Tefl Course Notes

Do I need a TEFL certificate to work for VIPKid? Until recently, VIPKid was a leading platform for online teaching to young learners. But as of July 2021, changes to Chinese law have prohibited the promotion of English lessons taught by instructors outside China to Chinese students. In essence, to teach Chinese children online, you now need to be physically located in China, not abroad. This law change significantly impacted VIPKid’s operations, reducing their previously prominent position in this teaching environment. Can I still work for VIPKid? Despite these legal changes in China, VIPKid has continued to offer lessons to adult students in China from abroad, as the new laws do not affect this. They have also introduced a new global service targeting young learners worldwide. However,...  [Read more]

Pronunciation and Phonology in the EFL Classroom - "Oh" Sound   Here we have a set of five words, which all share one sound: the ?oh? sound, as in ?go?, ?show?, ?dough?, ?note? and ?boat?. They?re five different spelling patterns to tell our students so they can identify when to make the ?oh? sound. We can have a simple letter ?o?, ?ow?, ?ough?, ?o? with the magic ?e? which turns our vowel into what we knew as long sounds and the ?oa? as in ?boat?. Now, for a non-native learner, perhaps they can handle something like this. They remember that these spelling combinations help to produce the ?oh? sound and they can go about their business looking at the words and memorizing this knowing that these spelling patterns will produce the sound ?oh?. Now that?s okay until we get to a...  [Read more]

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas 7 Cool Post-it Note Icebreaker Activities How to start your very first lesson or transition to study after a long summer vacation? The following activities help you easily break the ice with your English students. Students of all ages love interesting games that encourage interaction. Try one of them as a starter or as an icebreaker! Table of Contents 1. All-Star Class 2. Where Are You From? 3. Get to Know 4. A Matched Set 5. Question Mixer 6. Two Truths and a Lie 7. Hidden Treasure Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! 1. All-Star Class Ask students to draw an self portrait and display them on a bulletin board in class. Each...  [Read more]

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Why Grammar Shouldn’t be Neglected in the Classroom To learn a language, most people would consider it important to understand the structure or rules that govern that language, if one is going to communicate effectively. Grammar can be viewed as the set of rules governing language. Online resources such as Cambridge Dictionary (n.d.), have referred to grammar as being “the study or use of the rules, about how words change their form and combine with other words to make sentences”. While this definition might clarify the meaning of the word, it falls short in terms of justifying the importance of grammar, especially about teaching English as a foreign language. When one teaches English one might have students whose first...  [Read more]

Thu, 02 Jun 2022 Mudita Yajnik TEFL Information Teaching Ideas The Benefits of Open-Note Tests What’s the best way to find out what your students know? Or, how much they’ve been paying attention, or what you need to revisit? Table of Contents Every teacher reading this already knows the answer to those questions. The cycle of traditional testing is predictable Open-note tests can help students feel more comfortable with testing, Benefits of Open-note Tests Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Every teacher reading this already knows the answer to those questions. Tests. Tests can be a great way to find out if the class is ready to move forward or if they need to...  [Read more]

What are the different types of TEFL programs? There are four main categories of English teaching programs that we will consider here: Each program is designed with a specific audience in mind, involves distinctive educational activities, and has unique highlights. Table of Contents General English Academic English (Also referred to as English for Academic Purpose EAP) Business English Young Learners Other Notes General English Audience: Primarily taught in governmental schools and private language institutions worldwide. Curriculum: Typically, it covers five study levels with a predefined syllabus, utilizing popular book series like 'New Headway' or 'Let's go'. Highlight: It caters to millions of students worldwide who are keen on learning general English. Also read: Should I take a...  [Read more]

Tue, 12 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Points For Taking a TEFL Course It was not until I was looking at the list of possible topics for this Summative Task that I realized how much I had learned from the two ITTT courses that I have just completed. After giving some more thought to the courses and the topic I have selected above, I will try to summarize the benefits for me, and I predict for others to follow. Table of Contents Organization Personal skills assessment and skills inventory What I know now vs. what I thought I knew Teaching skills Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Four thoughts or broad categories of the benefits of the courses come to mind that...  [Read more]

