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Last posts written by Linda from: 168
Linda Dunsmore ITTT TEFL
Linda is a passionate traveler, language learner and TEFL teacher. After spending some time teaching in China, she moved to Korea in 2015. She now calls South Korea her home.
Read my articles
How I Accidentally Discovered My Passion For Teaching And Decided To Make It a Career | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
This story is written by one of our TEFL course alumni who discovered their passion for teaching by accident and decided to pursue a career in ESL.
4 Super Easy Tips for Teaching Vocabulary to Young Learners | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
Teaching vocabulary is a large part of teaching English to young learners. Here are 4 super easy tips to help you when teaching this specific type of class.
The best thing... [Read more]
Last posts written by Federico from: 168
Federico Riva
Read my articles
Native English Teacher vs. Non-Native English Teacher ✅ What are the differences? | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In this live session, native English-speaking teacher Linda from the United States and non-native English-speaking teacher Liza from Russia discuss the differences between native and non-native teachers, TEFL/TESOL course options, misconceptions, and career options.
How to Develop Your Teaching Skills as a Non-Native English Speaker | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
Teaching English as a Non-Native Speaker ✅ In this live session, ITTT TEFL expert and non-native English teacher Liza talks about how to develop your teaching skills if you are a... [Read more]
Last posts written by Elizaveta from: 168
Elizaveta Pachina
Liza is a translator, freelancer and ESL teacher from Russia. She had been teaching in a Chinese bilingual school for more than two years and recently moved to Thiland to run her blog about teaching and freelance job.
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How to Implement Games in a Young Learner Classroom | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
This blog post contains information on effective usage of games in an ESL classroom.
Classroom Management Strategies For Teaching Youngsters | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How to teach students of younger age? Our TEFL graduate shares their ideas in this blog post.
A Sample Lesson Plan for a Pre-Intermediate EFL Classroom | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
In this blog post, our TEFL... [Read more]
5 Highlights of Teaching English in Argentina - TEFL Blog
Wed, 22 Aug 2018 Mark Crocker
Destinations
5 Highlights of Teaching English in Argentina
Latin America is a very popular region for teaching English abroad as there are always plenty of jobs available in a wide range of countries. One of the most popular of these is Argentina which is one of the region's largest and most accessible countries. Thanks to a strong economy and a stable political scene, Argentina draws new and experienced teachers from all corners of the world with the promise of staggering natural beauty, modern city living, and plenty of unique culture and customs. With so many experiences waiting for you it is hard to narrow it down, but after some consideration, these are our top 5 highlights for anyone planning to teach English in Argentina.
Table of Contents
Buenos... [Read more]
The 5 Main Types of Teaching Styles - TEFL Blog
Thu, 09 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The 5 Main Types of Teaching Styles
The activity of any teacher necessarily has its own style. This is a permanent set of techniques that manifests itself with varying degrees of intensity depending on the situation. The stylistic pedagogical activity depends on several factors, both on the activity itself and on the students. The style is very much due to the individual characteristics of the teacher's personality. There are five main types of teaching styles.
Table of Contents
Listen to this blog post:
Teacher as an authority
Teacher as a demonstrator
Teacher as a facilitator
Teacher as a delegator
Teacher as a conductor
Are you ready to adjust your teaching style to ESL students?
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5 Strategies of Teaching Mixed Ability Classroom - TEFL Blog
Wed, 17 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Strategies of Teaching Mixed Ability Classroom
Although students may be in the same class, they may not necessarily have the same ability level. This can be seen in all classes; however, this can become very noticeable in a class designed to teach a language to someone who is not a native speaker. It is up to the teacher to notice these differences in ability levels and restructure their lessons accordingly. There are a few different strategies that will help with gaps in ability levels, which consist of the use of different materials, providing the same materials with a different task, paring weak and strong students together, and even doing nothing.
