What Does It Take To Be An Esl Teacher

What is a TEFL exam? First we need to define what TEFL means before looking at the various ways in which it can be examined to provide a teaching certificate. There are various locations in which a TEFL exam can be taken and different methods of instruction, these will also be considered. Table of Contents What does TEFL stand for? What does the TEFL certificate involve and how is it examined? Where can I take the exam? Which type of TEFL exam does ITTT offer? What does TEFL stand for? The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and it can be used in any situation where the English language is being taught to non-native English speakers. Technically speaking, TEFL refers to teaching English in countries where English is not the native language. It is a term used...  [Read more]

Wed, 06 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Alumni Experience: Passionate Teaching in China My personal experience being an ESL teacher in China. Does the content of TEFL, YouTube, LinkedIn and Blog's have more prowess over a newly graduated university student with passion? Let us not forget, most training institutes are businesses first and education institutions second with advertising portraying the latter as their priority. Table of Contents Benefits of teaching Teaching with passion and a willingness to self-learn Teachers' Responsibilities Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Troy D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of...  [Read more]

What is a TEFL exam? First we need to define what TEFL means before looking at the various ways in which it can be examined to provide a teaching certificate. There are various locations in which a TEFL exam can be taken and different methods of instruction, these will also be considered. What does TEFL stand for? The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and it can be used in any situation where the English language is being taught to non-native English speakers. Technically speaking, TEFL refers to teaching English in countries where English is not the native language. It is a term used mainly in the UK and is used interchangeably with the equivalent USA term TESOL. As with any profession, teaching has a series of exams at different levels. Within the world of...  [Read more]

How long does it take to get a TEFL job? This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive from trainees before, during and after every TEFL certification course, it is also one of the hardest to answer. There are many factors that influence how long it takes to secure an English language teaching job, but the good news is that the vast majority of our graduates do land a teaching position after successfully completing their course. How does the destination impact on TEFL job recruitment? One of the biggest factors is where you choose to work, as the demand for teachers varies greatly from region to region and country to country. China has such a huge demand that there are often not enough candidates to fill the available positions. This is particularly good news for newly...  [Read more]

What is the English Opens Doors Program for teaching English in Chile? As Chile is one of the most stable and prosperous countries in Latin America, it has long been a popular destination for ESL teachers. Jobs can be found in advance via online job boards or by interviewing in person from within the country. Alternatively, you can take advantage of the popular English Opens Doors Program (EODP) that places foreign teachers into schools across Chile on a volunteer basis. Participants on the scheme work as teaching assistants with the aim of improving the English language skills of children ranging from 10 to 18 years old. What are the requirements for the English Opens Doors Program? The EODP is a highly respected program that is sponsored by the Chilean Ministry of Education and the...  [Read more]

How long does it take to get a TEFL job? The duration to secure a TEFL job varies for each individual and depends on multiple factors. While it is challenging to provide a definitive timeframe, it is encouraging to note that most of our graduates secure English teaching positions shortly after completing their certification. Factors like the chosen country's job market competition and the applicant's qualifications can strongly influence the job search duration. Table of Contents How does the destination impact on TEFL job recruitment? How do hiring seasons impact on TEFL job recruitment? How can an individual teacher boost his TEFL job prospects? How does the destination impact on TEFL job recruitment? One of the biggest factors is where you choose to work, as the demand for...  [Read more]

How will I find a place to live when I teach English abroad? For both newly qualified and experienced teachers, one common concern when planning to teach English abroad is how to find accommodation that is comfortable, in a safe location and suitable for your personal needs. The good news is you are unlikely to be the first foreign teacher in the area you are heading for, so you will probably have several options to choose from. Here we break down the most common aspects of organizing accommodation when teaching abroad. When is accommodation included in a TEFL contract? For many teachers, accommodation is not an issue as employers often provide housing as part of the teaching contract. Schools in countries such as China and South Korea, as well as many countries in the Middle East,...  [Read more]

