English Problems

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas What opportunities do learners have to practice these core skills in the lesson? This question is often expressed by teachers when teaching a new language whereas learners do not need to produce language but receive it. As regards the reading skills and strategies, students may use the following: As to the approaches to teaching reading, it should begin with general compression and move towards a greater concern with details. Begin with a focus on meaning before paying attention to the language used in the text. Listening The difficulties may be: The strategies and ideas may be: Here is a sequence of a listening lesson: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Speaking like a native speaker is always expected from learners. However, they encounter many factors that prevent their success. Therefore, as an English teacher, I want to explore some common difficulties that Vietnamese students face when they learn to pronounce English so that I can teach effectively and help them communicate more confidently. Problem with vowels Problems with consonants Word stress, sentence stress Intonation and word connection Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Thuong L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Four major features can cause problems for them. Firstly, the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences With today's century and growing demands, English language skill is very important. English helps us to link to countries around the world, helps us to meet certain goals in work and education, and allows us to travel and live in countries where we want to be. Unfortunately, not all countries in the world use English as their official language. According to Research Trends, 53 countries in the world use English as their first language. This means that the other countries who were not included in the list have to learn English more than the countries that speak English. Language Learning Situation in Thailand TEFL experience Research Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences People from different countries inevitably face problems when they are trying to learn English. Russia is no exception. Let's have a quick look at some typical problems that my fellow countrymen face. Pronunciation Grammar Meaning Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sergei S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. As you may know, Russian is written using the Cyrillic alphabet, and some may think that it can cause problems. In reality, the Russians are fine with understanding the Latin alphabet and can easily pronounce each letter. However, the Devil is in the details. When it comes to speaking it...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I have moved to the Czech Republic with my girlfriend who is Czech after we met in New Zealand, where I am from. Teaching English here was a business idea that she came up with because she taught English here before for 8 years. In Czech people are more interested in taking English lessons from a native speaker and they also like New Zealand over here. So from this perspective, it makes a lot of sense for me to do this course. Since I am going to be teaching in Czech to begin with, I have already started to see some issues with the language learning that I will be faced with. Grammar Receptive Skills Productive Skills Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Young children, even when they are learning their native tongue, learn the words before they learn how to apply them correctly and as a result, children often make mistakes in their grammar, however, even when they do, it is mostly the vocabulary or the order of the words which still provides a degree of context which makes the message they intend to convey understandably and thus susceptible to improvement. It is exactly because of this fact that in this essay, I would like to dive into teaching vocabulary. Some reflections and advice Teaching vocabulary in primary school Teaching vocabulary to teenagers Summarized and based on the experience I would provide the following advice Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: ...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Thailand is the country located in South East Asia with a population of over 69 million people. Thailand is divided into four regions which include Northern Thailand, Northeastern Thailand, Central Thailand, and Southern Thailand. The official language of Thailand is Thai. But each of the regions in Thailand has its dialect. But the language used for the government, education system or Thai society is the Thai language which Thai people always speak Thai in everyday life as well as in school. English as a global language Thai language environment and learning style Teaching approach Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Chadawan S. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Indonesia is a developing country where the majority of its population uses their respective regional language. Indonesians only speak one language to unite the nation, that is Bahasa. In this country, learning English isn't an obligation, nor a requirement. In some less developed remote areas, English isn't needed at all. However, the demands from the education system and the government are making it more common for learners to understand and communicate in English. Also, the fact that English is a global language and a status symbol for many Indonesians, makes learning English increasingly more attractive. Investment English at University A Lack of Time and Confidence Social Attitude English Vocabulary Grammar Pronunciation Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences There exists an inadequate knowledge of the English language amongst the general populous in Thailand. The source of this problem lies within the educational system and can be seen to its fullest effect within Thai schools. This paper reflects my experiences that have been observed from years of teaching within Thai schools. The main aim of this paper is not to advocate conclusive solutions but rather to expand on, identify and confirm an existing problem which is… the criteria for English levels that are taught in Thai schools. The following is one of the numerous problems occurring within the Thai educational system. Are the current levels of English being taught in Thai elementary schools too difficult? Teaching Methods Education Downsides...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning the English language during adult years is a specific process when a student has reached a certain age, got some kind of profession (occupation), and decided for some specific reasons to learn (improve) English language. Specific purposes Misconception Lack of Confidence Belief in Cultural Difference Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dinara Y. