Do You Speak In Arabic

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 Umber Sherjeel Destinations Alumni Experiences What is it like teaching English in Saudi Arabia? Being in the teaching field for more than a decade and having taught in Saudi Arabia for the last 7+ years, I will give some pointers about my experience here as an English Language teacher. Table of Contents A Booming Job Market Financial Aspects Fuel is cheap Multifaceted Culture Good news for English Native Speakers Tips for Teaching Arab Students Things to avoid during the lesson Duties to be fulfilled along with teaching Overall working environment Related Articles: A Booming Job Market The education industry in Saudi Arabia is very blooming. There are many international schools, colleges, and universities - and the English education field in Saudi Arabia...  [Read more]

Wed, 13 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Difficulties of Learning English for Arabic Speakers When native Arabic learners attempt to learn the English language, they are faced with a variety of difficulties since there are fundamental differences between the two languages. Arabic words have a three-consonant root as its base, so all words are formed by combining the roots with either a fixed vowel pattern or and affix. The Arabic language has 28 consonants and 8 vowels which is three times less than the English language in terms of vowel sounds. Due to those differences, Arabic learners struggle in the following areas; writing, grammar, phonology, and pronunciation when learning the English language. Table of Contents Writing Grammar Phonology Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Fri, 29 May 2020 Gökhan Yilmaz Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas 5 Common Problems for Arab Learners When Studying English This topic is very dear to my heart as I have been an English teacher in Arab countries for a long time. Therefore, I am writing this article as someone who has experience in learning both Arabic and English. In my observation, most of these difficulties either have to do with the students' native language (Arabic) or their cultural backgrounds. Here are the 5 most common problems for Arab learners when studying English. Table of Contents The Arabic Language Writing is Important Grammatical Differences Pronunciation Issues Reasons for learning English Related Articles: The Arabic Language As Arabic is written from right to left, English looks very strange to...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences My Unforgettable Experience Teaching Kindergarten in the Middle East Teaching English to non-English speaking students can be a big and challenging task. You need to be full of patience, understanding and passion if you decide to enter this vocation. I worked for ten years as a kindergarten teacher in the Middle East and at times it seemed like I was in a "jungle survival" competition. Table of Contents My first day in the 'Jungle' My second day in the 'Jungle' Major breakthrough! Embracing the local culture All my hard work paid off Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alona J. My first day in the 'Jungle' I was really in shock when...  [Read more]

Thu, 19 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Building Student Confidence Gradually Throughout a Course Being a student learning a new, foreign language I can acknowledge that feelings of insecurity and fear of making mistakes are often present. This can lead to students being quiet or non- participating. As a teacher, it is important to understand this and to make the students feel comfortable in class. Table of Contents From my experience Teaching styles Lesson structure Pace of teaching new material Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Adela J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. From my experience In my first month of...  [Read more]

Qualifications TEFL Weekend Check out tefl tesol about Qualifications TEFL Weekend 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 H. H. - Egypt said: Pronunciation Problems in EgyptI have been teaching English for almost eight years for Egyptian university students at the English Department. Out of my experience of teaching Phonetics and Phonology for those students, I can conclude that the Egyptian learners of English encounter many pronunciation problems because of two main reasons: the English spelling as a poor reflection of the English pronunciation as well as the differences between...  [Read more]

Tue, 05 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Problems for English Learners in the United Arab Emirates The United Arab Emirates though being a discrete country is a league of 7 states comprising people whose first language is Arabic. UAE being a prominent Arab country in Middle East homes to a myriad of Arabs from neighboring countries. Hence, the challenges that a learner's faces are also varying depending on the nativity of the person. I firmly believe there are four basic challenges that learners face in the UAE. Table of Contents The primary challenge a learner faces is the cultural background that the student carries. Also, there is a problem with comprehension. However few English words have their roots in Arabic, the two languages follow very different conventions....  [Read more]

