How To Learn About Other Cultures

Should we teach culture in the EFL classroom? Put simply, language is a verbal expression of culture which means that culture clearly has to be seen as an important part of language learning. Although it is important to learn the vocabulary and grammar of English during lessons, to truly grasp what the language means to native speakers it is vital that EFL students learn as much as possible about the culture of English speaking nations. The good news is that students generally love learning about cultural issues, whether it is music, films, books, and TV, or other things such as food or fashion. So, how can we incorporate culture into our EFL lessons to make them interesting and productive? Use authentic materials Authentic materials can be anything that native English speakers might use...  [Read more]

Thu, 28 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching ESL Classes vs. EFL Classes Programs in English as a second language (ESL) generally take place in countries where English is the dominant or official language. People participating in an ESL program likely immigrated to an English-speaking country from a non-English speaking county and so are learning English as a language to be used in their everyday lives. In contrast, programs in English as a foreign language (EFL) generally take place in countries where English is not the official or dominant language. People participating in an EFL program are likely still in their home country and may or may not ever use English outside of the EFL classroom. This fundamental difference between the two types of programs can lead to...  [Read more]

Should we teach culture in the EFL classroom? Absolutely. Language is deeply intertwined with culture, serving as its vocal representation. While mastering vocabulary and grammar is crucial, to fully understand the essence of English, EFL students should immerse themselves in the culture of English-speaking nations. This entails exploring cultural facets like music, films, literature, culinary traditions, and even fashion. Incorporating cultural elements not only enriches EFL lessons but also resonates with students, making the learning process more engaging and comprehensive. Table of Contents Use authentic materials Compare two cultures Introduce live native speakers Use food as a tool Use songs as a tool Use Online Resources Use authentic materials Authentic materials can be anything...  [Read more]

Provider TEFL Online Check out tefl tesol about Provider TEFL Online 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 G.B. - Australia said: Cultural sensitivity in the classroomWithin any classroom, but perhaps more importantly in an ESL classroom, there is a heightened need for classes to be taught with cultural sensitivity and with a lack of bias, prejudice or discrimination. If the teacher is aware and diligent in applying strategies to minimise the risk of offense or misunderstanding, there will be an increased potential for the student?s learning, and comfort within the classroom. As...  [Read more]

Fastest TEFL Lessons Check out tefl tesol about Fastest TEFL Lessons and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts C.B. - Australia said: Promoting cultural sensitivity in an ESL classroomAn ESL classroom is perhaps one of the most culturally diverse learning environments. Cultural diversity involves more than different languages. Learners from different cultures have different ways to think, to act, to react and to express themselves. How can a teacher promote cultural diversity in an ESL classroom and ensure a respectful environment allowing students from different cultural background to...  [Read more]

Additional TEFL Centers Check out tefl tesol about Additional TEFL Centers 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. - Japan said: English as a global language As the 21st century unfolds, the rapid rise of globalization and information has spread throughout the world significantly and continues to do so. One of the fantastic aspects of this is that language which is one of,if not the most important medium to communicate has become the prime mode to which information is distributed across the globe. Due to the rapid global expansion of languages and businesses, English has grown...  [Read more]

Thu, 05 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Why Cultural Awareness is Important for Teachers Even in picking on what books and materials to aid the lesson, from authentic to created, cultural awareness should always be part of the consideration. The cultural background of the students should be first studied and researched, as this will play a significant role in the learning process. Even though many students may have been exposed to cultural exchange programs, personal interactions, and awareness through social media, we still differ in cultural needs. Table of Contents The Power of First Impression Attitude Towards Various Contexts How to Learn about a New Culture Faster Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our...  [Read more]

Prices Accelerated TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Prices Accelerated 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 E.M. - Philippines said: Cultural Sensitivity in the ClassroomIf I were to choose one word that basically sums up what the world is experiencing today, it would be globalization. The advent of the Digital Age brought about the emergence of a "global village" characterized by faster markets, a more continuous transfer of technologies and capabilities, a freer movement of people and goods, and quicker real-time exchange of information - making borders and territories...  [Read more]

Wed, 07 Aug 2019 Shanique Hutchinson Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Being a Cultural Ambassador in Japan: the Other Side of the EFL Experience Throughout my scholastic journey, I have been exposed to various foreign languages such as: Spanish, French, Japanese and Chinese. Apart from learning the lexical and grammatical structures of these languages, I was apprised of other cultural elements of the countries that spoke these languages through various materials as well as interacting with natives from these territories. This deep rooted love affair with other cultures, specifically languages, stirred my future aspirations to become a cultural ambassador. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Cultural exchange and classroom teaching Cultural exchange outside of...  [Read more]

Wed, 25 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences My Foreign Language Experience and Why I Want to be TEFL/TESOL Certified As someone of mixed heritage, I have always had an interest in learning about cultures other than the one I live in America. My father is Colombian and my mother is American, so growing up I felt obliged to learn more about the Colombian background I was fairly unfamiliar with. Table of Contents First-Language Background Interest in Foreign Cultures Work Abroad English Teaching Plan Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Catherine P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First-Language Background I never...  [Read more]

