Culture In Writing

Should we teach culture in the EFL classroom? Absolutely. Language is deeply intertwined with culture, serving as its vocal representation. While mastering vocabulary and grammar is crucial, to fully understand the essence of English, EFL students should immerse themselves in the culture of English-speaking nations. This entails exploring cultural facets like music, films, literature, culinary traditions, and even fashion. Incorporating cultural elements not only enriches EFL lessons but also resonates with students, making the learning process more engaging and comprehensive. Table of Contents Use authentic materials Compare two cultures Introduce live native speakers Use food as a tool Use songs as a tool Use Online Resources Use authentic materials Authentic materials can be anything...  [Read more]

Should we teach culture in the EFL classroom? Put simply, language is a verbal expression of culture which means that culture clearly has to be seen as an important part of language learning. Although it is important to learn the vocabulary and grammar of English during lessons, to truly grasp what the language means to native speakers it is vital that EFL students learn as much as possible about the culture of English speaking nations. The good news is that students generally love learning about cultural issues, whether it is music, films, books, and TV, or other things such as food or fashion. So, how can we incorporate culture into our EFL lessons to make them interesting and productive? Use authentic materials Authentic materials can be anything that native English speakers might use...  [Read more]

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 Minh Huy Hoang Destinations Tips for EFL Teachers Coming to Teach English in Vietnam For an expat in Vietnam, the vast majority of work opportunities are tied to teaching English. These also happen to be among the best-paid jobs in the country. English is big business and teaching the language is a great way for an expat to earn a living in Vietnam. For those looking to do just that, here are some valuable tips. Table of Contents Learning About Vietnamese Culture Understanding Local Differences The Vietnamese Learning Method Are you ready to teach English in Vietnam? Related Articles: Learning About Vietnamese Culture First of all, you have to learn briefly about the culture of the country to be able to integrate. Here I would like to speak briefly about the...  [Read more]

Qualifications Best TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Qualifications Best 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 G.N. - Canada said: Volunteer teachingAn internet search will provide you with a plethora of suggestions for volunteer ESL teaching overseas. Besides a time commitment, many have a substantial financial requirement. If considering volunteering overseas, you would do well to research the opportunities to ensure the validity of the organization and to prevent unpleasant surprises upon reaching your destination. Some agencies require a bachelor?s degree and a substantial...  [Read more]

Fri, 01 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Usual Problems of Japanese Students in English A large number of obstacles can arise for the students when learning a foreign language. Some of these problems are related to the contrast between the mother language and the learned language. About the differences between L1 and L2, there is plenty of research in the field of contrastive linguistics. Moreover, regarding that topic, many papers can be found comparing English to Japanese with the aim to address the problems of Japanese learners of English. However, other predicaments with the apprehension of the L2 can develop when teachers underestimate the importance of the cultural dimension of the language taught. Concerning that particular impediment, less scientific literature...  [Read more]

How do you motivate TEFL students? To motivate TEFL students, understanding their age group and unique challenges is crucial. Young learners often respond with enthusiasm to fun activities, while adults are typically self-motivated, attending classes with clear objectives. However, teenagers present a distinct challenge. Due to heightened self-awareness, they might hesitate to participate out of fear of mistakes or peer judgment. To enhance motivation in teens, implement strategies that boost their confidence, incorporate relatable content, and create a supportive classroom environment that encourages participation and reduces fear of errors. Table of Contents Use plenty of pop culture Use a little competition Play to their strengths Use pen pals to encourage writing skills Only use age...  [Read more]

Mon, 20 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Tips for Bridging the Cultural Gap in an ESL Classroom in Asia Cultural capital according to French sociologist Pierre Bourdieu is the gathering of knowledge, skills, and cultural traits that a person obtains from their personal, social and educational environment (Bourdieu, 1991, p. 14). The educational system in a Korean society differs from the learning practices in Western society. Asian societies such as South Korea, prioritize a teacher-centered learning style where students are expected to respect teachers and not solicit too much information since communication is often indirect and implicit. This group-focused thinking is a main cultural learning difference from Western teachings where individualism is more emphasized...  [Read more]

