Struggle Pronunciation

Thu, 26 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How to Teach the Correct Pronunciation of L, R, V, and F Many students of English as a Second Language (ESL) find that, of the many struggles they have with the language, pronunciation is the most difficult to master. Table of Contents Working on Fluency Difficult Sounds: Part 1 How to Teach? Difficult Sounds: Part 2 How to Teach? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Listen to this blog post Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sophie M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Working on Fluency Pronunciation is an extremely important ability to have to sound more fluent in English. By gaining the knowledge and skill of...  [Read more]

Fri, 17 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Most Common Issues Faced by English Learners in Japan Given the increase in globalization during the late 20th and early 21st centuries and the growing inter-dependencies of domestic economies within the international marketplace, English, as a primary language medium for conducting international business arrangements, has become an increased priority both socially and within the business environment. However, notwithstanding the importance of English fluency within contemporary society, Japan and Japanese English learners face difficulties when trying to achieve competency. These difficulties and issues can be shown by the 2018 EF English Proficiency Index which ranked the English level of Japanese learners as rank 49 out of 88...  [Read more]

Thu, 19 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Struggles of the Chinese Native Speakers Learning English Most researchers agree that the learner's first language influences the pronunciation of the target language and is a significant factor in accounting for foreign accents. So-called interference or interference from the first language is likely to cause errors in aspiration, stress, and intonation in the target language. Table of Contents Phonetics Unusual Sounds Language Structure Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vesna A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Phonetics Some Chinese students tend to have...  [Read more]

Agency Inexpensive TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Agency Inexpensive TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts T.P. - Japan said: Pronunciation problems in JapanJapan has cultivated a reputation for being a country that is rich in history, culture and resources. Within the global sphere Japan has also seen the impact of English language in transforming the way in which countries relate. In an effort to avoid being on the periphery of the development enabled by globalization, the Ministry of Education, Sports, Culture and technology (also referred to as MEXT) has made providing...  [Read more]

Thu, 07 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Most Common Pronunciation Problems for English Learners in Myanmar Assuming it has already been understood generally, I do not intend to elaborate on the reasons between Myanmar and Burma, even though it still remains unknown to many. In this essay, I will be using 'Burmese' or 'Burmese language' to refer to the language and 'Myanmar' for the country. Language acquisition can understandably present several challenges ranging from alphabets, accent, construction styles, pronunciation, etc. Depending on several factors, different language speakers will have different challenges. While one part is no less difficult than another, I reckon, in Myanmar, there is one component that most learners seem to have similar difficulty in taking...  [Read more]

Fri, 09 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Several Pronunciations Troubles Faced by The Japanese Native Speakers The differences between many Asiatic languages' pronunciation and that of English form the basis for a multitude of miscommunications between international interlocutors. My experience living in Japan provides plentiful evidence to support this assertion. When my Japanese associates and I communicate in English, I notice three significant pronunciation struggles for my conversation partners. For the Japanese who are learning English, the clear enunciation of the /th/ sound, the fricative quality of the /v/ consonant, and the distinction of /l/ versus /r/ formation of the tongue. Table of Contents Language Structure Difficult sounds Do you want to teach English...  [Read more]

Thu, 26 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Problems for Indian Learners in ESL Unlike many other countries, India does not have a national language. There are over 30 official languages spoken in India. English has been adopted by the government for judicial and administrative proceedings, and most Indians have a functional understanding of English. However, many Indians struggle to learn and use English effectively. Table of Contents Pronunciation Exposure to English Differences in Language Structure Translation Approach Vocabulary Challenge Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tejaswini K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions...  [Read more]

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Acknowledging Different Challenges With Learning I have been teaching English in Taiwan at a local elementary school, grades 1-6 with three different co-teachers since the end of August 2018. One of the biggest challenges I have faced so far is the fact that each student is very different, and all have different learning abilities and struggles with learning English. Table of Contents What Causes Challenges in The Classroom? My Personal Teaching Experience All Students Are Different Team Building Within the Class Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Aria T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs...  [Read more]

