Anticipate Pronunciation

Lesson Planning - Part 3 - What does a lesson plan contain?   Then, we have a set of objectives and aims. Here, the learner objectives relate to what we're hoping the students are going to be able to do by the end of your lesson and quite often, that can be a useful way of writing out what the objectives are. So, we would start the sentence "By the end of the lesson, students should be able to?" and then a list of two, three or four items that we're expecting the students to be able to do by completing this lesson. The learner objectives are different to the teacher aims the teacher aims are what you are expecting from that lesson itself. Now, when you first start teaching, quite a normal aim might be to complete the lesson successfully, to get through the whole thing without...  [Read more]

Tue, 17 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Native Language Experience in Second Language Acquisition A language is a tool for people to communicate, so there must be some connections among different languages, include similarities and differences. If we can use their similarities properly and pay attention to differences, different languages can be interlinked. Therefore, the first language not only has a positive impact but also hurts second language acquisition. We call these effects 'language transfer'. There are two kinds of language transfer, positive transfer, and negative transfer. Table of Contents Benefits and Drawbacks Research in the Field Anticipated Problems Results Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was...  [Read more]

Fri, 24 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Lesson Planning: Main Principles That Help Your Students Become Successful Lesson planning is an essential part of ensuring that lesson objectives are met and that lessons are successful. There are two extreme approaches one could take to planning but, usually, an approach somewhere between both is best. The lesson plan serves several important functions regardless of which approach is taken. Most of all, lesson planning seeks to ensure that all students are actually learning from the lesson and making continual progress toward their language goals. Table of Contents Simplicity Organizational Skills Things to Consider Before Planning Goals and objectives Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This...  [Read more]

Thu, 09 Feb 2023 Hoàng Minh Huy TEFL Information Alumni Experiences 3 Essential Teaching Skills Every Teacher Needs To Know Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is a challenging yet rewarding task that requires a set of essential skills. Pronunciation, grammar knowledge, and teaching method are three crucial elements that every teacher needs to possess in order to be effective in their role. From developing a neutral pronunciation to understanding grammatical rules and exploring different teaching methodologies, these skills are necessary for both native and non-native English teachers. In this blog post, we'll delve into each of these skills, highlighting their importance and providing practical tips for improvement. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting out,...  [Read more]

Lesson Planning - Part 4 - Lesson Plan Example   Okay, so we're going to use this pro-forma as our lesson plan and we're going to fill one out as though we were planning for an actual lesson. So, we start off with some basic information about the class. So, the name of the teacher, date and time and the class level. In this particular case, our class is going to be an elementary class and the room will be room 3. Having looked through the registers we see that the expected number of students for this particular class is going to be 10. This will help us in creating our worksheet copies. The context of the lesson for this class is going to be present continuous tense and it may well be the first time that this particular level of class has been introduced to this tense. So, our focus...  [Read more]

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Rules of Phonetics and Phonology in ESL Teaching In my experience tutoring students in English as a foreign language, the most overlooked learning points were undoubtedly phonetics, phonology, and their connection to pronunciation. Occasionally, there would be a few students who specifically asked for materials that would allow them to perfect or improve their English accent. Some students even requested to receive tutoring in different accents such as the Australian accent. No matter what the request was, it became clear to me over time that the missing link when teaching pronunciation was its connection to phonology and phonetics. From this point on, I became incredibly interested in this topic. Table of Contents My Course Research...  [Read more]

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences Why Should I Complete a TEFL Course? As a secondary English teacher, there is one question that I kept asking myself "Why complete a TEFL course?" I have had years of experience teaching English literature, figures of speech, the technical aspect of academic English which are the structure of sentences, different tenses, etc. However, Teaching English as a Foreign Language is different from teaching academic English subject. Completing a TEFL course made me realized that it is better for students to learn faster and understand better on how students will be able to communicate to the outside world using the English language. Table of Contents Learn a teaching methodology Gain confidence Lesson planning The importance of pronunciation Take...  [Read more]

