Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
The Main Problems of ESL Learners From Japan - TEFL Blog
Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The Main Problems of ESL Learners From Japan
Regardless of the Japanese government's efforts to increase the number of foreign tourists to be a tourism-oriented country and to have been retaining compulsory English education for decades, Japanese people still have a reputation of being bad at English. The average TOEIC and TOEFL scores for Japanese are one of the worst among advanced nations. South Korea was also one of the worst in the past, but they are getting better and better these days. However, there are still some obstacles for many Japanese English learners to get over.
Table of Contents
1. First, there are very few teachers in Japan who can teach students how to speak and write English with confidence.
2. Secondly, the... [Read more]
How Can English Influence a Student's Career - TEFL Blog
Fri, 28 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
How Can English Influence a Student's Career
English is my first language, however, I studied Spanish throughout high school growing up in the Midwest and eventually received a Master's degree in Spanish Literature. I learned to speak Spanish very well after becoming a high school Spanish teacher for eight years and then a principal for elementary and secondary schools for 26 more years speaking Spanish to new immigrant students and parents the whole time.
Table of Contents
Bilingualism
Confidence
Advantages and Perspectives
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rex P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the... [Read more]
Why Japanese Students Struggle with Communicating in English - TEFL Blog
Mon, 06 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Why Japanese Students Struggle with Communicating in English
During my stay in Japan, Japanese people often told me how they can't communicate in English despite studying the language for six or more years in school. In Japan, students in junior and senior high learn English grammar and vocabulary in compulsory formal English classes. English is also taught in elementary school as foreign language activities. Yet despite spending several hours in English classes, many Japanese people graduate high school with poor English communication skills.
Table of Contents
Education system
Class culture
Learning goals
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification... [Read more]
The Struggles for Japanese Students When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Thu, 24 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
The Struggles for Japanese Students When Learning English
I have been teaching in Japan for over 12 years in three different locations ranging from the southernmost part of Hokkaido to the southern island of Kyushu, where I presently reside. The youngest students I have had were children not even two years of age, whereas my older students were in their seventies. This is a very common situation for those who teach here in Japan; a country where the English boom occurred not too long after they rebuilt their nation following the Second World War.
Table of Contents
Interest
Popular Culture Influence
Pronunciation Difficulties
Language Systems
Confidence
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This... [Read more]
How Non-Native English-Speaking Teachers are Valuable in English Class - TEFL Blog
Thu, 04 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How Non-Native English-Speaking Teachers are Valuable in English Class
Teaching English as a foreign language can be an intimidating task, especially for non-native English speaking teachers. This is true for many of my coworkers who are homeroom teachers at elementary schools in Japan. English has recently become a formal subject in elementary schools here and many homeroom teachers are intimidated by the sudden responsibility to teach a language they are not fluent in. Many feel that native speakers are better English teachers since native speakers have natural pronunciation and excellent command of the language. Co-teaching with a native speaker can put added pressure on homeroom teachers to speak perfect English in front of their... [Read more]
The Cultural and Institutional Obstacles that Japanese Students of English Need to Overcome - TEFL Blog
Fri, 03 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The Cultural and Institutional Obstacles that Japanese Students of English Need to Overcome
Many challenges come with teaching English in Japan that is unique and not innately obvious to some people. In addition to the more universal challenges of learning a new language, there are inherent cultural obstacles that English learners must overcome in Japan as well as several problems with the current course of study that is being taught. However, English teachers should do their best to work within the limits of the system to foster an interest and passion for language that lives on outside the classroom and beyond the school years of learners.
Table of Contents
Vastly different language system
The history of Japanese isolation... [Read more]
An Overview of Common Challenges of ESL Students from Japan - TEFL Blog
Mon, 04 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
An Overview of Common Challenges of ESL Students from Japan
Japan is a nation that has tried to increase its citizens' English ability, especially with the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games being held in their country. However, progress has been slow and not fruitful. There are various reasons for this slow stagnation of the nation's English abilities such as the larger academic system and access to proper education in rural areas. However, I will focus on three main hurdles that Japanese learners of English must face that can impede their English education.
Table of Contents
Japanese vs. English
Phonetics
Alphabet
Japanese English Class
Style Problems
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This... [Read more]
How to Get Ready for Unforeseen Circumstances in The Classroom? - TEFL Blog
Tue, 14 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
How to Get Ready for Unforeseen Circumstances in The Classroom?
