Harder Language To Learn

Wed, 26 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why Learning L2 is Harder Than L1 Over the past two years, as part of an international community, I've had the pleasure of meeting people from all over the world. We share the common experience of learning an L2. I've spoken to nearly 100 people now, and what I've learned about learning L2 is, well, it's hard. Table of Contents So why is learning L2 so much harder than L1? L2 is challenging to learn, especially for older adults. This makes L2 very hard to use spontaneously in certain situations. As you can see, this lack of necessity is quite damaging to L2. Why? Maybe I just don't possess a natural ability to learn. Our L1 learning is so gradual. This has become very apparent to me throughout my TEFL course. Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Helping Students Cope with Their Stress During the Class Today, learning English seems like a good way for all people to enhance a piece of knowledge not only inside but also in other countries worldwide. Most people tend to learn English which is a major social necessity. Especially, students learning a new language from the young ages are pretty hard for them; consequently, it causes an increasing number of students who are under more pressure to absorb this subject in both school and home. In this essay, the possible solutions to tackle this problem will be discussed in detail. Table of Contents To begin with, teaching techniques should be created to be more interesting for learners. Secondly, in addition to learning English at...  [Read more]

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Coping with Stress in the ESL Classroom Today, learning English seems like a good way for all people to enhance a piece of knowledge not only inside but also in other countries worldwide. Most people tend to learn English which is a major social necessity. Especially, students learning a new language from the young ages are pretty hard for them; consequently, it causes an increasing number of students who are under more pressure to absorb this subject in both school and home. In this essay, the possible solutions to tackle this problem will be discussed in detail. Table of Contents Quality of Teaching Materials English at Home Clear and Shorter Plans Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This...  [Read more]

Thu, 27 Dec 2018 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Advantages of Teaching Adult Students and Implications on Teacher’s Methodology How does teaching adults differ from teaching young learners? To most people, it should be rather obvious that teaching children is very different from teaching adults, due to adults being more mature and having more life experience than children. This article discusses the advantages of teaching adult students and what the implications on a teacher's methodology are. Adult learners refers to anyone who is above the age of eighteen. Although it is not a perfect definition, we will nevertheless use eighteen as our cut-off age since it is the most common age threshold in many language schools when it comes to deciding whether a student should go to a...  [Read more]

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Principles of Motivating in the ESL Class 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...  [Read more]

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Problems for English Learners in India I am currently living in India and I interact with many people with varying levels of English fluency. In a country like India, many people speak English as their first, second, third, or even fourth language. This can provide many benefits for students who want to learn English as you come in contact with many English speakers and get plenty of opportunities to practice speaking English in your home country. However, there can be many hindrances as well. The most common issue is the fact that most of the English speakers in India are also fluent in Hindi and other regional languages. A student trying to practice English can always fall back on their native language when they don't...  [Read more]

Wed, 27 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How Teaching ESL Differs from Teaching EFL The terms ESL and EFL are often used interchangeably because at their root they both mean the same thing; English for people who are not native to the language. However, there are many possible differences between learners. Typically EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language whereas ESL means English as a Second Language. This means that generally speaking, those who fall into the ESL category live in a country where English is a primary language. EFL teachers are typically teaching to students in their home country where English is not typically a widely used language. For these reasons, ESL and EFL classrooms differ greatly. Table of Contents What is EFL? What is ESL? Do you want to...  [Read more]

Wed, 19 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Motivation in Preschool Classrooms I have chosen this subject because I have some experience in teaching young learners and motivation has always been a hot topic of discussion with my peer teachers. Table of Contents Young children, especially preschoolers, learn through play. Enthusiasm is another important aspect to be taken into consideration. Feedback is also an important tool when teaching preschool students. Do you want to teach English abroad or online? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lenuta M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Young...  [Read more]

Thu, 03 Sep 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to Understand and Address Discipline in Adult Learners of EFL Discipline is an important aspect of classroom life when teaching EFL to adults. It affects the teachers and students and can hold a classroom together. Lack of discipline creates chaos and diminishes the ability of students to learn. In this essay, I will seek to explore what kind of discipline problems there are among adults, why a lack of discipline exists, and some strategies to solving a lack of discipline. Table of Contents To begin with, I'd like to review some literature about common problems which exist among students. With all these reasons for lack of discipline in mind, what solutions can be implemented? Do you want to teach English abroad or online? Take a...  [Read more]

Wed, 09 Dec 2020 Anastasiya Akpinar TEFL Information Alumni Experiences English for Young Learners in Turkey: ✅ Problems and Solutions For the last 50 years, English has become one of the most widely spoken languages worldwide. Nowadays, almost all spheres of our daily life are strongly connected to this language. We use English in business, tourism, education, and entertainment. With globalization trends and technology development, we cannot imagine even one day passing without using English. So the need to learn English as a foreign language increases all around the world every day. Table of Contents But does it mean learning is always easy and successful? Problems learners face Less of skills Not taking studying seriously Limited learning environment Motivation Possible Causes...  [Read more]

