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Guidelines to Write a Lesson Plan - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
A Lesson plan has many important attributes which most definitely will assist the teacher in teaching (even though there have been theories about lesson planning arguing that it might not be flexible for the students). There is no doubt that coming to class prepared is essential whether with a lesson plan or without. It is very helpful for inexperienced teachers especially those who may lack direction.
Reasons to Write a Plan
General Suggestions
What to Include
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Amelie R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
There are three functions for writing a lesson... [Read more]
How To Write The Perfect ESL Lesson Plan - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Lesson planning is a significant element of everyday life as a teacher in English as a foreign language. A lesson plan acts as a step-by-step guide providing the structure for your lesson. However, too much planning can make lessons rather rigid and stop the teacher being flexible to the needs of the students.
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Why should you plan your lesson?
The following should be included in a lesson plan:
Keep to your plan but stay flexible
Watch the ITTT lesson plan video guide
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Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
This post was written by our ITTT graduate Mariska F.
Before planning a lesson, it is essential to classify the learning... [Read more]
Techniques to Transmit New and Difficult Concepts to Students - TEFL Blog
Ramon Perez
Teaching Ideas
Every day, we learn something new. It can happen on the street, at work, at school and even in our home. We can attain new skills and knowledge through our interactions with our surroundings. Utilizing our 5 senses and past experiences to make sense of what is going on, we can ascertain new concepts and make proper use of them in our daily lives. However, as a teacher, we are tasked with transmitting abstract concepts that become difficult to fully grasp through traditional methods. Consequently, some teachers rely on literal translations to bring the point across.
VISUAL AIDS
ACTING/ROLE PLAY
ENUNCIATION AND SPEECH
MIMING
CONCLUSION
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Since the student's exposure to the target language can be extremely limited outside of the classroom, it's... [Read more]
How to write a TEFL cover letter? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Crafting a compelling TEFL cover letter is essential when applying for English teaching jobs. This letter complements your CV/resume and serves as an opportunity to highlight your passion for teaching and your suitability for the role. Essential elements of a TEFL cover letter include:
Remember, your TEFL cover letter is an essential tool in conveying your commitment and expertise in the field.
Make it unique to the position on offer
Focus on your personal qualities and not just qualifications
Keep it brief, neat, and professional
Be yourself and include all the necessary contact details
How to layout your cover letter
Although it might be quicker and easier to use the same cover letter for every job you apply for, tailoring each letter to each specific job will generally reap better... [Read more]
The Struggles of Teaching Difficult English Language Patterns - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
There are many different types of peculiarities when concerning the English language, and this essay is aimed at the difficulties in teaching those peculiarities to learners that are not fluent in the English language. It can be difficult for native English speakers to progressively learn the subtle nuances as children graduating to young adults and navigating complexities of the language as adults; deciphering whether or not these peculiarities warrant further investigation or retention based on usage and context. These oddities of the English language can be exponentially more difficult for those attempting to learn the English language as a second language, having fully grasped the complexities of their own language only to have to navigate the... [Read more]
Is it Difficult to Teach Children Online? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
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.
Is it a good choice?
Cultural exchange
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This post was written by our... [Read more]
What are the best methods for teaching English language learners to read and write with proficiency? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
Proficiency in reading and writing is crucial for English language learners (ELLs) as it enables them to effectively communicate, comprehend texts, and succeed academically and professionally. Reading skills help ELLs understand English grammar, expand their vocabulary, and improve their overall language proficiency. Writing skills allow ELLs to express themselves creatively, organize their thoughts coherently, and convey their ideas effectively. Therefore, it is essential for educators to employ effective strategies to help ELLs develop these skills.
One of the most effective strategies for teaching reading to ELLs is the use of scaffolded instruction, where teachers provide support such as pre-teaching vocabulary, using graphic organizers, and guiding students through the reading... [Read more]
Is TEFL / TESOL Certification difficult to pass? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Is TEFL / TESOL Certification challenging? How tough is the exam / course?
A comprehensive TEFL / TESOL course parallels the depth of a university-level class, demanding a committed investment of time and effort. Through thorough review of course materials and adherence to deadlines, students typically excel. Most TEFL / TESOL courses offer flexible timelines, ranging from 6 months to a year for completion. If online TEFL / TESOL study feels overwhelming, ensure your chosen course includes tutor support. With this feature, experienced TEFL / TESOL professionals assist and guide you, ensuring clarity and comprehension throughout your learning journey.