There can be a lot of difficulties a teacher might face in the future lesson. You might have to manage a class without any help or you might have students from different nationalities, ages, interests or so on. I believe, however, that most of the problems you might have would be solved if you planned the lessons carefully in advance. There are some reasons to support my idea.
Table of Contents
What's your lesson goal?
You can manage your class anyways
Know your students
Are you ready to teach ESL classes?
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Eri S.
What's your lesson goal?
First, you can find what you should exactly do in a... [Read more]
Common Problems Japanese Learners of English Experience - TEFL Blog
Wed, 09 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Common Problems Japanese Learners of English Experience
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.
Table of Contents
Global Opportunities
Differences in Language Structure
Cultural Challenges
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!... [Read more]
How Japanese as a Native Language Causes Problems for Students Learning English in Japan - TEFL Blog
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]
What are The Challenges for English Learners in Japan? - TEFL Blog
Mon, 25 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
What are The Challenges for English Learners in Japan?
I have taught in a Japanese high school for the past four years as an assistant language teacher, which gives me a particular insight into the problems and advantages of EFL in that area. This will naturally require some generalizations. Individuals have very different problems from one another, but broader shared issues do crop up.
Table of Contents
My experience
Japanese average
Gap between two languages
Japanese culture can also make teaching difficult
Another aspect of the culture that can make things difficult is the island mentality of Japan
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification... [Read more]
Cultural Sensitivity In Japan - TEFL Blog
Mon, 11 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Cultural Sensitivity In Japan
So, you've just finished a delicious meal of sushi at your favorite sushi restaurant in Tokyo. The waitress comes by and leaves the check at your table, you place your money inside, hand it back, and she shortly returns with the receipt. You proceed to place a generous tip on the table to thank her for her wonderful service, and you show yourself out of the restraint, back to the busy streets of Tokyo. Can you spot something that you shouldn't have done in this scenario?
Table of Contents
Foreign point of view
Behavior
Other Cultural Symbols
Presents
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zachary B. Please note... [Read more]
Parents Role in EFL Education - TEFL Blog
Thu, 18 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Parents Role in EFL Education
"Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word movement and action affects…" this opinion expressed by Bob Keeshan is supported by many people worldwide. Is this true? What are some of the roles they model? How do these roles impact their child's education? Henceforth let us take a look at some of the parents' education in the education of their children, then briefly look at some of the impact observed in students' attitude in an English class?Parents play many roles in education, and that role begins on the day of the child's birth (Although there are many studies out there that argue that it starts in utero). Studies have shown that children... [Read more]
Teaching ESL vs. EFL - What’s the difference? - TEFL Blog
Sat, 25 May 2019 Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Teaching ESL vs. EFL - What’s the difference?
ESL is English which is usually taught to students in an English speaking country. EFL is English which is taught to students in a foreign, non-English speaking country. As it is true of many European countries, where is common to learn to speak more than one foreign language. For these reasons ESL is typically the term used in the United States, an English-speaking nation, whereas EFL is more often the term of choice in countries where English is not the native language.
Table of Contents
What's ESL? What's EFL?
Teaching ESL versus teaching EFL
ESL Students Need...
1. Hands-on English lessons suitable for their immediate needs.
2. Explicit cultural instruction.
3.... [Read more]
Tips for Getting Involved in the EFL Community Abroad - TEFL Blog
Mon, 08 Jun 2020 Amanda Stern
Destinations Alumni Experiences
Tips for Getting Involved in the EFL Community Abroad
Are you planning on teaching abroad, but worrying about how you can get involved in the community and leave a memorable impression on the locals? Language barriers may make this seem like a harrowing task, but fear not, the following is a list of a few jumping-off points for those planning to take the plunge into their new community.
Table of Contents
International Events
Sports Teams
Culture Classes
Holiday Festivals
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today!
Related Articles:
International Events
Celebrating multiculturalism in a community is a worldwide phenomenon, even for unassuming towns. In our rural port-town in Japan, we have multiple... [Read more]
Class For TEFL - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Class For TEFL
Check out tefl tesol about Class For 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
W.L. - Australia said:
English as a global languageEnglish is currently the global language. It is the official language of United Nations and many International organizations such as The International Olympic Committee and FIFA.