Mon, 10 Jun 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas It's Not Rocket Science: Teaching Slang and Figurative Speech in English Classrooms Understanding the use of slang in a different language is a benchmark for fluency. Once a speaker is able to navigate society by listening and speaking slang, they are better able to assimilate among native speakers. But whether or not colloquial speech has a place in English classrooms is debated among teachers. While formal English takes precedence in many classes, teaching slang can be important depending on students' reasons for learning English and their experience with the language. Incorporating slang can also be a motivational tool for teaching disengaged students. Table of Contents Get to Know Your Students Consider Their Level and Needs Do...  [Read more]

Thu, 11 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Advantages and Disadvantages of Having a non-Native TEFL Teacher When you think of a TEFL teacher you immediately expect it to be a native speaker, but I think it will be surprisingly interesting to have a non-native speaker as a teacher. Table of Contents Listen to this blog post: Efforts of Learning Rapport and Explanation Pronunciation Difficulties The Ability to Teach Do you want to teach English all over the world? You can do it! Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Reem A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Listen to this blog post: Efforts of Learning English is not their first language so in order...  [Read more]

Mon, 19 Aug 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas My Plans as an EFL/ESL Teacher When I envision myself in a classroom full of new English learners, I see myself striving to encourage and motivate students through positive student-to-student and student-to-teacher relationships. One of the key components of successfully learning a new topic is to enjoy it and to see a purpose in doing so. Creating a safe and welcoming environment is one of the most important things a teacher can do to ensure student learning by building confidence in every individual. Table of Contents Personal Language Learning Experience Lesson Plan Understanding Students' Needs Favorite Classes Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Fri, 15 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Thoughts on The Reasons for Lesson Planning Teaching is a challenging labor that requires different factors to do it properly. First of all, the person who teaches has to have the vocation to help others. Otherwise, either the teacher or the students will enjoy the classes. Then, a teacher has to have clear that there are several aspects that the university does not prepare the teacher students. Table of Contents Lesson Flow Group Features Teaching Process Anticipated Problems Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Danny M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Lesson Flow For...  [Read more]

Thu, 12 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How Does Online Education Influence ESL? The biggest influence online education has on ESL is that it changes the dynamics of the classroom to be nontraditional. It does not necessarily reflect the situations teachers envision themselves in when they set out to teach ESL. This nontraditional dynamic stretches from the delivery methods like online teaching platforms to the class itself and even the work and homework for students. Table of Contents Differences between in-class education and online education Future of online education Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jacob F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent...  [Read more]

Thu, 30 Jul 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teachers and Their Position in the TEFL Classroom Teachers are facilitators of student learning and creators of productive classroom environments, in which students can develop the skills they might need at present or in the future. Table of Contents The teacher can be a controller in a classroom. Prompters Assessors Evaluator 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! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alfonso R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. However, before we begin to understand the evolving role of an ESL teacher, let's outline some of the...  [Read more]

Archives for May 2022 Theories, Methods & Techniques of Teaching - ESA Methodology Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas ESA is a three-stage methodology where each of the letters represents a particular phase of the lesson. The first one being called the Engage phase, the second the Study phase and the final one the Activate phase. Media Influences in Assisting with ESL Learning Tamara Jennings Teaching Ideas Are you an English teacher and trying to find suitable material for your lessons? This blog post focuses on media influences in assisting with ESL learning. Theories, Methods & Techniques of Teaching - Suggestopedia Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas Developments in the study of Psychology starting from the 1950's led to new theories...  [Read more]

How much can I earn teaching English in Poland? Poland has a huge demand for ESL teachers in many parts of the country making it an ideal destination for first-time teachers looking to gain valuable classroom experience. As Poland is a member of the EU it is very easy for other EU nationals to simply turn up in their city of choice and quickly find work as there are no visa restrictions. While it is not impossible for non-EU citizens to acquire a work permit from within the country, it is often more convenient to secure a position via an online job site and then apply for the appropriate visa from a Polish Consulate within your own country. Jobs can be found in almost every part of the country; however, major cities such as Warsaw, Krakow, Lodz, and Wroclaw offer the most numerous...  [Read more]

Tue, 24 Dec 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Functions of an ESL Teacher in Class Every English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher desires to successfully teach their students how to proficiently speak, understand, and use the English language. English is a very complex language, and teaching it presents many challenges. Because of this, an ESL teacher must be willing and able to take on various roles throughout the teaching of a lesson. During a typical ESL lesson, a teacher will have some, or all, of the following roles: a manager or controller, an organizer, an observer, an assessor, a prompter, a participant, and a resource or facilitator. Table of Contents Management Observation Assessment Prompt Participation Facilitation Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a...  [Read more]

