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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
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rex P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the... [Read more]
The 2 Pronunciation Problems ESL Students Suffer From in Japan - TEFL Blog
Fri, 19 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
The 2 Pronunciation Problems ESL Students Suffer From in Japan
There are several pronunciation problems that students of English will face in Japan; however, I will focus on two.
Table of Contents
1. Differences in the phonetic systems of two languages
2. Lack of exposure to authentic English resources
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brandie K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
1. Differences in the phonetic systems of two languages
The first of these problems they face is the fact that Japanese doesn't have some of the same sounds in its' alphabet as English... [Read more]
Differences in Teaching Monolingual and Multilingual EFL Groups - TEFL Blog
Tue, 18 Dec 2018 Laura Payne
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Differences in Teaching Monolingual and Multilingual EFL Groups
I am currently working as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan. Before I began this job I assumed that because Japan has a largely homogeneous population, all of my classes would be monolingual. However, I was wrong in this assumption. In addition to my Japanese students, I have many students who are Brazilian or Filipino. These students largely do not use Japanese as their mother tongue and have to learn both English and Japanese as a second language. This diverse student population, in addition to my work experiences and studies, has taught me a lot about working with both monolingual and multilingual classes.
Table of Contents
Listen to this blog post:... [Read more]
Teaching English Pronunciation to Students from Japan - TEFL Blog
Wed, 05 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Teaching English Pronunciation to Students from Japan
In my experience teaching elementary and junior high school level English in Japan, several different pronunciation problems appear frequently. The Japanese phonemic inventory is smaller than English's phonemic inventory, and the sounds present in each language differ from each other quite dramatically. Because of this, it can be difficult for native Japanese speakers to learn and master English pronunciation, but there are a few teaching techniques that can help students overcome this difficulty.
Table of Contents
Consonants Challenge
Non-Existent Sounds in the Native Language
Vowel Challenge
3 Methods to Work on Problems
1. Visual Representation
2. IPA Phonetics
3. Pronunciation... [Read more]
There Is No L (And Other Differences Between Japanese and English) - TEFL Blog
Fri, 18 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
There Is No L (And Other Differences Between Japanese and English)
Throughout high school and college, I mainly focused on learning how to speak Japanese as my second language. Unlike English, Japanese is a fairly phonetic language. Two of its three writing systems, hiragana and katakana, are phonetic. This makes it easy for foreigners to learn because each syllable, also known as sound clusters in some circles, is almost always said exactly how it is spelled. The third writing system, kanji, is not and, as such, is much more difficult for foreigners to learn because kanji are essentially pictures that describe their meaning. They are much more difficult to learn and use in everyday speech.
Table of Contents
Differences in... [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]
Why Is English Challenging to Learn for Japanese Students? - TEFL Blog
Wed, 17 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Why Is English Challenging to Learn for Japanese Students?
Japanese are known for being disciplined, dedicated, and hardworking individuals not only in their work but also in other aspects of their life like hobbies and studies. But why is it difficult for them to learn English despite their strong dedication, patience, efforts, and determination?
Table of Contents
My Teaching Experience
But still, the Japanese cannot speak English, why is that?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Princess D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
My Teaching Experience
I've been teaching English... [Read more]
Contributing to the Classroom as an ALT in Japan - TEFL Blog
Thu, 17 Mar 2022 Asia Ridley
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
Contributing to the Classroom as an ALT in Japan
English education in Japan has been prominent for decades and starts in elementary schools. It is in high demand as the relationship between the U.S. and Japan as well as the abundant amount of tourism. Last year straight after graduating from university in the United States, I moved to Japan and began teaching English. I was fortunate to pass the interviews and become part of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme {JET}. Being an assistant language teacher {ALT} in the Japanese education system versus a conversation school has its differences. Therefore I will be diving into how one can contribute to the classroom as an ALT.
Table of Contents
Japanese Elementary... [Read more]
How Can Teachers Develop the Productive Skills of Japanese Junior High School Students - TEFL Blog
Thu, 25 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How Can Teachers Develop the Productive Skills of Japanese Junior High School Students
Change is coming to the way that English is taught in Japanese public schools. The changes to the curriculum by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) increase the teaching of English at all levels of schooling. The goal of this change is, in the words of Ikuko Tsuboya-Newel, founder and chair of Tokyo International School, "The government has decided that beginning in 2020 all high school graduates must achieve a level of English equivalent to B1" ("Why do Japanese have trouble learning English?", The Japan Times, October 29, 2017). To achieve that goal, high school entrance exams are expected to include more... [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?
