Non English Speaking Countries

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]

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Role of Cultural Exchange in ESL Teaching Over the past few centuries, British dominance in the world paved the way for the English language to become the universal communication tool. As the British colonized various parts of the world, they set up educational institutions so that the educated migrants would rise within the ranks of that particular society and eventually become influential members creating change. Table of Contents The problem of globalization Traditions in non-native English speaking countries Western influence Colonized cultures Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post...  [Read more]

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information Alumni Experiences TEFL for Non-Native English Speakers - Is it possible? TEFL is an essential certificate for native and non-native English speakers who want to teach English abroad. TEFL stands for "Teaching English as a Foreign Language". It is believed that TEFL courses are merely a precondition to teaching English abroad, but actually, a TEFL will open a completely new world of education and travel. Table of Contents What is Teaching English as a Foreign Language? Non-native speakers have studied English in depth. Non-native English teachers understand what it's like to learn a second language. Bilingual or multilingual people are more open-minded. Non-native English teachers add their own cultural perspective to the classroom....  [Read more]

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information Can TEFL work for non-native English speaking teachers? TEFL is considered a career with few opportunities for non-native English speaking teachers as a lot of employers only hire native English speaking teachers. However, with the expansion of TEFL worldwide and the increasing number of individuals ready to get TEFL certified and move abroad to teach, there are also many non-native English speakers who enter the career of TEFL teaching. A TEFL certificate allows teachers to explore the world, break out of their national boundaries while working a rewarding job and earning a competitive salary. Table of Contents Polish Your Portfolio Get TEFL Certified Get to you know the employer Create your teaching portfolio and materials Choose...  [Read more]

TESOL/TEFL in English-speaking countries If you are looking for work as an ESOL teacher in the United States the best places to look are those with large immigrant populations such as Florida, California, Texas and New York. Due to immigration restrictions non-US citizens will have difficulty finding legal work in America and most jobs will tend to be reserved for US citizens only. For teaching jobs in government schools teachers will need to be licensed by the state education department. Private language schools require a TESOL certificate only. In Canada the majority of jobs can be found in Vancouver, Toronto and Ottawa. Although Canadian citizens have the best chances of securing a teaching position, those from commonwealth countries may find it easier than those from other...  [Read more]

What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL? TESOL and TEFL, though frequently confused, address distinct teaching environments. TESOL encompasses teaching English to non-native speakers, whether in English-speaking countries like the U.S. or elsewhere. Conversely, TEFL is specifically geared towards instructing English in regions where the language is foreign. TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Table of Contents Where are TEFL and TESOL most commonly used? What are the technical differences between TEFL and TESOL? Where are TEFL and TESOL most commonly used? TEFL is predominantly used in the UK and Europe, whereas TESOL is the preferred term in the United States, Canada, and Australia. These terms, while often...  [Read more]

Sun, 12 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Does a Non-Native English Speaking Teacher Give in on the Point of Teaching? The United States of America, Canada, The United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. If one is not a citizen of one of the aforementioned countries, they are not likely to be considered as a native English speaker. There are certain countries such as the Caribbean Islands, India, Philippines and Singapore in which English is the official language and which use English as a primary language among the citizens. However, they are not recognized as native speakers of English due to various reasons, mainly accent, even though the use of the English language, including both grammar and vocabulary, doesn't differ too much from British...  [Read more]

Tue, 18 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English in Global World English has been a universal language for many years. More than 700 million people around the world speak it. Today we can say that sooner or later, all of humanity will use it as a second language in their countries and sometime later as its own. Table of Contents English in Non-Native Speaking Countries Matter of Communication Do you want to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dmytro D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. English in Non-Native Speaking Countries Many countries like China, Russia, Ukraine, Thailand, and many others have recently accepted the...  [Read more]