Wed, 05 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas All The Skills Required to Teach Business English Business English skills are important for professional development, as they ensure that people are well equipped for the Business English world. According to Unit 2: Teaching and Learning students will gain knowledge of when Business English is used and what type of activities it is used in. This will prepare them for the future. Table of Contents Receptive skills Productive Skills Do you want to teach Business English? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Emma M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Receptive skills Listening and reading and...  [Read more]

What are the different types of TEFL programs? There are four main categories of English teaching programs that we will consider here: Each program is designed with a specific audience in mind, involves distinctive educational activities, and has unique highlights. General English Audience: Primarily taught in governmental schools and private language institutions worldwide. Curriculum: Typically, it covers five study levels with a predefined syllabus, utilizing popular book series like 'New Headway' or 'Let’s go'. Highlight: It caters to millions of students worldwide who are keen on learning general English. Also read: Should I take a TEFL course bundle? Academic English (Also referred to as English for Academic Purpose EAP) Audience: Tailored for students who need to demonstrate...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences 4 Insights on the Role of Evaluation and Testing in Education To begin with, our experiences both as students and teachers everywhere have shown that many teachers at all levels of the educational system take evaluation and testing for granted and therefore tend to be very casual in their attitudes in setting and marking examinations. It should be noted that examination and evaluation form an integral part of the educational process as a whole and benefit both the teacher and the student. The term “evaluation” is often used as though it were synonymous with testing. A test simply refers to a particular situation set up for the purpose of making an assessment. In order words, the term test is an instrument of measurement of...  [Read more]

Fri, 01 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Cultural Sensitivity in a Colombian Classroom A resource I found invaluable for this essay was the website Cyborlink (2019a), a reference provided in the TEFL Young Learners course (ITTT, 2019). The TEFL course (Unit 6) discusses how cultural considerations are important when teaching abroad. This includes cultural sensitivity when interacting with the young learners themselves, as well as in interacting with parents and school staff (administration/teachers). Table of Contents Latin-American Culture English in Colombia The usage of titles Conversational taboos Relation to different age groups Individualism and gender peculiarities Other considerations Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: ...  [Read more]

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Useful Techniques for Increasing Teacher Confidence in the Classroom Any teacher, new or experienced, might find there are times when he or she lacks confidence in the classroom. Maybe there is a brand-new class of students, human error has caused a fall in confidence, or the teacher is faced with a new topic. Whatever the reason, all teachers have an important job to do, and nervousness must be overcome. While teaching can be a daunting task at times, there are two key ways that a teacher’s confidence can be bolstered and held high: preparation, and experience. Table of Contents What is Confidence? Lesson Planning Having Plan B Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written...  [Read more]

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Three Strategies For Teachers to Work on Confidence One of the most important traits a teacher can bring into the classroom is confidence. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary Confidence is “a feeling or consciousness of one’s powers or reliance on one’s circumstances” and “ faith or belief that one will act in a right, the proper, or efficient way”. When a teacher is confident in the classroom it will help create a more relaxed and trusting environment. Table of Contents Personal Experience Strategy One: Self-Development Strategy Two: Preparation Strategy Three: Feedback Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Thu, 18 Feb 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Classroom Management in ESL Teaching is The Most Important Part of the Job It’s a daunting but all-too-common sight for many teachers: A classroom full of rowdy students who are unable to focus on the lesson. Classroom management techniques may get things back on track, but valuable time has already been lost. Table of Contents Starting on a Positive Note Establishing positive relationships Maintaining the relationships Teachers can maintain relationships by continuing to implement the strategies above, and also, they can: Prevent harmful effects before the worst happens When relationships need repair, teachers can: Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Related Articles: Check out...  [Read more]

Thu, 28 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Teachers May Help Improving Productive Skills Outside the Classroom Environment? The productive skills have been the two criteria that determine one’s language proficiency. To be more realistic in life, if someone is going to enter into his dream job or college, then the recruitment team or admission commission would carefully make a selection depending on one’s productive skill. For instance, they will read a pool of submitted CVs and take interviews from the applicants. Thus, the learners are essential for developing these skills speedy not only in schools but also in everyday lives. Table of Contents Starting with writing skills, there are few tips to constantly improve it. Another useful way is to keep students...  [Read more]

