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Federico Riva
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Course Books and Materials: Dictionaries | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In this blog we are going to consider the types and use of dictionaries. Which is the best dictionary for the different levels of student to use and what are some of the things we should and should not do with them?
Course Books and Materials - Best Use of the Course Book | ITTT | TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
In this blog post, we will consider how best to use the teaching material course book that often accompanies a course. There are a number of strategies we can adopt to get the most out of the book in different situations.
Coursebooks and Materials - Authentic and Created Materials | ITTT |... [Read more]
What is a TEFL curriculum? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
What is a TEFL curriculum?
Across the globe, there are five widely accepted levels of EFL learners, which are represented in the teaching materials and book series available for students and teachers.
These levels are commonly referred to as:
Note: Any levels above these are typically termed 'advanced' and aren't usually taught in standard settings.
Please note that different curricula may categorize these levels in various ways. For instance, the Touchstone series from Cambridge uses a four-level scale, which, however, covers the same content as a conventional five-level scale. Another series, "Cutting Edge," encompasses six levels, including an advanced level, along with the standard five.
Let's examine some representative syllabus content for each level from the "Cutting Edge" series,... [Read more]
What is a TEFL curriculum? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
What is a TEFL curriculum?
Across the globe, there are five widely accepted levels of EFL learners, which are represented in the teaching materials and book series available for students and teachers.
These levels are commonly referred to as:
Note: Any levels above these are typically termed 'advanced' and aren't usually taught in standard settings.
Please note that different curricula may categorize these levels in various ways. For instance, the Touchstone series from Cambridge uses a four-level scale, which, however, covers the same content as a conventional five-level scale. Another series, "Cutting Edge," encompasses six levels, including an advanced level, along with the standard five.
Let's examine some representative syllabus content for each level from the "Cutting Edge" series,... [Read more]
12 Course Books to Improve Your General English Lessons for Adults - TEFL Blog
Thu, 29 Aug 2019 Jon ITTT
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
12 Course Books to Improve Your General English Lessons for Adults
As a newly qualified TEFL teacher the chances are you will be working for a school which supplies its teachers with all the resources needed to teach successful lessons based on a set course. This article shows a selection of the course books that are available for teaching general English course to adults from a number of publishers in the TEFL industry.
Table of Contents
Oxford University Press
Cambridge University Press
Pearson/Longman
Macmillan
Are you ready to teach English to adults all over the world?
Related Articles:
There are several publishers involved in producing course books for the TEFL classroom. The main publishers are Oxford University... [Read more]
What are the best books for teaching ESL? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
What are the best books for teaching ESL?
The realm of ESL teaching books is expansive, with renowned publishers offering a plethora of resources. Generally, ESL teaching materials can be categorized into:
These categories encompass a range of tools, from structured lesson plans to interactive activities, essential for any ESL educator.
Table of Contents
Book Series
Teaching Theory Books
Activity Resources
Book Series
There are a number of well known book series. These are specifically written for the ESL teaching market and are generally set at the five levels most often taught. These levels are Starter or Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper-Intermediate.
A typical book series at each level will contain three books. These are the teacher book, student... [Read more]
What are the best books for teaching ESL? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
What are the best books for teaching ESL?
The market for ESL teaching books is very large and all the major publishers have some form of involvement in the production and selling of these resources. There are many different types of books and resources that are used in ESL teaching and we will consider three main categories.
1) Book series
2) General teaching theory books
3) Activity resources
Book Series
There are a number of well known book series. These are specifically written for the ESL teaching market and are generally set at the five levels most often taught. These levels are Starter or Beginner, Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper-Intermediate.
A typical book series at each level will contain three books. These are the teacher book, student book and resources... [Read more]
What are some useful ESL teaching resource books? - TEFL Blog
Sun, 20 Aug 2023 Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
What are some useful ESL teaching resource books?
The market for ESL teaching books is very large and all the major publishers have some form of involvement in the production and selling of these resources. There are many different types of books and resources that are used in ESL teaching and we will consider three main categories.1) General teaching theory books2) ESL book series3) Activity resource books
Table of Contents
General teaching theory books
ESL book series
Activity Resource books
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
General teaching theory books
As an ESL teacher unless you spend your entire career... [Read more]
Stories for Teaching English to Different Groups of Students - TEFL Blog
Mon, 16 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Stories for Teaching English to Different Groups of Students
Reading is one of the key elements for all English learners. By reading authentic stories and books, not only do we learn reading and understanding the text we are working with, but we also expand our vocabulary by discovering new authentic words you wouldn't be able to find in your course books, and more importantly, you can see it in context which makes it easier to remember and use those words and structures in the future.