Tue, 04 Jun 2019 Jon ITTT Destinations Top Tips for Teaching in English-Speaking Countries Most people who want to earn a TEFL/TESOL certificate will be planning to teach English in a country that does not speak English as its first language. This is not surprising - the vast majority of jobs available for English teachers are bound to be in countries where the local population does not speak English. However, this does not mean there are no opportunities to teach English in your home country if you are a native English speaker. From working with newly arrived immigrants to teaching international students, there are plenty of jobs available for those who have the right to work in these countries. Table of Contents Finding jobs in the USA Teaching English in Canada There are plenty...  [Read more]

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Visa and Legal Destinations The 3 Most Important Chinese Policies to Know For Teaching Expats in China Work in China is very appealing for several reasons like traveling, good salary and working conditions. However, there are some pitfalls expats should know. If you desire to work in China as an ESL teacher, here are some things to take into consideration: visa status, passport country of issue, as well as age, education and experience. Table of Contents 1. Visa Status 2. Country of Your Passport 3. Other Restrictions Listen to this blog post Are you ready to teach English in China? Related Articles: For more details about teaching in China, check out our "Step-By-Step Guide to Legally Teaching English in China"! 1. Visa Status Many people think...  [Read more]

Tue, 07 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas TEFL Perspectives for Non-Native English Speaking Teachers I have chosen this topic as I am not a native English speaker myself, and before getting into the course I wasn't sure if it was a good idea for the debate there is between native vs non-native English teachers, and for future jobs opportunities. I have been looking for a teaching opportunity for a few months and all the adverts say "native speakers only". Table of Contents Natives vs. Non-Natives Pros and Cons of Non-Native Speakers Pros and Cons of Native Speakers Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sandra P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Fri, 14 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Challenges of Teaching EFL as a Non-Native Speaker The status of English as a global language or lingua-franca owes to several diverse factors. As the world has become increasingly globalized, the demand for learning and teaching English has increased drastically and continues to grow. People from all over the world come to seek opportunities in education in the EFL/ESL industry. In this essay, I will attempt to explore the challenges of teaching EFL as a non-native speaker. A further aim in this summative essay is to conduct a general comparison between native and non-native English-speaking teachers (known as NESTs and NNESTs). I will look at this from the perspective of the EFL classroom in Taiwan and will discuss the...  [Read more]

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English as a World Language English is considered a universal language, mainly because it is widely spoken all over the world. English was originally the language of England. Its expansion became imperative due to the dominance in world trade, religion, technology, tourism, education and so on. UK expansion and incursion of the USA as the first world power saw the migration of the English language all over the world. About 70 countries adopt the English language as their official language and statistics have it that the English language is one of the easiest languages to learn when compared with other languages like Chinese, French, German or Spanish. Table of Contents English Prevalence English in Asia ESL Career Difficulties Do...  [Read more]

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Most Common Problems Students in Spain Face When Learning English For non-native English student in Spain, specific difficulties may be encountered when learning English. A good English teacher will help a student address those difficulties including, but not limited to, pronunciation, listening, and grammar. Table of Contents Lack in Listening Comprehension "Unlearning" Mispronunciation Regional Dialects Create More Difficulties Grammar Patterns and Word Order Are you ready to teach English in Spain? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post A good English teacher to non-native English students requires a solid foundation in the knowledge of English as the student relies on the teacher as the main source of the...  [Read more]

Wed, 30 May 2018 Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information 4 Striking Advantages for Non-Native English Teachers in the TEFL Classroom "Teaching English abroad is impossible for non-native English speakers!" - This is a statement we often hear as teacher trainers around the world but it's a huge misconception. Actually, the ratio of non-native to native English teachers around the world has sharply increased to 4 to 1 in recent years. This goes to show that the global EFL teaching market has undergone a large shift in hiring preference. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Most non-native speakers have studied English in depth and detail Non-native English teachers understand what it's like to learn a second language - they've done it too! Non-native English speaking teachers are...  [Read more]

