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How to Become an ESL Teacher - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
In the world, there are many different professions that people dream of. If you ask someone to name some of them, they probably would say something like a doctor, teacher, singer, and so on. When I was a child, my dad wanted me to become a teacher. He thought that becoming a teacher was a great job. Not just him, but many other people also thought so. It has always been like that. Back then, I was too young to understand the reason. But now that I have become a teacher, I am starting to realize why my dad and everyone else liked it.Table of Contents
When Do You Become a Teacher?
Many Responsibilities
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Who is an ESL Teacher and What is Their Role? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Although a teacher's role seems like a simple topic to discuss, it's far more complicated than most people credit for. The role of a teacher is pivotal to the students for a myriad of reasons. Based on how the teacher holds themselves in the classroom, it will directly correlate with the amount each student learns and the amount of respect each student has for the teacher.Table of Contents
Teacher's responsibilities
Relationships within the classroom
Personal teaching experience
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Roman S. Please note that this blog post might not... [Read more]
Songs in the ESL Classroom for Younger Beginners - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Music-based learning is an effective technique to develop English proficiency within an early youth classroom. Classroom-based singing can create a fun learning environment and lead to the development of musical skills, social interaction, and English vocabulary.Table of Contents
Simple Rhymes
Examples of Suitable Rhyme Songs
Involving the Class
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This post was written by our ITTT graduate Patrick H.
The most effective method for younger learners is the use of various simple rhymes. Rhymes are simple in nature and may easily be adapted to the current material that is being taught. The teacher and students will benefit most from a circular seating arrangement as... [Read more]
How to Encourage ESL Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
For the past couple of months, I have worked as an ESL teacher for the company Qkids. I took this course in order to obtain a certificate and meet the Chinese national standards. Even though I took it for that purpose only, it has been a very informative and helpful class. I have learned so much that I can apply to my own online ESL classes.Table of Contents
Personal Experience
Online vs. Real
Students' Peculiarities
Body Language
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rebekah P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
In my experience, and from what I have learned in the class, it is very important to keep... [Read more]
What will I have to teach my ESL students? - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Teaching Ideas
There is a wide variety of TEFL and TESOL courses available worldwide, from online courses to intensive in-class courses. Regardless of the type of certification taken, graduates of these courses will find a huge range of teaching opportunities available to them. Here, we will consider some of the many different teaching situations that you may find yourself in. These range from Kindergarten teaching to teaching English (ESL) courses to university students, and we suggest some of the main roles you will have for each.Table of Contents
Young Learners
Business English
General English (schools and language centers)
English for Specific Purposes
Academic English
Kindergarten
Conclusion
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?... [Read more]
Discipline in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
It's the first day at school, and the students are excited yet little nervous to meet their new teacher as he or she will determine how school life and daily routine will look like for the next six months. The teacher might experience the same feeling depending on her or his experience and personality.As a teacher, you should give a good impression on the first day of school. The clothes you choose to wear; the attitude you show in class, and tone of voice when speaking could play a determinant role in students' judgment of you and their future behavior.Table of Contents
Sympathy and authority
Rules and regulations
Not to do:
To do:
What works for me might not work for you
Different type of students
What to do with each type?
Do you want to teach English... [Read more]
Linguistics for ESL Teachers - TEFL Blog
Sahil Gazi
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Anyone who has studied linguistics or is a linguist has often been faced with the question, "so how many languages do you speak?"Table of Contents
What is Linguistics?
Why does it matter?
How does it work?
How can teachers use linguistics to teach a foreign language such as English?
Can it help in career development?
In conclusion
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A point of short-lived frustration in these scenarios, linguists are often mistaken for being polyglots.
Although sometimes they will focus on a particular language and even become fluent in it, their goal is not to translate documents or conversations for the sole purpose of doing so.
Linguistics, therefore, is... [Read more]
How To Start Your Own ESL Teaching Service - TEFL Blog
Bri Freeman
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
The number one question I had to answer before deciding to start Practical English Teacher was "Do I want a new boss or to be my own boss?". I spent months asking myself this before I finally decided to do it. There's a lot of security and credibility that comes with working for a larger ESL company. And I'm not knocking anyone who wants to do that but if you're like me and you're looking for some advice on where to start with your own ESL Service, let's talk.Table of Contents
Starting Out
Advertising and Expanding
How Do I Create a Platform?