Table of Contents
Younger Students
Teens and Adults
Resources
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Julia P. Please note that this blog post might not... [Read more]
Agency Weekend TEFL - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Agency Weekend TEFL
Check out tefl tesol about Agency Weekend TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad.
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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
T.W. - South Africa said:
Teaching Beginner StudentsWhen teaching beginners, there are a few very important points to consider achieving the best results.
students that are beginners in the English language usually suffer from nerves and a lack of confidence, it is important not to let the students feel so overwhelmed that they lose all interest in learning a foreign language. But on the up side beginner learners are usually the most enthusiastic and faster learning of all... [Read more]
Improve Your Young Learners Classes with these 30 Course Books - TEFL Blog
Thu, 19 Sep 2019 Jon ITTT
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
Improve Your Young Learners Classes with these 30 Course Books
TEFL teachers both new and experienced will benefit from having a range of course books to draw on for their lessons. General English course books for young learners differ from those for adults in a number of ways. Obviously the types of topics will be geared towards the interests of younger people but there are also differences in the way the language is presented. Course books for adults will generally have sections with explicit presentations of a grammar point,whereas books for young learners do not usually cover grammar in detail.
Table of Contents
Oxford University Press course books for young learners
Cambridge University Press course books for young... [Read more]
What is a Beginner EFL Student and How Do You Teach Them? - TEFL Blog
Tue, 09 Feb 2021 Mark Crocker
Teaching Ideas
What is a Beginner EFL Student and How Do You Teach Them?
When you decide to take a TEFL certification course with the intention of teaching English abroad, in your home country, or online, it is difficult to know who you will actually end up teaching. Once you have finished your training you could end up teaching primary aged children, teenagers, or adults. They could be from any country worldwide and they could be at any level of English language from beginner to advanced level. In many ways it is a bit of a lottery, so you should ensure you are ready to deal with all types of environments. After a while most teachers develop a preference for the type of student they prefer to teach, however, the beginner EFL student is often the most... [Read more]
Stories for ESL Students of Different Age Groups - TEFL Blog
Thu, 31 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Stories for ESL Students of Different Age Groups
Stories expose the students to more language, they engage and motivate the learner, they can be used to teach the structure of a language and the concepts about print which may be different between cultures. Stories with images can also help the students anchor their knowledge about the text. Listening to stories also helps the students hear accents and how words are pronounced. However, it is important to choose the correct book or story for the students you are working with. If familiar storylines are chosen the student is more likely to understand the story. It is also important to take into consideration the interests of the students and to find text on those topics.
Table of... [Read more]
Narrowing Down Your Esl Teaching Niche For Greater Profit - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Narrowing Down Your ESL Teaching Niche for Greater Profit
ESL Teaching: Are you a beginner ESL teacher willing to kick start your career or an experienced one struggling to increase your income? Then, this live stream is exactly for you! Learn why choosing a particular niche is vital and why being a Jack of all trades isn't fruitful these days.
#TEFL#BestTEFL #TeachEnglishOnline
Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO
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Teach English online from anywhere you want: https://bit.ly/3ltqEPL
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Check out ITTT's Blog Posts
[Read more]
Common Learning Difficulties Faced in ESL Settings - TEFL Blog
Fri, 29 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Common Learning Difficulties Faced in ESL Settings
Learning is always hard especially learning something new such as English learning. English is a different new language compared with Chinese, so when we are learning, definitely we will meet all kinds of difficulties in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Table of Contents
Most beginners think listening is the most difficult part of English learning.
Speaking can be improved dramatically from zero in a short time but it's quite difficult to speak accurately.
For most Chinese people, English reading is not as difficult as listening or speaking.
Writing is always the hardest part of English for Chinese students.
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today!... [Read more]
All You Need to Know About Teaching Beginners - TEFL Blog
Mon, 10 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
All You Need to Know About Teaching Beginners
Teaching English to beginners is a challenge for new and experienced ESL teachers. Although with proper planning, materials, getting the students engaged and motivated in the lessons can make teaching English to beginners fun and rewarding especially when your students start to get the hang of it. It's a great feeling to see them move from having absolutely no knowledge of English to be able to speak basic English. A few things to think about. Talking a lot is just going to waste your time and leave you frustrated. Two keep your lessons fun with as much talk time as possible for the students, allowing them to practice what they are learning in a fun environment. Always praise your... [Read more]
14 Course Books to Improve Your Business English Classes - TEFL Blog
Thu, 22 Aug 2019 Jon ITTT
TEFL Information
14 Course Books to Improve Your Business English Classes
Business English falls under the umbrella of English for Specific Purposes (ESP), and is an area of English language teaching that focuses on the language students need in order to function in an international business setting. It is a popular sector for qualified TEFL teachers to work in and one that can be financially rewarding. Students taking business English classes will generally already have a reasonable level of English language ability and course books tend to be aimed at pre-intermediate level students and above but there are books aimed at lower level students.