Tue, 23 Feb 2021 Regan McAllister TEFL Information Teaching Ideas The Challenges of Teaching Behind a Mask (and Some Possible Solutions) The pandemic has caused many changes in our daily lives. While I'm lucky to still have the opportunity to teach ESL in person, doing so with face masks has proved to be slightly more challenging. Table of Contents Challenge #1 - Delayed Comprehension Challenge #2 - Mis-Pronunciation Challenge #3 - Lack of Emotional Cues Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Face masks. A year ago, the thought of society operating with face masks seemed like some sort of ominous movie plot. Apocalyptic almost. Yet now they are on the same level as our phone or...  [Read more]

Wed, 06 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What Challenges do Chinese Learners of English Face in their Studies? Teaching English in China has become very popular for ESL teachers and many are looking for job opportunities in China. Finding a teaching job in China isn't too hard but working with Chinese students can be quite challenging. Table of Contents Grammar Challenge Pronunciation Challenge Environmental Challenge Cultural Challenge Generation Gap Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate VIKTORIIA H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Grammar Challenge Chinese grammar is very different from English and many Chinese...  [Read more]

Wed, 15 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Problems for Chinese Learners of the English Language After China adopted the Open Door Policy, the English language not only gained popularity but also became indispensable in international communication and trade. It was introduced in public schools as an obligatory foreign language and English teaching centers started spreading across the country. Even though Chinese people approach learning English with a great dose of enthusiasm, it poses several challenges, both linguistic and cultural. Table of Contents The History of Chinese Pronunciation Challenges Cultural Issues Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Weronika S. Please note that...  [Read more]

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 Ahmed Taha Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Nightly Reading Homework: Best Practices in 6 Steps If you're teaching a child in Kindergarten to second grade, you can probably assign about 10, 20, or 30 minutes of reading per night as homework. Table of Contents Recommendations for Parents Number 2 is: Don't "tell" the words. Number 3: Move beyond "sound it out." Number 4: Have the child re-read some passages for fluency. Number 5: Allow some mistakes to go uncorrected. Number 6: Allow the child to read the same book multiple times. Finally, continue to read to your child. Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! References This blog post explains what the teacher can...  [Read more]

Tue, 19 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Reason for Embarking on a TEFL Journey The introverted Nathaniel struggled immensely through primary, high school, college, and music school. His first battle was learning how to read. At this point, no one knew he possessed a learning difficulty. Table of Contents Personal Experience Berlin, Germany Learning Efforts Colombia Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nathaniel F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Personal Experience Although he had an impressive spoken vocabulary for a boy, when he looked at words on a page he could not match them to their sounds,...  [Read more]

Fri, 19 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The 2 Pronunciation Problems ESL Students Suffer From in Japan There are several pronunciation problems that students of English will face in Japan; however, I will focus on two. Table of Contents 1. Differences in the phonetic systems of two languages 2. Lack of exposure to authentic English resources Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brandie K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. 1. Differences in the phonetic systems of two languages The first of these problems they face is the fact that Japanese doesn't have some of the same sounds in its' alphabet as English...  [Read more]

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Mastering English Language Sounds: Enhancing Pronunciation and Auditory Receptive Skills Explore the challenges and strategies in teaching English language sounds and pronunciation across different age groups.It's widely known that students of various age groups exhibit varying learning capacities. Despite these differences and regardless of background or origin, learners of English (referred to as L2) often struggle with speaking and listening due to the language's heavy reliance on auditory comprehension. This article delves into the importance of addressing these pronunciation challenges, especially in the context of teaching English as a second language. Table of Contents Understanding Age-Related Differences...  [Read more]

