Phonetic American Alphabet

  There are two issues that need to be stressed when working with the international phonemic alphabet. First is the fact that we are no longer concerned with how a word is traditionally spelled. Additionally we need to stress that we are only concerned with the sounds needed to correctly produce a word. So rather than numerous spellings, which can often be pronounced in different ways, we have one symbol representing one sound. Once we can isolate a sound, rather than juggling various spellings, we can work with our students on how to say that sound. Doing that successfully is related to manner and place of articulation, which will be covered shortly. To get a better understanding of the phonemic alphabet, let's take a look at our chart. In the bottom half of our chart we have our...  [Read more]

  A better way to go about imparting how to make sounds or what sounds are utilized in a word, is this international phonemic alphabet. Now we have as mentioned one symbol being used in all the words which share that same sound. Now once we get a little bit more familiar with our phonemic alphabet we can also show how different our different sounds can be as in this symbol for ?ooh?, this symbol for ?ow? and this symbol for ?uh?. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the...  [Read more]

  In this video we'll be looking at the international phonemic alphabet and how it's used in the classroom. There are other phonemic alphabets but this is the most popular and the system, which is most widely used. You may have seen some of these symbols before as any good dictionary will supplement standard English spellings with the phonemic spellings to aid in pronunciation practice. Here we have a situation where we have what are called phonemes and each phoneme represents a sound within the English language. How is this helpful? Well, what it does is help students understand how to say words rather than simply relying on the often archaic English spellings. To illustrate this point let's for a moment put ourselves in the shoes of our students when trying to understand how to say...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Here's the classic Chutes & Ladders game with the lowercase ABCs and phonics vocabulary for a super simple, super fun learning game.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Here's the classic Chutes & Ladders game with the uppercase ABCs and phonics vocabulary for a super simple, super fun learning game.     Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations While you are not likely to find the highest salaries in this region, teachers moving to Latin America to teach English are predominantly attracted by the continents cultural richness and varied landscapes. Whether you see yourself exploring the Andes in Chile or the rainforests of Costa Rica, here are the top 10 cities in Latin America with the highest demand for English language teachers. Listen to this blog post: Buenos Aires - La Reina del Plata San José - The Big Pineapple Santiago - Gem of Latin America Lima - The City of Kings Bogotá - The Rising Star in Latin America Mexico City - The City of Palaces Rio De Janeiro - The City of Carnaval Guatemala City - Land of Eternal Spring Quito - Light of America Managua - The Paris of Central America Are...  [Read more]

 Teacher English - Ecuador Writer: Liceo Panamericano Centenario | Email: [email protected] English TeacherLocation: Guayaquil, Ecuador. Application End Date: April 30, 2026 (30+ days left to apply)Job reference: JR209364 Job DescriptionResponsibilities: Develop and implement lesson plans and activities for young children. Assess and monitor student progress and development. Provide a safe and nurturing learning environment. Communicate regularly with parents and guardians. Skills: Strong early childhood education and instructional skills. Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities. Patience and creativity in working with young children. Requirements: Degree in early childhood education or a related field. Teaching certification and experience in...  [Read more]

  "As mentioned before our four words here all are similar in using the ?b? and ?t? sounds at the end. So we know that those phonemes will be used in spelling each one of those words phonetically. Now what we're left to do is assign a phoneme for our vowel sounds. So if we analyze the word, it's ?e? as in bet. We look at our chart, we see the phoneme which corresponds to that sound and that happens to be the standard ?e? that we all recognize. Here, bet phonetically looks very similar to bet in the Roman script. Now let's take a look at ?i? bit. Now we look at our chart and we see that this symbol represents the ?i? sound and that resembles a capital I not a lowercase I but a capital I and so we've arrived at bit. Now with ?but? we have to find the sound and that corresponds to this...  [Read more]

  Now let's take a look at how we go from traditional spellings into the phonemic spellings. The first step in this process is identifying each unit of sound or each phoneme within a word. Let's look at bet, bit, but, and bought. The only difference in each one of these words is in the vowel sound. We have bet, bit, but and bought. Each word simply uses three sounds. Now we have photo. That's four phonemes. Wow we have taxi. That's five phonemes. We have unite with a hidden phoneme in there being the ?y? sound before anything else. Those are five phonemes as well and now we have a longer word: chemistry. Let's give that a shot. That's eight phonemes used in the word chemistry. Now once we've isolated each sound we want to assign a phoneme for each one of those sounds let's do that...  [Read more]