Mon, 06 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Japanese Students Struggle with Communicating in English During my stay in Japan, Japanese people often told me how they can't communicate in English despite studying the language for six or more years in school. In Japan, students in junior and senior high learn English grammar and vocabulary in compulsory formal English classes. English is also taught in elementary school as foreign language activities. Yet despite spending several hours in English classes, many Japanese people graduate high school with poor English communication skills. Table of Contents Education system Class culture Learning goals Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Fri, 08 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Difficulties of Learning English as a Native Japanese Speaker Learning another language is one of the most powerful tools for connecting people around the world from different cultures. Opening an immeasurable amount of opportunities, learning English has many benefits including but not limited to expanding career options, exercising another part of the brain, and improving the ease of traveling to a foreign country. However, particularly for natives of Eastern countries, learning English may be very difficult due to the exoticism of sounds, writing, pronunciation, and structure. While Japan is unique in a sense, having a booming influence of Western culture after World War II, native Japanese learners face difficulties in...  [Read more]

Mon, 29 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Why Reading is Necessary for Successful Language Acquisition Learning a language begins with developing the receptive skills, either consciously or subconsciously, to get familiar with how the language is used and later for producing the language learned or observed. The sensory abilities include two modules: reading and listening. Of them, reading skills can have a wide variety of impacts not only on the individuals' overall language learning but also on the development of them as individuals. Table of Contents Means of Expression Grammar and Vocabulary Speaking Abilities Motivation Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many...  [Read more]

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Problems Japan Faces in Developing English as a Second Language There are several challenges Japan faces when it comes to learning English as a second language. Japanese culture is a bubble. Everything, including their ad signs, TV, games, government, studies, work and even the internet is filled with one language; Japanese. In a world of globalization, where your goods and services can come from literally any part of the globe. Japan is one of the few remaining homogenous cultures where English is still seen as an optional language. As the global economy becomes more global, the English language will likely become less optional, but essential. In addition to the cultural issues, Japan's English curriculum in the school is...  [Read more]

How do you motivate TEFL students? Motivating young learners often proves straightforward, as they typically greet activities with eager enthusiasm. Likewise, adult learners usually exhibit determination and interest, being in the class by choice and possessing explicit objectives related to their career, academic, or personal life. However, the teenage years can present a different set of challenges. As adolescents, learners often become reticent to participate in class due to fear of making errors or being embarrassed among their peers. Their self-awareness can hinder full engagement in classroom activities. Here are some effective strategies to bolster motivation and participation in your teenage students. Use plenty of pop culture While English learning may not enthuse your students,...  [Read more]

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to Improve English Writing Skills in Chinese Classrooms Creative writing classes are fun. Creative writing classes are rewarding. And sometimes, creative writing classes can be highly frustrating. I remember sitting down on a rainy day in Kunming, China, in front of me a cup of tea and a pile of homework assignments from my creative writing class. And I remember my disappointment as text after text turned out to be virtually identical, each one a variation of a popular Chinese fairy tale. Even the names of the characters seemed to have been picked from a very small pool of available names. Table of Contents The Lack of Creativity in China ESA Approach to Writing Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related...  [Read more]

Tue, 14 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas What is The Role of The Teacher in an ESL Classroom? Teachers play an essential role in educating their students. While teachers are known for this, they also serve many other roles. Teachers set healthy environments for the classroom, motivate students to perform well, can provide cultural expertise outside of the student's traditions, and have a greater understanding of the general difficulty in learning English as a second language. The role of the teacher is to guide the student, allowing them to perform to the best of their ability. Table of Contents Environment Organization Motivating Practice Cultural Clarification Rapport Building Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was...  [Read more]

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Reading Books in Early Childhood Stories are an important part of any culture, English speaking or not. They can be oral or written and can showcase how culture works and their history. Whether old traditional stories or new popular current stories, the tales we share with young children can shape their developing ideas and values. Table of Contents How can you and your students benefit from storytelling? Stories in language learning Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rochelle L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. How can you and your students benefit from storytelling? When...  [Read more]