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 Minh Huy Hoang Destinations Tips for EFL Teachers Coming to Teach English in Vietnam For an expat in Vietnam, the vast majority of work opportunities are tied to teaching English. These also happen to be among the best-paid jobs in the country. English is big business and teaching the language is a great way for an expat to earn a living in Vietnam. For those looking to do just that, here are some valuable tips. Table of Contents Learning About Vietnamese Culture Understanding Local Differences The Vietnamese Learning Method Are you ready to teach English in Vietnam? Related Articles: Learning About Vietnamese Culture First of all, you have to learn briefly about the culture of the country to be able to integrate. Here I would like to speak briefly about the...  [Read more]

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]

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Consciousness on Classroom Sensitivity Cultural sensitivity is important to bear in mind as we all face situations daily: whether in our working environment or on a personal level. Within the Western English speaking world, we can see that there is the presence of a dominant culture (such as European American, or Western Culture) and a secondary culture (such as African, Chinese, or Eastern European culture). It is always important to bear in mind that while the English language may be widespread over the globe, the differences in culture even between people living within the same country has a profound effect on how interactions take place. In the environment of the classroom, the same examples can be seen. Whether the students...  [Read more]

Tue, 10 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Ways to Improve Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom Culture is ubiquitous. Today, a lot of people, especially teachers, are aware of how culture plays a major role not only within the educational realm but everywhere. Indeed, it takes an astute observation and deep understanding of cultural sensitivity in the classroom. It is noteworthy to claim that cultural belongings shape our communicative skills and thoughts, which in return enable us to sympathize with people having different cultural backgrounds. To promote cultural sensitivity in the classroom, teachers should at least be culturally knowledgeable, adaptive and celebrating diversity. Table of Contents Cultural Awareness Adaptation Praise and Compliment Build Relationships Do...  [Read more]

College Complete TEFL Check out tefl tesol about College Complete 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 Y.T. - Japan said: Cultural Sensitivity in the ClassroomCultural sensitivity in the classroom is one of the biggest factors in deciding the class' openess towards cultural differences, and whether the class can operate on an equal basis in a class of multicultural students. This issue is becoming more important as the globalization continues to spread, and students are more likely than ever to share a class with those of different countries and cultures in this world of...  [Read more]

Wed, 15 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Why and How to Acquire Cultural Competency in the ESL Classroom I am a South African who has worked in South Korea for more than eight years and one of the most important tools as an ESL teacher from a whole different nationality and culture has been the knowledge and awareness of cultural sensitivity in the classroom. When I meet a new ESL teacher and they ask me for advice this is usually the first thing I recommend: become an expert in the culture. It helps you meet the needs of your students and it creates a comfortable environment in which your students want to learn. In this essay we will look at what is culture, strategies for culture learning and how to assess your level of cultural competence. Table of Contents Firstly let's...  [Read more]

Wed, 15 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One More Point of View on the Importance of Stories for English Learning in Early Childhood Early childhood is the period from 0-8 years old, it is a time of remarkable growth with brain development at its peak. During this stage, children are highly influenced by the environment and the people that surround them. We can say further that Early childhood education is a branch of education that relates to the teaching of children from birth to the age of eight, therefore covering infancy, kindergarten and the early school years up to grades 3. So how does storytelling come in? Well, storytelling does a lot here because this stage is very crucial to a child's early physical, socio-emotional, cognitive and linguistic development. Table...  [Read more]

Companies Internet TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Companies Internet 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 B. A. - Japan said: Building Confidence in StudentsHelping build confidence in students is a vital part of the EFL teacher?s role in the classroom. A confident student is more likely to be motivated, willing to try, inquisitive and ultimately successful in learning. There are many factors which can influence an individual?s confidence. The role of the teacher is to be aware of these factors and create and environment for the learner where these factors are minimized if...  [Read more]

Where is EFL taught? EFL, standing for English as a Foreign Language, predominantly refers to the instruction of English in non-English speaking countries. This encompasses many popular countries for teaching such as Spain, Japan, Mexico, and numerous others. In these settings, learners engage with English even though it is not the dominant language of their environment. While EFL can also denote courses in English-speaking nations, its primary context is the teaching or learning of English where it isn't the native language. Table of Contents What's the difference between EFL and ESL? What's the difference between teaching EFL and teaching ESL? What's the difference between EFL and ESL? It is very common for either of these acronyms to be used when talking about any situation where a...  [Read more]

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 Federico Riva Alumni Experiences TEFL Reviews & TESOL Reviews TEFL Alumni Interview with Elleda Spitzer For ITTT, our community of students and alumni is the most important to us. That's why we'd love to share what our course grads have to say! This will not only have others make a better decision in whether TEFL/TESOL is for them, but it will also help the ITTT community grow bigger and stronger! Table of Contents 1. What's your name? 2. Where are you from? Where do you currently live? 3. Which ITTT course(s) did you take? 4. Why did you take a TEFL/TESOL course from ITTT? 5. What was your favorite part about the course? 6. You've finished your TEFL/TESOL course - now what? What are your plans and goals? 7. What's your no. 1 tip for other TEFL/TESOL course...  [Read more]

