Bics Skills

  So, some of the ways in which we can avoid these problems occurring in the first place is to reteach the vocabulary that's going to be required in the particular activity and the grammar. Now, having said this, it doesn't mean that if we think about a particular article that they're going to read or a listening activity that they're going to listen to. They don't have to know every single word in there but they do need to know a certain number of words in order to actually make sense out of it. Secondly, most of the materials that we'll be using for both reading and possibly for listening will be what's called an authentic material. In other words, it's a real piece of material from a newspaper or magazine that hasn't been created for a particular class and so we need a very...  [Read more]

  We are going to move on to the second of the productive skills, which is writing and, again, we'll have look at the background, too, and create a typical lesson for a writing skills session. One of the things to be aware of in a writing skills lesson is that writing tends to be more formal than spoken English. So, there will be some differences between the two, such as writing very often uses less contracted forms and so on, but having said that there are many similarities between the two particular skills. So, many of the considerations that we had for a speaking skills lesson will also apply here to a writing skills lesson. Within writing skills itself there are some sub-skills that we may want to teach and those sub-skills could include, but are not limited to, hand writing...  [Read more]

  This presentation is going to have a look at the idea of receptive skills and how we can go about teaching receptive skills lessons. There are two receptive skills and they are reading and listening. If we think about first of all, why do we read or listen, then there are probably two main answers to that. Firstly, it could either be for entertainment or it could be for a specific purpose. Within the reading and listening areas there are a number of sub-skills that we can teach our students. Firstly, what we can do is to show different examples of reading. So, let's say, for example, that we have just bought ourselves a new video camera and along with that video camera came a whole book of instructions. In order to find out how to get that camera working, then we would need to...  [Read more]

  Before we go into looking at the actual receptive skills lesson, if we were thinking about what potential problems there could be in these lessons. So, what things could go wrong in a reading lesson? Well, firstly the students when they are reading in a language that is not their native language, they tend to read every word as a separate piece and by reading word to word it?s very difficult to get an overall impression of what that particular text is saying. Secondly, the sentence length in a lot of articles that we will get will be very long and many of our students will not be used to that structure of language. So, here it's important to have a think about the way in which the text has actually been written and will it be fairly easy to read. The final thing is the actual...  [Read more]

  So let's have a look now what might take place in a typical writing lesson and, again, we're going to use the format of a straight arrow ESA lesson. Our first stage is to the go to the engage stage and, if we think back to what we said before, what we need to do is try to generate interest. So, an example here could be we show a picture first of all taken from a newspaper or magazine and then we can ask the students some questions. From looking at the picture we can ask them if they can tell us what is actually happening now as shown by the picture. Then, we can generate a bit more interest by asking them to give us ideas about what they thought was happening before this picture took place and what happened after. So, here we're just trying to build up the idea of a sequence of...  [Read more]

  So, for the study phase what we're going to do is to show them the idea of the cartoon strip. In the cartoon strip what there's going to be are some people with speech bubbles and this is going to represent where dialogue will appear and in the bottom, there are these rectangular boxes, where there will be descriptive things happening. So, it will explain the actual situation that these people are in. So, we get across the idea, first of all, that these are speech and these are for description and we can then show them a blank one of these cartoon strips and try to elicit from our students what could possibly the people be saying and in what actual situation are they in, in order for them to say that. Once we've gone through that, we can move on to our first study activity and in...  [Read more]

  So, let's have a look at a typical receptive skills lesson. The main focus of this lesson is going to be reading, although there will be some listening involved as well and it?s going to be a patchwork ESA lesson. As a patchwork lesson, it will start off with an engage and this engage what we're going to do is to play an extract about Elvis Presley and it's going to be an Elvis Presley song and we can ask the students if they know who it is and if they know anything about him can help generate the interest in this. We can also ask them what they'd like to know about it. What we can then do is just to introduce them to the text but they're going to read the detail later on but just at this stage we'll do a quick skimming or scanning exercise to find some information from that...  [Read more]

To improve your TEFL teaching skills, there are several key areas you can focus on. First and foremost, gaining a deeper understanding of English grammar and syntax is crucial. This will enable you to explain language rules more effectively to your students and help them grasp the nuances of the language. Secondly, developing strong classroom management techniques is essential for creating a positive and productive learning environment. This includes setting clear expectations, providing engaging activities, and managing student behavior effectively. Furthermore, enhancing your knowledge of teaching methodologies and approaches will allow you to adapt your lessons to meet the diverse needs of your students. Familiarize yourself with communicative language teaching, task-based learning, and...  [Read more]