Table of Contents
Oxford University Press
Cambridge University Press
Pearson/Longman
Macmillan
Collins ELT
Are you... [Read more]
5 Great Activities For Black History Month in the EFL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Mon, 10 Feb 2020 Linda Dunsmore
Teaching Ideas
5 Great Activities For Black History Month in the EFL Classroom
It's Black History Month! Now, Black History often falls short in EFL classrooms but if you are able to include it into your EFL curriculum abroad (and you should!) here is an important reason to do so:
Table of Contents
5 Great Activities for Black History Month in the EFL Classroom
1. Class Meeting
2. Read Alouds
3. Biographies
4. Black History Biography Necklaces
5. Interactive Board
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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You get to focus on the amazing culture, history, and contributions of Black people, something a lot of EFL students would never otherwise learn.
5 Great Activities for Black History Month in the EFL Classroom
1.... [Read more]
Where to Find Materials for Online English Lessons - TEFL Blog
Thu, 11 Mar 2021 Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Where to Find Materials for Online English Lessons
Hello and welcome to the weekly ITTT live session, my name is Liza and I'm glad that some people have joined already. I hope everything works smoothly here and you can hear me clearly and see me well, if not please let me know in the comment section so that I can fix it quickly. Today we are going to talk about the vital topic of lesson materials.
Table of Contents
Watch the live session here
Before Finding Lesson Materials
Types of Materials
Okay, and Louise from Italy says that she teaches b2-c1 levels and they are totally online. So Louise, what struggles do you have when you prepare for your online lessons? Let us know.
Benefits of Professional... [Read more]
TEFL: How to teach vocabulary? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
TEFL: How to teach vocabulary?
Teaching new vocabulary is a substantial part of an English teacher's role, especially when working with beginners or lower-level students. A considerable amount of lesson time is dedicated to learning new words, making it critical for the teacher to employ effective methods for optimal results. By using proven techniques, teachers can help their students retain new language skills and boost their confidence in using them both inside and outside the classroom.
Teach new words in context
One of the most beneficial strategies for helping students remember new language is teaching it in context. Simply listing new words on the board and expecting immediate comprehension might lead to disappointment. When introducing new vocabulary, it is advisable to group... [Read more]
Is grammar knowledge important when teaching English? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Is grammar knowledge important when teaching English?
When considering this question it is important to first outline the different types of class levels found in English language classrooms worldwide. A fairly common classification of EFL teaching levels is indicated by the book resources available. If you consider book series such as, Reward, New Headway, and many others, you will find five levels.
These levels are, Starter (or Beginner), Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper-Intermediate.
Now we have established the general language levels of students, we can now consider the four skills of English.
The four skills
It is very important to remember that there are four skills that are required by any language user. These four skills are, reading and listening (known as... [Read more]
It's Not Rocket Science: Teaching Slang and Figurative Speech in English Classrooms - TEFL Blog
Mon, 10 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
It's Not Rocket Science: Teaching Slang and Figurative Speech in English Classrooms
Understanding the use of slang in a different language is a benchmark for fluency. Once a speaker is able to navigate society by listening and speaking slang, they are better able to assimilate among native speakers. But whether or not colloquial speech has a place in English classrooms is debated among teachers. While formal English takes precedence in many classes, teaching slang can be important depending on students' reasons for learning English and their experience with the language. Incorporating slang can also be a motivational tool for teaching disengaged students.
Table of Contents
Get to Know Your Students
Consider Their Level and Needs
Do... [Read more]
Where To Find Materials For Online English Lessons - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Where to Find Materials for Online English Lessons
Hello and welcome to the weekly ITTT live session, my name is Liza and I'm glad that some people have joined already. I hope everything works smoothly here and you can hear me clearly and see me well, if not please let me know in the comment section so that I can fix it quickly. Today we are going to talk about the vital topic of lesson materials.
I know that many people struggle looking for resources and content for their lessons so this is something I want to look at today. While we are waiting for some more people to join us, please let me know where you guys are tuning in from. I'm located in the Euro region of Russia in Yekaterinburg city, it's pretty chilly today and it is also snowing so my plan is to go skiing right after... [Read more]
Teachers Never Stop Learning - A TEFL Alumna's Thoughts on Being a Teacher - TEFL Blog
Tue, 04 Dec 2018 Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Teachers Never Stop Learning - A TEFL Alumna's Thoughts on Being a Teacher
My teaching experience began in a whirlwind. I graduated from college a semester ahead of my class, married, lived with my husband in my sister's basement for two months, and moved to South Korea. We had no idea what to expect. Sure, we'd read the blogs, talked to the director of our school, and even talked with people we know who had lived and taught in Korea. It still didn't fully prepare us for what to expect, how amazing it would be, and how hard. We lived in South Korea for 19 months teaching three through seven year olds daily and first through third graders several times each week.
