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How I Was Introduced to the World of Foreign Language Teaching - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
My interest in ESL began without the intention of becoming an ESL instructor in the first place. It was mostly born out of curiosity and interest in relocating to a foreign country which at the time (2009) was China. At the time I had been deeply contemplating a career living abroad. The contemplation came more from a cultural motivation than from a financial or career-minded motivation. Throughout my childhood and beyond, my parents were both avid travelers. Both my Mother and Father had spent considerable periods traveling in Asia, East Asia and Central Asia in particular.
Parental Supervision
Real Inspiration
Chinese Experience
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Halloween Facts Worksheet - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This is a worksheet to learn facts about Halloween. It is a reading task and there also are some activities to check the pupils' reading comprehension. The students also can learn about the origins of Halloween and how the Ancient Celtics used to celebrate it.
Here are the exercises for after the reading:
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5 Amazing Reasons to Teach English in Istanbul, Turkey - TEFL Blog
Gökhan Yilmaz
Destinations Alumni Experiences
Istanbul is not only the most developed city in Turkey, but it's also one of the oldest cities in the world. The city was founded by the Romans in the year 300 and is considered a sacred place today, important to all religions in general. Its geographical location at the junction of Asia and Europe is unique in the world, making it an attractive destination for teaching English as a foreign language.
Here are 5 reasons why Istanbul is a great place to teach English!
Istanbul is a huge city.
Istanbul is a Religious Melting Pot.
Istanbul is a tourism hot spot.
Istanbul has two large airports.
The weather in Istanbul is great.
And if you're still not sure if Istanbul is for you, take it from these famous quotes about the city:
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Course Materials: How to Engage Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
There are many goals for English as a second language teacher (ESL). The teacher must inform and evaluate student abilities to competently produce written and verbal communication in the English language. Ultimately, one of the most important goals for the teacher to achieve is a reduction in their own talk time and an increase in student talk time (STT), using the target language. Creating a positive classroom environment is essential in generating students that have high levels of productivity. This environment is established well by building rapport and engaging the students. Having varied course materials incorporated in each lesson will help to maintain engagement for the learner and with enough diversity and fun in the activities, rapport should... [Read more]
Stories for Teaching English to Different Groups of Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Reading is one of the key elements for all English learners. By reading authentic stories and books, not only do we learn reading and understanding the text we are working with, but we also expand our vocabulary by discovering new authentic words you wouldn't be able to find in your course books, and more importantly, you can see it in context which makes it easier to remember and use those words and structures in the future.
Younger Students
Teens and Adults
Resources
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Julia P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
It's important to know which stories to choose... [Read more]
How Learning A Foreign Language Made Me a Better ESL Teacher - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
I've taken four years of college Russian. Throughout my time at my university, I learned a few things about both learning and teaching a language that have helped me become a better ESL teacher.
Creating a Comfortable Classroom Environment
The teacher doesn't know everything.
Using a Variety of Teaching Aids and Materials
Always Be Respectful and Use the Right Language
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This post was written by our ITTT graduate Leif O.
One crucial aspect of learning a language is making sure that everyone in the class is comfortable. While this is true with young learners, this is especially true for adults. Adults don't want to make mistakes. Business professionals have devoted their... [Read more]
Positive Alternatives to Old-Fashioned Punishment - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Are there alternatives to punishment? In this essay, we will explore what punishment sought to achieve within a classroom environment versus its applicability when seeking alternatives. Particular attention will be placed on measures that teachers may promote to achieve a class-culture that favors deterrence above sanction.
What is punishment?
Should teachers avoid it?
Motivation
Respect and Authority
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Aaron T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Before we can understand what punishment promotes and if possible alternatives are available, we must first know what... [Read more]
6 Steps To Becoming a More Confident Teacher - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Every teacher needs a confidence boost, whether they are new or experience doesn't matter. It all depends on oneself to constantly develop and nurture one's level of self-confidence in the classroom because being confident in teaching is crucial as this is something transmittable. Your students always reflect your confidence level and this might affect their way of absorbing the language taught in the classroom.