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For example, the first category of students I came across decided to learn the English language and attend lessons because they needed to pass a governmental exam (YDS English), which could provide public...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences 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. 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 TEFL certification graduate MOHAMMED t. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English pronunciation to students of other languages is always a big deal. English teachers from other countries may think that it is a topic to be skipped or only briefly introduced to students, but it is one of the most important subjects and it should be an integral part of an English course. As a matter of fact, the full understanding of a language and good communication actually depend, to a certain extent, on how correctly words are pronounced. Also, it is not only a matter of pronunciation but intonation. Every language has its own intonation and stress on words, so an English learner could find it difficult to get used to a new way of pronouncing words in another language. This is true for those learners who speak Romance languages...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning a new language can be a wonderful experience. However, its success depends on several factors. Personal propensity above all. By this, I mean interest and passion for whatever language it is we have set our minds to learn. More often than not this propensity involves a sort of an innate talent which makes it easier for some students to master specific language skills. The right hint of motivation goes hand in hand with the environment. At a very early stage, this environment is represented by our teachers, masters, and tutors. Their ability to pass on the interest of another language will be crucial. How are we ever going to enjoy foreign language classes if they are carried out in a monotonous and dull manner? They have to be diverse and...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences In my past, I have lived in many different countries and language environments. I have come to learn that the best way to gain an understanding of a new language is to be absorbed in it. In countries where English is widely spoken as a foreign language (Scandinavian countries for example), learning the language of the country can be much more difficult. It is uncomfortable not being able to express oneself, so English offers a cane of comfort, but also a disservice. Unless one goes through this part of the learning process where speaking is hard for you and maybe even for your listener, fluency can never be achieved. Personal Experience Structure of the Italian Language Grammar Latin Influence Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As a developing country, Vietnam currently has an urgent need for the international language English to attract foreign investment and to promote the economy, especially after becoming a member of the World Trade Organisation (Nguyen T.T, 2007). With this growth of international trade and an increasing number of foreign tourists, the ability to communicate in English has become a passport to a better job for many Vietnamese. The Popularity of English in Vietnam Lack of English-speaking Professionals Pronunciation Outdated Teaching Methods Classroom Environment Vietnamese vs. English Language Structure Affordability Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Japan is an island nation and is a recognized homogenous society with a very small percentage of foreign permanent residence and more than half of the adult population lacks the necessary skills to speak English proficiently. Because of this, English as a Second Language is in high demand with young learners being a focus group in Japan. English is taught in the school environment during nearly all of a child's primary education years, but this, unfortunately, doesn't translate to a proficient English-speaking Japanese population. Global Opportunities Differences in Language Structure Cultural Challenges Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Payton P. Please...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Have young English learners in other countries faced the same problems as those who are in Vietnam? Some may appear alike but the others may occur differently. Personally, each individual may engage in varied private troubles. On a small scale of this little essay, it is advised to discuss three main objective factors that the majority of young learners may encounter. They are passive learning style, less communication practice yet heavy-grammar structure, and attitude towards education. Learning Style Grammar skills vs. Communication skills Attitude Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nguyen V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Tanzania! Where's that? It is a Swahili speaking country in East Africa just south of Kenya. However, no matter how close countries may be geographical, generalizations should not be made about anything, let alone educational institutions and learner levels. This is only one of the many problems facing students in Tanzania. My background in this topic comes from teaching in Tanzania for 26 months, which included a three-month training on techniques for the Tanzanian classroom and education system. The Tanzanian government wants to improve overall English proficiency. First, staffing is an issue across all levels of the system, which results in little to no actual English learning before arrival in secondary school. This exam is completely in English,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Although the English language has been the official language in Nigeria for decades, there are a good number of challenges that learners of English language continuously encounter. These problems are not only peculiar to learners but may also be existent in so-called fluent speakers. One of the most basic problems is mother tongue interference. 1. Mother Tongue Interference 2. Phonological Interference 3. Code-switching and code-mixing 4. Other problems learners in Nigeria encounter include: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Awazie T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. This is a form of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences It is not a secret that pronouncing English sounds easily and correctly is a big challenge for non-native speakers. Of course, the complexity of English pronunciation consists not only of particular sounds but also of several other aspects such as intonation, stress, rhythm, and timing. I would like to analyze one of the biggest and most obvious pronunciation problems for Ukrainian speakers of English which, in my opinion, is sound differences and the way of pronouncing sounds. Sound System Articulation Aspiration Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hanna H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. There are a number...