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Personal Experience in Teaching Multilingual Classes in the US Having previously been a small business owner, I began teaching an English conversation class as a volunteer at my local library just over two years ago to fulfill a community service requirement for my degree program. The experience of teaching English as a second language has been so personally rewarding that I am now pursuing it as a career change. Table of Contents Teaching Multilingual Classes Anticipated Problems Beginning of My Teaching Career Students Feedback Are you ready to start your teaching career? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Daniel E. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Wed, 04 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Challenges of the French Native Speakers in English Learning 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. Table of Contents 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 Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohamed S. Please note that this blog post...  [Read more]

Thu, 09 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How Teaching Groups is Different from Teaching Individual Students A TEFL teacher will encounter a lot of different things throughout their career and the sizes of the student population are no exception. There are two different types of lessons, group and one to one. While group and one to one lessons are no better than the other, one may excel in some areas where the other one isn't as strong at or the teacher may have to adapt their teaching style. The number of students in the classroom will affect how the lesson is carried, creates challenges and opportunities for the teacher, and affect student development. The teacher must consider these points to create an effective teaching and learning environment for all included....  [Read more]

Where can I get free TEFL lesson plans? Having a meticulously constructed lesson plan is an essential tool for any educator. It provides a roadmap, without which the trajectory of a lesson can go astray rapidly. Although as you amass experience, you may find that you don't need to invest as much time in detailed planning, in the early days of your teaching career, a robust plan can make the difference between a smooth, successful class and a chaotic one. A comprehensive lesson plan enables you to articulate your learning objectives, organize your time efficiently, prepare the required materials and equipment, and anticipate potential issues along with their solutions. A well-prepared plan serves as your guide, ensuring you navigate each phase of the lesson without undue stress or wasted...  [Read more]

Mon, 22 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Strengths of Non-Native English-Speaking Teachers in TEFL According to the 22nd edition of the Ethnologue, the English language ranks as the most spoken second language at 753.3 million speakers, compared to the second-ranked language which is Mandarin Chinese at 198.7 million speakers. We can see that English is the most globally spoken language by almost a billion people. There is a constant demand for English teachers all over the world and this raises a question; how can non-native English-Speaking teachers be effective EFL teachers? In this essay, I hope to answer this question by providing an insight into the various qualities and experiences that a non-native English-Speaking teacher should possess that make them...  [Read more]

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Pros and Cons of ESL in Kindergarten Learning a new language is not an easy task, regardless of the age it is learned at. Typically it is a little easier to learn languages at a young age, as most of the learning process is done subconsciously and most activities are geared to be fun and informative. It is important to begin learning languages at a young age and begin to stimulate the different parts of the brain involved in language processing. Therefore it is important to begin learning English as a foreign language in kindergarten classes. Table of Contents Anticipated Problems Teaching Ways Personal Experience Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Tue, 25 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Useful Tips on How to Adopt Lessons for One-to-One Teaching When teaching English lessons, a teacher will more than likely find themselves in the position of teaching a class with only one student. It is for this reason that it is useful to consider the ways in which a teacher needs to adapt their lessons to be suitable for one to one teaching. It is also useful to consider the advantages and disadvantages of such classes in order for the teacher to be better prepared for any issues that may arise. Table of Contents How many students? Consider Your Prepared Activities Anticipate Possible Problems Adjust Your Techniques Find Appropriate Materials Do you want to teach English abroad? You're one step from it. Take a TEFL course today!...  [Read more]

Lessons Authorized TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Lessons Authorized TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts C.W. - U.S.A. said: Multiple IntelligenceTeaching English as a Second Language in America today outside the University presents its own set of problems. The students are mostly immigrants from Mexico with a small representation of students from various Asian countries. The students come from all different backgrounds. The majority comes from rural areas and few have finished high school. Some come from cities and usually have finished high school. This does not however...  [Read more]