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Grammar as a Starting Point of Your ESL Teaching Learning a language is acquiring the ability to produce the language and to produce the language accurately, a student needs to learn the grammar of that language. So, what is grammar? Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Definition of Grammar Tricky Issue The Way of Explanation Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sheila A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Listen to this blog post: Definition of Grammar Grammar is the study of the way words are used to make sentences. It is a set of rules that provides the...  [Read more]

Mon, 12 Apr 2021 Elizaveta Pachina Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Alumnus Experience: ✅ Teaching in Saudi Arabia Depending on which part of the world you are in, more often than not, you will find that majority of your learners, especially the younger ones, tend to be very tech-savvy nowadays. This is especially true in a Prep-Year setting in Saudi Arabia, where I'm currently based. When I speak about a Prep-Year location, I refer to young adults between the ages of 18-20 who have just finished high school and must complete a year of English language studies to begin their major. Table of Contents Main Challenges How to solve the problem Alumnus Idea Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads...  [Read more]

Thu, 13 Jun 2019 Jon ITTT Destinations Lifestyle vs. Money – 6 of the Best Places to be an English Teacher So you've finished your TEFL course and are trying to decide what to next. Do you want to chill out on a tropical beach sipping exotic cocktails as the sun lazily drops below the horizon after the week's teaching is done? Or are you looking to pay off the student loan while travelling the world and getting to know a whole new culture. Table of Contents Thailand Czech Republic Costa Rica South Korea Saudi Arabia Vietnam The United Arab Emirates Are you ready to start teaching English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This article looks at the differences between lifestyle and earning potential for popular TEFL destinations around the world. Thailand Tropical...  [Read more]

Mon, 24 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How The Location Influences Your Teaching Resources One of the many challenges I will face as a new teacher will be the uncertainty of the location where I will be teaching. The location and educational environment will impact the resources which will be available. Regardless of the location, however, in light of the rapid expansion of the internet, and vast array of websites, I think it is likely that students will be anticipating and expecting some use of the internet. As a member of the baby-boomer generation, I grew up and was educated prior to the development of the internet and when computer use was in its infancy. I am very accustomed to the traditional classroom with large class size, the teacher in the front of the room...  [Read more]

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Utilizing New Technology in an ESL Setting to Limit Smartphone Use Depending on which part of the world you are in, more often than not, you will find that majority of your learners, especially the younger ones, tend to be very tech-savvy nowadays. This is especially true in a Prep-Year setting in Saudi Arabia, where I'm currently based. When I speak about a Prep-Year setting, I am referring to young adults, between the ages of 18-20 who have just finished high school and must complete a year of English language studies to begin their major. Table of Contents Teaching such learners brings about several challenges. So, we know the problem and we know the restrictions. What can we do? So, how do we address this while at the same...  [Read more]

Mon, 25 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What Are The Problems For English Language Learners In Saudi Arabia? I was born in Saudi Arabia and I had to finish my education from kindergarten to high school in Jeddah and other cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Table of Contents The history of teaching English English Level Problems Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: As a student and a resident for more than 12 years there, I think that I have some experience in the education system in Saudi Arabia. I will try here to explain English learners' problems in Saudi Arabia with my personal opinion and experience. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hesham Z. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Fri, 16 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Benefits of Speaking a Foreign Language There are about 6500 spoken languages in the world today. 11 of those are here from my home country of South Africa. The most spoken language of them all is Mandarin. Language is what defines us. It is what divides us. It what we are taught and brought up to understand and one day pass on to the next generation. It is like being a unicorn. When there are none left, you will only read about it in books and professors who learned and studied about it. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Linguistic Diversity Challenges Pros of Learning a New Language Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences These Are the Most Common English Pronunciation Mistakes Made by Italian Native Speakers This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stefania F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Table of Contents Teaching English pronunciation to students of other languages is always a big deal. One of the biggest challenges when teaching English to Italians is its phonetics. I personally witnessed pronunciation difficulties when I taught English in Italy in high school last year. Apart from Italian students, I also taught a small group of French, Latin-American, and Arabic migrants, recently arrived in Italy. Not only did they have a low level of Italian, but they were...  [Read more]

