Top 10 Most Difficult Languages To Learn

Tue, 10 Apr 2018 Linda Dunsmore Destinations Top 10 Cities in Europe with the Highest Demand for English Language Teachers While many people wanting to teach English abroad move to countries in Asia or Latin America, Europe is also a popular destination that cannot be ignored. Despite stricter visa regulations and tougher job markets for teachers, there are still many places in all parts of Europe that have a need for foreign teachers. Here are the top 10 cities in Europe with the highest demand for English language teachers. Table of Contents Madrid - El Foro, The Forum of Spain Prague - The City of a Hundred Spires Rome - The Eternal City London - The Royal City Paris - The City of Love Lisbon - City With a Future Budapest - The Pearl of the Danube Athens - The City of the Violet...  [Read more]

Thu, 09 May 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The Main Problems of Teaching Formal and Informal Language The difference between formal and informal grammar is very apparent both in everyday life and during ones time as a teacher of English as a foreign language. These differences, I believe, play an important part in why many language learners find it so difficult to understand and become fluent. Table of Contents The Problems that Teachers Encounter The Problems that Learners Encounter The Dilemma that Teachers Face Finding the Right Balance in the Future Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Daniel B. The Problems that Teachers Encounter As a native English...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore ITTT TEFL Linda is a passionate traveler, language learner and TEFL teacher. After spending some time teaching in China, she moved to Korea in 2015. She now calls South Korea her home. Read my articles Teaching English in Russia - The Salary and Budget Guide | ITTT | TEFL Blog Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary Destinations Russia is an up-and-coming EFL destination with vacant positions all across this vast nation. If you are interested in joining the thousands of English teachers in the country, check out this guide on salary and budget for a teacher living in Russia. ESA Methodology - What Is It and Why Should You Use It in the Classroom? | ITTT | TEFL Blog Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas The ESA methodology of teaching is one of the most used modern teaching...  [Read more]

Mon, 20 May 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Why Exposure is Important when Learning a Second Language Unlike learning a first language, learning a second language is a task that can sometimes seem frustrating and at times even impossible. There are many reasons for this as learning a second language is very different than learning your mother tongue. Firstly, there are biological factors involved and the fact that normally children tend to assimilate things more easily than adults. Secondly, it is often harder to get the same level of exposure to the language than it is when learning a native language where repetition from parents etc. is constant. That is why when you sign up for an English class, or any other language for that matter, teachers will try to replicate that...  [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]

Fri, 28 Feb 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Typical Challenges for Chinese English Learners This essay answers the question for number 10 "what are the main problems for learners in the country of China?" I am a professor at Jiangnan University in Wuxi, China and share my observations. Our students are in the North American College (NAC), with partners in Canada at Lambton College and Northwood University, USA. Three areas are most interesting to their learning challenges: college preparation, listening and writing. Table of Contents Exam System Lexical Units Digital Autism Writing Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Annette P. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Older Posts 7 Tips To Become Grammar-Savvy Catia Pereira dos Santos Alumni Experiences Why learn English grammar? What are the benefits of learning it? Grammar is right where accuracy lies! It's the key to speaking any foreign language fluently. A Day in the Life of an EPIK Teacher in South Korea Brittany Varano Destinations Alumni Experiences For those thinking of teaching English in South Korea, the EPIK program offers one of the best job opportunities in Asia. Here's a day in the life of an EPIK teacher. TEFL Alumni Interview with Claire Kaczanowski Federico Riva Alumni Experiences TEFL Reviews & TESOL Reviews For ITTT, our community of students and alumni is the most important to us. That’s why we’d love to share what our course grads have to say! This...  [Read more]

Thu, 25 Jun 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Reading to Activate Second Language Skills The use of reading in the course of language acquisition is valuable and often underrated. Before undertaking a detailed explanation, I will first offer a general example to demonstrate the problem of teaching without it. Imagine you are teaching the word "ball" to an older student. You could ask them to say "ball, ball, ball" in a drilling manner. This can be inefficient and above all, boring for the student. But suppose that you do teach it enjoyably. How many words might they learn? Table of Contents Course Structure to Accept English Vocabulary Stephen Krashen Reference: As much as this practice is gaining ground around the world, two major drawbacks should be assessed. Do you want to...  [Read more]