Table of Contents
Listen to this blog post:
1. Differentiate materials
2.... [Read more]
5 Crucial Benefits of Completing a TEFL Course - TEFL Blog
Wed, 27 Mar 2019 Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
5 Crucial Benefits of Completing a TEFL Course
For those who wish to teach English as a foreign language, the initial benefits of completing a TEFL course may seem rather obvious. These students will be taught the techniques and mannerisms that provide a solid foundation in creating a successful language learning environment. The potential prospect of teaching children or adults who have no experience with English is a daunting task. Without the ability to communicate in a native language, this can present serious challenges to even the most experienced of teachers. However, by completing a TEFL course, a student feels more prepared for these circumstances and are shown what activities are best suited to effectively conduct a lesson plan.... [Read more]
5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching Business English - TEFL Blog
Thu, 28 Mar 2019 Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
5 Advantages and Disadvantages of Teaching Business English
Teaching "Business English" is an interesting context for an English teacher. A lot of teachers are concerned about teaching in this context because they think that they need detailed knowledge or experience about business. Even though a knowledge of business is useful, it is not the number one skill or ability a teacher should have. On the contrary, there is nothing to fear as essentially you are still an English teacher and your students (clients) often have the business knowledge they need, but can just not express themselves in English. So it is all about adapting and taking your normal teaching approach from the general English class, and making it work in the business... [Read more]
5 Fun Activities for Students of Different Ages - TEFL Blog
Wed, 06 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Fun Activities for Students of Different Ages
Activities bring your classroom to life. They provide meaningful and fun use of language. Children learn through play and it is how adults learn, too. Acting, moving, having fun help learners effectively participate in the lesson, and retain what is being taught.
Table of Contents
The following are 5 activities with flashcards in the classroom:
1. Cups and cards (young kids):
2. Picture word match race:
3. Slam:
4. Four Corners:
5. Shopping:
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Trang M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The... [Read more]
5 Engaging Activities With a Set of Flashcards - TEFL Blog
Thu, 21 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Engaging Activities With a Set of Flashcards
Flashcards are considered to be an effective means to introduce new vocabulary in the ESL classroom. They are vivid, easy-to-use and they are considered to stimulate active recall method which helps us to retain the vocabulary for long periods. Some teachers consider that flashcards can to be used for young learners only. In my opinion, even adults will benefit from using flashcards. They can help to reduce TTT while introducing new vocabulary, can be used as a revision activity, and when adapted, can even be applied to practice vocabulary in complex grammar structures.
Table of Contents
1. Disappearing flashcards
2. The game is called "Darts"
3. Pictionary
4. TPR and flashcards or... [Read more]
The 5 Best Theories of Learning for ESL Teachers - TEFL Blog
Thu, 14 Feb 2019 Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
The 5 Best Theories of Learning for ESL Teachers
There are many learning techniques and the course covered four major groups – constructivists, maturationists, environmentalists, and others.
Table of Contents
Maturationist, Environmentalist and Constructivist and Other Theories
Discovery Learning
Native Language Learning
Discovery Learning and EFL Students
Downsides of Discovery Learning
Are you ready to start teaching English abroad?
Listen to this blog post
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kathi Z.
Maturationist, Environmentalist and Constructivist and Other Theories
The fundamentals of the maturation theory is the natural biological process humans go through. There is a natural sequence... [Read more]
5 Challenges of Teaching EFL to Kindergarten Level Students - TEFL Blog
Thu, 21 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Challenges of Teaching EFL to Kindergarten Level Students
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Susan W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Table of Contents
1. Self-introduction
2. Reasons for practicing as an EFL Teacher
3. Ways in which EFL will guide me achieve my goals
4. Games and activities in the classroom
5. Planning my New Lesson
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1. Self-introduction
I am Susan and I'm 40 years female from Kenya and I have graduated with a bachelor's degree in Art in Education. I have been teaching young learners in Kenya for two years and I was invited to teach English in southern... [Read more]
5 Important Areas of Life Where Grammar is Vital - TEFL Blog
Thu, 16 May 2019 Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
5 Important Areas of Life Where Grammar is Vital
Grammar can be defined as the study of the classes of words, their inflections and their functions and relations in the sentence (see Merriam Webster) or grammar is a linguistic tool that determines the rules for presenting sentences correctly. It involves a number of related sub-fields including syntax, phonetics, morphology, and semantics. That is to say, grammar is the system of the language and is the rules that make it possible for us to talk about language. Grammar names the types of words and word groups which could make up sentences not only in English but in any other language. As human beings, we can all do with grammar, even as children. But it is not everybody who is able to... [Read more]
5 Important Personal Qualities of a Teacher Which Influence Students’ Learning - TEFL Blog
Mon, 17 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Important Personal Qualities of a Teacher Which Influence Students’ Learning
Many English language learners have different motivations, interests, and skills in learning a new language. In a classroom with diverse backgrounds and skill levels, it's very important that a teacher strives to understand each of their students to the best of their abilities and support them along in their journey to learning English.
Table of Contents
What Are Personal Qualities?
1. An Ability to Listen
2. An Ability to Empathize
3. An Ability to Build Rapport
4. An Ability to Be Patient
5. An Ability to Adopt
Are you ready to work on your teaching qualities? Take a TEFL course!
