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What are Conditionals? - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
What are conditionals? In simplest terms, they say "if this happens, then that happens". They're commonly referred to as 'if' sentence structures'.Table of Contents
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In this blog entry we're going to introduce conditionals. What are conditionals? In simplest terms, they say "if this happens, then that happens". They're commonly referred to as 'if sentence structures' because they often contain the word 'if'. There is variety of patterns that we use depending on the situations that we're talking about, depending on whether the situation is factual or completely impossible,... [Read more]
Coursebook Review - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
There are thousands of English coursebooks nowadays, and one might get confused while trying to choose a coursebook for the students. I have faced this problem as well, trying to choose the coursebook for private classes with a 7-year-old student who has already learned some English before.Table of Contents
Oxford Resources and Materials
Coursebook Contents
Feedback
Structure
Revision
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Elena K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
As far as I am concerned, Oxford University Press is known to be one of the best ESL coursebook "producers" in the world. One of their... [Read more]
Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information
In the teaching of productive skills and the teaching of receptive skills activities will usually involve some form of game and our consideration here will be the use of games in the classroom.Table of Contents
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A game is an activity that;
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We can start with a definition of what we actually mean by a game and basically this has three components.
1) Has rules2) Should have (for its use in the classroom) a teaching point 3) Should include an element of fun So that will be our working definition for a game that we are going to use in the classroom.
There are many different types of games and... [Read more]
Learning with Diversity - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
One of the main things to keep in mind at all times as a TEFL teacher is the concept of cultural sensitivity. As a TEFL teacher, many possible scenarios may come up as culturally inappropriate for the country that one may be teaching in at the time. It is important to develop a thorough understanding of how to prepare oneself beforehand as well as the importance behind that understanding of the difference in cultural beliefs and norms. There are many benefits to showing an attitude of acceptance and respect for the cultures. This issue needs to be addressed from all angles to secure a healthy relationship with the students.Table of Contents
Reasons to be culturally sensitive
Benefits of cultural diversity
Inclusive teaching
Do you want to teach... [Read more]
Which ‘English’ Should I Teach? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
English is a language that has a variety of dialects: particularly, there are three different major English segments. English (American ), English (Australian), and English (British or Uk). The three segments have differences in the way they are written and spoken. In this article, I will compare American English versus British English and my own experience with these two.Table of Contents
British English
American English
My Experience
Training Course
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate maria c. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
British English is a very formal form of the English language. The Uk... [Read more]
Productive and Receptive Skills in the EFL Classroom - Writing Skills - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
The second of the productive skills is writing and here again we'll have a look at the background needed to create a typical lesson for writing skills.Table of Contents
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One of the things to be aware of in a writing skills lesson is that writing tends to be more formal than spoken English, so there will be some differences between the two. An example is that writing very often uses less contracted forms.
On the other hand, there are also many similarities between the two skills. This means many of the considerations that we had for a speaking skills lesson will also apply here to a writing skills lesson.... [Read more]
7 Cool Post-it Note Icebreaker Activities - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How to start your very first lesson or transition to study after a long summer vacation? The following activities help you easily break the ice with your English students. Students of all ages love interesting games that encourage interaction. Try one of them as a starter or as an icebreaker!Table of Contents
