important?
Correlation between phonemic awareness and spelling ability
Teachers' Role
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lystra H. Please note that... [Read more]
Important Ideas to Consider when Teaching Vocabulary - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
In my personal opinion, vocabulary learning is the basic and most substantial part in any language learning. It's like the bricks for building a house. Moreover, the process of vocabulary learning is the most difficult and time-consuming. It requires not only memorizing skills but also a good understanding of the word, and constant practice.
Problems for Chinese English learners
The importance of careful vocabulary selection
Knowing what to teach
Choosing an appropriate teaching method
Learn how to teach vocabulary effectively with a TEFL course today!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dan W.
For most English learners in China, they often encounter the same problem when learning vocabulary,... [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]
The Utmost Importance of Phonetics and Phonology - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Speech has been used to communicate and express many things since the dawn of man. When we look at wildlife, we can see a pattern in a speech similar to human communication. To truly understand science speech, we must look deeper at the concept of communication.
Why Speech is Important?
Word Stress
Speech and Communication
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
World leaders, actors, entertainers, successful businessmen and other professionals all have one major thing in common, their speech. We look at presidential talks and product release conferences... [Read more]
An Overview of the Superlative in English Grammar - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Superlatives are the highest degree of comparison. This means, superlatives are used when we talk about something that is at the top level or the bottom level of a quality. Let's take a look at how the superlative works in the English language.
For one-syllable adjectives, we simply add -est at the end of the word to indicate the superlative. For example:
For two-syllable adjectives that end in "y", we change the "y" to "i" and add "est" to indicate the superlative. For example:
For two-syllable adjectives that don't end in "y" and adjectives with three or more syllables, we add "the most" or "the least" to indicate the superlative. For example:
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Secrets of Effectively Teaching Core Vocabulary - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Being an English teacher, teaching skills are very important. The quality of learning result depends on many factors, but the teacher's methods are the essential elements for learners' learning progress, motivation, enthusiasm, etc. to help them have the best result in studying English. I will concentrate on "How to teach vocabulary effectively".
The Role of Vocabulary in Communication
Engagement
Delivering New Means of Communication
Practicing Acquired Linguistic Devices
Other Ways to Teach
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nhat D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
It can't be denied that the... [Read more]
Pronunciation Challenges Students Face in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Every learner of a foreign language may face pronunciation problems now and then. Languages that belong to one language group have more in common in phonics and are usually easier to learn to pronounce correctly. But such languages as English and Chinese are so different, that Chinese learners (and I bet English speaking learners of Chinese too) often have many difficulties in pronunciation.
State of the problem
Common pronunciation errors
How to correct pronunciation problems
Learn how to teach pronunciation effectively!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Evgeniya S.
I have been working in China as a teacher for more than six months now. When I arrived in this country, I hardly knew... [Read more]
English Students’ Favorite Flashcard Activities - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
People say that language is a tree and the vocabulary is the leaf of that tree. Therefore teaching vocabulary items are indeed an essential part of any English learners' growth. Especially for younger students, who are motivated to learn the basic words, they need to get by in the language. There are many different ways to teach vocabulary. Using flashcards is one of the most suitable media in teaching vocabulary. Because learners can easily memorize and understand the meaning of vocabulary through flashcards.
I am going to share with you my 5 favorite and effective activities with flashcards:
1. Spin the Bottle:
2. Rope Jump:
3. Roll the Dice:
4. Picture word match race:
5. Over-under:
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Related... [Read more]
English idioms: Food ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The English language contains many set phrases whose meanings cannot be discerned by looking at the individual words that make up the phrase. These phrases are called ‘idioms’ and they are used widely by native English speakers around the world; they are also a common cause of confusion for English language learners and as such many EFL students ask their teachers to teach them English idioms. Teachers used to think that there was no point in teaching idioms to students out of fear that they would use them incorrectly; however, as they are such a widely used part of the language it is now considered a good idea to teach them.
There are many books available for both teachers and learners that provide explanations of different idioms and exercises to help students practice. In these... [Read more]
Vocabulary as the Main Part of ESL Learning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Vocabulary represents one of the most important skills necessary for teaching and learning a foreign language. It is the basis for the development of all the other skills like Reading comprehension, Listening comprehension, speaking, writing, and pronunciation. Vocabulary is the main tool for students to use English effectively. When he/she is confronted with a native English Speaker, when watching a movie or when listening to a favorite song, when reading a text or when writing a letter to a friend, students will always need to operate with words.
WHY IS VOCABULARY IMPORTANT?
TECHNIQUES FOR MEMORIZING VOCABULARY:
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vivian M.... [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]
The Most Distinct Differences between American and British English - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
When it comes to learning English, non-native speakers can feel quite torn on whether they should learn British English or American English. They have their similarities, but can contrast each other strongly. The differences can be confusing for English speakers as well. The diversity in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary can really throw you off. In this article, I will be focusing on these three topics. Let's explore spelling, shall we?
Important Spelling Differences
Differences in Word Choice
Same Word - Different Pronunciation
Other Things to Consider
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tabitha C.
Growing up in the USA, I learned to spell in... [Read more]