The International Alphabet

Pronunciation and Phonology in the EFL Classroom - Issues with the International Phonetic 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...  [Read more]

Pronunciation and Phonology in the EFL Classroom - Phonemes   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...  [Read more]

Tue, 08 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Most Problematic Challenges for English Learning in Japan Japan is a Pacific Island nation whose history is marked by periods of nationalism and seclusion, as the Japanese government closed the borders to international trade. The lack of foreign influence in Japan has enabled a unique culture to flourish and the population to remain nearly 98% homogenous, meaning nearly everyone that lives in Japan is Japanese. Table of Contents English in Japan Speaking Difficulties Classroom Atmosphere International Programs Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Andrew C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs...  [Read more]

Pronunciation and Phonology in the EFL Classroom - International Phonetic Alphabet   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...  [Read more]

Location Reputable TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Location Reputable 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 D.B. - China said: Phonetics PhonologyPhonetics and phonology are both branches of linguistics which deal with the sounds of language. The main difference is that phonetics is concerned with the physical properties of the sounds produced in language, whereas phonology is concerned with the theory and grammar behind the sounds the sounds produced in language. Phonetics can further be broken down into three subfields: articulatory phonetics, which deals with the manner of...  [Read more]

Mon, 14 Oct 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Pronunciation Challenges of French Native-Speaking Students Each student faces their difficulties when it comes to English pronunciation depending on their country of origin. This essay will focus on the pronunciation difficulties facing ESL students in France and will also propose some solutions to help students overcome these difficulties. Table of Contents French Sound System IPA Difficult Sounds The Dark /L/ Sound Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kerri M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. French Sound System The number of English vowel sounds greatly outnumbers those...  [Read more]

Colleges International TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Colleges International 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.S. - U.S.A. said: Problems for Saudi Arabian Learners of EnglishRight to left? Top to bottom? New symbols? Word order? A learner of English has many hurdles to get past besides cultural differences. One of the nationalities that encounter a number of immediate obstacles is Saudi Arabian. First, I will address cultural issues in the classroom, then specific problems in language learning. Cultural differences pose a problem until a ?command of control? is...  [Read more]

Mon, 04 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences An Overview of Common Challenges of ESL Students from Japan Japan is a nation that has tried to increase its citizens' English ability, especially with the upcoming 2020 Olympic Games being held in their country. However, progress has been slow and not fruitful. There are various reasons for this slow stagnation of the nation's English abilities such as the larger academic system and access to proper education in rural areas. However, I will focus on three main hurdles that Japanese learners of English must face that can impede their English education. Table of Contents Japanese vs. English Phonetics Alphabet Japanese English Class Style Problems Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This...  [Read more]

Tue, 23 Mar 2021 Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Most Common Challenges For The Turkish ESL Learners There is nothing comfortable than being in your comfort zone, especially when speaking your language (native language). The feeling that comes with it, how you pronounce words, the use of jokes and proverbs, idioms, and other slang within it, no one can take that joy or even compensate it because it naturally comes from within. It makes you feel safe at home and confident even when speaking about topics that you have never seen or heard before simply because your brain is already rich with enough vocabulary. So it allows you to navigate, swim and tackle the issues from all possible angles. Table of Contents Global challenges Sentence structure...  [Read more]

Fri, 08 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Difficulties of Learning English as a Native Japanese Speaker Learning another language is one of the most powerful tools for connecting people around the world from different cultures. Opening an immeasurable amount of opportunities, learning English has many benefits including but not limited to expanding career options, exercising another part of the brain, and improving the ease of traveling to a foreign country. However, particularly for natives of Eastern countries, learning English may be very difficult due to the exoticism of sounds, writing, pronunciation, and structure. While Japan is unique in a sense, having a booming influence of Western culture after World War II, native Japanese learners face difficulties in...  [Read more]

Wed, 27 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Phonetics/Phonology: Why Teaching this Neglected Aspect of Language is Important I chose this topic for my essay because it is not something I had ever given much thought to. As a native speaker, I don't recall studying correct pronunciation in school along with other aspects of language learning such as grammar and vocabulary. Correct, or at least acceptable and understandable, the pronunciation was something that just happened. Table of Contents Why is Teaching Phonetics Important? What is the Best Way to Teach Phonetics? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: I was initially somewhat surprised when I saw that an entire online module had been devoted to the topic, but as I read the module,...  [Read more]