Barbara Harrison Barbara teaches English to students worldwide. Her passion and inspiration for teaching and writing come from a life rich in travel, diversity, and culture. Read my articles 4 Tips on How to Teach English Using Music | ITTT | TEFL Blog Barbara Harrison Teaching Ideas Songs are the perfect way to get your students involved and remembering vocabulary and phrases in English. Here are 4 tips on how to teach English using music.  [Read more]

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 Regan McAllister TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas How to Keep English Fun By Diversifying Your Lessons Learning another language can and should be fun. A primary focus as a teacher should be to create an engaging learning environment for students. One of the simplest ways to do this is by diversifying your lessons. Having a variety of teaching styles and activities is a productive way to ensure that you teach a combination of skills and touch on the interests of all students. Table of Contents Why Diversify? Ways to Diversify Your Lessons Don't Forget About Culture! Make English Classes Fun! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Why Diversify? Monotony breeds boredom. Having different activities and...  [Read more]

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why EFL Teachers Need to Develop Their Teaching Skills A teacher must possess several skills to teach effectively. The skills required include, but are not limited to, communication, organization, patience, flexibility, adaptability, creativity, in-depth knowledge and understanding of teaching approaches, techniques, and the subject matter. The combination of these skills contributes to the teacher's success in educating students in any country. Table of Contents Communication Organization and Creativity Patience and Adaptability Flexibility Knowledge and Understanding Research and seek improvement Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video...  [Read more]

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Can Teachers Develop the Productive Skills of Japanese Junior High School Students Change is coming to the way that English is taught in Japanese public schools. The changes to the curriculum by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) increase the teaching of English at all levels of schooling. The goal of this change is, in the words of Ikuko Tsuboya-Newel, founder and chair of Tokyo International School, "The government has decided that beginning in 2020 all high school graduates must achieve a level of English equivalent to B1" ("Why do Japanese have trouble learning English?", The Japan Times, October 29, 2017). To achieve that goal, high school entrance exams are expected to include more...  [Read more]

Where is EFL taught? Within the world of English language teaching there are many acronyms used to describe what type of teaching is involved in any particular scenario. EFL is one of the more common ones you will come across and it stands for English as a Foreign Language. You will find EFL is most commonly used when describing the teaching or learning of English in a non-English speaking country, such as Spain, Japan, or Mexico. What’s the difference between EFL and ESL? It is very common for either of these acronyms to be used when talking about any situation where a student is learning English, however, there is a technical difference between the two. As previously mentioned, EFL is when the student is learning English in a non-English speaking environment, for example, a Japanese...  [Read more]

Lesson Higher TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Lesson Higher 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.T. - Korea said: Problems for English Learners in korea There are a variety of problems facing language learners in korea. In the course of this paper I will avoid discussing the obvious issues, such as the "L/R" pronunciation problem that is typical of Asian students, and focus on further reaching ones. The issues I intend to address are cultural and institutional. That is to say, that korean culture and the education system itself presents a unique set of problems for language...  [Read more]

TEFL in Canada - Vancouver Date posted:2005-11-17 | Writer: EME Vancouver | Email: [email protected] Education Level required: Bachelor Degree Qualification required: Other Experience required: Any Job starting: Oct 2005 Created: Oct 23 2005 You must be able to teach grammar, listening, idioms, pronunciation, vocabulary and conversation. We teach adult university students and professionals from all around the world. Students discuss global issues, political history, economy, pop culture, media, gender and sex, family politics and social problems. Our teachers are prepared to encourage expressive conversation, curb judgement and ensure that each student enjoys equal speaking opportunities. Teachers correct students verbally and in writing, while maintaining a light, friendly and...  [Read more]

Global TEFL Language Check out tefl tesol about Global TEFL Language 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.J. - U.S.A. said: Learning Difficulties I narrowed the general topic Learning Difficulties to the Asian community. I expected to see more articles discussing the problems Asian students have learning English. And yet the emphasis was on how teaching methodology creates many of those problems. The articles would generally refer to pronunciation, vocabulary and grammar. Asian students have problems pronouncing certain sounds such as ?l? and ?r? because of the different...  [Read more]