Tefl Tesol Podcasts Welcome to The TEFL and TESOL Podcast by ITTT! Here you will find a collection of all our available episodes in one place. Episodes cover a variety of topics that are related to TEFL, TESOL, and teaching English abroad or online. We regularly add new episodes. This podcast is perfect for anyone interested in teaching English abroad or online and getting TEFL or TESOL certified. Our podcast episodes range from TEFL and TESOL Q&As to interviews with exciting guests, inducing ITTT graduates, ESL recruiters, and other TEFL experts in the EFL industry. Download the episodes on your mobile device or listen to them directly on your laptop! 10 Alternative TEFL Destinations for an Off-the-Beaten-Path Teaching Experience 10 Alternative TEFL Destinations for an...  [Read more]

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information 10 Tips to Help You Enjoy Your TEFL Course People have different reasons for taking a TEFL course, but everyone that embarks on the journey surely wants to succeed. It can be a challenging experience, but should also be enjoyable. Here are some tips to help you avoid getting too stressed during the time you spend on the course. Although they're mainly geared towards on-site courses, many of the points apply to working online too. Table of Contents 1. Don't appear to be too serious 2. Accept mistakes – we're not robots 3. Follow your trainer's advice 4. Give yourself free time, but not too much! 5. Dedicate the time 6. Be positive and enthusiastic 7. Show interest in others – help each other- everyone benefits that way 8....  [Read more]

Thu, 19 Jul 2018 Linda Dunsmore Destinations 9 Stunning Cities in Spain for Teaching English Abroad It's not hard to see why Spain is one of the most attractive countries in Europe for teaching English as a foreign language. Most teachers head straight to Madrid or Barcelona but there are many more stunning cities in Spain for teaching English abroad. Table of Contents Tips for Teaching English in Spain Here are 9 stunning cities in Spain for teaching English abroad. Teaching English in Barcelona Teaching English in Gijón Teaching English in Granada Teaching English in Madrid Teaching English in San Sebastián Teaching English in Santander Teaching English in Santiago de Compostela Teaching English in Seville Teaching English in Toledo Listen to this blog post Are you Ready to...  [Read more]

Wed, 29 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Best Thing I’ve Learned From My TEFL Training There are many good things I have learned from the TEFL course I have been taking this past month. Things I had never considered before as a skill is to be a good teacher. I had mentioned it before in my tests that I did not realize how important it is to have those skills until I started taking the course and had read about it. So I guess I am saying that the best thing I have learned from my TEFL course is how to be a good teacher and it reminded me of my previous teachers and how well they taught me and my fellow classmates. Table of Contents Course Structure Useful Suggestions Do you want to learn new TEFL skills? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was...  [Read more]

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Top Reasons to Volunteer Abroad as a Teacher What is volunteer teaching? In my opinion, it is bringing justice to our life. The modern world is made up of contrasts, though it is difficult to realize when living in civilization. But despite the fact that many countries are developing very quickly, there are still many places in the world where people live in much less favorable conditions. Table of Contents Volunteer teachers can teach any subject Volunteer teaching as a solution Gaining work experience through volunteer teaching Living among locals Volunteer teaching as a creative balance Are you ready to teach English Abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This, of course, relates to many areas of life: ecology,...  [Read more]

Tue, 17 Jul 2018 Linda Dunsmore Destinations The 7 Most Beautiful Cities in Italy for Teaching English Abroad Italy is one of the most popular destinations for teaching English in Europe - and it's not hard to see why! With so many amazing cities to choose from you will be spoiled for choice in this Mediterranean paradise. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Tips for Teaching English in Italy Here are the 7 most beautiful cities in Italy for teaching English abroad. Teaching English in Bologna Teaching English in Florence Teaching English in Milan Teaching English in Naples Teaching English in Rome Teaching English in Venice Teaching English in Verona Are you Ready to Live and Teach English In Italy? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video...  [Read more]

Thu, 06 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Top Reasons to Teach Vocabulary to ESL Students According to David Crystal (1941), 'Vocabulary is a matter of word-building as well as word-using.' While this may be true and speaks to the fundamental usage of vocabulary in any language, vocabulary can also be seen as world-building. Vocabulary is 'the body of words used in a particular language' (Google, 2019). While the aforementioned clearly identify why it is important to teach vocabulary, this essay will try to explore it a bit further. Table of Contents Main Language Tool Vocabulary and Communication Vocabulary in Real Life Situations Common Vocabulary Teaching Techniques Do you want to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post: This post was written by...  [Read more]