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Pros and Cons of Teaching Students of Different Age Groups: Adults vs. Youngsters What are the pros and cons of teaching a language to adults and young learners? First of all, let us talk about learner groups. Adults are people 18 years of age and more and young learners are split into three groups: over 13, from 8 to 12, and under 7. Table of Contents When do language abilities start to form? However, on the other hand, teaching a language to adults is easier Advantages and disadvantages Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Phuong V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. When do...  [Read more]

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Being a Good English Teacher Even if You’re not a Native Speaker As a Spaniard in love with languages, I can't start this essay without saying anything other than, "it's not who the teacher is, but the will of teaching that they have". Through all these years of learning English, I just know for sure that a learner learns more when they live in and with the language throughout each day. They need to become hooked to it, and it does not matter if the person who transmits this feeling is a native speaker or not. Table of Contents Modern Opportunities Benefits of a Non-Native English Speaking Teacher Downsides Advantages of Native Speakers Is it fair enough? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related...  [Read more]

Tue, 28 May 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching Multiple Tenses: Should You Do It and If So Which Ones? Teaching multiple tenses might sound frightening as teaching a single tense can sometimes be a challenge on its own. However, while it might seem difficult the first time you try it, it isn't as daunting as you would think. When teaching more than one tense at a time there are two main factors to consider: which tenses to teach together and what language level you are teaching. Table of Contents Simple Rules to Consider When Teaching Tenses Future Tense Forms Perfect Continuous Tenses Other Tense Options Are you ready to teach English grammar abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Is Globalization Changing the Way We Learn? The short answer to the question in the title is a resounding Yes. Globalization has accelerated and reshaped not only the way we do business, but it has profoundly changed the way we interact, socialize, play and learn. But this just the tip of our (melting) iceberg. Table of Contents Connection Internet Access to Information Disadvantages Education Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Conrad H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Connection Globalization has connected our seven-plus billion minds in ways that are sure to radically...  [Read more]

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Lowdown On Teaching EFL in a Kindergarten According to Jeanne Et Al (2009: 284) teachers are regarded as one of the most important socialization factors in every society in the world. A world without teachers would be a black hole without any fruitful improvements. Kindergarten English teachers are regarded as the backbone of any form of language acquisition as people climb the academic ladder. This is the first stage that children are exposed to a language that is completely foreign to them. Children at this stage are just beginning to become comfortable with one language and introducing a new language, especially one as complex as English, can, therefore, be difficult. Table of Contents Teaching Resources that Kindergarten...  [Read more]

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Challenges in English for Ecuadorian Learners The native language in Ecuador is Quichua, an Inca language. It is spoken by the Indian population, but Spanish is the most common, widely spoken language. Besides Spanish, ten native languages are spoken in Ecuador. English is the most spoken foreign language amongst tourist providers and professionals. For this reason, English is taught in most schools as a Foreign Language. Table of Contents Lack of practice Possible solution Educational system Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jemma W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT....  [Read more]

College Best TEFL Check out tefl tesol about College Best TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts A.O. - U.S.A. said: Problems facing different nationalitiesSpeakers of other languages have various difficulties learning English that differ based on their native language. The more different the native language is from English, the more likely there will be various difficulties. Speakers of korean, a non-European language completely different from English, have their own unique set of challenges when learning English as a second language. As the two languages have no similar...  [Read more]

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English Transforming Students’ Future Students need to learn English when they are still young (from 3 years old or even sooner).So why should they learn English as early as possible? Table of Contents Reason 1: accent Reason 2: enjoyment Reason 3: Undaunted Reason 4: 10,000 hours So how can English influence a student's future career? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Thu N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Reason 1: accent It has already been established that children who learn a language when they are very young have a much better chance of not having a "foreign"...  [Read more]

Fri, 04 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Importance of Learning Grammar Grammar is an important aspect of a language where learners' and teachers' opinions vary. Some students love to find out or learn the proper usage of grammar while some wanted to do grammar exercises. While some love grammar, others hate it and think that it is the most boring part of learning a new language. Whatever your stand is, you cannot escape from learning grammar; it is vital in every sentence you read or write, speak or hear. Grammar is simply the word for the rules that people follow when they use a language. We need those rules in the same way as we need the rules in any game. Table of Contents The Power of Grammar Grammar in Daily Life Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a...  [Read more]

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas Teaching English Online: ✅ A Survival Guide If like many TEFL qualified teachers, you have moved your teaching online in recent times you will probably have found that it is much harder than you might have imagined. Although you spend most of your lessons sitting down on a comfy office chair rather than standing in front of the class, you still end the day more exhausted than you ever did in a normal classroom setting. If this sounds familiar, don't worry you are not alone as teaching English online is a tiring proposition for many teachers. Here we look at the main reasons why it is so tough and more importantly, what you can do to make things that bit easier. Table of Contents Reading your students through the screen Is there a...  [Read more]

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching is not All About the Content: Building Rapport and Managing a Classroom Anyone could learn a syllabus and regurgitate it to a group of people, however, teaching involves more than just the transference of information. Teachers must learn to be able to engage their students with the content, while also building a rapport with the students and managing the classroom as a whole. Table of Contents First Steps in Teaching Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kate M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First Steps in Teaching Rapport building with a new group of students or an...  [Read more]