1. All-Star Class
2. Where Are You From?
3. Get to Know
4. A Matched Set
5. Question Mixer
6. Two Truths and a Lie
7. Hidden Treasure
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Ask students to draw an self portrait and display them on a bulletin board in class. Each person writes a positive adjective describing each of their classmates on a sticky... [Read more]
What is “Observed Teaching Practice” and Why do You Need it in Your Classroom? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Observation is an essential element in the teaching-learning process. It is a powerful tool that is underestimated by some teachers, the fact which in its turn hinders the progress of the students and slows down the teacher's professional development. Observation can be viewed from different aspects such as peer observation, self-observation, and observation of the students at the lesson.Table of Contents
Peer Observation
Self Observation
Observation of the Students at the lesson
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alina S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
While conducting peer observation two... [Read more]
Why Is Motivation Important in the Classroom? - TEFL Blog
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.Table of Contents
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
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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... [Read more]
The Benefits of Music in Learning - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Music has the power to enhance learning experiences. From evoking emotions to fostering connections and improving memory, incorporating music in the classroom brings numerous benefits.Table of Contents
The Emotional Impact of Music
Music as a Universal Language
The Impact on Learning and Memory
Harnessing the Power of Music
Conclusion
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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 reflect the views or opinions of ITTT. The content provided in this post is... [Read more]
Best TEFL Blog - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
If you want a one-stop shop for all things TEFL related, you should head over to the ITTT Blog where you will find a vast amount of interesting information. The blog contains all manner of fascinating posts from professional TEFL experts and our very own course graduates. You will find helpful tips on visas and work permits, salaries and budgets, and general TEFL course information. There is also a section on teaching locations that looks at many of the most popular destinations from a wide variety of angles, as well as some great teaching ideas that you can use to transform your own classroom into a modern, fun and productive environment. A large part of the blog is given over to our TEFL course graduates who take the time to write about their experiences of teaching... [Read more]
Why Are Teaching Skills Important? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Learning another language is useful and is also an essential skill for life and work. But what qualities make someone is a good teacher and what skills should they possess? A good teacher needs to have qualities such as caring about teaching, having a passion for learning, and having professional knowledge of their fields of teaching.Table of Contents
Teaching Methods
Body Language
Motivation and Encouragement
Troubleshooting
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xianjie M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Firstly, the methods most commonly used by good teachers include how to properly manage... [Read more]
English, The Universal Language - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Over a hundred years ago, in the late 19th century, a Polish-Jewish eye doctor named Dr. Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof wanted to bridge the gaps and misunderstandings between different ethnic groups that he grew up around. Being from a Polish city that, at the time, was a polyglot, multi-ethnic mixture of Poles, Russians, Jews, Lithuanians, and Germans, he saw there was a great deal of distrust between each group, and he believed it was due to the language barriers that each imposed. To create a common ground between every group, he created an international, universal language called Esperanto (Yaffe, 2017). While it was a great idea to create a language that did not belong to any ethnic group and could be used universally, it did not take off in the 20th... [Read more]
How to Effectively Manage a Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Classroom management means putting up all ways related to classroom organization to establish a great and effective learning environment effectively. Classroom management creates a set of expectations used in an organized classroom environment, it includes routines, rules, and consequences. It also paves a way for the teacher to engage students in learning. It is very important to effectively manage a classroom as it prepares and gets students to be engaged in learning as well as boasts learners' confidence.Table of Contents
Creating strong teacher-student relations:
Parent's consultation:
Clear expectations and routines:
Clear set rules:
Consistency:
Preparation:
Role model:
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This... [Read more]
Comparative Teaching Methodologies - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
This is my teaching experience so l will tell it in the form of a story. In 2011, l sat for my Advanced Level final exams and then applied for a post of temporary teacher at a school in an area called Date. Beginning of 2012, l traveled to Date from Harare to begin what l call a character building turmoil. I was an inexperienced 20-year-old girl who was about to take on a class that would be sitting for its final exam come to the end of that year, with half the class being my former primary school classmates and the other half not thinking much of me.Table of Contents
My Experience
Building Confidence
The Importance Of Communication
Conquering Doubts And Fears
Choice Of Assignments
Being Patient
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Related... [Read more]
Evaluation and Testing: What is the Necessity? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
During the grammar lessons of learning English, the aspect of tenses is inevitable. Tenses could be passed, present or future which could further be broken up into simple past, simple present or future continuous just to highlight a few. The past tense is important because it gives one some background information about an event when such an event is assessed.Table of Contents
What is testing?
What is evaluation?
Why is it important for students and teachers?