  In this ITTT TESOL review video Karen describes her experience during her TESOL/TEFL course in Hangzhou, China. ITTT has training centers in over thirty different international locations. To find training center that suits you just visit our web site or follow the above links. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Reported speech is often confusing for students because the grammar shifts...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL/TESOL review, trainee Pam describes her experience with ITTT's in-class course in Phuket, Thailand. She outlines the program of the fourth week of the course. Pam also talks about some of the assessment components of the course and the certificates that are awarded at the conclusion of the course. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This unit introduces some grammatical aspects...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! The differences between British English and American English are always fun to take a look at. Below are 40 differences between the two illustrated.   Learn the difference between American English vs British English. British vs American English 1. Post ………… Mail 2. Film ………… Movie 3. Rubbish ………… Garbage 4. Football ………… Soccer 5. Chips ………… Fries 6. Rubber ………… Eraser 7. Zip ………… Zipper 8. Sweets ………… Candy 9. Biscuit ………… Cookie 10. Maize ………… Corn ...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad is a great way to travel the world and experience other peoples and cultures. As English teachers it is important that we take the time to learn about the countries we choose to live and work in not only to show respect to our hosts but also to help our students to learn more productively. Understanding the cultural or social reasons behind why people in different countries behave or react in particular ways can help us to prepare better lessons and activities for our students and develop better relationships with our colleagues. Being aware of the subtle social cues that exist in any society can mean the difference between a truly rewarding experience and one that you wish never to repeat. When considering regions such as Latin America it can be tempting...  [Read more]

British and American English differs in several ways that encompass vocabulary, grammarand spelling, and a student is not wrong if they use either version. Teachers should teach the English that they themselves speak but also have an awareness of the differences between the two. If a teacher is required to teach a course book that is in a version of English different to their own, then they should teach the English used in the book. Some of the differences in vocabulary covered in this graphic are fairly well known such as ‘pavement’ (GB) and ‘sidewalk’ (US), others not so much as in the case of ‘fortnight’ (GB) and ‘two weeks’ (US). While the differences between the two don’t generally matter, a teacher may prefer to teach one...  [Read more]

British and American English showcase several key differences that learners should be aware of: These differences underline the richness and diversity of the English language, influenced by geographical and historical contexts. Differences in vocabulary Differences in grammar Collective nouns Have and take Prepositions Past tense verbs Differences in spelling Differences in dates Vocabulary discrepancies constitute a major source of confusion. Numerous words have distinct meanings in the two language versions. While teaching English, it is natural to focus on the words that make the most sense to you personally. However, it is important for students to be aware of alternative terms to avoid confusion later on. While the extensive list of vocabulary differences is too lengthy to present...  [Read more]

Linda is a passionate traveler and English teacher exploring the world one country at a time. After studying Mandarin Chinese, she moved to Guangzhou, China, to pursue an internship at a German online marketing company. She loved it so much that she decided to move back to China after finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Management in California. After working in online marketing for a while, she got into English teaching. Teaching English overseas has enabled her to experience life in different countries and fund her passion for travel. She taught English in China for a year and also during my her year in South Korea. She’s been living in South Korea since 2015 and returned to working in online marketing and teaching online in 2016 remotely. On her Website, she shares her tips and...  [Read more]

Date posted:2026-03-19 | Writer: Liceo Panamericano Centenario | Email: [email protected] English TeacherLocation: Guayaquil, Ecuador.Application End Date: April 30, 2026 (30+ days left to apply)Job reference: JR209364 Job Description ISP Principles   Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.   Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and...  [Read more]

Many TEFL qualified teachers head to Latin America as it is a region that promises endless opportunities for adventure. Teaching jobs are abundant in many areas and there are rarely any restrictions on who is eligible to apply. Whether you are a native English speaker or not, and whether you hold a degree are often irrelevant in many countries. Several countries also have clear structures in place for obtaining an official work permit, while salaries are typically high enough to afford a comfortable lifestyle. What are the requirements for teaching English in Latin America? What is the best way to apply for jobs teaching English in Latin America? When is the best time to apply for jobs teaching English in Latin America? What visa will I need to teach English in Latin America? ...  [Read more]

All of our TEFL courses are excellent value for money. Our course fees include tuition, course materials, certification, and moderation fees. No matter where you choose to study our TEFL course, we offer a variety of accommodation options. Airfares and food are not included in the price of our courses. All TEFL course fees are in US dollars but your payment can be made in any currency. Please check www.xe.com/ucc for a current exchange rate in pounds or any other currency of your choice. All of our courses run throughout the year. All of our TEFL courses come highly recommended from past trainees. Our courses provide an ideal opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.   With the addition of tutor support and a range of teaching videos, this option is a great way...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations English language teachers have been heading to Central America for many years due to its close proximity to the United States, the warm tropical climate, and the fascinating variety of cultures to explore. One country in the region that is rapidly gaining in popularity, but is still overlooked by many, is Nicaragua. Although relatively small in size and population, this Latin American gem has plenty to offer visitors, from tropical islands and white sand beaches to majestic volcanoes and clear freshwater lakes. The country is also known for the warmth and generosity of its people and the diversity of its cuisine that combines the flavors of Spanish, Creole, and indigenous foods. The English Teaching Market Where to Live, Work and Visit in Nicaragua Managua Leon...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations When it comes to choosing a destination to teach English abroad, there is no single place that suits everyone because every individual teacher has their own motivations for heading overseas. Whether it is to earn money to fund further travels, to be immersed in an unfamiliar culture, or to escape from the boredom of everyday life back home. Whatever your own personal reasons for wanting to get on that plane, rest assured that the perfect location is out there waiting for you. "I prefer natural beauty and fascinating culture, particularly if it's a little off the beaten track." "I'm looking for my first EFL teaching job and would like to secure it before I leave home." "I'm looking for a large job market that is within easy reach of the USA, but also still has...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Visa and Legal Destinations TEFL Information Every year, thousands of Americans embark on their adventure of teaching English abroad. Many of them dream of living in Europe but are deterred by the seemingly unfavorable visa regulations and they head to Asia or Latin America instead. While it is true that a lot of employers in European countries prefer to hire teachers with an EU passport to avoid having to organize a work visa for those from other countries, there are other ways to legally work in Europe as an American English teacher. Here is our how-to guide for Americans to teach English in Europe. Get TEFL Certified Choose the Right Location Teaching Programs for Americans in Europe Get the Timing Right Teaching Legally with the Right Visa Be Flexible and Patient...  [Read more]