Our ITTT TEFL and TESOL Alumni Stories What criteria should be used to evaluate activities? Ahmed Taha Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This blog post explores what criteria should be used to evaluate activities in an ESL classroom. Business English: Do’s and Don’ts Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The teaching of Business English has a number of differences from teaching regular classes in a school. The student groupings are often mixed and they will be learning English for a whole variety of reasons. In this blog we look at some of the do’s and don’ts of teaching BE. Who Your Students will be when Teaching English in Turkey Najwa Sabih Destinations Alumni Experiences Turkey is a great place to live and work as it is at the...  [Read more]

What is the difference between TEFL, TESOL and CELTA? The world of English language teaching is well known for its love of acronyms and unfortunately this can lead to a large amount of confusion amongst potential teachers, as well as those with plenty of experience in the field. Websites for course providers, job boards, recruitment programs, and any other teaching related information you might look at are likely to be littered with acronyms, including TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA. So what is the difference between these terms? What does TEFL mean? Short for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, TEFL is probably the most common acronym you will come across when conducting research for teaching English abroad. TEFL does not refer to a single training program, certification, or program...  [Read more]

What is the difference between TEFL, TESOL and CELTA? In the field of English language teaching, acronyms like TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA frequently surface, often leading to confusion for both newcomers and seasoned educators. While course providers, job boards, and teaching resources brim with these acronyms, understanding their distinctions is crucial. So, what sets TEFL, TESOL, and CELTA apart? Table of Contents What does TEFL mean? What does TESOL mean? What does CELTA mean? Which type of course should I choose? What if a course doesn't meet this criteria? Does the quality of a training course vary by location? What does TEFL mean? TEFL stands for 'Teaching English as a Foreign Language.' A prevalent term in the world of teaching English overseas, TEFL isn't tied to a specific...  [Read more]

Thu, 07 Nov 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Top Tips for Creating a Responsive Classroom Environment There are many important things for an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher to consider when designing a seating arrangement for the classroom. Every teacher desires to create an atmosphere where good interaction can take place between the students as well as an atmosphere where attention can be focused on the teacher during times of teacher instruction. Of course, many limiting factors can affect the seating arrangement of the classroom, and the teacher may not end up having the ideal seating arrangement due to these factors. The two primary limiting factors that affect seating arrangement include the class size and the room size. Here we will look at the positives and...  [Read more]

Tue, 03 Sep 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Increasing Teacher’s Confidence For a class to be interesting and beneficial to both the teacher and the students, quite a lot of things have to be taken into consideration. Smooth sailing of the classes and success of the students in acquiring the English language can largely be attributed to the teacher's character and/or behavior. The confidence of a teacher has great meaning as it gives birth to students' confidence in learning English. Table of Contents What is Confidence? Ways to Work On Confidence Self-Education Setting Up Goals Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL Course Today! Related Articles: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tendai K. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Sun, 07 Jul 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Evaluation and Testing in EFL and ESL Classrooms Most of us grew up being constantly evaluated by taking a wide variety of tests for all kinds of subjects, all with the goal to show how much you know and how capable are you. Throughout school years teachers evaluate your performance, and your knowledge they based on of on the results from several quizzes, exams, and tests, and commonly based on results they know how to approach each student's needs, or so they assume that the standardized score is accurate. Growing up you learn whether or not you are a test taker, you will find those who do amazing on tests but do not really pay attention in class, you will also find those who get really nervous and struggle but still do well, and...  [Read more]

Thu, 13 Aug 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Business English as a Tool to Global Success With the democratization of English as the go-to business language of the world, it has become ever more common for businesspeople to seek assistance in improving their English competency. A common misconception is that older, more established business leaders will bring forth an easier teaching experience, but nothing can be further from the truth. Table of Contents Teaching businessmen and women has its unique challenges. What does one include in such a Needs analysis? What a teacher will have to tailor carefully, are the activities they wish the students to complete. An important part to consider with businesspeople is their cultural sensitivities. Do you want to teach English abroad or...  [Read more]