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How Can English Influence a Student's Career English is my first language, however, I studied Spanish throughout high school growing up in the Midwest and eventually received a Master's degree in Spanish Literature. I learned to speak Spanish very well after becoming a high school Spanish teacher for eight years and then a principal for elementary and secondary schools for 26 more years speaking Spanish to new immigrant students and parents the whole time. Table of Contents Bilingualism Confidence Advantages and Perspectives Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rex P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Thu, 28 Mar 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences My Experience of Learning a Second Language as an American Second language acquisition in native English speakers from the United States is one aspect of American culture that is not widely discussed and seemingly overlooked in terms of its importance. Many factors contribute to the United States' largely monolingual culture despite have a "melting pot" of sorts with a population comprised of multiple ethnicities and nationalities. This culture of English speakers points to strong geographic features of its continental location and debatably its position in the world's economic index and political landscape. Table of Contents How language learning in Europe differs from America The difficulties for second language learners in America...  [Read more]

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences One More Look at American English and British English The United States and the United Kingdom's imperial histories and modern influences have had a significant effect on the English wording. Since English was exported to different countries across the world, the language has undergone different variations, the most common one being the British English vs. American English. The British introduced the language to Americans in the 17th century. At that time, the spelling had not been standardized. Given the number of regions where English is used, differences are bound to arise. Even though British and American English may seem similar, there are disparities in vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. Table of Contents Listen to this...  [Read more]

Fri, 13 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Common Problems for English Learners in Morocco Morocco's official languages are classical Arabic, and Berber ( indigenous language in North Africa) Classical Arabic, and second unofficial language in Morocco is the French language taught in General educational curriculum from primary school, and Spanish taught in the north as a second unofficial language, Thus learning a third or even fourth language for a Moroccan learner is not a big challenge, however, there are some difficulties to learn a language efficiently and accurately. Table of Contents Demand Teaching Quality Socio-economical situation Huge classes School types Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our...  [Read more]

Fri, 28 Jun 2019 Jon ITTT Destinations Etiquette Rules in 4 Different Middle East Countries If you want to be a TEFL teacher around the world, it is important to make sure you are as well prepared as you can possibly be before entering a classroom. It is equally important to have a good understanding of the country and culture you are hoping to make your home while you are teaching. Below we look at some important aspects of etiquette in different countries in Middle East. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Bahrain Jordan Are you ready to teach English in the Middle East? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: The Middle East is an area with a reputation of modest conservatism and while this differs in degree from country to country,...  [Read more]

Tue, 26 Jun 2018 Linda Dunsmore Destinations TEFL Information The 8 Best Countries in the Middle East for Teaching English Abroad Are you thinking about teaching English in the Middle East? This region is rich in culture and natural beauty, plus the salaries for EFL teachers are among the highest in the world! Having work experience in the Middle East on your resume will open doors to endless opportunities around the world. Here are the best countries in the Middle East to teach English as a foreign language in 2018. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: United Arab Emirates - The Land of Opportunities Kuwait - The Fruitful Land of the Gulf Bahrain - The Land of Pearls Oman - The Land of Scenic Beauty Saudi Arabia - The Land of Hot Sands Qatar - The Land of the Sheikhs Jordan...  [Read more]

Tue, 12 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Role of Mothers and Fathers in Children’s Learning Process There are no words to fully describe the importance of parents in the education of children. They are the foremost educators in all aspects of their children's development. Whatever a child studies - be it a subject in a classroom or private lessons for music, language, etc... they will greatly benefit from the impact of having this reinforced in their home environment through their parents' efforts. Multiple studies have shown the increase and improvement in educational attainment when parents closely follow and are involved in encouraging the educational development of their children. Related studies also show how the more parents are involved in school...  [Read more]