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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]
Alumna Experience: ✅How My Teaching Skills Improved Throughout The Teaching Career - TEFL Blog
Fri, 05 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Alumna Experience: ✅How My Teaching Skills Improved Throughout The Teaching Career
For the past four years, I have worked in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) of English. Before this, I had limited experience operating in a conventional classroom, teaching young learners. I trained adults who were self-motivated and designed curricula for vocation institutions. Now, outside of my expertise, here I am teaching at a junior high school – my base school and an elementary school.
Table of Contents
My Role as an Assistant Language Teacher of English
Students' Motivation
Classroom Culture
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Check out what our course grads... [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
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This post was written by our TEFL certification... [Read more]
Why do Japanese Learners Face Difficulties when Studying English? - TEFL Blog
Mon, 10 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Why do Japanese Learners Face Difficulties when Studying English?
English is causing many problems in Asian countries which can be seen just by the high demand for English teachers - including ESL teachers. One of the countries is Japan, a country with a good economy and a society well known for their kindness and politeness, but unfortunately also for the low number of English speakers. There are many reasons why English is likely to pose problems in Japan but there are many possibilities to improve the English lessons to offer lessons that help Japanese students to achieve a higher English level.
Table of Contents
1. English is only written during lessons (Student Talk time is too low)
2. Students are not asked to express their... [Read more]
How Discipline Affects Motivation In and Out of Japanese Classrooms - TEFL Blog
Wed, 13 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
How Discipline Affects Motivation In and Out of Japanese Classrooms
I work in two schools. I am an assistant language teacher at one commercial (low-level English) high school, and an integrated (high-level English) academic junior high and high school. I have had experiences with different kinds of students, Japanese-English teachers, and classroom atmospheres. In Japan, students take an entrance exam to get into high school. If they scored low on the entrance exam, then they are placed in the lowest ranking class. Each school has a certain number of classrooms for each grade. Both of my high schools have six classes total for each grade. There are usually around forty to forty-two students in each class as well. Teaching forty... [Read more]
My Experience as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japanese Elementary and Junior High Schools - TEFL Blog
Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
My Experience as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japanese Elementary and Junior High Schools
I am in my 3rd year of working in the countryside of Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in public elementary and junior high schools. An ALT's official job description is to be the assistant to a Japanese Teacher of Language (JTL). In my experience, especially in elementary schools, the ALT is not seen as an assistant but as "the English teacher" since the regular homeroom teacher has no training or experience with ESL. In most cases, the ALT has a degree in a field unrelated to teaching and has no qualifications.
Table of Contents
Japanese Education System
ALT Training
My Unexpected Discovery
Language Course Peculiarities
Do... [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]
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
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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
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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 Three Main Types of High Schools in Japan - TEFL Blog
Fri, 25 Feb 2022 Etienne Van Rooyen
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
The Three Main Types of High Schools in Japan
There are three types of senior high schools in Japan. Each senior high school (grades 10, 11, and 12) has a different purpose and students attend it. Understanding this helps us learn how English language learning in Japan is differently yet similars each school. With this knowledge, as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) you can adapt your lessons plans, materials and style to fit your school/s.
Table of Contents
Overview of School Types
Academic Schools
Vocational Schools
Correspondence Schools
Academic High Schools
Elite Academic High Schools
General Acadmic High Schools
How do elite and general academic schools approach English learning?
Vocational Schools... [Read more]
How to Help Chinese Native Speakers to Follow English Grammar Rules in Speaking - TEFL Blog
Wed, 09 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How to Help Chinese Native Speakers to Follow English Grammar Rules in Speaking
Grammar is the rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in a natural language. Simply put, grammar is the general rule of a language. Language is logical; grammar tells us in which order we say words. It's about how words become phrases; how words and phrases become sentences and how sentences become language.
Table of Contents
The Essence of Grammar
Different languages have different grammar rules
How to teach grammar (EFL: how to teach Chinese students English)
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yang S. Please note that this blog post... [Read more]
How Learning Languages Help Me In Teaching - TEFL Blog
Mon, 06 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
How Learning Languages Help Me In Teaching
I have had the opportunity to study several foreign languages, some in a formal setting, some self-taught. Through my personal experiences learning other languages, I have developed some insights into language learning. I would like to describe some of my experienc| ITTT | TEFL Bloges, and some of my thoughts on what I have learned from them, and from this course.