How challenging is the TEFL exam?
Typical TEFL / TESOL online course content.
Video Testimonials.
Contrary to common belief, there isn't a... [Read more]
Why a Diverse-Aged Group is Difficult to Teach - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
There are many potential problems when teaching is considered. With the teaching of a foreign language, especially in a culturally reserved country such as Turkey, the possible issues become bigger or more. I do not believe it would be very useful or beneficial neither for the teacher nor the students to put people with big age differences in the same class, trying to learn the same subject from the same teacher. There are many disadvantages as opposed to weak advantages in doing so.
Level of Motivation
Learning Goals
Interaction
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nalan F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or... [Read more]
Slang and Idioms: Why They Are Difficult to be Taught? - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
As with all living languages, English is constantly evolving, slangs and idioms is an example of that. Slang and idioms are an integral part of written and spoken English; often it is employed by native speakers and has a deeper meaning than the literal phrase. Some might argue that slang and idioms are not 'proper' English and should not be part of the syllabus but people around the world are increasingly getting exposed to Western media. Students might encounter slangs and idioms when consuming authentic materials such as English films and books, where the characters would interact using normal lay speech. Perhaps the students are interested in all these words and phrases that are nonsensical when taken literally and would like to learn about it. The... [Read more]
Why the Chinese Accent is so Difficult to Minimize in English - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
As an aspirant teaching English to Chinese children, I chose 'Pronunciation problems of Chinese people' as the most attractive and the most useful topic for my summative task at this moment.
So let's begin from the very beginning.
The Second difficulty in pronunciation is so-called dark L or L's with no vowel sound after them.
How can the teacher help students to correct this?
Different Approaches
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As resources of this joyful and useful research on the internet, I have used three videos on Youtube made by the three experienced teachers of the English language. Only one of them works with children. And only one of them (accent coach from London, Luke Nicholson) gave a lot of live... [Read more]
The 11 Most Useful Apps to Travel to Hong Kong - TEFL Blog
Gianluca Costa
Destinations Alumni Experiences
After traveling to a few cities in Asia, I think Hong Kong should be on top of everyone's travel bucket list. The city offers lots of attractions like museums, restaurants, and bars on a 100+ floor of skyscrapers, shopping venues, and even beaches. Going around Hong Kong can sometimes be a struggle, especially during pick hours. So, knowing in advance where to go, what is the right bus to take, or what is the best restaurant to eat in, will make your holiday much more comfortable.
HKG My Flight
Octopus
MTR Mobile and KMB
Take Taxi - HK Taxi Translator
HK ImmD
Openrice
Wolipay
Eatigo
Klook
Hong Kong Typology
Water for free
Get ready for Hong Kong; it is worth a visit.
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Nowadays, we are lucky to live in the era of mobile... [Read more]
The Most Useful Phrases For Classroom Language - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Teaching English as a foreign language requires a set of certain skills in order to conduct effective lessons and encourage learning in students. Through a TEFL course, you will learn all of these important skills and much more. The following are the most useful phrases for classroom language to be used by English teachers in a classroom full of English learners around the world. The phrases are concise and straight to the point to ensure a steady workflow and positive classroom environment.
Integrating classroom language into a lesson can often pose great difficulties for teachers due to the fact that many second language teachers learned the language themselves after childhood, thus were not exposed to authentic classroom... [Read more]
What are the most in-demand languages for TEFL teachers to teach? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
As a TEFL teacher, you may wonder which languages are the most sought after by students. English is, of course, the most popular language to teach as a TEFL teacher. The demand for English teachers is high worldwide, especially in non-English speaking countries where English is a crucial skill for academic and professional success. Mandarin Chinese is another highly sought-after language. With China's growing influence in the global economy, there is a significant demand for Mandarin Chinese teachers. Spanish is also a popular language for TEFL teachers to teach, as it is the second most spoken language in the world and is widely used in many countries.
Teaching in-demand languages like English, Mandarin Chinese, and Spanish can offer several advantages to TEFL teachers. Firstly, there is... [Read more]
6 Tips on How to Learn English Quickly - TEFL Blog
Kavinna Batra
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
English is a fun language to learn; however, it can even throw off the most professional learner with complex spelling rules and difficult grammar. Learning English quickly could seem difficult, even though it is considered to be accessible and reasonably easy for many to learn. I'm here to tell you that as long as you have the right plan, you can learn English quickly and easily.