Tue, 28 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Principles and Peculiarities of Second Language Acquisition Language is one of the most significant aspects that differentiate humans from other species. The method of human communication is considered unique as it incorporates both spoken and written communication. The use of language in communication consists of the use of words in a structured or conventional way. Language acquisition is considered one of the most unique and impressive aspects of human development both psychologically and cognitively. However, every human acquires the language they encounter as children. It is from this point that they can learn multiple languages, although these languages will always be unique from the first language they were exposed to....  [Read more]

Thu, 25 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Reasons Why Speaking English as a Second Language is Vital and Beneficial In an increasingly globalized world, English has become the lingua franca for the world. What is very interesting with English is that it is a kind of Frankenstein of languages and thus a great language to now be spread worldwide. English, which is based on a dialect of northern German, has massive infusions from the French after the Norman invasion of 1066, Norwegian and Scandinavian languages from the Vikings settlements in medieval England, as well as many other languages that have influenced it over the years. It is a language that carries with it many different languages and much history. Table of Contents The History of...  [Read more]

Wed, 11 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How to Take Advantage of Your TEFL Certification The questions should be why not, everyone who is a native speaker or just fluent in the language of English and loves to share with other people, this is the perfect opportunity. English is a global language, everyone around the world is connected through this language. Especially, people who are already teaching English in school, they should finish this course, it provides them an invaluable opportunity to explore the world, to learn about new cultures through interacting with their students, to share their knowledge on a global level. Table of Contents Career Opportunities Responsibilities Great Start Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: ...  [Read more]

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Is it Difficult to Teach Children Online? Most would say it's an almost impossible task, one that requires a lot of patience and repetition. How are you supposed to keep their interest? How do you communicate to them efficiently despite not being physically present? Teaching children may not be an easy task, however, I believe it would be a most rewarding one. Teaching online is something that I have been keen on and would like to venture into after completing this course. We are moving into a digital world where we will all soon be connected over the internet. This is a wonderful opportunity to be able to reach and enrich the lives of children globally. Table of Contents Is it a good choice? Cultural exchange Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Wed, 17 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas 3 Practical Ways to Be Culturally Sensitive Cultural sensitivity derives from the differences among different cultures throughout the world. In the context of English teaching, teachers who move to another country must seriously consider the cultural pattern in the targeted country or region. Table of Contents 1. Learn about a new culture 2. Control your actions 3. Consider socio-political environment Are you ready to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Eleana V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. 1. Learn about a new culture Cultural diversity is by default a very interesting topic and...  [Read more]

Wed, 03 Mar 2021 Lulu Johnson Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences The World of the Fulbright Program for Teaching English Abroad The Fulbright program is a great way to travel abroad and work as an English language teacher in an exciting new country. It allows you to experience a new culture, meet lots of new people and discover something new about yourself. This article will go over what Fulbright is, their English teaching program, and how to apply to Fulbright in this blog post. Table of Contents Why I chose the Fulbright Experience What is Fulbright? What is Fulbright ETA? Why Apply? There are some requirements when applying for the Fulbright grant, but here are the basic 3. Are you ready for the Fulbright Experience? Related Articles: Check out what our course...  [Read more]

Fri, 13 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Volunteer Teaching: A Meaningful Exchange Of the many possible paths to take after completing a teaching English certificate, volunteer teaching can be an important and transformative one for all involved. It can offer students who otherwise would not have access, the opportunity to learn English and the possibilities which come with it. It can also offer teachers the ability to travel, experience a new culture and language for themselves as well as provide a great experience to improve their skills. Table of Contents The Global Power of English Benefits of Being a Volunteer Perks of a Volunteering Position Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Where is EFL taught? Within the world of English language teaching there are many acronyms used to describe what type of teaching is involved in any particular scenario. EFL is one of the more common ones you will come across and it stands for English as a Foreign Language. You will find EFL is most commonly used when describing the teaching or learning of English in a non-English speaking country, such as Spain, Japan, or Mexico. What’s the difference between EFL and ESL? It is very common for either of these acronyms to be used when talking about any situation where a student is learning English, however, there is a technical difference between the two. As previously mentioned, EFL is when the student is learning English in a non-English speaking environment, for example, a Japanese...  [Read more]

Qualifications Best TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Qualifications 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 G.N. - Canada said: Volunteer teachingAn internet search will provide you with a plethora of suggestions for volunteer ESL teaching overseas. Besides a time commitment, many have a substantial financial requirement. If considering volunteering overseas, you would do well to research the opportunities to ensure the validity of the organization and to prevent unpleasant surprises upon reaching your destination. Some agencies require a bachelor?s degree and a substantial...  [Read more]

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Importance of Reading for Bilingual Multicultural Children Raising bilingual kids is nowadays becoming a common family matter, it is easy to find multicultural families around the world these days. According to research published on the website Trend, global migration has highly increased since the 1960s. People seeking a better life with financial and educational gains, resulting in multicultural families with bilingual or multilingual children. Table of Contents The Mix of Cultures in a Family Why Reading is Needed Isn't it Enough to Speak? Reading for Training Other Abilities Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]