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Phonological Awareness for Developing Language Abilities Phonology involves studying how sounds are organized in a language to create meaning. It differs in every language as sounds are organized to create words, which are then organized in sentences. Table of Contents Understanding both phonology and phonetics is important when teaching language to others. The English IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) utilizes symbols to represent single sounds. Do you want to teach English abroad or online? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jane M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Mon, 06 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Several Common Challenges for French-Speaking ESL Students French are bad at speaking English, it's a fact, proven by many studies but also by the shameful spectacle of our politician trying to say things in Shakespeare's language. The Elite not having a decent level it is hard to blame the population for not trying very hard. International studies are all putting French students at the last position in Europe for mastering English skills. Even more alarming in 2008 the TOEFL results were putting France at the 69th rank on 109 countries. In 9th Grade, only 14% of the students have an "independent level" according to a 2011 study of the European Commission (we also note that only 9% of English 9 graders are "independent" in...  [Read more]

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common Pronunciation Challenges for Learners in Azerbaijan Pronunciation is an essential part of the English language. Clear and cohesive speech can create meaningful conversations, meanwhile incorrect pronunciation can lead to misunderstandings. Every, non-native English-speaking country has pronunciation problems. One of the countries which come across with pronunciation errors is my homeland Azerbaijan. It is a lovely country, with nice traditions and people. Table of Contents Multilingual Country Historical Reasons Modern Situation Digital Age Teacher Training Do you want to teach English abroad? You are one step from it! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Narmina M. Please note that this...  [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]

Thu, 25 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Can Teachers Develop the Productive Skills of Japanese Junior High School Students Change is coming to the way that English is taught in Japanese public schools. The changes to the curriculum by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT) increase the teaching of English at all levels of schooling. The goal of this change is, in the words of Ikuko Tsuboya-Newel, founder and chair of Tokyo International School, "The government has decided that beginning in 2020 all high school graduates must achieve a level of English equivalent to B1" ("Why do Japanese have trouble learning English?", The Japan Times, October 29, 2017). To achieve that goal, high school entrance exams are expected to include more...  [Read more]

Sun, 03 Sep 2023 Federico Riva Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences What Is the Best Thing I Learned from My TEFL/TESOL Course? Teaching Special Groups Beginners come in various types: absolute beginners, false beginners, young beginners, and those without the Roman alphabet. Recognizing these differences is crucial for effective teaching. Visual aids and repetition are valuable tools, but it's vital to maintain a steady pace and address individual needs. Table of Contents Teaching Young Learners: Keeping It Engaging Teaching Business English and Individuals: Tailoring Content Monolingual and Multilingual Groups: Leveraging Common Ground Overall, Versatility in Teaching: A Vital Skill Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language? Related Articles: Check out what...  [Read more]

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching Monolingual vs. Multilingual Groups: What You Need To Know A multilingual class is a class where the learners speak a variety of first languages. A monolingual class is a class where all the learners speak the same first language. I have been working in international school setting for over 13 years. The classes are multilingual classes where students come from different cultures and English is the common language for them to communicate with their teachers and classmates. Table of Contents Common Difficulties Common Culture Exposure to English Mother Tongue Are you ready to take a TEFL course? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post By contrast, English classes in local schools and universities in China...  [Read more]

Wed, 01 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why English is Referred as a Global Language Over the years, the English language has reached the status of a global language and is considered to be characterized as lingua franca or the language which is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different. The English language is spoken by millions of people all around the globe. It is spoken by people as their native language, it is taught in almost all schools around the world as a second language and is also used as a first language for international communication. The English language has become a global language for many reasons: Table of Contents British Colonization American Expansion International Relations Do you want to teach English...  [Read more]

Fri, 29 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Language that the Global Community Needs The word "Globalization" has grown in use, in part due to; the advent of technology, tourism, politics, international trade, and economics, just to name a few. These factors have encouraged more people from different lingual backgrounds to mingle and work together in a world where everything is becoming interconnected. In light of this, English has for a very long time been used as the language to help facilitate globalization. Table of Contents My Personal Experience Advantages of English Proficiency Native vs. Non-Native Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ian S. Please note that...  [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]