The Most Popular TEFL Destinations For Teachers 5 Reasons Why You Should Teach English in China Linda Dunsmore Destinations China offers the largest EFL job market for both native and non-native English speakers. With over 300 million English learners, there are job opportunities in every corner of the country. Top 7 Spanish Speaking Countries for Teaching English Abroad Linda Dunsmore Destinations With over 400 million native speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world behind Chinese with 1.2 billion. English comes in third with 360 million native speakers worldwide. If you are interested in learning Spanish, check out the top seven Spanish-speaking countries for teaching English abroad. The 10 Best Destinations for Teaching English Abroad in 2018 ...  [Read more]

Fri, 27 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How Learning Another Language Can Benefit Your Career Prospects Learning a second language, whether its English, Mandarin, or any language at all, can help you in regards to your future career prospects and/or opportunities. Many people from non-English speaking countries move to English speaking countries in the hopes of finding better employment or to provide their children with the opportunity to learn English and thus increasing their chances to be successful. Table of Contents English in Business World English for Adults English for Younger Learners Job Opportunities and Perks 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]

IELTS and TOEFL   WHAT ARE IELTS AND TOEFL? IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. They are the two main English-language tests in the world. IELTS is a United Kingdom and Commonwealth based test and TOEFL is U.S. based. 2. WHAT DO THEY INVOLVE? Both IELTS and TOEFL test non-native speakers for proficiency in the English language. They assess test-takers' skills in reading, writing, listening and speaking. IELTS offers two test options: an academic test and a general training test. The general training test is aimed at immigrants and those seeking work abroad. TOEFL tests are mostly aimed at non-native English speakers wanting to study at U.S. universities. TOEFL also offers a Junior TOEFL test for...  [Read more]

Mon, 18 Mar 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Why Non-Native English Teachers Can Be Great Teachers Nowadays English has become a common language that helps to facilitate the communication between people from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities. English may not be the most widely used language in the world, but it is the official language of 53 countries and it is used by around 400 million people worldwide. As a result, being able to speak English does not only mean communicating with native English speakers, but it also means opening the door to new international chances and opportunities. Table of Contents 3 Key Strengths of Non-Native ESL Teachers: 1. They have a better understanding of the difficulties and challenges faced by their students. 2. They are more precise when...  [Read more]

Thu, 05 Apr 2018 Mark Crocker Destinations The Best Places for Non-Native English Speakers to Teach English Abroad Although it is true that there are some countries where employers will only consider native English speaking ESL teachers, either due to government restrictions or simply personal preference, there are still plenty of great opportunities across the world for non-native English speakers. In this article, we look at the best teaching destinations for people who are not from one of the countries generally consider to be native English speaking. Typically, these countries are Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the USA. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Where to Teach English in Asia Teaching in Thailand Teaching in Cambodia Teaching...  [Read more]

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What It's Really Like Being a Non-Native English-Speaking Teacher Lately, I have been hearing the question "Can a non-native English speaker teach English?" and my answer to this is "YES" but in certain conditions. My answer is based on my experience as a non-native English teacher that is why I chose this topic. I would like to tell my story of being a non-native English teacher. Table of Contents First, I would like to share my good experiences. Thailand Requirements Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Maricor B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First, I would like to...  [Read more]

Mon, 18 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Truth about Native and Non-Native English Teachers Are you a near-native English speaker and looking for an English teaching job in East Asia? Beware of the very requirement you will face in countless job ads that can even put you off from applying for any TEFL jobs. I am quite confident that you can guess what that requirement is. Being an English native speaker! According to my personal experience in Thailand, what you might see in all those ads is more about holding the passport of one of the English speaking countries rather than language proficiency and teaching skills. It seems that requiring you to be native to be able to apply is not even enough for them. Sometimes they make it even more frustrating by restricting the...  [Read more]

Thu, 23 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Behind Being a Non-Native English-Speaking Teacher Lately, I have been hearing the question "Can a non- native English speaker teach English?" and my answer to this is "YES" but in certain conditions. My answer is based on my experience as a non-native English teacher that is why I chose this topic. I would like to tell my story of being a non-native English teacher. Table of Contents First, I would like to share my good experiences. But working in Thailand also has its downsides like the low salary for teachers. During my search on the internet, I always come across the word "non-native" English teacher. I decided to stop my job searching for a while thinking that this may not be the perfect time for me. Do you want to teach English...  [Read more]

