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Navigating the Testing Maze: Understanding the Array of Assessments for ESL Learners - TEFL Blog
Federico Riva
TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Assessing language proficiency is a vital component of any English as a Second Language (ESL) program, enabling educators to gauge learners' abilities and track their progress. In the realm of ESL testing, there exists a diverse array of test types, each designed to evaluate specific language skills and competencies. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the eight primary categories of ESL tests, shedding light on their purposes, formats, and significance in determining learners' language proficiency. Whether you are an ESL teacher, student, or language enthusiast, this article aims to unravel the intricacies of ESL testing, empowering you with the knowledge to make informed decisions and effectively measure... [Read more]
Different types of teaching jobs ▷ Infographic - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Many people dream of starting a new life in another country and earning a TEFL certificate is a great way to make that dream a reality. One of the obstacles to moving abroad is finding work that you are able to do to support yourself comfortably overseas. Unless you already work for a company that has offices in your desired location it can seem difficult to find a way to earn money abroad. However, as a qualified English teacher your skills will be in demand in almost all countries around the world and you are highly likely to find work in your dream destination.
A TEFL certificate also enables you to earn money while travelling. Rather than spending just a short while in a handful of countries before your savings run out and you have to head home, you can earn a living while... [Read more]
All Types of Verbs in the English Language - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Verbs are one of the most important parts of speech in English and incredibly important for learners of English. The below infographic showcases all types of verbs in the English language.
Generally speaking, a verb is a word that shows an action, state or an event. It is an essential part of a sentence and is known as the soul of language. For example:
"They study English grammar." (Action)
"We celebrate independence day." (Event)
"I sleep at night." (State)
Following are the different types of verbs:
When a verb's past tense (2nd form) and past participle (3rd form) is created by adding ‘d’ or ‘ed’, it is called a regular verb. Some examples of a regular verb include:
Walk
... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Coursebooks And Materials/types Of Materials - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Just to finish the sectional materials, we'll have a look the difference between what are called authentic and created materials. Authentic materials, as the name implies, are actual materials that are created for any reason outside of the classroom. So examples of authentic materials would be things like newspapers. Those are generated for the general public and they're certainly not generated for the use in the classroom. However, they can be used within the classroom other ideas would be things like songs and poems and even things such as brochures and magazines and indeed menus from restaurants. So these are materials that all can be used within the classroom but they have not been created for that purpose, whereas creative materials, as the name implies, have been produced... [Read more]
The Basic Types of Adverbs - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Usage & Adverb Examples in English
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Let's take a look at the six basic types of adverbs in English. Learn useful usage, example words, and example sentences of different adverbs types in English with this printable ESL infographic.
Usage: Describes when or for how long a certain action happened.
Example words: Already, ago, before, yet, never, soon, yesterday, soon, lately
Example sentences:
Usage: Describes how often something occurs, either indefinite or indefinite terms.
Example words: Always, usually, normally, often, sometimes, occasionally, once, seldom, rarely, never
Example sentences:
Usage: Tells about where something happens or where something is.
Example words: Here, everywhere, near, nearby, down,... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - English Grammar Past Simple Teaching Idea Tesol Courses - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The teaching idea covered here is one that would be appropriate for adult English language learners. It involves students writing a CV including personal data such as where they were born, their education history and their work experience. This activity could be a precursor to a job interview activity where students interview each other for different jobs using information from their CVs. By taking one of ITTT's TESOL Courses you will learn useful teaching ideas such as the one covered in this video. There are number of options available to study from short 60-hour introductory courses to longer 120-hour TESOL Courses. It is also possible to take ITTT's TESOL Courses in-class at any one of our training centres around the world. Please visit the link above for more information... [Read more]
What type of TEFL teacher is most in demand? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Before discussing the demand of different TEFL teachers we must first be aware of the different roles that these teachers can take. Perhaps the first distinction or grouping would be between online and onsite teachers. What are the different roles TEFL teachers take?
For online teaching there are a few types of teaching jobs that you can undertake. These include:
For onsite teaching there are also a few types of teaching jobs available, such as:
Which teachers are in most demand?
What other roles can TEFL teachers move into?
Conclusion
There is no single answer to this question as it depends very much upon whether you want to work online or onsite and if so, which country you are considering. It will also depend to a certain extent on your qualifications and experience.
In general, the... [Read more]
Pronouns Anchor Chart - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here's a useful pronouns anchor chart with pronouns and their types explained with the help of examples.
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Which English should be taught in the TEFL classroom? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
In the field of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language), the choice of English variation often depends on the specific preferences of a country:
In conclusion, TEFL teachers should be aware of a country's preference and adapt their teaching accordingly.
Map created by reddit user Speech500
Source: moverdb.com
How exactly do these forms of English differ?
Spelling Differences
British Grammar vs. American Grammar
Same Word - Different Pronunciation
Differences in word for the same object
Other considerations
There are a number of major differences which we will examine. The following are in no way exhaustive and you should investigate for yourself for more examples.