Table of Contents
Are you ready to teach English abroad?
Related... [Read more]
TEFL: How to teach vocabulary? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
TEFL: How to teach vocabulary?
When teaching vocabulary in TEFL, it is imperative to employ strategies that maximize retention and practical use. Key approaches include:
Harnessing these methods, TEFL teachers can ensure students not only learn but also effectively utilize new vocabulary both in and outside the classroom.
Table of Contents
Teach new words in context
Frequent repetition is a must
Use pictures and other visuals
Use games to practice new vocabulary
Teach new words in context
One of the most beneficial strategies for helping students remember new language is teaching it in context. Simply listing new words on the board and expecting immediate comprehension might lead to disappointment. When introducing new vocabulary, it is advisable to group related words together rather... [Read more]
Tips for Teaching Different Types of English Learning Groups - TEFL Blog
Thu, 25 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Tips for Teaching Different Types of English Learning Groups
There are many types of English learning groups and each group requires different teaching techniques. In my opinion, English learners can be divided into 2 groups: beginners and English learners for specific purposes. Beginners can be students who have no English at all or know a few simple structures. They can be children or adults. English learners for specific purposes are students who have a basic English level and want to achieve their specific aims of learning.
Table of Contents
Young Beginners
Adult Beginners
English Learners for Specific Purposes
Conversation Learners
Business Students
Examination Classes
Are you ready to teach English abroad?
Related... [Read more]
My Experience Taking a TEFL Course with ITTT - TEFL Blog
Fri, 15 Feb 2019 Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
My Experience Taking a TEFL Course with ITTT
The course was informative and comprehensive. Since I had a good grasp of the language, initially I thought I would go to the classroom and teach. But after deep pondering, questions crept up in my mind: What if I run out of ideas in the middle of the class? What if my students are not motivated? What if the lessons I provide are not effective? There is so much more to teaching. The list of my apprehensions went on, and that was when I decided to enroll in a course. After doing some research, I found ITTT with its internationally recognized TEFL/TESOL program.
Table of Contents
Teaching methodology
Lesson planning
Video lessons
Receptive and productive skills
Course books
Student assessment
Are... [Read more]
Where to Find Materials for Online English Lessons - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Where to Find Materials for Online English Lessons
02/02/2021
hello hello welcome to the weekly ITTT session my name is
lisa and i'm glad um that some people have been joining
already so um i hope everything
works smooth here and you can hear me clearly and see me well if not
if anything goes wrong please let me know in the comment section uh so that i could fix it quickly
and i'm happy to j uh i'm happy to welcome you here today thanks for coming
to this session today we are going to talk about a vital topic of lesson materials
i know that many people still struggle uh looking for resources and
contents for the lessons so um this is something i want to dwell upon
today and uh just while we are waiting for some more people to join us please let me
know where are you guys tuning in from... [Read more]
Teaching Beginner English Students in Senegal: Personal Experience with ESL - TEFL Blog
Fri, 15 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Teaching Beginner English Students in Senegal: Personal Experience with ESL
From 2018 to 2019, I taught two eighth grade English classes in the rural Thies area, experiencing some of the challenges and advantages to teaching students who were just embarking on their language study. I was paired with a long-term Senegalese teacher who walked me through the basics of teaching a foreign language: engaging the class, developing study materials, and creating activities. What stood out to me was his emphasis on showing up as a role model for the students, as well as integrating other modes of learning into the classroom, such as art, singing, and dance activities.
Table of Contents
Main Issues
Classroom Environment
Classroom Management... [Read more]
How to Use English as a Global Language to Improve Student Motivation - TEFL Blog
Thu, 21 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How to Use English as a Global Language to Improve Student Motivation
In this paper, I will discuss the reasons for students to learn English, and ways in which the teacher can help the students find motivation for learning said language. My arguments stem from the fact that English is one of the most beneficial languages to know in an increasingly global economy and a great number of different areas.
Table of Contents
Reasons to learn English
English in the global world
Motivation and happiness
Teaching beginners
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vemund V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or... [Read more]
Internationally TEFL - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Internationally TEFL
Check out tefl tesol about Internationally 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.R. - Korea said:
Things I wish I had known before starting the courseWhen I first started teaching English here in korea, I had no previous teaching experience. My very first teaching was with elementary school students at an academy for 2 years. Since it was a private English academy, my top priority and responsibility was to finish the course books on time. I was always pressed for time and had no time to play games or do activities other than studying. So, all I needed... [Read more]