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Reading as a Skill to Enhance General Language Ability Reading affects language acquisition based on the level of the content read, the type of content, and the reader's external sources of language acquisition. This summative text will explain the different difficulties that can arise when any English learner uses reading as their sole or primary language acquisition mode. Table of Contents Anticipated Problems Formal Vocabulary and Structures The Problem of Spoken Language Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Laura J. Please note that this...  [Read more]

Fri, 03 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Cultural Awareness in TEFL Teaching Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) involves dynamic, cross-cultural English language instruction, requiring a level of intentional, service-oriented cultural sensitivity and awareness with new English learners that may not be so readily understood or relevant with native speakers from the United States of America. Beyond the memorization of rote grammar, language proficiency, public speaking, reading comprehension, and other elements of linguistic aptitude, there must first be a deliberate recognition of the unique challenges of a non-native speaker of the English language. While our units do not suggest that instructors allow learners to speak in their native tongue regularly, its...  [Read more]

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How to Deal with Sensitive Situations in the Classroom Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) involves dynamic, cross-cultural English language instruction, requiring a level of intentional, service-oriented cultural sensitivity and awareness with new English learners that may not be so readily understood or relevant with native speakers from the United States of America. Beyond the memorization of rote grammar, language proficiency, public speaking, reading comprehension, and other elements of linguistic aptitude, there must first be a deliberate recognition of the unique challenges of a non-native speaker of the English language. While our units do not suggest that instructors allow learners to speak in their native...  [Read more]

Fri, 02 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Teaching One-to-One Increases Teacher’s Confidence When teaching English as a foreign language there are a few settings a teacher can choose from such as teaching online, in a traditional classroom, instructing a large group, or one-on-one, among others. I will be discussing the motives, advantages and disadvantages, special considerations, and activities associated with the one to one set of instructions. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Students with special goals and requests Anticipated problems Building relationships Engaging activities Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Austin S. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences Key Functions and Principles of Lesson Planning Lesson planning is an indispensable part of successful lessons. Generally speaking, lesson plans have various functions that are conducive to the classes. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: The function of a lesson plan Lesson planning principles What should a lesson plan include? The ESA method Are you planning to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Juan W. Listen to this blog post: The function of a lesson plan First and most importantly, lesson plans can help teachers think and deliver classes logically through different stages of the classes. It can...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Reasons Why Teaching Productive Skills is The Cornerstone of Communication For this Summative Task, I will be discussing the topic of teaching productive skills in the classroom. As opposed to receptive skills learned previously (reading and listening), productive skills focus on speaking and writing. Regarding writing, this function of language education is often the most neglected in the TEFL world, due firstly, to the fact that teachers and students don't want to monopolize class time with quiet individually driven work. Writing skills are mostly practiced in the form of homework which can often be neglected and completed without necessary focus and effort. Concerning speaking, this function requires a higher deal of language...  [Read more]

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching Various Groups of Students: Young Learners vs. Adults Not all Teaching English as a Foreign Language is equal. Different types of groups of learners include beginner vs. intermediate/advanced learners as well as monolingual classes vs multilingual classes. Another set of distinctive groups and perhaps the most contrary groups to be aware of are groups of young vs adult learners. In the following comparison, the many ways to ensure success with both types of groups will be discussed, as well as reasons the groups can be both challenging and rewarding. Table of Contents Group success Needs Analysis Anticipated Problems Benefits of working with both groups Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related...  [Read more]

Fri, 06 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Classroom Management is Essential in Setting Up Every Student for Success As teachers, the set and setting we create for our students are instrumental in how well they process, digest and ultimately define their relationship with all aspects of the English Language. Defined as the physical, mental, social and environmental context that an individual brings into an experience, we must consider the set and setting we provide every student on day 1 inside the classroom. This online ITTT TEFL course has provided us with a host of ways to motivate, encourage, inspire and continue to build an atmosphere that is both relaxed and creative in the same sense. Table of Contents First Day Rapport Building Activities Classroom Environment Lesson...  [Read more]