Our ITTT TEFL and TESOL Alumni Stories Why Taking a TEFL Training Course is Important Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences There are many reasons why one should get TEFL certified before starting the ESL work. Our TEFL graduate explains it. Why Japanese Students Struggle with Communicating in English Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This blog post is devoted to the problems faced by Japanese students in English communication. Is the Personality of the Teacher Important to ESL Students? Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Does a teacher have any influence on students? What plays greater role: skills or personal traits? Read in this blog post. Cultural Awareness in TEFL Teaching Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this blog post, our TEFL graduate...  [Read more]

Thu, 04 Apr 2019 Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences 4 of the Most Common Pronunciation Problems in Egypt A learner's mother tongue has a profound influence on verbalization of the second language. The absence of some sounds in the learner's first language, and the difference in intonation, word, and syllable stress between the learner's native language and English are some of the many factors that often lead to an incorrect pronunciation of English words. In order to address these issues, a teacher needs to have a basic understanding of the student's native language. This essay will briefly explore the most common pronunciation problems for Egyptians learners of English and some suggested solutions to tackle these problems. Table of Contents Problems with the /p/ sound Confusing voiced and...  [Read more]

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Reading Books in Early Childhood Stories are an important part of any culture, English speaking or not. They can be oral or written and can showcase how culture works and their history. Whether old traditional stories or new popular current stories, the tales we share with young children can shape their developing ideas and values. Table of Contents How can you and your students benefit from storytelling? Stories in language learning Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rochelle L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. How can you and your students benefit from storytelling? When...  [Read more]

Wed, 13 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Difficulties of Learning English for Arabic Speakers When native Arabic learners attempt to learn the English language, they are faced with a variety of difficulties since there are fundamental differences between the two languages. Arabic words have a three-consonant root as its base, so all words are formed by combining the roots with either a fixed vowel pattern or and affix. The Arabic language has 28 consonants and 8 vowels which is three times less than the English language in terms of vowel sounds. Due to those differences, Arabic learners struggle in the following areas; writing, grammar, phonology, and pronunciation when learning the English language. Table of Contents Writing Grammar Phonology Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Fri, 07 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Ideal Tool for Pronunciation Training Helping students improve their pronunciation can be challenging for teachers and students alike. For students, they may have a strong desire to sound fluent but might struggle in knowing what mistakes they make and how to correct them. For teachers, they may be aware of the mistakes but may lack tools to help students accurately and precisely correct them. Table of Contents Common Methods Feedback Correcting Techniques Technologies and Pronunciation Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kent L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT....  [Read more]

Sat, 24 Nov 2018 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences The Most Common Problems Students in Italy Face When Learning English According to the EF English Proficiency Index, in the year 2017 Italy ranked last - among European countries - in English proficiency skills. Being an Italian myself and having studied foreign languages up to my Master's Degree, I have progressively grown aware of the main factors which cause Italy to perform so poorly. Other than grammatical gaps, which are not to be analyzed in this context, I have noticed how the extremely limited exposition to spoken words can affect not only the students' ability to understand and follow conversations or arguments, but even the possibility for them to be understood when trying to speak. Table of Contents Lack of Proper...  [Read more]

What should I teach English beginners? When teaching English to absolute beginners, it is pivotal to start with foundational elements. Begin with essential vocabulary - items like family names, household objects, basic adjectives, and common places. Introduce them to subject pronouns, commonly used verbs, and foundational sentence structures. While the challenge is real, many English teachers find this level especially rewarding. Remember, every word they grasp is a significant achievement, so using engaging and interactive methods can make the learning process enjoyable and effective. Table of Contents How do I start teaching English to total beginners? How do I teach English pronunciation to total beginners? How do I quickly build vocabulary for complete beginner students of English?...  [Read more]

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching English as a Second Language in Small Communities in America There is currently a need for more people willing to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) across America. Several small communities have accepted immigrants from other countries. Although children of school age will learn English in school, the parents and grandparents struggle to learn English as they continue their daily lives and earn a living. This is a challenge as most Americans do not know any other languages as they do in Europe, so the immigrant needs to communicate in English to accomplish anything. This leaves the older generation feeling isolated and causes problems in everyday life, such as going to the bank. In...  [Read more]