1. Prepare before Teaching
2. Don't be a Perfectionist
3. Accept your mistakes
4. Realize your strengths
5. Set your own classroom rules
6. Clothing and Body Language
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If a teacher is confident in what they're doing, so are the students and... [Read more]
3 Keywords For Using New Technology in the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
Technology these days is evolving at a massive pace. As a product is released into the market, newer versions or updates follow almost simultaneously, making previous versions obsolete. Back when I was in school, the only technology we had was the basic computer, calculators, VCR players and slide projectors. In a few years, technology allowed us to learn through apps on our smartphones, compact and more user-friendly laptops, tablets, and so on.
Artificial Intelligence
Mixed Reality
Quantum Computing
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lindsay S.
Computer-aided-learning is vastly used across the three C's - curricula,... [Read more]
3 Easy Ways to Motivate Students - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Keeping students motivated to learn can be one of the biggest challenges a teacher may face. Without motivation, the students can become bored and complacent; they may even start to act out and disrupt the class. A few ways a teacher can keep their students motivated are by participating in games and physical activity, reward, and praise, and having a good attitude as a teacher.
1. Use Games and Activities
2. Praise and Reward
3. Have a Positive Attitude
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Victoria O.
Also read: Top Online Lesson Plan Resources for New and Advanced Teachers
Games and activities are a good source of motivation because they are fun.... [Read more]
Parental Help in Students English Learning - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
In the Chinese area, English as a compulsory course in school has to be learned by students for years. Since the government has strengthened the importance of English in Gaokao (College Entrance Examination ) these days, every Chinese family wants their children to start on English learning as early as possible. There is no need to highlight the importance of English to a Chinese family at all.
Bilingual daily life
Create English surroundings
Apply for online English course
Find a foreign teacher
Be a good example
Regular reading
Communicate with teachers
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xiaoyu Z. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily... [Read more]
How Does Seating Arrangement in the Classroom Influence Classroom Management? - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
The seating arrangement is one of the most important topics in classroom management. Classroom management refers to the various skills and techniques that teachers use to keep students organized, orderly, focused, attentive, on task and academically productive during the class. However, this essay is going to explore more on the various methods of seating arrangement and how they influence classroom management. There are three most common seating arrangement methods that can be used by the teacher. These include the traditional rows and columns, horseshoe or U-shape and clusters. These are going to be explained in detail outlining their advantages and disadvantages in relation to the classroom size and shape, student age and size, distractions as well... [Read more]
Business English: The Medium of Globalization - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Without a doubt, English is the most popular second language around the globe. It has served as a bridge of communication in the rise of globalization. Business English has found its way in the global business market and has also worked its way up to the digital age with all of the technological advancements available.
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Clarence A.
There has been a significant increase of non-native English speakers using the English language as a specific tool in competing inside the international market. It has turned into the universal language for business and can unite people from various cultural backgrounds for them to discuss... [Read more]
Classroom Management - What is it and how do I implement it? - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Many texts on this subject begin primarily by defining the term 'classroom management'. I equally think it is not out of place to begin a discussion on classroom management from the same perspective. Classroom management refers to the variety of skills employed by which teachers and schools to curtail disruptive behavior of learners so as to create a congenial environment for teaching and learning. It is the case from the definition that the classroom setting may not always be as well-ordered and peaceful for teaching and learning as it should be and may require certain organizational skills and the ability to create of a friendly and disciplined atmosphere in order for teaching and learning to be effective. In every class there are different kinds of... [Read more]
How to Become Self-Confident if you Lost Your Temper with the Students? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Throughout one's schooling, it is not uncommon to come across that particular teacher that resolves every type of altercation, or moment of class disturbance, with excessive shouting and loss of temper. Although these are the teachers we tend to recall the most when we are swapping stories with friends of our bygone school days, I feel that the number of "louder", "loss-of-temper-type" teachers, however, is heavily outweighed by the number of easier going, mild-tempered teachers. Generally, teachers tend to have an understanding of younger learners' behaviors and therefore occasional bouts in student behavior are expected and dealt with methodically and effectively.