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Natural Way of Learning One of the most basic aspects of life is learning, we start learning the moment we are born, the first thing we learn is how to breathe and after that, the learning process just keeps going on. On most families kids grow up listening to just one language and that language becomes what we call as mother tongue or native language, this language is the one that the kid will always hold on into and have it as his/her primary language, so we as English teachers in foreign countries have to be aware of this, because this native language is going to have a huge impact on the learning process of the students, for example if you are teaching in a class that the student's native language has a different grammar...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker ITTT TEFL After leaving the UK to travel in the mid-1990s, Mark has to date visited over 50 countries across six continents. After completing a TEFL course in Phuket, Thailand, he decided to make it his base and has since worked as an online TEFL trainer and a freelance writer. Read my articles How Important are Phonology and Pronunciation in the English Language Classroom? | ITTT | TEFL Blog Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences There are many important areas of English language teaching, including phonology and pronunciation, but how important are they? In this post, an ITTT graduate looks at these areas from his own experience in the classroom. Why Teachers Need to Complete a TEFL Certification Course Before Heading Overseas | ITTT | TEFL Blog Mark Crocker TEFL...  [Read more]

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How Japanese as a Native Language Causes Problems for Students Learning English in Japan This essay seeks to explain how the Japanese 'Katakana' and 'Romaji' alphabets cause barriers to the introduction of English education in Japanese elementary schools. It will look at how these alphabets affect the pronunciation, writing, and reading abilities of Japanese students. Table of Contents The Japanese language arguably has four different alphabets. Chart 1: Examples of Katakana and Romaji English word(s)/ English pronunciation/ Katakana/ Katakana pronunciation/ Romaji Engage: Study: Activate: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ethan M....  [Read more]

Tue, 28 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Revolutionizing Foreign Language Teaching Methodology: Why ESA Was The Best Thing I Learned About in My TEFL Course The best thing I have learned from this TEFL course is that teaching methodology is no longer dominated by the framework of translation/grammar-based learning, but newer, more holistic methods are starting to be used by teachers, such as the ESA method. Table of Contents Considering Language Structure A New Methodology Learned My Findings Are you ready to take your TEFL course? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Leslie H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Considering Language Structure...  [Read more]

Advanced TEFL Program Check out tefl tesol about Advanced TEFL Program 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 A.A. - Switzerland said: Peculiarities of the English Language More than 375 million people speak English as their first language and this probably makes it the third largest language in the world. If we then add the number of non-native speakers, English makes it up to second, if not even first place on the list of the world?s most commonly spoken languages. The estimated number of second language speakers varies between around 500 million to over a billion, depending on...  [Read more]

Do qualified teachers need a TEFL certification? While certified teachers possess the fundamental skills to educate, acquiring a TEFL certification significantly enhances their ability to teach English abroad. Many qualified teachers opt for TEFL certification to address the distinct challenges of teaching English as a foreign language. Whether you are a newly qualified teacher seeking international classroom experience or a seasoned educator wanting to explore new cultures, a TEFL certification makes your CV/resume stand out, offering an edge in securing premier teaching roles worldwide. Table of Contents Do qualified teachers need a TEFL certificate? What are the benefits of having a TEFL certificate? Will a TEFL certificate get my CV/resume to the top of the pile? Do qualified...  [Read more]

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Common Factors that Affect 1st Language and 2nd Language Learning Language is everywhere. It plays an essential role in our life. We use it as a tool to communicate with the people around us. But do we understand how the brain processes the language and the many factors that influence language learning? Table of Contents The difference between language acquisition and language learning The difference in language learning for children and adults The process of language learning and acquisition The difference in expectations for children and adults Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Juri N. The difference between language acquisition...  [Read more]

Our ITTT TEFL and TESOL Alumni Stories EFL Recruiters vs. Independent Job Hunting - The Pros and Cons Anastasiia Ovchinnikova Visa and Legal Budget and Salary Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences In the post-epidemic time, qualified TEFL teachers grow in real demand in China again. If you consider this TEFL destination, we suggest you read carefully the article written by our ITTT TEFL expert who shares their important experience of job hunting in this country. Teaching English in China: Small or Big City? Anastasiia Ovchinnikova Visa and Legal Budget and Salary Destinations Alumni Experiences Are you considering China as a TEFL destination? Read our TEFL expert's story to find out where to go - a small town or big city - to enjoy your stay in this beautiful...  [Read more]

Do qualified teachers need a TEFL certification? Many fully certified teachers decide to head overseas to teach rather than stay in their home country. For some newly qualified teachers it can be hard to find a suitable job so they go abroad to gain valuable classroom experience, while others might simply be looking for a change of direction. Whatever your reasons, teaching is one of the few professions that allow you to develop your skills and knowledge and increase your experience and employability, while travelling the world and exploring new countries and cultures. If you think this is the right path for you, the next step is to think about how your CV/resume will stand out when applying for the best jobs in the most exciting locations. Do qualified teachers need a TEFL certificate?...  [Read more]