Best of Luck!
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First and I would say most importantly, ask yourself, what is your teaching style? What is your... [Read more]
What is Grammar and How to Teach it to ESL Students? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Grammar plays a very important role in learning and teaching a foreign language. What is grammar? Crystal describes grammar as "the business of taking a language to pieces, to see how it works" (as cited in Bentsen, 2017).Table of Contents
Definition of Grammar
Explicit Grammar Teaching
Williams believes that meaning-focused instruction
Communicative Approach
Nunan defines communicative language teaching as
Larsen-Freeman's recommended that grammar teaching
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Meral B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
According to Swan ''grammar is essentially a limited set of... [Read more]
The Functions of an ESL Teacher in Class - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Every English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher desires to successfully teach their students how to proficiently speak, understand, and use the English language. English is a very complex language, and teaching it presents many challenges. Because of this, an ESL teacher must be willing and able to take on various roles throughout the teaching of a lesson. During a typical ESL lesson, a teacher will have some, or all, of the following roles: a manager or controller, an organizer, an observer, an assessor, a prompter, a participant, and a resource or facilitator.Table of Contents
Management
Observation
Assessment
Prompt
Participation
Facilitation
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This post was written by our TEFL... [Read more]
Features of ESL Games in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
A lot of activities can be settled and performed in a classroom to teach a non-native language. From tasks until routine exercises, a wide range of dynamics might be applied for a teacher. But games have different and unique features for a lesson, and its matter and characteristics need to be debated for developing consistent teaching of content.Table of Contents
What is a Game?
What is the Game for?
Game Directions
Sense of Competence
Communication
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Fábio A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
First of all, it must keep in mind the concept of a game,... [Read more]
Phonetics and Phonology in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
What is phonology? Most students have not even heard about it. Whenever I ask my students whether they know or have ever learned about phonetics, the same answers come out, "No, we don't know about it at all". It is no wonder they reply like this because there is no phonetic teaching lesson in English classes from KG to high school here in my country. As for me, I got to study about this only when I attended college. Even then, it wasn't taught comprehensively and I only learned very little. So I couldn't read nor write phonetic symbols very well. Thus I thought it was the most difficult part of studying English.Table of Contents
Reasons to pay attention to phonetics
Phonetics in the early years
Benefits
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The Secrets of Organizing Any ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Effective teachers not only possess expertise in content knowledge but they are also great classroom managers. If teachers cannot manage their students then they cannot teach their students. Learning will only take place when the classroom is well managed. The first day of school is the most important day for teachers to create 'rules' in the classroom.Table of Contents
The Essence of Classroom Management
Teacher Responsibilities
Relationships
Expectations and Directions
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nikki D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Classroom management must happen on the very first... [Read more]
Challenges of ESL Learners in China - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The country of choice I would like to speak about is China. I have been teaching in China for about a year at all levels. Several problems face English learners in this country ranging from the use of prepositions, modal auxiliary and the male and feminine pronouns.Table of Contents
Personal Pronouns
Prepositions
Modal Verbs
Grammar
Learning Approach
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mandella Elorm A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
ESL learners especially adult learners happen to have a persistent problem with the use of he/she, most students start speaking about a male character and then... [Read more]
Motivating Students In An ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Motivation is a crucial part of learning and it has grave importance especially in an ESL classroom. Language teachers should be aware of their role in motivating their students and take responsibility while teaching. Students tend to get easily demotivated while they are learning a new language since it involves making many mistakes and devoting a lot of time and effort. Teachers should help their students to keep their motivation level high. There are three main steps for motivating learners. Teachers should start with setting attainable goals, blend their needs and interests while teaching and acknowledge their accomplishments.Table of Contents
Listen to this blog post:
Challenging Goals
Inclusive Lesson Planning
Giving a feedback
Are you ready to... [Read more]
What to Expect in a Small ESL Program - TEFL Blog
Ashton March
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Imagine yourself preparing for your first day at your ESL school. You've created a cute presentation for your first lesson, prepared the group activities for your large classroom, and are overjoyed at the thought of meeting your smiley students. Except, you find yourself in a small classroom with one or two students, no tech whatsoever, and figuring out how your group activities are going to work now.Table of Contents
Creating Your Own Curriculum
Lack of Resources
Small Classes
Remember this!