How do I make a good TEFL lesson plan? The rationale behind planning TEFL lessons is a crucial aspect to consider because it shapes the content of our lesson plans. We plan lessons for several reasons such as: i) To provide a structure to our lessons ii) To provide a record of what has been taught iii) To easily cross reference against any syllabus requirements of the course being taught The latter two points aid in ensuring we meet all the course requirements by providing a comprehensive record of lessons conducted. The first point, providing structure, is arguably the most crucial as it maps out the expected course of the lesson. Before delving into an actual plan, we should ponder on the kind of information we need to document in the plan. A lesson plan isn't meant to be a verbatim...  [Read more]

How do I make a good TEFL lesson plan? The rationale behind planning TEFL lessons is a crucial aspect to consider because it shapes the content of our lesson plans. We plan lessons for several reasons such as: i) To provide a structure to our lessons ii) To provide a record of what has been taught iii) To easily cross reference against any syllabus requirements of the course being taught The latter two points aid in ensuring we meet all the course requirements by providing a comprehensive record of lessons conducted. The first point, providing structure, is arguably the most crucial as it maps out the expected course of the lesson. Before delving into an actual plan, we should ponder on the kind of information we need to document in the plan. A lesson plan isn't meant to be a verbatim...  [Read more]

Thu, 27 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Self-Analysis and Reflection Can Help a Teacher Improve The CEO of a multi-million-dollar company I worked for once told me, “Change or change will change you.” This motto has stuck with me since the day I heard him say it. It’s part of the reason why I decided that I want to be a teacher. I know it’s going to bring me out of my comfort zone and force me to do things that I otherwise would never do. A teacher can never stop learning; one has to constantly improve. Otherwise, what’s the point? Some of the most important ways to ensure that one improves as a teacher are to self-analyze and reflect. It’s fine to use these tactics at one’s own pace and discretion, but they are of utmost...  [Read more]

CELTA and Trinity Courses in Darwin Located in the tropical far north of Australia, Darwin is a laid-back, tight-knit community that is proud of its casual, stress-free lifestyle. Due to the climate, much of the local entertainment and cultural events revolve around the outdoor lifestyle that is typical in this part of the country. The cooler evenings are especially popular, as are the spectacular sunsets. Although the city is small in size, it is home to a multicultural population and an extremely rich indigenous culture. Located in the lush surroundings of a major university, the Darwin CELTA training center enjoys a close proximity to the popular Casuarina beach and nature reserve where you can relax in your free time. Transportation is also sorted as the institution known as ‘The...  [Read more]

Tue, 15 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Constructive Approach to Teaching Children With Varying Learning Abilities The Oxford Dictionary defines learning ability as the ability to comprehend or understand and profit from an experience (Vocabulary.com, 2019). The reality is that in any classroom, a teacher will be faced with teaching children of varying learning abilities. Table of Contents Theoretical Points In the EFL Classroom Students With Various Abilities The Engage Stages The Activate Stage The Study Stage Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Liezl S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Theoretical Points...  [Read more]

Class Flexible TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Class Flexible 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 A.M. - Canada said: Online tefl courses vs onsite TEFL coursesPeople decide to teach English as a foreign language for many reasons. Some wish to make this a full time career and often work with students in their own English speaking country, while others are looking for adventure in a foreign country yet would like to have the structure and financial comfort that a teaching job can provide. Making the decision to teach English in a foreign country is, in itself, a big step....  [Read more]

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Why Should ESL Teachers Consider Teaching One-to-one? ESL teachers can find themselves in various classroom situations. An ESL class may be advertised or posted on signs for students to show up at a learning center on a particular night. When the students arrive, they are most probably tested and grouped according to language level. What happens if many students are at the same level, but there is one student who is on a completely different level and has different needs? Other scenarios may put teachers in a situation where they are teaching one-to-one. Possibly, there is just a desire to tutor English language learners in a more personal setting. What are the advantages and challenges of teaching one-to-one? Table of Contents...  [Read more]