Explaining the reasons and consequences
My solution of the problem
Empathic approach... [Read more]
How to Effectively Integrate Slang and Idioms into TEFL - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
Intelligence has been defined in many ways, including the capacity for logic, understanding, self-awareness, learning, emotional knowledge, reasoning, planning, creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving. More generally, it can be described as the ability to perceive or infer information and to retain it as knowledge to be applied towards adaptive behaviors within an environment or context (Wikipedia, 2019).
Considering Language Habits
Iconic Approach to Teaching
Why Slang?
Verb First Clauses Usually Play one of Three Roles:
Teaching Slang and Idioms
Incorporating Idioms and Slang into English language Teaching
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Game On – Using Icebreaker Games in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
We must up our game as ESL teachers in the 21st century – both figuratively and literally. I use games to engage students and promote learning in my classroom for a wide range of learning objectives. Below is a short list of icebreaker games that I regularly use in my classroom, and I will discuss the learning target(s) that each game aims to facilitate and deliver as well as the context in which the game is used. Since I work with high school age and adult students, the games are geared for English Language Learners in these age groups. As learning communities become more globalized and data give more information on how people learn, one major challenge I find with gamifying learning in the ESL classroom is making the games that I use more... [Read more]
How 10 Years of Teaching English Has Changed My Life - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
This blog post was written by recent ITTT graduate Kaitlin F., who shares her 10 years of teaching experience with us talking about the many different jobs in the English education field she was fortunate to work in.
What is an educator?
"I often dealt with preschool children who made my experience memorable and from there my passion to teach continued"
"Every day I would receive a call not knowing what to expect when I walked into a school"
"My experience while being a paraprofessional has let me become a more knowledgeable person in order to cater to students needs."
"I received an opportunity to teach as an education instructor at my neighborhoods local zoo."
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How an English Teacher Can Help Their Students Increase their Level of Motivation - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
Intrinsic motivation is the type of motivation that comes from within a person. An intrinsically motivated student who is highly motivated will always, all things being equal, outperform the less motivated one. These are the students who simply enjoy what they are doing. They just like learning English.
Create a learning environment
Have an upbeat, positive attitude
Increase verbal communication
Praise consistently
Group activities are key
Encourage classroom conversation
Create a fun class
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Scott C.
It is the task of the English teacher to create an environment in the classroom which will maximize the opportunity to... [Read more]
Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom – Focus on Teaching English To Non-Native Speakers - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Today's classroom is a global entity and unless appropriately addressed, issues of cultural diversity have the potential to severely diminish the success of even the most dedicated teachers and promising students. In order to promote an atmosphere that enables all students to be successful in learning English in the ESL (English as a Second Language) classroom, it is critical that each student feels safe, respected and appreciated. In today's diverse and multi-cultural climate, this sensitivity has never been more important.
Creating An Environment To Promote Cultural Sensitivity
Showing interest in your students' cultures
Creating culturally diverse lesson plans
Demonstrating your cultural understanding and acting accordingly
It's the... [Read more]
Tefl Review For In Class Corinth Course 3 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The four-week in-class TEFL course in Corinth was a great experience for these three TEFL graduates. They learned how to effectively teach English to non-native speakers of different ages. Moreover, they have learned how to create and executed lesson plans in a professional manner to suit the needs of their students. They enjoyed staying in Corinth and are ready to start their careers in teaching English overseas. With their internationally recognized certificate, they can apply for teaching positions all over the world.
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What Distinguishes a Good Teacher from an Ordinary One? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
As you all know, these days, English plays a vital role in life for many good reasons. As English is an international language, it enables learners to get a well-paid job and gives great opportunities to travel all over the world. Moreover, they can gain a scholarship to study abroad. If you are good at English, you will be more confident. It is really important in our lives. If you are good at English, you will.
Firstly, one of the best qualities of a good teacher is energy.
Secondly, a good teacher should be patient.
Thirdly, be an enthusiastic teacher.
Last but not least, great teachers are prepared and organized.