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas 5 Ways to Increase Teachers’ Confidence in Class: Useful Strategies You Need to Be Self-Assured This topic excites me the most as I am seeing myself becoming a teacher in the coming future, so why not explore it. As a teacher being confident can improve the overall effectiveness of the class because it's very easy and quick to judge the teacher's confidence by the student. Lack of confidence can lead to issues with classroom management. Table of Contents 1. Be prepared with a Plan 2. Relax and slow down 3. Do not try to be a perfectionist 4. Don't fear criticism focuses on your strength 5. Act Confident Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Whether it is someone's first teaching job or someone...  [Read more]

Wed, 25 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Teaching Listening Strategies to Beginner Learners in Mexico May be Helpful Listening is an important skill in which learners need help in developing their abilities. Listening strategies are so helpful. By giving a learner, tools to listen to the learner can develop more control over his/her listening abilities. Many learners ask " Teacher, how can I improve my listening?" The truth of the matter is with training from teachers. We can apply strategies in class to help learners overcome the obstacles, which they encounter while listening. The spoken text varies greatly from written text, and these differences can affect the listeners' understanding. For example, when listening to spoken text the learner must process the...  [Read more]

Thu, 17 Jun 2021 Anna Domiczek Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching Preschool ESL: Songs Songs and music are such an important part of an ESL preschool curriculum. Not only are they fun, but they are also very powerful tools to help young students learn English in a fun and entertaining way. Learning a second language at the preschool level needs to be experienced through engaging activities - words and actions need to go in tandem. Songs allow the children to move along and learn in a pleasant, fun way, in accordance with the TPR technique. They also serve as a tool to lower students' affective filter - according to the famous linguist Stephen Krashen's theory (1983), students can develop a blockage/filter toward their study because of a negative emotional attitude. When that...  [Read more]

Wed, 11 Dec 2019 Federico Riva Teaching Ideas The Ways a TEFL Instructor Influences Their Learners Teachers are people who help, motivate, and encourage students to acquire knowledge. Their role in society should not be underestimated, as they tend to have a significant influence on student achievement, discipline, and overall intelligence. Many personality characteristics can be linked with a good teacher, such as their ability to be kind, patient, lively, knowledgeable, and caring amongst many other things. Their primary role in the classroom, however, should be to effectively encourage learning. Almost everyone can name a teacher who stands out amongst the rest not because they gave easy A's, but rather due to their ability to fully engage and inspire their class. Table of...  [Read more]

Wed, 17 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Necessity of Understanding An EFL Student's Learning Experience As teachers, we often assume that we understand what our students are going through and that we can relate to the experience of learning in school because we have been there ourselves. However, many of us who teach English as a foreign language require a different empathy element to relate to our students truly. Learning a new language is a humbling experience, and doing it as a foreigner in a foreign culture is even more humbling. The question is, how many language educators can relate to this? Personally, though I do not know how many TEFL teachers have experienced a foreign language and culture for an extended period, I have had the privilege to...  [Read more]

Fri, 19 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Applicability of ESA Strategy to Academic Research Writing Instruction In this report, I describe how I, an English, but not ESL/EFL instructor, employed a scholarly text as a model which Chinese students used for their assigned academic research paper. I evaluate my work by considering ITTT ESL/EFL teaching techniques. My purpose is to explore ESL/EFL augmentations to my English comp teaching methodologies. Table of Contents Process Genre Approach Outcomes Methodological Basis Vocabulary ITTT Theoretical Base Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Tue, 12 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How and When to Reflect on Classroom Teaching Reflective teaching is not a contemporary science however, to find evidence of when this science began it would be an impossible task, like accessing the Vatican library. One could presume the first person which taught another something resourceful dedicated some time to reflect on its delivery and considered observing research, and planning. Table of Contents Let us first consider the benefits of reflective practices deployed by the teacher. As Schon explains: REFLECTION-IN-ACTION CRITIQUES OF REFLECTION-IN-ACTION THE SCIENCE OF REFLECTIVE TEACHING TOOLS FOR REFLECTIVE TEACHING CONCLUSION Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was...  [Read more]