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
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Teaching at small, low-resource ESL programs is a lot different from teaching at a larger... [Read more]
Bringing ESL into the Computer Age - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I play video games. I'm not sure I would classify myself as a gamer, but I like to play and have as long as I can remember. I went to school before the internet was available, so I remember having to manually look up everything. I remember when computers were first introduced into classrooms, and what a difference it made. Now it seems like teaching can't be done without the use of computers, as they have become such an integral part of the classroom. This has changed the way that ESL teaching is conducted. The question isn't whether computers are necessary for a classroom or not. There are very few people let in the world who think that computers in the classroom are a bad idea. This isn't about whether or not to use a computer to teach a foreign... [Read more]
Why Use Games in Your ESL Lessons? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Trying to make your class fun and exciting for young learners can be quite difficult at times. The best way to get around teaching young learners is to add games in each lesson. Kids can learn a foreign language without really trying, they soak up the new language like a sponge. It is up to the teacher to be the facilitator in the learning process and make it happen. To be effective in the classroom you have to be able to engage with your young students. By making your lessons lively and interesting you can achieve just that.Table of Contents
Reasons to use games
Games in the classroom can also improve cooperation with other children.
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This post was written by our TEFL... [Read more]
Pros and Cons of ESL in Kindergarten - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Learning a new language is not an easy task, regardless of the age it is learned at. Typically it is a little easier to learn languages at a young age, as most of the learning process is done subconsciously and most activities are geared to be fun and informative. It is important to begin learning languages at a young age and begin to stimulate the different parts of the brain involved in language processing. Therefore it is important to begin learning English as a foreign language in kindergarten classes.Table of Contents
Anticipated Problems
Teaching Ways
Personal Experience
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Melanie D. Please note that this blog post... [Read more]
Child Development and ESL Teaching - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching young children is one of a great rewarding experience. Young learners are truly natural acquirers of language. They can easily adapt and acquire language being purely taught to them.Table of Contents
Listen to this blog post:
So how does teaching EFL contribute to child development?
Activities in TEFL
Behavior Correction
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Georgios G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
At this crucial stage of these young learners' lives, they simply imitate everything they see especially their significant others. We, their teachers are one of those significant others... [Read more]
The Principles of Motivating in the ESL Class - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Before a student is going to succeed, they have to want to succeed. Students have to find their reason why. As an English teacher, it is important to be able to help someone discover what motivates them, and help them use it as a driving force. Students from all around the world will have different reasons for wanting to learn English. It is not a teacher's job to give students a reason, it is their job to remind them of that reason and support them throughout their English learning journey.Table of Contents
One way to show support for students is by being genuinely interested in their lives.
Showing personal interest is also a way to learn what motivates a student.
Another way to keep students prospering is by having a good attitude.
Building... [Read more]
How to Organize Your ESL Classroom Effectively? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Effective classroom management broadly refers to the overall success of the lessons you are teaching. For a class to run effectively, the teacher must establish the skills required to provide a clear, controlled and inspiring lesson. This includes managing all stages of each lesson, and dealing with any problem behavior should it arise. Classroom management is vital to sustaining meaningful academic learning. A chaotic classroom will not only negatively impact a student's ability and motivation to learn, but it will also increase teacher stress and the formation of negative student-teacher relationships.Table of Contents
Pre-plan
Attitude and Demeanor
Lesson structure
Anticipating problems
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Related... [Read more]
The Role of Parents in ESL Education - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I'm writing this essay from the perspective of young learners (4-10years of age) and the role their parents play on their English learning journey.Table of Contents
Generally, which Ingredients are necessary for strong ESL progress?