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The Importance and Application of Created Materials in ESL Teaching - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
When teaching English as a second language, one can find a variety of pre-made resources. From tried-and-true textbooks to authentic sources, an instructor can find a readily available structure for most lessons. However, to fully cater to one's students and their specific needs, a teacher must creatively produce relevant supplemental materials.For instance, one may encounter a broad range of information covered within a textbook; whether it be vocabulary or grammar, most English books offer a generalized base for students. Sometimes the reader may have insufficient explanations on grammar practices, or perhaps the students request more relevant vocabulary to add depth to the lesson. The instructor should aspire to... [Read more]
7 Principles of Effective ESL Classroom Management - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Try picturing this: students running around their desks, paper airplanes flying everywhere, and students yelling loudly, giving you a migraine. Does this sound familiar? It's a teacher's worst nightmare - an out-of-control classroom.
1. Lay Down The Rules
2. Build Rapport With Your Students
3. Be Prepared
4. Offer Your Students Praise
5. Give Incentives To Students To Do Their Best
6. Keep Your Temper In Check
7. Act As An Ideal Model
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate VICTOR S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or... [Read more]
Short Attention Span: ✅ How to Deal With it in an ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Sometimes, it can be challenging for most of us to focus on specific tasks. It's normal to find your mind wandering when you should be focused on a particular thing. According to a 2010 study 1 by Harvard psychologists Matthew A. Killingsworth and Daniel T. Gilbert, we spend nearly 47 percent of our waking hours thinking about something other than what we are doing.
What is ADHD?
Ways to work with ADHD students:
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate MANEL R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
It's even... [Read more]
How Teaching English In Brazil Inspired Me To Take My TEFL and Pursue A Teaching Career - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences
In 2016, I was given the amazing opportunity to teach English in the beautiful country of Brazil. In my first few weeks there, I learned how to teach by observing a professional instructor at the English language school and then practicing in front of my new colleagues. These were my first steps into the world of teaching.
Listen to this blog post
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This post was written by our ITTT graduate Kyler J.
During my first month at the English school in Brazil, I learned as much about the culture of Brazil and the students who lived there as I did about being a teacher. When I finally began working directly with the students in my second month, I started with the advanced and master classes. Later on, I... [Read more]
ESL Games as The Best Tool to Stimulate English Learning Process - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
As teachers, one of our biggest goals while teaching English to a class or individual is to keep them engaged and motivated during the lesson while also making them feel comfortable and confident as they learn. There are three critical ways in which playing games in the classroom can help effectively promote speaking English. By playing "warming" games, students can become more comfortable around teachers and students, making them more likely to participate during lessons. They can also keep students motivated and play a significant role during the "Engage" and "Activate" phase of the ESA approach.
Engagement Stage
Study or Activate
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From Immigrant to ESL Teacher - A TEFL Graduate's English Teaching Journey - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences
This blog post was written by our TEFL graduate Ning Z., who shares their own personal story of learning English after emigrating to the United States from China at the age of 18 and how this personal learning experience helped them to become a TESOL teacher today.
Listen to this blog post
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This post was written by our ITTT graduate Ning Z.
I had emigrated to the US from China at the age of 18 and am delighted to be able to share my language acquiring experience and shed some light on some of the challenges a new language learner might encounter during the course of learning.
English is taught in middle and high schools in China as a compulsory curriculum, so, before arriving in... [Read more]
Review From Tesol Student Kim - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Kim is from Thailand and joined the in-class training course in Chiang Mai to improve her teaching skills and advance her career opportunities. She was able to learn a lot about teaching techniques and how to engage the students into her lessons. With her internationally recognized teaching qualification in hand, she can now start teaching English overseas and live abroad. She highly recommends ITTT and our training center in Chiang Mai, Thailand, to anyone who wants to start a career in EFL teaching.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
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ESL Teacher's Responsibilities in a Modern Classroom - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Teaching is considered an activity of imparting knowledge, skills, attitude, and value from one person to another. The one who is more knowledgeable and skilled and imparts the knowledge, skills, philosophy, and value is the teacher, while the other person who receives the knowledge, skills, philosophy, and value is the learner. Teachers play some critical roles in the school, and below are some of them.
1. How to correctly instruct ESL students
2. Effective evaluation
3. Classroom management principles
4. Positive guidance
5. Ecological discipline building
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This post was written by our... [Read more]