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Listen to this blog post:
This post was written by our... [Read more]
5 Steps to Teaching the Degrees of Comparison in an ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Wed, 25 Nov 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
5 Steps to Teaching the Degrees of Comparison in an ESL Classroom
ESL students face the rules for the degrees of comparison early on in their English learning path. However, this topic may become daunting and lead to constant mistakes later on due to problems like confusing different degrees, doubling up, formulating unbalanced comparisons, etc.
Table of Contents
What Are Adjectives?
For example:
Adjective Degrees
Irregular Comparative
Syllable
Bonus Rule
For example, let's take a positive adjective slow:
Do you want to develop your ESL teaching career? Take a TEFL course today!
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
In this blog post, you will learn five easy steps... [Read more]
5 Factors Influencing The Choice of Activities for Students With Shorter Attention Spans - TEFL Blog
Wed, 05 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Factors Influencing The Choice of Activities for Students With Shorter Attention Spans
First of all, I notice that adults have a bigger focus on what the teacher is saying and doing during the lesson, than the kids or teenagers. It is because, in my opinion, adults realize why they need to study English. For example, they will be able to find a better job or they may get an enhancement. So they know it is one of the important goals for them for a particular period of their life. And speaking about kids, they are too young first of all. They do not have a clue what is a goal and why they need it. The only thing they know is that their parents want them to study well, but it's not enough in a lot of cases. And sometimes the kids... [Read more]
5 Benefits of Sharing a 17sq-meter Apartment in Tokyo on the JET Program - TEFL Blog
Wed, 02 Dec 2020 Maddy Payne
Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
5 Benefits of Sharing a 17sq-meter Apartment in Tokyo on the JET Program
In 2019, my sister and I received the exciting news that we had been accepted into the JET Program to live and teach English in Japan! If you have ever looked at teaching in Japan, or even Asia in general, you have probably come across the JET Program before. JET allows you to live and work in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) while earning one of the highest wages you can get as an ALT.
Table of Contents
1. The freedom of choice
2. Everything becomes cheaper
3. What household chores?
4. A tiny apartment makes you leave said tiny apartment
5. A minimalist dream
Are you ready to teach English in Japan?
Related Articles:... [Read more]
The 5 Most Common Types of EFL Students and How to Deal with Them - TEFL Blog
Tue, 19 Jun 2018 Linda Dunsmore
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
The 5 Most Common Types of EFL Students and How to Deal with Them
So you have got your TEFL certificate in hand and are about to set foot into your very own classroom abroad. You have planned your lessons, created your teaching materials and marked the right pages in your textbook. There's only one more thing to consider: challenging students! Here are the 5 common types of EFL students and how to deal with them in the classroom.
Table of Contents
1. The Dominator
2. The Class Clown
3. The Silent Student
4. The Translator
5. The Arguer
Listen to this blog post
Are you ready to teach English abroad?
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1. The Dominator
Every teacher loves students who are eager to learn and enthusiastic about your lesson.... [Read more]
5 Exciting Flashcard Activities - TEFL Blog
Thu, 25 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Exciting Flashcard Activities
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate EUNICE E. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Table of Contents
1. All Change
2. Board Bash
3. British Bulldog
4. Call My Bluff
5. Chanting Game
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1. All Change
Players stand in a circle, with one player in the middle. Each player in the circle has a picture or word flashcard. Call out two of the picture card items. The two players holding these cards have to change places without the person in the middle taking one of their spots in the circle. When the person in the middle succeeds in taking a place in the... [Read more]
5 Fun Christmas Idioms - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
5 Fun Christmas Idioms
Here are 5 fun English idioms and provers related to Christmas.
Are you interested in teaching English as a foreign language?
Get your TESOL Certification with ITTT.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Check out ITTT's Blog Posts
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Top-5 Fun Flashcard Activities - TEFL Blog
Thu, 03 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Top-5 Fun Flashcard Activities
Flashcards can be great tools for eliciting vocabulary, but teachers should not overlook the numerous other uses for these great tools. Flashcard games can add excitement to young learners' classes. The following activities are aimed to drill the vocabulary in the second study phase of the lesson, after the elicitation of vocabulary.
Table of Contents
1. Game for liars
2. Get on the other side of the bridge
3. Memory challenge
4. Keyword race
5. More for listening skills
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kiyomi Ann H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions... [Read more]
Top 5 Activities With Flashcards - TEFL Blog
Mon, 09 Dec 2019 Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Top 5 Activities With Flashcards
Flashcard is an indispensable tool that every teacher needs during the studying process. Regardless of the age of the students, it can be used effective equal with young learners or adults. Usually, in the ESL classes, the teacher uses flashcards when they need to teach new or review the previous vocabulary. It's also one of the easiest ways to add some games into your lesson, cause mostly it doesn't need special preparations. Young learners especially like flashcard games because usually it's active games and allow them to have fun during the lesson.