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas With the Gross Domestic Product growing at the rate of about 6.88% per year, Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia, as well as the world. The increase in disposable income has made extra language sessions outside of school much more accessible to middle- and lower-class families. Similar to other Asian countries, exposure to western cultures through the internet has made English the most desirable language to learn in Vietnam. Listen to this blog post: Opportunities 1. English Learning and Educational System 2. Non-native Speaking Environment 3. EFL in Early Childhood Do you want to teach in Vietnam? Take a TEFL course to have a competitive advantage! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This essay examines English education in South Korea and its socio-cultural problems. The discussion draws on my personal beliefs and experiences. First, the history of Korean education is laid out by illustrating the cultural background of Korean society. Following that, it traces the problems of learners of the English language in Korea and tips on how to improve their learning. National Background Education System Speaking Challenges How to improve Korean's English speaking Do you want to teach English in South Korea? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nayoung H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For a long time, Korea...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Next year, Japan will host the thirty-second Olympiad in the capital city of Tokyo. To correspond with the timing of the 2020 Olympics, Japan's Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (hereafter MEXT) has laid out a plan for the reform of English education to meet the future needs of Japanese students in a globalized world. However, this plan presents several challenges for current and future learners of English in the Japanese educational system. Education System Modernization Demand in English-Speaking Professional Teachers JET Program Peculiarities International Examination for Japanese English Learners Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Japan is well known for its unique culture, and history. As an island nation, it was isolated from the rest of the world until the mid-19th century when the country had to open itself to trade with western powers of the time. It was then when the English language made its way into the Japanese educational system. English spread quite rapidly, as the government saw the new language a way to catch up with the west. And, in 1873 English became the language of instruction in universities. However, due to various political reasons including the establishment of a standardized Japanese language system the urge to learn English had declined. Today in modern Japan, English is widely spread throughout the country, and students must take English classes...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Language has always played an important role in communication between people. Today, in the globalization, the importance of mastering a foreign language has become increasingly prominent. English is the most widely used language in the world. English Status in China Reasons for Low Results in English Economical Challenges Differences in Two Languages Cultural Background Lack of Proper Study Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xiao W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In the 21st century, English is not unfamiliar to us Chinese. In our life, we can find English everywhere with little...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas 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 exists. In this essay, the discussion will focus on several issues of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Over the past three years, I've had the privilege of teaching English as a foreign language online for a company called Education First. The format would normally be an internationally diverse group in an audio-only platform. During these sessions, I found that my students from China would have specific challenges in pronunciation that many of my European and Brazilian students would not. I recognized their tendency to add an "a" at the end of words that clearly ended in a consonant. Unfortunately, I was not educated enough in the specific challenges that Mandarin speakers faced in their attempt to learn English. I'm scheduled to begin teaching in China later this year, and it has become clear to me that I need to drill into the specific challenges faced...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Most teachers come to China to teach English with only a general idea about Chinese culture and language which they should have to deal with as soon as they arrive in China. The reason I chose this topic is that I am fluent in Chinese and have experienced Chinese culture in all its facets for over than seven years. But let's not beat around the bush and get down to the nitty-gritty. Shyness/lack of confidence: Grammar issues: Pronunciation issues: Th: /s/ instead of /th/ V: /w/ instead of /v/ (mostly with southern Chinese) Lt: /t/ instead of /lt/ Intonation: Lack of learning structure: Do you want to teach English in China? Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ruben M. Chinese people often seem to be shy or...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In the wake of the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Japan, there has been an increase in elementary school level English classes. As an assistant language teacher half into my fourth year, I have had the rare chance to work the entirety of my time in one elementary school where I have had many great memories. However, being present every day I began to notice that some students were struggling or in some cases, not even trying when it came to English class. Talking with my peers and colleagues from other elementary schools as well as my own, there are some common problems that many students seem to experience in an English class. These problems include learning in a counter-productive environment, inconsistent exposure to the language, and a lack of...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Currently living in Bangkok, Thailand, I am teaching English to Primary Six students and I am in a supposed international context. Juggling a body of students who are not entirely international and largely Thai can at times be like pulling teeth. Losing Motivation Grammar Confusion Fear of Leaving a Comfort Zone Lack of Proper Resources Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kavitha S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The students are generally driven at first but soon lack motivation mainly because they do not have enough exposure to the English Language. Though activities like word searches have...  [Read more]