The English Difference

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! This is a simple spot-the-difference worksheet to be done in pairs in your ESL classroom.   Share this worksheet with your ESL students and have them complete it in pairs.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!   In many situations, the two words "specially" and "especially" are used with the same meaning, but this is not always correct. Let's take a closer look at the difference between "specially" and "especially".   The word "specially" means 'for a particular reason' and is used with an adjective in the past participle form, for example:   The word "specially" means 'particularly' and it is used at the beginning of a phrase but never at the beginning of a whole sentence, for example:   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!   Older and elder are two similar sounding words that can sometimes be used incorrectly by both native and non-native English speakers. Let’s take a look at how they should be used correctly.   When teaching the English language you often come across words that sound and look similar. Sometimes these words can be used interchangeably to mean the same thing and sometimes they cannot. In this example older and elder can sometimes be used to say the same thing, but they have to be used differently. The adjective old has a base form, a comparative form, and a superlative form: OLD, OLDER, and OLDEST. Examples of the three forms: These can all be used when talking about things and also people. For example: However,...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!   The verbs "do" and "make" are among the most used words in the English language. These two words often confuse English learners because they often use one verb for both in their native language (like "hacer" in Spanish). To help your students understand this better, take a look at the following chart below showcasing the difference between "do" and "make".   "Do" and "make" are two verbs that frequently confuse students learning English. The following explanations will help you better understand the difference between "do" and "make" and when to use each one. 1. "Do" is used when talking about work, jobs or tasks: 2. "Do" is used to refer to non-specific activities, for example: 3. "Do" can be used to...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Weather and whether are a pair of homophones which means they sound the same, but they have different spellings and meanings. Here we explain how to use these words correctly.   WEATHER Definition and Examples Weather can be a noun or a verb. WEATHER Examples: WHETHER Definition and Examples Whether is a conjunction, which joins two words or phrases together. WHETHER Examples: Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Further and farther are easily confused as both words can be used to say “at a greater distance”. To be sure you are using them correctly take a look at the following explanation.   How to Use Further Further Examples: How to Use Farther Farther Examples: Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas ESL is English which is usually taught to students in an English speaking country. EFL is English which is taught to students in a foreign, non-English speaking country. As it is true of many European countries, where is common to learn to speak more than one foreign language. For these reasons ESL is typically the term used in the United States, an English-speaking nation, whereas EFL is more often the term of choice in countries where English is not the native language. What's ESL? What's EFL? Teaching ESL versus teaching EFL ESL Students Need... 1. Hands-on English lessons suitable for their immediate needs. 2. Explicit cultural instruction. 3. Bridges towards integration. EFL Students Need 1. Lots of practice using English, especially...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When thinking of teaching, adults generally don't come to mind. Teachers are associated with children, and people might often associate their childhood with teachers and schooling, either good or bad. There are quite obvious differences between adults and children that make for different teaching environments and experiences. Choice of Activities Games Motivation and Will in Childhood Everyone Should be Heared Discipline in Adulthood Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anuhea N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. An obvious example is the use of singing or chanting, which even after children reach...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences There are many similarities, but also many differences, in teaching English as a foreign language and teaching English as a second language. Teaching English as a foreign language is when you teach English in a country that does not have English as an official language. Teaching English as a second language is when you teach English to someone who speaks another language as their first language, normally in a country where English is the official language. I have taught both English as a foreign language (EFL) and English as a second language (ESL) and these two experiences had quite a few similarities and quite a few differences. EFL and ESL Example Similarities between EFL and ESL Differences between EFL and ESL "This was a big difference for me as a...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences The term business English is used to cover the English language taught to a wide range of professional people, and students in full-time education preparing for a business career. There's a lot more to learning a second (or third or fourth!) language than just vocabulary and grammar because languages are used differently in different contexts. Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our ITTT graduate Rupanpreet K. Business English is the type of English used in business contexts. Some types of English, like novels or law briefings, welcome long, sophisticated vocabulary. Business English isn't like that. Good writing is direct and to the point. There is less focus on grammar in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences While both Americans and the British speak English, there are a few variations in the language which can cause some confusion for non-native speakers. Therefore, it is important to take a look at the most notable differences between these two versions of the English language. Spelling Grammar Pronunciation Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph Bart van der K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. One of the key differences in the spelling of words. British English usually has their words in the same form as where they originated from, while American English tends to simplify the spelling or...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!   The two expressions "everyday" and "every day" are frequently used in English but often confused. Take a look at the below infographic to find out the difference!       Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Let's take a look at how to use MUST and SHOULD correctly in sentences.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!   "For" and "since" are prepositions used when talking about time. Let’s look at the difference between the two words.   For and Since are prepositions. Let’s look at the difference between these two words.   "For" is used with a period of time. This is often a number plus a time word. "For" is used when we measure the duration of something or how long it lasts. It has a start point and an end point and can be used in different tenses.   "Since" is used with a starting point or a time or date. It refers to something that started in the past and continues until now. "Since" is mostly used with the present perfect and perfect progressive tense. For example:   Register now & get...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Let's take a look at the difference between YOUR and YOU'RE in English with example sentences.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences When approaching formal and non-formal language it's imperative to keep in mind that people are by nature designed to be different, therefore arguing which is more important is a waste of time. Based on cultural upbringing and life experience both play an important role in regards to teaching a student. Formal and informal language are used daily, though, both habituate different societal spaces and their ratios change. Either can bleed into each other when language becomes really interesting. The Use Of Formal Language The Use Of Non-Formal Language Things to Keep in Mind Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our ITTT graduate Thomas H. Defined simply formal language avoids "I",...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences In my experience, many teachers are not really sure about the difference between teaching ESL and teaching EFL in the classroom. In this post I will try to explain both situations and give some insight into each as they are actually quite distinct. The Basic Difference Potential Problems of Both Situations Typical Students of EFL and ESL The Importance of Speaking English in the Classroom Are you ready to teach English in an ESL or EFL classroom? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Amal S. ESL refers to teaching English as a Second Language in a English-speaking country where the student's native language is not English, while EFL refers to teaching English as a Foreign Language in a country...  [Read more]

  The Impact of Teaching English Abroad Cultural Immersion Through ESL Teaching Advantages of Pursuing TEFL Courses Navigating the World of TESOL Courses Overcoming Challenges in Teaching English Overseas Building Relationships with Students Professional Growth in ESL Teaching Making a Positive Impact on Communities The Global Demand for English Teachers Fulfillment in Changing Lives Through Education Teaching English abroad offers a unique opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and communities. By imparting language skills, teachers empower students to access better education, job opportunities, and ultimately improve their quality of life. ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) equips educators with the tools to create this impact worldwide....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The age range is a huge factor when it comes to teaching a classroom. The age of the students will determine your teaching methods, the activities you pick, the pacing of the classes, how you should act/treat your students, etc. Both age groups learn at different speeds. Contrary to what some people might think, children tend to catch on faster when it comes to learning a new language. They can grasp the concepts better since they are still learning and grasping the concepts of their own native language. They are more open-minded and receptive to new sounds and grammar. Adults, on the other hand, have already mastered their own language making it harder to adapt to a new one. They want to use their own language as a reference point and match the new...  [Read more]