Table of Contents
1. Flashcards hunt
2. Flashcard Story Prompts
3. Cups game
4. Memory matching
5. Active game
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a... [Read more]
5 Perfect Activities With Flashcards - TEFL Blog
Wed, 25 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Perfect Activities With Flashcards
Flashcards on its own is an easy method to apply when teaching beginners, teenagers even adults because they can match the words to the pictures and it's an easy way to remember new vocabulary. I think this is the best way of acquiring a new word of a second language because identification and recognition is the key.
Table of Contents
1. Ask, Guess and Answer
Materials:
2. Display Flashcards on the Floor
Materials:
3 From Here to There
Materials:
4. Rhyme Concentration
Materials:
5. Puzzling Words
Materials:
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sombong V. Please note that this blog post might not... [Read more]
5 Fun Activities with Flashcards - TEFL Blog
Wed, 19 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Fun Activities with Flashcards
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Raijmond W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Table of Contents
1. Game for liars
2. Get on the other side of the bridge
3. Memory challenge
4. Keyword race
5. More for listening skills
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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1. Game for liars
The liar game is a flashcard activity that can be used to drill vocabulary. This activity is ideal for vocabulary that a teacher is introducing as the activity involves repeating after the teacher. For this activity, the teacher should clap twice, point to a flashcard and say the vocabulary word. If the word... [Read more]
5 Most Popular ESL Games - TEFL Blog
Tue, 23 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Most Popular ESL Games
After doing some research online and asking some of my friends who are experienced teachers, I have compiled a list below of what we believe to be the five favorite flashcard games.Until I am a practicing teacher myself, I cannot come up with my favorite list and it would also, of course, depend on the age and ability of the students.
Table of Contents
1. Musical Chairs
2. Bean Bag Toss
3. Blind Man
4. Bingo
5. Write Around the Room
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alessandra F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
1. Musical Chairs
This is a classic... [Read more]
Last posts written by Gökhan
Gökhan Yilmaz
I’m from Turkey and a graduate from the English/French department with a bachelor's degree from the University of Khartoum. I am also fluent in Arabic, which has lead me to become a freelancer in Iraq.
Read my articles
3 Main Advantages of a Non-Native English Teacher | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Gökhan Yilmaz
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
We have a saying; who knows something very well, cannot teach very well. If you are not a native speaker but you are a teacher in that language, you are well-prepared and working more than a native English speaker to avoid being tomfoolery and embarrassed in front of your students. This takes you one step ahead of someone whose native language is English. So here are 3 main advantages of a non-native English teacher.
5 Amazing... [Read more]
5 Minute Time Filler Activity - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
5 Minute Time Filler Activity
This is a fun time filler or end of lesson activity in which students practice vocabulary and quick thinking.
Are you interested in teaching English as a foreign language?
Get your TESOL certificate with ITTT.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Check out ITTT's Blog Posts
[Read more]
5 Fun and Engaging Flashcard Activities - TEFL Blog
Thu, 28 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Fun and Engaging Flashcard Activities
Flashcards are an integral part of teaching English as a second language, and the variety of uses of cards is innumerable. Flashcard-based activities help teachers to make lessons fun, engaging, and therefore more effective. According to numerous studies conducted in different countries, and by various linguists, there are several types of students with varying abilities of memory and types of mind. And usually many of these types are represented within any one class, which leads us to the conclusion that the teacher should address each of them during the lesson.
Table of Contents
Reasons to Use Additional Resources
Examples of Games
Name the Card
Match up
Couples
Sort and Name
Funny steps
Do... [Read more]
5 Flashcard Games for Younger Students - TEFL Blog
Tue, 02 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Flashcard Games for Younger Students
I have been teaching English to young learners in China for almost a year and I tried to make my lessons with and without flashcards. And I can say for sure, that it's really hard to teach children (3-12 years old) if you don't have prepared flashcards for your classes, but only an interactive whiteboard and some stuff to play games.
Table of Contents
There are some following advantages of using flashcards to teach children:
The games I use in my classroom are as follows:
1. Flashcard raise
2. Basketball with flashcards
3. What's missing
4. Hit the FC
5. Find flashcards
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today!
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This post was written by our TEFL... [Read more]
5 Simple Ideas on Teaching Grammar - TEFL Blog
Fri, 02 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
5 Simple Ideas on Teaching Grammar
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,... [Read more]