United Family Cultural Exchange deals with every aspect of the trip to ensure participants have a pleasant experience in the international program. People, taking part in a program, have vast job opportunities and appropriate salary, which can cover all their living and traveling needs. Nowadays China is a country of tourists and foreigners working there. So, during your free time, outside the work location, you have extensive opportunities to join a cultural group of foreigners who meet every week to communicate and have fun together.  [Read more]

How much you can expect to earn teaching English in Latin America will vary depending on the country you choose, your specific location within that country, and the individual employer. However, teachers typically earn enough to live a comfortable, middle class lifestyle. You can expect your income to cover all your daily expenses and have enough to enjoy a good social life, although you are unlikely to be able to save much during your stay. How much can I earn teaching English in Costa Rica? Who are the main employers of English language teachers in Costa Rica? Can I earn extra cash as a private English tutor in Costa Rica? What is the cost of living for English teachers in Costa Rica? How much can I earn teaching English in Argentina? Who are the main employers of English...  [Read more]

For anyone aiming to teach English in a vibrant and culturally rich setting, Latin America emerges as a top choice, especially in countries like Argentina, Chile, and Mexico. The region boasts a mix of bustling cities, tourist hotspots, and serene rural areas, catering to diverse interests. While personal research is essential to find the best fit, we present a brief list of destinations that currently offer exceptional opportunities: Mexico Chile Costa Rica Colombia Argentina Adjacent to the United States, Mexico has long been favored by American teachers due to its convenient location. The thriving tourism industry and prospects of higher-paid jobs in the USA make Mexico a sought-after destination. Private language centers and private tutoring opportunities provide avenues for...  [Read more]

For Americans planning to teach English abroad, obtaining a criminal background check is often a critical part of the job or visa application process. Countries like South Korea, a major hub for foreign English teachers, mandate this check for securing an official work visa. Likewise, various nations and schools have similar prerequisites. Typically, the most frequently sought-after background check for American teachers is the FBI's Identity History Summary Check. Although locally-sourced checks are also accepted, the FBI's version is more universally recognized but may have longer processing times. Also read: What is the EPIK program for teaching English in South Korea? What is an FBI criminal background check? Can I get an FBI criminal background check abroad? Once you are in your...  [Read more]

While Spain is undoubtedly a top TEFL destination in Europe, drawing teachers globally, Latin America presents unique offerings that might align better with some educators' preferences. Beyond the allure of Spain's sunny coast, Latin America boasts diverse cultures, rich histories, and often a lower cost of living in many of its countries. Delving into the specifics, some teachers find that Latin America's advantages provide a more fitting and fulfilling teaching experience. Where is the best place to learn the Spanish language? What is the cost of living in Spain compared to Latin America? How do work visas differ between Spain and Latin America? What about hiring seasons and getting a job in advance? What other advantages does Latin America have over Spain? When seeking the ideal...  [Read more]

At Perfect English (PE), our motto is “Quality Education First” and its at the core of everything we do as a school. Our founders, Jack and Janet Murray, began the school in January 2002, it was because they believed English teaching in China could be improved. As an after-school program they saw a need to offer “quality” education, using native speakers, thus providing students with access to better oral English and improved language skills. Back in 2002, English after-school programs were rarely offered by native speakers, additionally in the Chinese public schools spoken English was just a minor part of what was taught. As trained educators, the Murray’s used their background to initiate a program of: Over time this methodology has been very effective and has kept our school...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Writing dates in English can be done in a variety of ways. Here are some common ways to write dates in British and American English.   What is the correct format for dates in English? This is something very important to teach your students when teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL). How to write the date in English usually depends on the following things: Whether you write a formal letter or an informal note; and whether you use British or American English. Let's take a look at the examples below. As you can see, there are a number of ways in which you can write the same date. As a general rule we can say that the more complicated the style of date, the more formal it is. In British English (which is mainly used...  [Read more]

  Peter took the 120-hour online TEFL course with ITTT. In this TEFL review, Peter mentions how he found the course to be well designed and well thought out. One thing Peter discusses is how earning a TEFL certificate and teaching English abroad is a great way to learn about new cultures and share about your own country with people all over the world. Peter would like to continue studying with ITTT and the many different courses that are available. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before...  [Read more]