Authorized TEFL School Check out tefl tesol about Authorized TEFL School and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Check out ITTT's Blog Posts V.B. - Japan said: Pronunciation Problems in JapanSince I am currently teaching english in japan, I have decided to briefly discuss some the pronunciation problems that I have observed during my time here. Correct pronunciation is vital in order for a student to communicate in English with the world around them. Although a japanese version of English pronunciation will most likely be understood by fellow native japanese speakers, native english speakers or English learners...  [Read more]

Wed, 08 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Pronunciation Problems of Students in the Philippines English has its place as the most frequently required subject of mostly Philippines' school and universities. This is because of the belief of most Filipinos that the mastery of the English language is the most important demands globally. We grew up believing that learning a second language is not an easy task, although other nationalities find that it is easy for us to imitate and practice the language. However, that is not the case. The problems of teaching and learning a foreign language, specifically English, have suggested some studies of the errors made by most Filipino students. In spite of the knowledge of English of the Filipino, there are times that most students...  [Read more]

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Reasons Why Pronunciation is More Difficult for Adults than Children in El Salvador Pronunciation problems in El Salvador is very common, as many know Spanish is the main Language in this country, people in El Salvador tend to speak their native Language all the time because this is what they feel more comfortable with, as there is not any other dialect, other than Spanish, they are taught English in school, English Is the only language taught in El Salvador in public schools, but only for those that can attend one, this is because there are many people that can't attend a school due to economic matter, family problems or due to the work that is done in their household many don't have time to study and there are kids that can't...  [Read more]

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Issues Japanese Learners Face When Learning English Through my experience as an Assistant Language Teacher in Japan, there have been numerous difficulties and challenges my students face in learning the English language. My students are primarily between the ages of 5 and 15. These challenges involve the pronunciation difficulties the students face coming from Japanese pronunciation, as well as the methodology of teaching English in Japan They may not apply to all of Japan but are definitely prominent issues within my area. Table of Contents Pronunciation The Problem of Making Mistakes Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate James W....  [Read more]

Tue, 28 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How Japanese as a Native Language Causes Problems for Students Learning English in Japan This essay seeks to explain how the Japanese 'Katakana' and 'Romaji' alphabets cause barriers to the introduction of English education in Japanese elementary schools. It will look at how these alphabets affect the pronunciation, writing, and reading abilities of Japanese students. Table of Contents The Japanese language arguably has four different alphabets. Chart 1: Examples of Katakana and Romaji English word(s)/ English pronunciation/ Katakana/ Katakana pronunciation/ Romaji Engage: Study: Activate: Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ethan M....  [Read more]

What should I teach English beginners? If you have never taught English to complete novices before, the prospect of spending an entire lesson speaking with students who don't comprehend a single word you say may seem frightening. Teaching absolute beginners differs from teaching other courses, as any ESL teacher will tell you. It can be difficult, but it may also be one of the most enjoyable and gratifying language levels to teach. Every new word your students learn is important at this level, and the greatest approach to teaching it is to be as creative and funny as possible. How do I start teaching English to total beginners? Generally, teaching the letters and numbers should be one of your first priorities. You will lay a solid foundation for everything else your students will learn by...  [Read more]

Wed, 10 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Problems for English Learners in India I am currently living in India and I interact with many people with varying levels of English fluency. In a country like India, many people speak English as their first, second, third, or even fourth language. This can provide many benefits for students who want to learn English as you come in contact with many English speakers and get plenty of opportunities to practice speaking English in your home country. However, there can be many hindrances as well. The most common issue is the fact that most of the English speakers in India are also fluent in Hindi and other regional languages. A student trying to practice English can always fall back on their native language when they don't...  [Read more]