Here are 6 tips on how to learn English quickly:
1. Don't get annoyed when you're down
2. Begin with what you truly need
4. Situate yourself in an English environment
5. Whatever Floats Your Boat
6. When you're in doubt, just ask!
Are you ready to teach English to speakers of other languages?
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Check out what our course grads say in our many... [Read more]
Top Countries To Make The Most Money Teaching English Abroad In 0 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Join us live when we discuss the top 5 countries to make the most money teaching English abroad in 2022! #TEFL #BestTEFL #TeachEnglish Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: https://bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: https://bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: https://bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: https://bit.ly/3ltqEPL
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
[Read more]
What are the most effective ways to integrate language skills and content in a TEFL curriculum? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
Integrating language skills and content in a TEFL curriculum is crucial for providing learners with a holistic language learning experience. By combining language skills such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking with content from various subjects like science, history, or literature, students can develop a deeper understanding of both language and the world around them. This integrated approach not only enhances language proficiency but also promotes critical thinking, cultural awareness, and interdisciplinary connections. Moreover, integrating language skills and content helps learners see the practical application of language in real-life contexts, making the learning process more engaging and meaningful.
1. Theme-Based Instruction: Organize your curriculum around central themes... [Read more]
Top 5 Countries To Make The Most Money Teaching English Abroad In 2022 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Join us live when we discuss the top 5 countries to make the most money teaching English abroad in 2022! #TEFL #BestTEFL #TeachEnglish Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: bit.ly/3ltqEPL
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
[Read more]
The Most Common Learning Difficulties Students Have to Face - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
Learning difficulties means difficulty in learning but its not globalized. most kids get cold feet in the course of learning a new thing or a new language, some become shy, while some are not motivated or have confidence. I have been around kids for years and I can say that I understand them in some cases or scenarios.when we are working with kids that are shy, less motivated or lack confidence we should use materials that will help to solve that problem, same goes for an adult.
Neurological disorders
Behavior Issues
Are you ready to teach English to ESL students?
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Chilotam O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs... [Read more]
The Most Important Reasons to Take a TEFL Course - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Alumni Experiences
To start with, TEFL is an abbreviation for Teaching English as a Foreign Language to speakers of other languages. This means this was a requirement to teach at a school, and teaching itself is fun and I could learn something new which were the reasons why I chose to study the TEFL.
Qualifications
Teacher's Creativity Development
Research Opportunities
Self-Development
Future Plans
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joshna C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Firstly, the major requirements to teach at an international (formal) school, or in a learning center would be to have a Bachelor's... [Read more]
Great Ideas for Teaching Writing Skills in the ESL Classroom - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Teaching Ideas
Image by Alice Bolden via Writix
Listen to this blog post:
Think outside the box
Encourage creativity, not perfection
Encourage students to write about what interests them
Writing doesn't have to be a solo activity
Introduce multi-skilled lessons
Writing games
Are you ready to teach writing skills in your own classroom?
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Of all the language skills that are taught in the ESL classroom, teaching writing skills is often seen as one of the least popular. Some teachers consider these lessons to be a bit boring, hard to evaluate and somewhat limited in what you can incorporate into them. However, this doesn't have to be the case as teaching writing skills to your ESL students can actually be interesting, fun and productive. Take a look at these... [Read more]
What are the most common misconceptions about teaching English abroad with a TEFL certificate? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
One common misconception about teaching English abroad with a TEFL certificate is the belief that fluency in the local language is necessary. While it can be helpful to know some of the local language to navigate daily life, most TEFL teaching positions actually require teachers to conduct classes solely in English. In fact, being a native or near-native English speaker is often a primary requirement for these positions, as the goal is to create an immersive English-speaking environment for students. Therefore, while knowing the local language can be advantageous, it is not a prerequisite for teaching English abroad with a TEFL certificate.
Another misconception is that obtaining a TEFL certification guarantees immediate employment as an English teacher abroad. While having a TEFL... [Read more]
What are they going to do? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Your ESL students have to write sentences following the example in the "going to" future tense.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
[Read more]
The Most Common English Homophones You Need To Know - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Homophones describes one of two or more words with the same pronunciation but different spellings and/or meanings (for example weak and week). English learners will sooner or later face homophones, so it's essential for the EFL teacher to be aware of homophones and how to teach them.