Thu, 16 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Are Non-Native English Language Teachers no Longer Needed? Nowadays there is an increasing tendency of hiring more and more native English speakers as ESL or EFL teachers. Being a native English speaker and belonging to a certain number of English speaking countries is a required qualification for teachers or graduates who want to work abroad, especially. Table of Contents Speaking abilities or Teaching skills? What is a Successful Teacher? Conversation as a Center of Language Learning Non-Native Teacher Abroad Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Irina P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or...  [Read more]

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences The Best Thing I've Learned From My TEFL/TESOL Course with ITTT I decided to complete TEFL course nearly a month ago. Before talking about the reasons why I took this course, I would like to tell some facts about myself. My name is Julia, I was born in Kyiv, Ukraine and had been living there for all my life – now I'm 35. I had a very successful career in marketing an worked for a big international company. However, the job took up all my time, required a lot of effort and I felt very exhausted and unhappy. So I decided to quit my job and started to travel: Georgia, Italy, Spain, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore. Now I live in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Table of Contents Asia is a flourishing market for EFL teachers Non-native...  [Read more]

Thu, 08 Aug 2019 Jon ITTT TEFL Information Important Information about IELTS and TOEFL A couple of acronyms that you are likely to come across as a TEFL teacher are IELTS and TOEFL. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System and is a United Kingdom and Commonwealth based test of English language skills. Whereas TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language and is a United States based English language skills test. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Why people need a TOEFL or IELTS test What do the different tests contain? IELTS and TOEFL preparation is a good way to make extra money Where to find resources for teachers and students Are you ready to start teaching English aborad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: Why people need a...  [Read more]

What is the difference between TEFL and TESOL? Where are TEFL and TESOL primarily utilized? TEFL finds its main application in the UK and Europe, whereas TESOL is the preferred terminology in the United States, Canada, and Australia. Despite their interchangeable usage, these terms reflect regional preferences for English teaching accreditation. Nonetheless, both TEFL and TESOL certifications offer comparable training and qualifications. Table of Contents What are the technical distinctions between TEFL and TESOL? Should I get TEFL or TESOL certified? Why get TEFL / TESOL certified. Video Testimonials. What are the technical distinctions between TEFL and TESOL? TEFL and TESOL, though frequently interchanged, possess distinct technical scopes. TEFL is geared towards teaching English to...  [Read more]

TEFL TESOL Courses Requirements   As the market for teaching English abroad is so big, there are a huge range of opportunities out there for people of all different nationalities and backgrounds. In many countries, there are multiple job openings available for every TEFL qualified teacher, which is one reason why non-native English speakers generally have no problems in the international job market. In fact, of the many thousands of teachers who graduate from our courses every year, there are more non-native English speakers than there are native speakers. No matter where you were born or what your native language, as long as you are fluent in English there is no reason why you cannot go on to have a long and successful career teaching English. Non-native English speakers will also...  [Read more]

What do you need to be able to Teach English Around the World? Whether you want to teach as a volunteer in the depths of the jungle on the Thai-Myanmar border or as a business English instructor to corporate high-flyers in Sao Paulo, Brazil, you will need at the least a recognised TEFL/TESOL certificate. Although it is still possible to find jobs where simply being a native speaker of English is enough to secure the position these opportunities are becoming few and far between and earning a 120-hour certificate with a reputable organisation should be your priority before starting out. A bachelor's degree is not a necessity for the majority of countries around the world and there are plenty of opportunities out there without such a qualification. Teaching experience is also not a...  [Read more]

Tue, 01 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English as an Influential Aspect in Students' Life In recent generations, the English language has merged as the language of choice for international interactions and transactions amongst individuals due to globalization and the use of technology in communications and business. Table of Contents English as a Necessity Personal Teaching Experience Globalization and Students' Plans Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Juan Pablo L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. English as a Necessity Many people from around the world, especially those from non-English speaking countries...  [Read more]