Mon, 01 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences What is Rapport and How Does It Affect the Dynamics of an EFL Classroom? Rapport in this context is the relationship between the students and the teacher, and among the student group within a classroom environment. Why is having rapport within a classroom important? Because without a friendly connection among the participants there is a real danger of disruption to the learning process. Table of Contents The Two-Way Road of Respect Finding the Right Balance The Three Common Scenarios of Classroom Rapport A Brief Example of How to Establish Rapport in a New Classroom Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Juri N. The Two-Way Road of...  [Read more]

Fri, 06 Jul 2018 Linda Dunsmore Destinations The Top 8 Cities in France For Teaching English Abroad France is one of the most popular destinations for teaching English in Europe. While a lot of people settle in Paris to enjoy the Parisian lifestyle, there are a lot of other exciting cities in all parts of the country. Here are the top 8 places to teach English in France. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Tips for Teaching English in France Bordeaux Grenoble Lyon Marseille Nice Paris Rennes Strasbourg Are you Ready to Live and Teach English In France? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials! Listen to this blog post: Tips for Teaching English in France Due to local laws and regulations, it can often be difficult for non-EU...  [Read more]

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences The Most Common Problems Students in Russia Face When Learning English It is not a secret for anyone that native speakers of any language always easily identify "non-native" when they hear at least a few words spoken by them. Often native speakers are able to fairly accurately determine the country from which the person came, based on his pronunciation. This happens due to the fact that it is common for all of us to use the sounds of our native language in the pronunciation of words of a foreign language, as well as to use articulation models we know from childhood the position of the organs of speech (lips, tongue, etc.). Table of Contents The "Russian mistakes" Muting voiced consonants in the endings. Replacing long vowels with short...  [Read more]

Fri, 03 Apr 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Second Language Acquisition: Young learners vs. Adults What makes the language learning experience so different for young learners compared to adult learners? How do adults and children acquire a second language differently? What benefits do young learners possess over adults when it comes to acquiring a second language and vice versa? The following essay attempts to provide an answer to these questions but more importantly, discuss the general differences between 1st language and 2nd language acquisition in young and adult learners. Table of Contents The Essence of Language Acquisition Differences Between L1 and L2 for Kids and Adults Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written...  [Read more]

Wed, 04 Jul 2018 Linda Dunsmore Destinations The 12 Most Affordable Countries For Teaching English Abroad Many thousands of people every year embark on their adventure of teaching English in a foreign country around the world. The options are almost limitless but which are the most affordable countries for teaching English abroad? Table of Contents 1. Argentina 2. Cambodia 3. China 4. Czech Republic 5. Ecuador 6. Laos 7. Mexico 8. Nepal 9. Peru 10. Philippines 11. Thailand 12. Vietnam Listen to this blog post Are you ready to start a new career teaching English overseas? Related Articles: 1. Argentina If Latin America interests you Argentina is among the top destinations for teaching English as a foreign language in the region. The country has a high demand for qualified English...  [Read more]

Wed, 03 Feb 2021 Mark Crocker TEFL Information Where to go next with your TEFL Career? ✅ For many people the TEFL adventure is a short-term plan that offers a convenient way out of a boring job, a means to travel to dream destinations, or simply the next step on life's journey. Once they have completed their TEFL certification course many new teachers head off abroad to their chosen countries and use their teaching qualification as a way to earn a good living while they are away. After one or two years a large percentage of these teachers decide the time is right to head home to their families and careers. However, this scenario is not the case for every TEFL qualified teacher. Table of Contents Specialized English language teacher Teaching materials developer Examiner or test...  [Read more]

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 Mark Crocker TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Cultural Sensitivity in the Classroom and the Geert Hofstede Model There are several things that a teacher should consider before entering a classroom and one very important consideration, particularly for EFL teachers, is the topic of cultural sensitivity. Because English classes are often conducted with students from a variety of different cultures and often take place in a foreign country, teachers must ensure that their teaching does not offend cultural or social norms. For example, in a Western classroom it might be quite common to divide the class into mixed-sex pairs, however, in some cultures this could be seen as offensive. So how can teachers prepare themselves for these situations? Table of Contents The...  [Read more]

Thu, 01 Mar 2018 Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary Where to Earn the Highest Salaries Teaching English Abroad There are many reasons why some people decide to teach English abroad. Some want to explore a new culture or learn a new language. Others want to gain teaching experience or be able to save a lot of money to pay off student debt or simply make some money for the future. Table of Contents Teaching English in Asia Teaching English in South Korea Teaching English in Taiwan Teaching English in China Teaching English in Japan Teaching English in the Middle East Teaching English in Saudi Arabia Teaching English in the United Arab Emirates Teaching English in Europe Teaching English in the Czech Republic Teaching English in Latin America Listen to the blog post Are you ready to...  [Read more]