Mainly due to the influence of Webster (of dictionary fame) American English has focused on how words are 'sounded' to... [Read more]
Which TEFL/TESOL Course Is Right For Me? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this live session, we will go over the different types of TEFL/TESOL courses and which one might be the best for you! #TEFL #BestTEFL #TESOL Are you ready to teach English abroad or online? Click here and get started today: bit.ly/37gs5vO What is TEFL Certification? Where is it valid: bit.ly/36ma2Fg Check out our wide range of TEFL Courses: bit.ly/3ltqt73 Teach English online from anywhere you want: bit.ly/3ltqEPL
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I Spy January Coloring Page - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This is a fun coloring page for young ESL learners to learn about the month of January.
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Superstitions and Conditional Type 1 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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This is a fun worksheet about the topic of conditional type 1 using superstitions.
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Time Idioms and Phrases with Meanings and Examples - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here's a list of commonly used time idioms in English. They are incredibly fun to teach to your ESL learners.
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How to Learn English Outside of the Classroom - TEFL Blog
Tho Nguyen
Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas
Learning English outside of the classroom can be a great way to practice and improve your language skills, especially if you don't have access to traditional language schools or classes. Whether you are a visual learner who benefits from colorful illustrations and pictures, an auditory learner who thrives on listening to spoken English, or someone who prefers the support and encouragement of friends, there are many different ways to learn and practice English at home.
IN CLASS VS AT HOME
KNOW YOUR LEARNING STYLE
DON'T UNDERATE A FRIEND
ENVIRONMENT MATTERS
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT
Are you ready to teach English as a foreign language?
Related Articles:
Check out what our course grads say in our many video testimonials!
Additionally, immersing... [Read more]
The Most Common English Homophones You Need To Know - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Homophones describes one of two or more words with the same pronunciation but different spellings and/or meanings (for example weak and week). English learners will sooner or later face homophones, so it's essential for the EFL teacher to be aware of homophones and how to teach them.
Homophones are words that have exactly the same sound (pronunciation) but different meanings and (usually) spelling. For example, the following two words have the same sound, but different meanings and spelling: hour (noun: 60 minutes) / our (possessive adjective: belonging to us)
In the next example, the two words have the same sound and spelling, but different meanings: bear (noun: large, heavy animal with thick fur) bear... [Read more]
What is English for Specific Purposes? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
The field of English language instruction is teeming with acronyms, and ESP is a fairly common one. ESP stands for English for Specific Purposes, a niche within TEFL that you may end up teaching in the future. But what does English for Specific Purposes entail?
What is English for Specific Purposes?
Who needs English for Specific Purposes?
How to teach English for Specific Purposes
Who can teach English for Specific Purposes?
Resources for teaching English for Specific Purposes
English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is an approach to English language teaching that focuses on the specific linguistic needs of learners in a particular professional or academic field. Unlike general English courses that cover everyday communication, ESP courses zero in on the specialized vocabulary and structures... [Read more]
Long Vowel Sounds "-i" Word List - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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Here's a useful word list with long vowel sounds to use with your ESL students.
Long vowel sound spelling patterns are quite difficult for students to learn. First they must understand that more than one letter can be used to represent one sound and then learn the various ways that the sound can be represented in print.
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Tefl reviews - Teaching English Esl Efl Tips/student Groups - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
There are many different types of groups of students that you will encounter when teaching English as a foreign language. This video introduces you to the five different types of student groups.
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 next.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
This unit discussed the different forms of the past tense of English language verbs. It was pretty straightforward in addressing the past tense, discussing the... [Read more]
Top 8 Resources for Researching Teaching English Abroad - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
guys hello linda here from itt hope you are doing well today um thanks so much for joining today's live stream and as you can see today we're talking about this way top eight resources for finding the right teaching destination that's the topic for today i hope um you're going to enjoy it it's probably going to take about 30 to 40 minutes and then as always at the end there will be a q a part so you will be able to ask your own questions at that time but also feel free to just leave your comments as we go we are live on facebook and on youtube at the same time and if you can see me if you can hear me if you are there please please just leave a quick hi in the comment box that would really mean a lot and then i can see that somebody is here and i'm not just talking to myself that would be... [Read more]
How long does it take to get TEFL certified? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
The first major factor that has an impact on how long it will take to get TEFL certified is which type of course you choose to take. There are three main TEFL course types to be aware of:
In-person TEFL course
Online TEFL course
Combined TEFL course
Course levels Entry level = 120-hour
Entry level = 120-hour
Diploma
Specialized Courses
The most common form of in-person TEFL course is the four-week, 120-hour TEFL certificate. Trainees on this course usually travel from their home country to one of many locations around the world to take the course. Courses should involve a theory component, covering language awareness and teaching skills, and a practical teaching component where trainees teach classes of real English language learners and receive feedback. These courses usually take four... [Read more]
Silent Letters when Speaking English - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
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When practicing speaking English it can be confusing for language learners to find that certain words have a silent letter that shouldn’t be used. Here we look at some of the most common examples.