Table of Contents
How I started learning languages
How my job influenced the language interest
Challenges of learning on your own
Benefits of the ESA teaching approach
How to distinguish a skilled teacher
Are you ready to teach English abroad?
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Listen to this blog post
This post was written by our TEFL... [Read more]
Teaching English in Japan - The Salary and Budget Guide - TEFL Blog
Wed, 05 Sep 2018 Linda Dunsmore
Budget and Salary Destinations
Teaching English in Japan - The Salary and Budget Guide
The following guide will help you answer the question: How much can I earn (and save) while teaching English in Japan? You will also find information on the local cost of living in order to figure out how much to budget for when moving to Japan.
Table of Contents
Listen to this blog post:
The Typical Salary for English Teachers in Japan
Other Benefits to Expect When Teaching English in Japan
How to Earn Extra Cash While Teaching English in Japan
The Cost of Living in Japan
Cost of Living in Japan: Food
Cost of Living in Japan: Leisure Activities
Cost of Living in Japan: Transportation
Cost of Living in Japan: Travel in Japan and Beyond
Sample Monthly Teacher Budget... [Read more]
Which TEFL/TESOL Course is Best if I Want to Teach ESL Online? - TEFL Blog
Fri, 08 Sep 2023 Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Which TEFL/TESOL Course is Best if I Want to Teach ESL Online?
In today's interconnected world, the demand for English language proficiency continues to rise, opening up a world of opportunities for those who can teach it effectively. Whether you're an aspiring English teacher or considering a career change, understanding the nuances of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certifications is crucial.
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TEFL or TESOL: What are they, and what's the difference?
Types of TEFL or TESOL courses
In-Class TEFL/TESOL Courses
Online TEFL/TESOL Courses
Combined TEFL/TESOL Courses
Is teaching online different from in-class?
In... [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]
How Important is the Difference Between American English and British English for EFL Learners? - TEFL Blog
Mon, 17 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
How Important is the Difference Between American English and British English for EFL Learners?
This summative essay will exam the importance of teaching the differences between American English and British English for EFL learners. I will examine the intention behind teaching these differences, and when these teachings should be applied, and to what effect and purpose. This essay will focus primarily on the problems of pronunciation and spelling, which are the two main differences. I am a British citizen, born and raised in London, England, and currently teach at a public high school in Tokyo.
Table of Contents
Spelling
Challenges for Beginners and Intermediate Learners
What do Students Think?
Grammar
Interesting Experience for... [Read more]
Being a Cultural Ambassador in Japan: the Other Side of the EFL Experience - TEFL Blog
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.
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Listen to this blog post:
Cultural exchange and classroom teaching
Cultural exchange outside of... [Read more]
How to Teach English Knowledge Instead of Teaching Skills - TEFL Blog
Thu, 25 Feb 2021 Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
How to Teach English Knowledge Instead of Teaching Skills
What comes to mind when one thinks of an English classroom? Is it organized rows of desks filled with students writing vocabulary and grammar into their notebooks while the teacher talks in the front? This is the classic image of a classroom. A student goes to school to learn what they don't already know. When teaching English, it can be easy to fall into the trap of rote memorization and reliance on grammar and vocabulary. However, is this method effective? Does this way of learning motivate students to become lifelong learners of a foreign language? It is less useful to teach students many things than to teach them the skills needed to... [Read more]
Our ITTT TEFL and TESOL Alumni Stories from: 430
Our ITTT TEFL and TESOL Alumni Stories
Why I Wanted to Complete a TEFL Course
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
This blog post was written by out TEFL alumna who shares their story and experience of taking a TEFL course online with ITTT.
Hybrid Classrooms: The Way Towards The Future
Zainab Sadriwala
Alumni Experiences
In this blog post, we discuss some of these useful methods and learn how we can incorporate them into our schools. This new model, merging virtual and physical teaching, will be termed under the umbrella of ‘hybrid classrooms’.
A Day in the Life of an EPIK Teacher in South Korea
Brittany Varano
Destinations Alumni Experiences
For those thinking of teaching English in South Korea, the EPIK program offers one of the best job opportunities in Asia.... [Read more]