  TEFL vs. TESOL: What's the Distinction? The Origins and Evolution of TEFL Exploring the Roots of TESOL TEFL Certification: A Path to Teaching Abroad TESOL Certification: Empowering English Language Educators TEFL Teaching Methods and Approaches TESOL Strategies for Diverse Learners Career Opportunities in TEFL Advancing Your Career with a TESOL Certification The Future of TEFL and TESOL Education TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct focuses. TEFL typically refers to teaching English in countries where it's not the primary language, while TESOL encompasses teaching English to non-native speakers in English-speaking countries. TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences American English and British English are two varieties which are taught in English teaching programs around the world. Although it is accepted that no one version is corrected, there are certainly preferences in use. Someone who can speak, read or understand one variety of English, he/she'll also probably be able to understand most of the other varieties without problem. Pronunciation differences Vocabulary differences Spelling differences Grammar differences Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sumeyra Y. The differences between American and British English can be categorized in four ways: British English and American sound remarkably different. The...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences When it comes to learning English, non-native speakers can feel quite torn on whether they should learn British English or American English. They have their similarities, but can contrast each other strongly. The differences can be confusing for English speakers as well. The diversity in spelling, pronunciation, and vocabulary can really throw you off. In this article, I will be focusing on these three topics. Let's explore spelling, shall we? Important Spelling Differences Differences in Word Choice Same Word - Different Pronunciation Other Things to Consider Are you ready to teach English abroad? Listen to this blog post Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tabitha C. Growing up in the USA, I learned to spell in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Susan T S G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Background Definition of First vs Second Language My Own Experiences with Acquired vs Learning Languages Sentence Structures Verbs and Alphabets 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! Singapore is a multilingual and multi-ethnic society. We have four official languages Malay, English, Chinese (Mandarin), and Tamil, with Malay as our national language. English is used as the main medium of instruction in our education system and learning a second language is compulsory in school...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Second language acquisition is used to refer to any language other than the first language, so it refers to the acquisition of any language after the acquisition of the mother tongue. How do we learn languages? Why does a person need to learn a second language? What is assimilation? What is developing during second language acquisition? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Abdelkabir E. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. It functions as a recognized means of communication among members who speak some other language as their mother tongue. For example; English as a second language is learned in...  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Let's take a look at the difference between all, every and each.   Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad! Let's take a look at the difference between already, still and yet.     Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!  [Read more]

Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!   The two prepositions "on time" and "in time" are widely used but also often used incorrectly. Let's take a look at the difference between the two below.   When something happens "on time", it happens at the planned time. = punctual = on schedule = at the arranged time = at the planned time = at the correct time = neither early nor late   The meeting was scheduled for 10 a.m. -> This means I wasn’t late. I arrived at the planned time. -> This means she never arrives at the correct time. She is never punctual.   When you are in time, you are early enough to have spare time, usually to be able to do something else. = before something happens = before the scheduled time =...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching a whole class of students is a lot different than teaching a single student in a one-to-one setting. When teaching a whole group, I have had to split my attention in so many directions. When I teach a student one-to-one, my whole focus is solely on that one child. Diversity in the classroom Advantages and disadvantages Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jennifer H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. There can be a wide range of diverse students in a classroom setting, which can create more of a demand for attention from the teacher, in some situations. For example, I have seen...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Throughout this course and my professional career as an online English teacher, I have learned that there are many differences between teaching one to one, but to teaching to groups of students as well. I work with an online company, and I teach one to four students that live in China for about thirty minutes daily. Each lesson is different with different students every time, so I get to experience a wide variety of students at different levels every day. However, the content of the lesson can differ greatly depending on if I have one or four students in that class. My teaching can change drastically by the number of students I have assigned to certain classes. Effectiveness of Personal Approach Small Groups for Equal Attention Do you want to teach...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English to high-school students and teaching English to university students are uniquely different and require different skills and teaching methods. High school students are in a period of development known as adolescence. One of the leading developmental psychologists, Erik Erikson, defines adolescence as a period of struggle between identity versus role confusion (Hutchison, 2013). During adolescence, high schoolers are going through many physical, cognitive, emotional, and social changes (Hutchison, 2013). They are struggling to define who they are in this world not about their parents. They want to make their own choices in life based on their reasoning. A high schooler may choose on their own to learn English as a foreign language, but...  [Read more]