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary Where to Earn the Highest Salaries Teaching English Abroad There are many reasons why some people decide to teach English abroad. Some want to explore a new culture or learn a new language. Others want to gain teaching experience or be able to save a lot of money to pay off student debt or simply make some money for the future. Table of Contents Teaching English in Asia Teaching English in South Korea Teaching English in Taiwan Teaching English in China Teaching English in Japan Teaching English in the Middle East Teaching English in Saudi Arabia Teaching English in the United Arab Emirates Teaching English in Europe Teaching English in the Czech Republic Teaching English in Latin America Listen to the blog post Are you ready to...  [Read more]

Wed, 10 Oct 2018 Mark Crocker TEFL Information The Lowdown on Teaching English Abroad With a Family If you do a quick online search for teaching English abroad, it would be easy to assume that it is only an option for young, single people. However, this is far from the truth, as there are countless thousands of people of all ages who are currently teaching abroad with their families. Many parents see it as a great opportunity to provide their children with an international education that is far removed from the one-dimensional option that most of us experience in our home country. Although moving abroad to teach English as a family is a great option for many people, there are obviously several things to consider before jumping on a plane. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post:...  [Read more]

Fri, 21 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas My Personal Teaching Experience With Young Non-English Speaking Learners I have always felt that I have got a message to deliver to the people around me. I thought and realized that spreading knowledge of books, society, and value to the community is one important way to circulate background and civilization. Education is for life and a fundamental pillar in our lives for it arms us with a passport that enables us to grow, improve, and succeed socially and professionally. Table of Contents Positive Learning Environment Working in Saudi Arabia Why do Students Need to Come to a Classroom? Exchanging Ideas Working on Important Skills Students Motivation Lessons According to a Plan Do you want to teach English abroad or online? Take a...  [Read more]

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]

Tue, 20 Aug 2019 Mark Crocker Destinations Ultimate Country Match Guide for Teaching EFL in the Middle East Whether you are a newly qualified EFL teacher, or you have some experience in the classroom already, there comes a time when you have to decide where to look for a teaching job. Across the world there are many regions and individual countries that offer a variety of opportunities, but which ones would suit you best? One big consideration is your own personal motivation for wanting to do it. Do you want to earn money to fund world travel or to pay off your student loans, or are you simply looking to escape the daily 9 to 5 grind? Are you looking to explore a foreign culture or to learn another language? Table of Contents "I want to earn as much money as possible so I can pay...  [Read more]

Mon, 28 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Helping Students Conquer Stress in the ESL Classroom Learning a new language can elicit stress/fear responses in students. This is especially prominent in speaking as it can make people feel vulnerable/ashamed in front of their peers. It is very common for students to feel shy, especially if they are one of the weaker students in English or don't have the motivation to learn the language. Table of Contents My Personal Language Learning Experience Ways to Support Students 1. Classroom Dynamics 2. Attention to a Group, not to an Individual 3. Team Building and Peer Work Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Daniela A. Please note that this...  [Read more]

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How English Became the Universal Language English has undergone many changes since its roots in early Europe. It started out as a Germanic language, and standard word order along with some vocabulary still show German roots in the modern English of today. It went on over the years to incorporate numerous words and suffixes from French during the time that England was invaded and occupied by the Normans in the 11th Century. Its most recent and well-known adoption was from Latin, whose language patterns and vocabulary dominate English. Even today, the language is constantly growing and adapting as it takes on new words from Spanish due to the large Latin American immigrant population in the United States and their great cultural...  [Read more]

Is TEFL a good career choice? Anyone who has considered teaching English abroad has probably had a reaction from a friend or family member along the lines of “that sounds like fun, but what will you do when you get back?” In some quarters, teaching English as a foreign language has the reputation of not being a ‘real job’, just something that people do to pay off student loans or simply for fun and adventure before settling down into a normal job and lifestyle. There are many people who do choose teaching abroad for these reasons, but there are also plenty who have made a successful and lucrative career out of TEFL. Can I really make a long-term career out of TEFL? YES, you absolutely can have a long-term career as an EFL teacher. For the majority of people who head overseas to...  [Read more]