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Typical Challenges for Chinese English Learners This essay answers the question for number 10 "what are the main problems for learners in the country of China?" I am a professor at Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China and share my observations. Our students are in the North American College (NAC), with partners in Canada at Lambton College and Northwood University, USA. Three areas are most interesting to their learning challenges: college preparation, listening and writing. Table of Contents Exam System Lexical Units Digital Autism Writing Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Annette P. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Cost TEFL Diploma Check out tefl tesol about Cost TEFL Diploma 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 B.M. - U.S.A. said: Teaching Slang & IdiomsInstructing Slang and Idioms may be a tedious task for a teacher, but it can convey a necessary understanding of the cultural communication. I want to discuss the importance of instructing this vital means of communication after quickly examining the backlash against texting slang from the community. In the day and age when students of all ages are online and available through assorted forms of social media and mobile devices, the...  [Read more]

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Most Problematic Challenges for English Learning in Japan Japan is a Pacific Island nation whose history is marked by periods of nationalism and seclusion, as the Japanese government closed the borders to international trade. The lack of foreign influence in Japan has enabled a unique culture to flourish and the population to remain nearly 98% homogenous, meaning nearly everyone that lives in Japan is Japanese. Table of Contents English in Japan Speaking Difficulties Classroom Atmosphere International Programs Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Andrew C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs...  [Read more]

Where is EFL taught? EFL, standing for English as a Foreign Language, predominantly refers to the instruction of English in non-English speaking countries. This encompasses many popular countries for teaching such as Spain, Japan, Mexico, and numerous others. In these settings, learners engage with English even though it is not the dominant language of their environment. While EFL can also denote courses in English-speaking nations, its primary context is the teaching or learning of English where it isn't the native language. Table of Contents What's the difference between EFL and ESL? What's the difference between teaching EFL and teaching ESL? What's the difference between EFL and ESL? It is very common for either of these acronyms to be used when talking about any situation where a...  [Read more]

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information Alumni Experiences TEFL for Non-Native English Speakers - Is it possible? TEFL is an essential certificate for native and non-native English speakers who want to teach English abroad. TEFL stands for "Teaching English as a Foreign Language". It is believed that TEFL courses are merely a precondition to teaching English abroad, but actually, a TEFL will open a completely new world of education and travel. Table of Contents What is Teaching English as a Foreign Language? Non-native speakers have studied English in depth. Non-native English teachers understand what it's like to learn a second language. Bilingual or multilingual people are more open-minded. Non-native English teachers add their own cultural perspective to the classroom....  [Read more]

Teach English in Thailand Date posted:2019-12-23 | Writer: WE World of English | Email: [email protected] Teach English to Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai students living in Sriracha, Chonburi, Thailand! WE World of English are now hiring native level EFL teachers for full time positions starting from February and March of 2020. WE World of English is an English language school and International English Nursery, located in the sunny city of Sriracha, Thailand in Chonburi province, which sits between Bangkok and Pattaya city. It's a quiet town with an atmosphere unlike other places in Thailand. There is a large Japanese community living locally and a Japanese elementary/junior high school, as well as multiple Japanese kindergartens. Although WE is based in Thailand, presently...  [Read more]

EFL Teachers Needed for Summer Camp in Bulgaria Date posted:2019-04-04 | Writer: English Language and Culture Programme | Email: [email protected] The English Language and Culture Programme (ELACP) are looking for reliable, enthusiastic and creative EFL teachers for our summer school/camp in Varna, Bulgaria. The camp is located in an idyllic setting, in the picturesque seaside village of Kranevo in Varna. This could be ideal as a working holiday or experience to try out your TEFL skills. All teaching materials are provided and induction is given at the Centre. Your task will be to teach international students reading, writing and speaking English. The students are aged between 7 and 17, from beginner to advanced level. There is also a small adult class for group leaders and parents. A big...  [Read more]