Course review
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate David K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Testing is a process that can be done using a... [Read more]
What Makes You a Good Teacher? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The role of a teacher is to help students acquire knowledge so that eventually, they can be competent in understanding and communicating in English. A good teacher is a successful teacher. The success or failure of a teacher lies not only on his/her teaching styles, but more importantly, the learning of the students. To a certain extent, the personality of the teacher may affect the learning of his/her students, but what is more indispensable is the relationship between the teacher and the students. A non-threatening relationship with the students can help to build the students' interests in learning, and create an atmosphere that is conducive and light-hearted for learning. A good teacher is also a responsible teacher who takes time in planning and... [Read more]
Teacher Self-Analysis: Why is it Important? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
"To be a good teacher, you need to love what you teach. Teachers are given the word not to put their thoughts to sleep, but to wake someone else's." - V. Klyuchevsky, Russian historianTable of Contents
Teaher's Self-development
Teacher's Attitude
Teacher's Professional Development
Teacher's Self-evaluation
How Self-analysis Influences Teaching?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zarina S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
A teacher who is able to learn will also be able to grow as a specialist, improve in his/her pedagogical activity and perfect his/her professional skills. The first and... [Read more]
The Ever-Changing Role of the Teacher - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Deciding what role will be held as a teacher as many variables. Teachers can be anywhere from instructors to policemen and many things in between on any given day. Being aware of which role is necessary and when will have an impact on the teacher and students.Table of Contents
Let us begin with the role of the instructor
This takes us to the next role of facilitator
When in front of the classroom the teacher becomes the mentor to the learners
Time to focus on the role of a psychologist
The counselor
Now onto the policeman
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Johnelle M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions... [Read more]
The Many Roles of a Teacher - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
At the cafeteria during lunchtime, a student of mine approached and asked me, "Why did you become a teacher?" Dumbfounded by this brazen question, I did not know what to say. I could have chosen motherhood statements like "I want to make a difference in the world," "to have a positive impact on my student's lives, "or that "I love children." I ended up saying to him, "Well, I am good at teaching." However, the truth of the matter is, I needed a job and there was an opportunity so I took it. You can say it was fate that called me to be a teacher. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine myself being a Grade 3 homeroom teacher! After having experienced a variety of jobs in my life from being a hotel banquet salesperson, a garments manager, an... [Read more]
Guide to Writing Your First TEFL Syllabus - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
So you've got your TEFL certificate in hand and landed your dream teaching job abroad. Once you're at the school, it's time to prep for your classes. More often than not, teachers are expected to create their own course syllabi for their different classes. Here is our guide to writing your first TEFL syllabus.Table of Contents
What is a course syllabus?
What does my syllabus have to include?
Writing your syllabus
How to time your syllabus
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This post was written by our ITTT graduate Zirui P.
The syllabus of a course is the frame of what the course is. It tells the students and the teacher what is being taught in the course as well as in what order it is being taught. This is... [Read more]
The Importance of English Grammar - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
In my opinion, Grammar plays an important role in English Learning and Teaching, because Grammar is the heart of any language. Learning English is the same as building a house and its grammar acts as a foundation and frame. Knowledge of English grammar helps us in the correction of mistakes and improvement of writing work. A person cannot learn a foreign language accurately only through a process of unconscious assimilation.Table of Contents