The main reason for this is the emergence of the British Empire. It was said the sun never set on the British empire. They owned colonies on every continent on earth. Thus they were able to spread the English language far and wide. The second reason why English... [Read more]
From Taxi Driver to International Teacher - a Graduate’s Story - TEFL Blog
Wed, 10 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences
From Taxi Driver to International Teacher - a Graduate’s Story
Many people may think that the worst part of being an Uber driver are the belligerent midnight trips from downtown to the suburbs or the aggressive pre-coffee commuters or the fact that a five-minute drive can take thirty minutes because of gridlock. However, as an Uber driver of one year, I believe that the worst part about the job are trips to the airport. When I interacted with passengers going to the airport, I would think of all the new things they would get to try and the different cultures they would learn about. The problem with these trips was they were a constant reminder that the world is just waiting for us to explore it, but I was stuck leading a... [Read more]
Easy Solutions for Problems Faced by Japanese Students in English - TEFL Blog
Wed, 22 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Easy Solutions for Problems Faced by Japanese Students in English
Learning a second language can be difficult and depending on the learner's mother tongue, it can present challenges unique to a certain group of people. More specifically, there are several unique challenges for Japanese native speakers who are learning English and vice versa. English can be difficult for Japanese native speakers for various reasons such as difficulty distinguishing certain sounds, the use of katakana to teach English words, and drastically different sentence structure.
Table of Contents
Difficult Sounds
Vocabulary Typical to Japanese Only
Sentence Structure
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was... [Read more]
The Global Rise of the English Language - How Far Will it Go? - TEFL Blog
Fri, 11 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The Global Rise of the English Language - How Far Will it Go?
Whether you like English or despise it, the English language is here to stay. There is no stronger contender right now as a global language, other than English. But how did this happen, why is English now the dominant language in Education, Business and the Media.
Table of Contents
Personal Experience
English in My Family
Influence on Other Countries
Modern Situation
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Iain Hamilton-G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Personal Experience
Well in this essay I am not going to... [Read more]
Teaching in Japan: Problems of Local Learners - TEFL Blog
Thu, 05 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Teaching in Japan: Problems of Local Learners
In this essay I will be discussing the problems for young Japanese learners of English, and what problems Japanese learners often encounter as well as explaining some of the reasons why teachers can run into problems while teaching in Japan. I will be referring to the book "The Smart Guide to Teaching English in Japan' by Charlie Moritz and Martin Bragalone, as well as drawing from my knowledge and experiences of studying and volunteering in Japan. Japan can be a challenging but rewarding country to work in, despite stereotypes of Japanese people being polite and studious so it is important to consider that reality can be different when teaching in Japan.
Table of Contents
Eikaiwa... [Read more]
The Best English Teacher’s Personal Qualities - TEFL Blog
Mon, 18 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
The Best English Teacher’s Personal Qualities
Teaching is not an easy profession, to begin with. Furthermore, teaching English as a foreign language adds even more complications and considerations. Many different qualities contribute to the aptitude of an English teacher. For starters, one must have the aptitude for the language itself. English, like all other languages, is a difficult and complex language. To teach a language properly, the teacher must have a certain level of fluency in that language. Although this may seem obvious, it is an important requirement because teaching a student incorrectly is almost worse than not teaching them anything at all. Therefore, fluency in English is an important enough characteristic that I... [Read more]
Challenges of EFL Teaching in Barbados and Japan - TEFL Blog
Tue, 24 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Challenges of EFL Teaching in Barbados and Japan
This essay will be a comparison of my personal experience teaching English in Barbados, a country whose main language is English versus teaching English in a rural area in Japan, a country whose main language is Japanese (not English). Firstly, I will briefly discuss the definitions of teaching. Secondly, I will summarize English education for young learners in each country. Finally, I will compare and contrasts my personal experience in both countries and the valuable lessons I have learned. To protect the anonymity of the schools, the specific areas and any other identifying information will be excluded from this essay.
Table of Contents
What is Teaching?
My International... [Read more]
Agency Online TEFL - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Agency Online TEFL
Check out tefl tesol about Agency Online 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
T.R. - Japan said:
English as a global languageIn November 2010, Mr. Hiroshi Mikitani, President of the japanese company Rakuten®, announced that by the year 2012, all operations at their headquarters in Tokyo will be done in English¹. To some, this news was a welcoming change, while to many others it spelled heartache. According to Mr. Mikitani, in order to survive in the global market place, English was ?essential?, as the company expands into more regions . This move by Mr.... [Read more]
Etiquette Asia ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Etiquette Asia
Working as an English teacher in a foreign country is an excellent opportunity not only to teach students how to speak English but also to teach them about the culture of your home country. It is equally important for English teachers to take the time to learn about the particular social customs of their host countries. Whether you are in a meeting with your colleagues or are invited to a social event, there will be things that will undoubtedly be done differently than back home, sometime in quite bewilderingly different ways.