When teaching English to non-native speakers the presence of silent letters can be a cause of great confusion among students and teachers alike. For the learner it can be frustrating to find that the written form of the word they have just mastered is actually spoken without using all the letters. There are a few basic rules when it comes to silent letters, but as is usually the case with English, there are often exceptions.
Silent (B) Rule 1: The letter B is usually not pronounced after M at the end of a word e.g. comb,... [Read more]
What are TEFL acronyms? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Acronyms are an essential tool used in all professions and technical writing. They are powerful tools to reduce word content. However without knowing what the acronym stands for, they can form a barrier to understanding. In the ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching world there is certainly no shortage of acronyms. Here we look at a few and one in particular, TEFL.
Some useful teaching acronyms are:
ELT: English Language Teaching. This is a general term for teaching English and applies to the teaching of English to both native and non-native English speakers.
ELL: English Language Learner. This is a general term for anyone learning English and applies to learners of English who are native or non-native English speakers.
ESL: English as a Second Language: This relates to the... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Teaching English Esl Efl Tips/tips Teaching Beginners - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Regardless of which type of beginners you are teaching here are our top 10 tips for the teaching of beginner classes.
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 next.
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Unit 6 was about the past tenses and how to use them correctly. It described the different situations of when to use each tense and how to properly structure them. Sadly, there aren't any rules for knowing the irregular verbs. You simply... [Read more]
Teaching English Abroad - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Teaching English Overseas
Your journey starts here. A career in teaching English abroad is achievable for anyone who has a good knowledge and use of English in addition to a TEFL or TESOL qualification. Before you start your training it is important that you have some knowledge of what teaching English abroad entails and what options are available for you to get there. Here we will look at those options and the requirements needed to achieve them.
First and foremost you should choose a course which suits the type of work you hope to undertake and is recognized in the country or countries you hope to teach. All ITTT courses are suitable for teaching English overseas in a variety of settings. The typical minimum qualification requirement for employment is a course covering 100-120 hours of study. This can be done... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Evaluation And Testing/placement Tests - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we look at placement tests. This type of test is also referred to as a level test. Its goal is to find out the current level of the student tested. A placement test generally tests all four skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking) and progresses from easy to hard questions.
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 next.
Register now & get certified to teach... [Read more]
What sort of accommodation will I have during my in-class TEFL course? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Accommodation during in-class TEFL courses can differ based on location. While the course fee generally doesn't encompass housing, we offer guidance on trusted and comfortable housing options tailored for a four-week training duration. Most often, participants can choose accommodations that have been vetted for both comfort and affordability. Common options, detailed on our course location pages, range from shared apartments where you have a private bedroom but share amenities like kitchens and living spaces, to various types of hotels, guesthouses and hostels. Always ensure you budget accordingly for this crucial aspect of your training experience.
Can I stay in a shared apartment during my in-class TEFL course?
Can I stay in a hostel during my in-class TEFL course?
Can I choose a... [Read more]
Which is the best age group to teach English? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ TEFL FAQs
Teaching English abroad can offer an array of age groups to choose from, depending on your destination. Choosing the right age group largely depends on individual preferences as every teacher has their unique teaching style. Some teachers might opt to work with younger kids, attracted by the high energy level and fun-oriented environment that typically characterizes this group. Conversely, others might gravitate towards adult learners who usually prefer a calmer, more scholarly environment.
What are the different age levels you can teach English?
The pros and cons of teaching English at kindergarten level
Pros:
Cons:
The pros and cons of teaching English to young learners
Pros:
Cons:
The pros and cons of teaching English to adults
Pros:
Cons:
What is the best age group to teach English to?... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Tefl Video Idioms/all Ears - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The idiom "all ears" means that someone is very keen to hear what you have to say and you have his/her full attention. For example: Why are you crying? Tell me, I'm all ears. In this case, the person asking really wants to know the reason for the other person to be upset and crying.
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 next.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
In this lesson I learned several types of teaching methods to use with... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Teaching English Esl Efl Tips/future Tenses Present Continuous Teaching Idea - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This teaching idea is very similar to the activity we can use for the future continuous. We pair up our students, give them diaries and have them find the day on which both of them are free to meet. This video shows you exactly how to execute this activity in the classroom.
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 next.
Register now & get certified to teach english abroad!
Being an English Teacher is a great opportunity to see the world, to know new... [Read more]
Meaning of TEFL - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The term TEFL is one that is often used in a general sense, although it does have a specific meaning. Generally the meaning of TEFL is some form of ‘the Teaching of English to people whose first language is not English’ and is often used interchangeably with terms such as TESOL, TEAL, TESL and many others. It is also generally used as the name of a qualification, such as a TEFL certificate, which relates to the result of a TEFL training course.
Here we will look at the meaning of TEFL in these broad terms and also give its specific meaning, along with many other common acronyms used throughout the industry.
The general acronym for the field of teaching English is ELT: English Language Teaching. This term applies across the board to teaching English, be it to American high school... [Read more]