TEFL - Course Materials Classroom based TEFL Trainees will be given a course manual for the following areas of the course: Our high quality, unique TEFL course materials are the basis for the input sessions during the course and will provide trainees with valuable reference resources for future teaching. We provide course handbooks and materials, including an A4 folder which should be organized as follows: The TEFL Course Log This course log forms a record of the progress made through the course and should be tidy and professional in appearance. The log will be inspected on a weekly basis and used for moderation purposes. Your own TEFL Notes file Throughout the course input sessions you will receive numerous handouts and will also take your own notes as well. We suggest dividing the file...  [Read more]

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teacher as a Leader of an Orchestra Being a teacher takes great responsibilities and in order for one to because a business English teacher takes a number of factors to be considered such as who will you be working for and what they expect from you, the type of environment in which you will be teaching as different places have different cultures and it is every teacher’s duty to know the dos and don’ts of an environmental culture you in and in this essay, I will talk about the teacher’s roles in teaching. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Duties Lesson Process Main Roles Corrections Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Lesson Planning for Structured ESL Classes The lesson plan is a structure of the course that you will give to your students, a clear guide as to what you want to achieve and how you are going to do it. A good lesson plan generally consists of learner objectives, personal aims, language points, procedure, phase, and interaction, etc. It is of great importance because it can help teachers to have confidence in class, make the class go more smoothly and help to improve the course. Table of Contents What is lesson planning for? Lesson flow Course effectiveness Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yanfen G. Please note that this blog post might...  [Read more]

Tue, 26 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Anticipated Problems When Teaching English Vocabulary Young children, even when they are learning their native tongue, learn the words before they learn how to apply them correctly and as a result, children often make mistakes in their grammar, however, even when they do, it is mostly the vocabulary or the order of the words which still provides a degree of context which makes the message they intend to convey understandably and thus susceptible to improvement. It is exactly because of this fact that in this essay, I would like to dive into teaching vocabulary. Table of Contents Some reflections and advice Teaching vocabulary in primary school Teaching vocabulary to teenagers Summarized and based on the experience I would provide the...  [Read more]

Wed, 20 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Parental Help in Students English Learning In the Chinese area, English as a compulsory course in school has to be learned by students for years. Since the government has strengthened the importance of English in Gaokao (College Entrance Examination ) these days, every Chinese family wants their children to start on English learning as early as possible. There is no need to highlight the importance of English to a Chinese family at all. Table of Contents Bilingual daily life Create English surroundings Apply for online English course Find a foreign teacher Be a good example Regular reading Communicate with teachers Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Challenge of Learning English as a Second Language The process of learning a foreign language is not an easy one because they are expected to cover various aspects, and the challenges faced could cause a learner to take a longer time to learn the new language. Table of Contents Students’ Feelings Language Aspects Cultural Specifics Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Payton P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Students’ Feelings One of the difficulties that learners face is their attitude towards learning the language. An individuals' attitude relates to how...  [Read more]

CELTA and Trinity Courses in Melbourne First time visitors to Melbourne will soon realise why the city is regularly named as one of the best places to live in the world. Not only does it have a vibrant culture and arts scene, it is also home to a huge array of live sports and a lively music scene. Wherever you find yourself in the city you will never be far from an excellent choice of great cafes, bars and restaurants where you can relax and watch the world go by. The public transport network is also excellent, as is the standard of its educational facilities. The CELTA training center enjoys a great location close to Melbourne University's student precinct and the bustling center of the city. The local area is famous for its entertainment scene which includes a wide choice of bars and...  [Read more]

TESOL TEFL Reviews - Video Testimonial - Reema   Reema from Pakistan took a TEFL course from ITTT. In this TEFL review video, Reema tells us how she started teaching English in Pakistan four years ago. She took the course with ITTT to improve her skills and her opportunities for finding work as an English teacher. Reema notes that the course covers English grammar, evaluation and testing, teaching methodology and lesson planning. 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]