Thu, 20 Sep 2018 Kayla Hill Destinations TEFL Information NET Scheme for Teaching English in Hong Kong – How it Works and How to Apply So, you're interested in teaching English in Hong Kong? Although there are many avenues in which to do this, one particular program that is unique to Hong Kong is the Native English Teacher (NET) Scheme. I've just started my fourth consecutive year teaching in a local school in the New Territories in Hong Kong, and the scheme has definitely provided me with plenty of opportunities. Table of Contents History of the NET Scheme Duties of a NET How to Apply for the NET Scheme in Hong Kong Remuneration Package Attractive Rewards Common Challenges a NET Faces The NET Community What are you waiting for? Related Articles: Check out what our course grads...  [Read more]

Wed, 27 May 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Kindergarteners Learn English as a Foreign Language Kindergarten students are at the "Beginner" phase of learning English. Therefore, you must treat the students and the learning experience in a fun and appropriate manner. Being kind, friendly, and entertaining is vital for young learners and your rapport as a teacher. Building a good rapport is essential to truly provide the best English course and helping the Kindergarteners progress throughout the semester. Since the students are so young and open to learning, talking only easy, simple words are beneficial to them at the moment. Do not go into further detail in the time being. They are beginners and need to learn the absolute basics before going into further detail about...  [Read more]

Wed, 10 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences From Taxi Driver to International Teacher - a Graduate’s Story Many people may think that the worst part of being an Uber driver are the belligerent midnight trips from downtown to the suburbs or the aggressive pre-coffee commuters or the fact that a five-minute drive can take thirty minutes because of gridlock. However, as an Uber driver of one year, I believe that the worst part about the job are trips to the airport. When I interacted with passengers going to the airport, I would think of all the new things they would get to try and the different cultures they would learn about. The problem with these trips was they were a constant reminder that the world is just waiting for us to explore it, but I was stuck leading a...  [Read more]

Tue, 02 Feb 2021 Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas Teaching English Online: ✅ A Survival Guide If like many TEFL qualified teachers, you have moved your teaching online in recent times you will probably have found that it is much harder than you might have imagined. Although you spend most of your lessons sitting down on a comfy office chair rather than standing in front of the class, you still end the day more exhausted than you ever did in a normal classroom setting. If this sounds familiar, don't worry you are not alone as teaching English online is a tiring proposition for many teachers. Here we look at the main reasons why it is so tough and more importantly, what you can do to make things that bit easier. Table of Contents Reading your students through the screen Is there a...  [Read more]

Fri, 25 Feb 2022 Etienne Van Rooyen TEFL Information Alumni Experiences The Three Main Types of High Schools in Japan There are three types of senior high schools in Japan. Each senior high school (grades 10, 11, and 12) has a different purpose and students attend it. Understanding this helps us learn how English language learning in Japan is differently yet similars each school. With this knowledge, as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) you can adapt your lessons plans, materials and style to fit your school/s. Table of Contents Overview of School Types Academic Schools Vocational Schools Correspondence Schools Academic High Schools Elite Academic High Schools General Acadmic High Schools How do elite and general academic schools approach English learning? Vocational Schools...  [Read more]

Tue, 09 Apr 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Seating Arrangements in the English Language Classroom One important factor to consider when teaching English abroad is how you arrange the seating in the classroom. Space in a classroom can be limited at times so it's important to maximize what you have available. There are multiple ways to arrange a classroom and knowing which ones will provide the most benefit is important. To ensure the best environment for the students and teacher it is essential to have an understanding of the options, as well as when and how to use them. Table of Contents The Basics of Classroom Layout The Pros and Cons of the Row Layout The Pros and Cons of the Stadium Layout The Pros and Cons of the Horseshoe Layout The Pros and Cons of the...  [Read more]

Thu, 21 Mar 2019 Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences My Unforgettable Experience Teaching Kindergarten in the Middle East Teaching English to non-English speaking students can be a big and challenging task. You need to be full of patience, understanding and passion if you decide to enter this vocation. I worked for ten years as a kindergarten teacher in the Middle East and at times it seemed like I was in a "jungle survival" competition. Table of Contents My first day in the 'Jungle' My second day in the 'Jungle' Major breakthrough! Embracing the local culture All my hard work paid off Are you ready to teach English abroad? Related Articles: Listen to this blog post This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alona J. My first day in the 'Jungle' I was really in shock when...  [Read more]