Learning the reasons behind the way these things are done will help you to understand why and as a result help you to have a more fulfilling experience in your host country and help you in the classroom. In many countries in Asia deference is... [Read more]
Common Issues Japanese Learners Face When Learning English - TEFL Blog
Wed, 22 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Common Issues Japanese Learners Face When Learning English
Through my experience as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan, there have been numerous difficulties and challenges my students face in learning the English language. My students are primarily between the ages of 5 and 15. These challenges involve the pronunciation difficulties the students face coming from Japanese pronunciation, as well as the methodology of teaching English in Japan They may not apply to all of Japan but are definitely prominent issues within my area.
Table of Contents
Pronunciation
The Problem of Making Mistakes
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate James W.... [Read more]
An Australian Amongst American Textbooks in Japan: ✅ Teaching in a Country that Values American English - TEFL Blog
Tue, 15 Dec 2020 Maddy Payne
Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
An Australian Amongst American Textbooks in Japan: ✅ Teaching in a Country that Values American English
Assistant Language Teachers in Japan come from different countries worldwide, bringing different kinds of English with them. In my experience, American English is often the most sought-after version of English. Some countries highly value Language Teachers from the USA, which often matches their American-style textbooks and resources. Sometimes people are even overlooked for job opportunities due to their Australian accent and British English background. Well, Japan is no different in this regard. Many Japanese schools hold American English in high regard, so what is it like being an Australian-English... [Read more]
How to Teach ESL Classes of Mixed Ability - TEFL Blog
Thu, 24 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How to Teach ESL Classes of Mixed Ability
Students are never on the same proficiency as one another. Whether that would be in Math class, Science class, or English class. Everyone has their own abilities and own knowledge. As a teacher, this can be an exciting challenge. There are many ways that you can improve learning in your mixed-ability classroom.
Table of Contents
Peer Learning in Small Groups
Challenge
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Bevan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Peer Learning in Small Groups
One way to do this would be to pair the more proficient... [Read more]
The 3 Most Important Parts of Classroom Management for ESL Teachers - TEFL Blog
Thu, 21 Feb 2019 Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
The 3 Most Important Parts of Classroom Management for ESL Teachers
Classroom management is one of the most important aspects of teaching and is the key to students' successful learning. Consequently, how to effectively manage and run classroom becomes the central theme and sometimes the biggest concern for English teachers, especially when facing young learners. There are a variety of settings with different scenarios but since I currently teach in Japan, here I would like to focus on the class setting in which all students are Japanese, i.e., of a single nationality who learn English as a foreign language.
Table of Contents
The classroom environment
Student behavior
The importance of building trust in the classroom
Are you ready to... [Read more]
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program: All You Need to Know and How to Apply - TEFL Blog
Mon, 15 Oct 2018 Laura Payne
Destinations TEFL Information
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program: All You Need to Know and How to Apply
The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Program is not the only means to teach English in Japan, but it is one of the most popular programs out there both for aspiring teachers and those who wish to pursue other fields. I first joined this program a little over a year ago. In the short time since then, I've gained incredibly valuable experiences through my work as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT).
Table of Contents
The History of JET
Duties of an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT)
How to Apply for the JET Program
Remuneration and Living
Rewards of JET
Common Challenges for ALTs
The JET Community
Listen to this blog post
What are you waiting... [Read more]
Connecting Dots Through English - TEFL Blog
Thu, 14 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Connecting Dots Through English
Have you ever wondered why people all over the world are somehow curious about the English language? Or why does a country like Japan wherein the English language is not a requirement to get a job, is on-demand for more competent and effective English teachers? These kinds of questions make me remember my favorite quote, "Everything has a reason"; And yes somehow, English exists for a reason of course. You might be thinking why I entitled this essay "Connecting Dots Through English", well you will find out why, as you read more on this essay.
Table of Contents
My Personal Experience
Connection
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
Related Articles:
This post was written by our... [Read more]