Parents' role in encouraging participation', 'motivation' and 'self-study'
Participation
Motivation
Self-study/homework.
Pulling parents in and making them part of the learning experience
How do we make parents part of the journey?
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I have been an ESL teacher for nearly 10 years and I've been teaching my private students in my private classroom for about 8 years. It has been an incredible journey.
During this time that I've been teaching, I've learned... [Read more]
Principles of Motivation in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Motivation provides learners with an aim and direction to follow. According to Gardner motivation is the combination of attempt and desire to obtain the aim of learning the language and favorable attitudes toward learning the language. If students are motivated they will be excited about learning and willing to work hard. Motivation, both intrinsic and extrinsic, is a key factor in the success of students in all stages of their education, and teachers can play an important role in providing and encouraging that motivation in their students.Table of Contents
The following are the different ways to motivate the students in an EFL classroom
Motivation in teaching by using real objects, flashcards, creating and narrating Stories and songs
Elicitation... [Read more]
Most Popular Games in the ESL Teaching - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
To begin with, I' like to say that I'm pretty excited about writing this summary since this course was an interesting online journey and there are some things to share, indeed.Table of Contents
Role of Games
Personal Experience
Power of Games
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Denys L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
The games play an extremely important role in teaching and particularly/especially during my classes! I consider this to be not just one of the teaching techniques, but the solid, essential, natural, and extremely useful part of the whole world of education.... [Read more]
How Can Parents Help an ESL Teacher? - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
Parental involvement plays a pivotal role in the success of learning English as a second language (ESL) education. When parents actively participate in their child's language learning journey, they become valuable partners with ESL teachers contributing to the overall effectiveness of the educational process. This essay explores various ways in which parents can assist and support ESL teachers in fostering English language proficiency among their children.Table of Contents
Creating a Supportive Home Environment
Encouraging Reading and Language Practice
Collaboration with Teachers
Consistency and Practice for Language Acquisition
The Crucial Role of Parents in ESL Teaching
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
Related... [Read more]
Implementing Music in an ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
There are many reasons that using songs in the classroom is important. The first, music speeds up learning. The 1960s was the moment when scholars began to examine the possibility of increasing memory abilities with music.Table of Contents
Research in the Field
In classroom
Other purposes to use music
Group work
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Huong T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
A series of creative experiments performed by Dr. Georgi Lozanov and Evelyna Gateva and their findings revolutionized teaching methodology. It initiated the whole brain learning method called Accelerated... [Read more]
Skills of the Top-Notch ESL Teacher - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Throughout the course of this TEFL course, many factors were discussed that can lead to potential success or failure within the ESL classroom. One factor that was constantly highlighted was the teacher's attitude and ability to build a good rapport with their students. Student engagement skills are vital for motivating students. Teachers in a classroom should develop a relationship with their students where the students can be comfortable in his or her classroom environment.Table of Contents
Circumstances Supporting Rapport
Solid Subject Knowledge
Good Communication Abilities
Natural Flexibility
Interesting Teaching Materials
Creative Approach
Classroom Management
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Listen to this blog post
This post... [Read more]
Games as a Game-Changer in an ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
There are many benefits to using games in the classroom, including the creation of an engaging learning experience for students, a positive learning environment, and the potential for students to practice real-life situations with instant feedback. Also, gamification of learning can use students' natural inclination for socialization, achievement, and award. Thus, games can be a great tool for teaching English as a foreign language.Table of Contents
Reasons to use games
Ready-to-use games
Games in grammar and vocabulary teaching
Pitfalls of using games
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tassyn M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent... [Read more]
What is Motivation and How to Increase it in the ESL Class? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
I think being a teacher it is not only to study. This profession includes so many roles such as being a friend, parent, psychologist, etc. It depends on many factors like age, nationality, size of the group of students, or individual student. One more very important factor is motivation. To find out why motivation plays a key role in building rapport between teacher and student first we need to define the meaning of it.Table of Contents
Definition
OBSERVE
REVISE
INVOLVE
ENCOURAGE
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alina S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Motivation is the word derived from the... [Read more]