Grammar and Linguistics
1. The formal grammar helps us speak correctly in English:
2. Grammar helps us communicate correctly:
3. Grammar helps us improve communication skills:
4. Writing and speaking in formal grammar will increase the value of personal branding.
5. Correct grammar gives many benefits in applying for... [Read more]
How to Foster Motivation in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
A motivated student is a student who is eager to learn, and that means they are much more likely to absorb and retain what they are being taught than if they were disengaged or disinterested. This is why it is so important for teachers to foster motivation in the classroom and engage their students to be open to learning before the start of each lesson.Table of Contents
Methods
Plan Considering Students' Age
ESA Challenge
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lindsay G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
There are many different techniques teachers can use to get their students in a learning mindset.... [Read more]
The Quintessence of Building Rapport - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The trust that a person has in another is one of the most important parts of communication and the first step in strengthening bonds. Establishing rapport can put any individual at ease, whether it be in the business world, classroom setting or even a neighbor. To execute efficiently, a teacher must first inspire confidence in his or her students. In this summative assessment, I will show how establishing rapport is essential to the flow of the classroom.Table of Contents
Personal Experience
Methods to Build Rapport
1. Customized Activities
2. Grouping
3. Class Dynamics and Discipline
How did it work for me?
Preparation
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate... [Read more]
Lesson Planning: What is it and Why is it Necessary? - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Planning, planning, planning! Many things in life need to be properly planned, be it a summer holiday or a work presentation. It can be a plan that is formally written down or it can be a plan that you simply keep in your mind. Having some kind of structure in place before doing activities will help put you at ease because you know what to do next and what to expect. Planning will also make you more productive as there will be no 'guessing' time, you will know what to do and when to do it. Taking the time to plan your lessons will almost certainly save you time in the long run.Table of Contents
What is a Lesson Plan?
Constructing a Lesson Plan
Added Benefits of a Lesson Plan
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Why Learning Grammar is Essential - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Some may conclude that the correct usage of English grammar only matters to teachers and have no real relevance in day to day life. We have to conclude that this is incorrect because grammar, disregarding the country or the language, is the infrastructure of communication. For instance, in the simplest of examples, when a message is delivered with the correct usage of grammar, it is much more understandable and precise to comprehend the intent and meaning of that message.Table of Contents
Knowing proper grammar use is key
Grammar in writing
Grammar to cultivate habits
Improving grammar at its best
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rosendo D. Please note... [Read more]
Essentials of Lesson Planning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
A lesson plan is the starting point when thinking of a pending class, it is in the lesson planning stage where you can put your ideas onto paper. The lesson plan is evidence that you have thought about what you are going to do and why you are doing it. A lesson plan gives a teacher a structure to follow, not only in the sense of content but timings of activities and materials they are planning to use, and what learning the teacher hopes will take place.Table of Contents
Documenting your work
What to focus on?
Key points of your lesson plan
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yolande D. Please note that this blog post might not... [Read more]
What are Some Common Linguistic Problems - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
As we all know that the process of learning how to speak our first and second or third languages are different, we acquire the first language and learn second and third languages. When we speak our mother language, we can just say it automatically, we acquire our mother language from our environment, before we learn words and sentences, but when we learn a second language, we inevitably need to learn the vocabularies, clauses, sentences, grammar, etc first, then try to translate the second language to our mother language, which is complex. As far as common linguistic problems are concerned, I think there are a lot of problems to consider. Here are some of the most commoner linguistic problems.Table of Contents
Lack of environment
Grammar
... [Read more]
Why You Should Focus on Lesson Planning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Every great teacher knows that the secret to a successful lesson is a solid plan. There is more to teaching than what happens in the classroom.Table of Contents
Things to Include In Your Plan
What Will You Achieve
Parts of a Lesson Plan
Flexibility
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Madisen H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Teachers spend lots of time outside of class analyzing student needs and getting creative to prepare the ideal lesson for their students. Many important things should be included in these plans. Lesson planning contributes to both the day-to-day success of a class, as well... [Read more]
How to Make Up a Strategy For Your Lesson - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Generally, anything planned well in advance comes out much better and well organized as compared to something that is just done anyhow in any manner without any planning. As a teacher, it is important to know what you want to teach, why you want to teach and most importantly how you intend to teach. All these questions can only be answered when Lesson planning is done.Table of Contents
Teaching Goal
Students' Age
Lesson Stages
Learners' Level
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lucia F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
In trying to answer the questions raised above it is clear that the... [Read more]