Homophones are words that have exactly the same sound (pronunciation) but different meanings and (usually) spelling. For example, the following two words have the same sound, but different meanings and spelling: hour (noun: 60 minutes) / our (possessive adjective: belonging to us)
In the next example, the two words have the same sound and spelling, but different meanings: bear (noun: large, heavy animal with thick fur) bear... [Read more]
The 3 Most Important Tricks When Teaching English to Kindergarteners - TEFL Blog
Linda Dunsmore
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Walking into a kindergarten classroom in any language may have most teachers running right back out the door. A kindergarten classroom can be like a circus. The teacher is the ringmaster. The students range from man-eating lions to trapeze artists to clowns. It's important to remember that kindergarten students do not understand they are meant to be learning great truths and skills that will set them up for the rest of their life. They want to play, love, be loved, and enjoy every aspect of life to the fullest, even when they are sitting in the classroom. Even the physical excitement that kindergarteners have can be used to create an even deeper understanding of language and should never be seen as bad. Children love to explore and learn.... [Read more]
Teaching Productive Skills: How to Make the Most Out of it - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Speaking and writing are the two productive skills taught in the classroom. Although they both are developed in different ways, they are used to measure the communication competence that the students have. However, most of the times teachers and students cannot get the most out of these productive skills. Let´s take a look at techniques from experience that can help us develop these skills efficiently with students.
For Rapport Building
To Get to Know Students
To Give a Feedback
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Diana M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Writing and speaking might be seen by... [Read more]
The Most Important Teaching Strategies and Techniques ESL Need to Use - TEFL Blog
Jon ITTT
Alumni Experiences
Upon completion of my TESOL course, the best thing I have learned is actually plural and not limited to one item. Most importantly a TESOL instructor needs to be able to reach all students with varying needs, styles and preferences of learning in order to ensure the highest degree of probability that his or her students learn English, while keeping all students in the class as engaged as possible at all times.
Activities to use in the classroom
Using technology in the classroom
Learn strategies and techniques to improve your lesson with a course from ITTT!
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Listen to this blog post
This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dina P.
For this reason, I have developed an ongoing list of strategies and techniques that I have... [Read more]
Why ESA is Still the Most Effective Methodology in the English Language Classroom - TEFL Blog
Mark Crocker
Alumni Experiences
Throughout my ITTT TEFL course a specific teaching concept persisted, entitled "ESA". This methodology has been proven over several years to be effective in teaching English to students in the classroom. A precursor to this concept was "PPP" (Presentation, Practice, Production) which has been used by many teachers, though it lacks in engaging the students resulting in a less successful environment. Jeremy Harmer noticed this and in turn put forth a new and improved model, labeled "ESA", consisting of three steps; Engage, Study, and Activate. This methodology has continued to remain relevant to this day through its flexible and fluid approach to teaching English.
The Importance of the Engage Phase
The Importance of the Study Phase
The Importance of the... [Read more]
Most Useful Methods to Increase Interest in Learning English in Your Students - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
Teaching Ideas
Motivation can be categorized into two types: intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation is a drive that comes from within a person. People are intrinsically motivated when they enjoy doing an activity. Extrinsic motivation is a drive that comes from outside of a person. People are extrinsically motivated when they want to gain a reward (like a prize or a good grade) or avoid a punishment. Motivating Students to Learn English with some Smart Tactics are as follows:
Make Class Communicative:
Make English Practical:
Forge Relationships:
Make Class Fun:
Give Feedback:
Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course!
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nigar S. Please note that this blog post might not... [Read more]
"Has the Cat Got Your Tongue?": Teaching Slang and Idioms - TEFL Blog
Elizaveta Pachina
Teaching Ideas
When studying a new language, a student needs to learn more than what vocabulary can be found in a dictionary. To have a better grasp of the new language, a student must be exposed to other aspects of that language as well, such as the use of slang and idioms in that new language. This is because languages, especially English, are particularly fluid with regards to the use of slang and metaphorical language. Teaching students of English some common colloquialisms would thus be useful, especially in providing students a more cohesive understanding of the language. Providing students with this knowledge is especially important if the student intends to seek opportunities in countries where English is the most commonly used language or even in English... [Read more]