Tue, 11 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Common Difficulties in Teaching English to Native Mandarin Speakers Learning a second language can be difficult, and this is especially true when the learners L1 and their target language are completely different in structure, sound, and tones. An English as a second language student who speaks French, German, or any other European language will have an easier task than one who speaks a language that is not of European origins. One such language is Mandarin Chinese. Table of Contents State of The Problem The Chinese Language Structure Tenses Sentence Structure Do you want to teach English in China? Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ashley L. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Fri, 20 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Alumni’s Personal Experience of Teaching English as a Second Language My attachment to teaching starts when I was a child and observing my mom teaching private lessons. I have grown to love teaching. Table of Contents Volunteer Teaching Real Work Homeroom Teaching Practice Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Roza A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Volunteer Teaching My first experience was while I was in my third year of university volunteering to teach my classmates the subjects they were weak at. Then I volunteered in one of the offices of American Corner in my city...  [Read more]

College Inclass TEFL Check out tefl tesol about College Inclass 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.P. - South Africa said: Phonetics Phonology Phonology has to do with the how a language sound, where as phonetics as part of phonology focuses on the production, perception and physical nature of how people produce speech sounds. Directly or indirectly the role of phonetics and phonology should play a profound role in TEFL. Teachers need to know how words are pronounced and knowing how words are formed is of great help in teaching English as a foreign language to students....  [Read more]

Lesson Course TEFL Check out tefl tesol about Lesson Course 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 C.S. - U.S.A. said: Problems for learners in south koreaAs korea attracts more and more foreigners that live and visit the country, koreans are likely to be exposed to English and pick up certain vocabulary words. This is especially true for koreans that live in the cities according to the Frankfurt International School. Darian Godfrey of tesolcourse.com addresses the fact that a typical ESL student in korea has acquired a vocabulary of English words that they use on a daily...  [Read more]

Sun, 04 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How TEFL Course Inspired Me in My Teaching "Why do I have to take a TEFL course?" I asked this question when my daughter suggested to me to enroll in this course. Having decided to say goodbye to my current job as an international homeroom teacher, I am now embarking on a new journey of applying abroad for a teaching position at an international school. Thanks to the Americans who defeated our Spanish colonizers way back the 19th century, they brought their educational system to the Philippines. Ever since I started school, I have been taught the American way using the English language as the medium of instruction. However, even if I am learned in English, I have to get a TEFL course to prove my competence in the English...  [Read more]

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Why The World Speaks English English is called the global language because it is used as an official language throughout the world. People from different countries and cultures, who speak various languages, communicate with each other using English. It is the first language in use in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, and New Zealand. English is the official language of the United Nations and is used to communicate with leaders of different cultures and nationalities. Table of Contents Reasons for English Global Status Convenience Online Communication Business and Career Tourism Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Problems for ESL Learners in China The English language has become so essential in china because the country wants to successfully promote internationalism and keep the lines of communication open for trade and business matters. As one of the global powers, it's in the country's best interest to keep afloat of shifting trends in international matters. Table of Contents Governmental decision Spelling Pronunciation Singular / Plural Aspect Gender Articles Lack of opportunities to practice Word order Individual differences Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ramy M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Three Typical Pronunciation Problems for Japanese ESL Students According to a study by scholars and experts in the field of linguistics, more specifically in the article of Riney & Anderson-Hsieh from International Christian University, the native language (L1) is a good predictor of pronunciation accuracy in English as researched by Suter in 1976. In the same article, it was mentioned that a subsequent study by Purcell and Suter in 1980, found that non-native speakers who are most likely to pronounce English (L2) poorly, fit the profile in Japanese ESL students. Table of Contents 1. /L/ and /R/ sound 2. /ng/ sound 3. /th/ Fricatives Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was...  [Read more]

Sun, 12 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English Pronunciation Problems of Italian Native Speakers Teaching English pronunciation to students of other languages is always a big deal. English teachers from other countries may think that it is a topic to be skipped or only briefly introduced to students, but it is one of the most important subjects and it should be an integral part of an English course. As a matter of fact, the full understanding of a language and good communication actually depend, to a certain extent, on how correctly words are pronounced. Also, it is not only a matter of pronunciation but intonation. Every language has its own intonation and stress on words, so an English learner could find it difficult to get used to a new way of pronouncing words in...  [Read more]