Tue, 04 Sep 2018 Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas The Benefits of Having Good Rapport with Students It is important to establish rapport with students within a classroom for a variety of reasons, it builds trust between students and teacher, insights confidence in students and allows for a fun learning environment. All aspects of teaching require a teacher to have some sort of rapport with students. Students will retain more information and do better in classes when the teacher is engaged and shows love for their job as well as an interest in their students. Most students will not learn well from a teacher who comes to class, does not greet the students let alone knows their names and just reads through the lesson without showing any interest whatsoever. It is far more beneficial for a...  [Read more]

Wed, 29 Jan 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Role of Parents in ESL Education I'm writing this essay from the perspective of young learners (4-10years of age) and the role their parents play on their English learning journey. Table of Contents Generally, which Ingredients are necessary for strong ESL progress? Parents' role in encouraging participation', 'motivation' and 'self-study' Participation Motivation Self-study/homework. Pulling parents in and making them part of the learning experience How do we make parents part of the journey? Do you want to teach English abroad? Take a TEFL course! Related Articles: I have been an ESL teacher for nearly 10 years and I've been teaching my private students in my private classroom for about 8 years. It has been an incredible...  [Read more]

Thu, 09 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences How many roles does an ESL teacher serve in the classroom? Nowadays being a teacher means more than just executing lesson plans while standing up at the front of the class giving explanations; we were used to this type of teacher when the traditional schools were "teacher-centered" so the students assumed a passive and quiet way to access the knowledge. It seemed not worked out well regarding English as a second language learning, and for this reason, most schools adopted a more "student-centered" approach in the classroom. Table of Contents Student regulates the lesson Something in between Teacher stands in front of the class Teacher organizes the students Teacher gives Individual support Teacher sets up an example Teacher gives...  [Read more]

Thu, 23 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Why Preparing a Plan is Compulsory for New Teachers Lesson planning is one of the most important elements of successful teaching in the ESL (English as Second Language) classroom and every TEFL (Teaching English as Foreign Language) lesson needs a plan, particularly so in the case of the less experienced teacher starting their career in a foreign country. The often-cited argument that over planning can create a less fluent atmosphere in the classroom does hold some truth but just as the artist is tutored not to attempt abstract art until first mastering the art of realism, the teacher likewise is best placed not to address a class unprepared until first mastering the art of pre-planning. Table of Contents What does your success...  [Read more]

Thu, 16 May 2019 Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Common Troubles of the Chinese Students You’ll Definitely Notice English is one of the most widely spoken languages and it is taught in a lot of countries. Globalization, fast economic development makes many people study English. People learn English for different reasons: business, education, life abroad, traveling, personal interest. Chinese students are not an exception. With the growing economies of China, the need for learning English increased dramatically. What challenges do Chinese students face when learning English? What challenges does the teacher meet teaching Chinese students? What teaching approach can be found? Table of Contents 1. Motivation 2. Education 3. National character 4. Language difference 5. Grammar 6....  [Read more]

Tue, 10 Mar 2020 Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas 5 Components a Lesson Plan Should Include A lesson plan is a very important element for teaching. Not only it provides a standard procedure of teaching, but it also helps the teacher keep track of each lesson. Moreover, it is also very helpful in some special cases, such as substitute teachers can use the lesson provided to carry out the lesson more efficiently. Although different teachers may have different teaching styles, a lesson plan should be prepared by all teachers despite the teaching style. A good lesson plan should include the following 5 components; lesson topic, class objectives, procedure, time management, and student practice. Table of Contents Topic and Point of the Lesson Objectives Lesson Sequence Time Management...  [Read more]

Our ITTT TEFL and TESOL Alumni Stories So what exactly does it mean to be a Teacher? Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This blog post overviews different roles and responsibilities of a TEFL teacher. Top Tips for EFL Teaching in a Kindergarten Setting Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English can be difficult to teach depending on the environment and circumstances. In this blog post, our TEFL graduate take their kindergarten teaching experience and explains how to deal with younger learners. English as a Global Language through the Length of Other Languages Development Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This blog post was written by our TEFL alumna who looks at English as a global language through its relation to other languages. Is The Western Parenting...  [Read more]