To improve your TEFL teaching skills, there are several strategies and techniques you can implement. Firstly, it's essential to continue your professional development by attending workshops, conferences, and training courses specifically designed for TEFL teachers. These opportunities can provide you with new teaching methods, resources, and insights into the latest trends in the field. Another effective way to enhance your skills is to seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or even your students. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and build on your strengths as a teacher. Additionally, observing other experienced TEFL teachers in action can offer valuable insights and inspiration for your own teaching practice. Incorporating technology into your teaching...  [Read more]

To improve your TEFL classroom management skills, you can focus on several key strategies that will help create a positive and productive learning environment for your students. First and foremost, it is essential to establish clear expectations and rules from the beginning of the course. This includes setting guidelines for behavior, participation, and respect within the classroom. By outlining these expectations early on, students will understand what is expected of them and will be more likely to follow the rules. Another important aspect of classroom management is building rapport with your students. Get to know them on a personal level, show interest in their lives and cultures, and create a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. When students feel valued and respected, they are more...  [Read more]

A TEFL certificate can greatly improve your teaching skills and enhance your career opportunities in the field of English language teaching. Here are some key ways in which obtaining a TEFL certificate can benefit you as a teacher: Firstly, a TEFL certificate provides you with essential training in teaching English as a foreign language. This training typically covers a wide range of topics such as lesson planning, classroom management, teaching methodologies, and language assessment. By completing a TEFL course, you will gain valuable insights into effective teaching practices and strategies that you can apply in your own classroom. Moreover, a TEFL certificate can help you develop a deeper understanding of the English language itself. Many TEFL programs include modules on English...  [Read more]

To enhance your TEFL classroom management skills, there are several strategies and techniques you can implement. These methods will help you create a positive and productive learning environment for your students while also maintaining control and fostering engagement. Here are some key tips to improve your TEFL classroom management skills: Establishing clear expectations from the beginning is essential in creating a well-managed classroom. Clearly communicate your rules and expectations regarding behavior, participation, and academic standards. Make sure your students understand what is expected of them and the consequences for not following the rules. Developing a positive and respectful relationship with your students is crucial for effective classroom management. Show genuine interest...  [Read more]

As a TEFL teacher, there are numerous resources available to help you improve your skills and enhance your teaching practice. These resources range from online courses and webinars to books, blogs, podcasts, and teaching forums. By utilizing these tools, you can stay up-to-date with the latest teaching methodologies, improve your language proficiency, and connect with other professionals in the field. Online courses are a popular option for TEFL teachers looking to enhance their skills. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and TEFL courses offered by universities provide a wide range of courses on topics such as classroom management, lesson planning, and teaching grammar. These courses are often self-paced, allowing you to study at your own convenience. Webinars are another valuable resource...  [Read more]

Improving English listening skills is crucial for language learners to enhance their overall communication abilities. There are several effective methods and strategies that TEFL teachers can employ to help students develop their listening skills. Firstly, it is essential to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel comfortable and motivated to listen actively. Using a variety of authentic audio materials such as podcasts, songs, news clips, and videos can make the learning process more interesting and relevant for students. These materials expose students to different accents, speech patterns, and vocabulary, helping them improve their listening comprehension skills. Incorporating listening activities that focus on specific listening sub-skills such as...  [Read more]

Teaching English for Specific Purposes (ESP) is a specialized branch of English language teaching that focuses on teaching English to students who have specific goals or needs in their learning. In order to effectively teach ESP, it is important to tailor the language lessons to meet the specific needs and interests of the students. Here are some key strategies and tips for teaching English for Specific Purposes: Before designing an ESP course, it is essential to conduct a thorough needs analysis to identify the specific language needs, goals, and interests of the students. This can be done through surveys, interviews, or questionnaires to gather information about the learners' professional backgrounds, language proficiency levels, and the specific skills they need to develop. In ESP,...  [Read more]

  This presentation is going to cover the teaching of productive skills. To start with, if we think about the way in which you learnt your first language, most of us go through a particular process. Firstly, we listen to those around us, after that first silent period of listening to other people, then we start to make utterances. Having learned to speak to a certain extent at least, we then go on to learn how to read and to write and this process that we go through is actually covering the four skills that we're trying to teach our English students. So, we have listening, speaking, reading, and writing. If we group those skills into their different types, then the two skills of reading and listening are known as receptive skills, whereas the skills of speaking and writing are...  [Read more]

  The final stage of the lesson will be the activate and the activate phase is going to form the main speaking activity within the lesson. So, it's very very important that here, we do a good demonstration of what it is that we're expecting them to do, that we elicit the type of target language we're expecting them to produce from the activity. So, one way we could go around it is to, firstly, form pairs. Each pair is going to be given a card and onto that card they're going to write the country and a month. What the teacher can then do, just to add a little bit of spice to it, is to collect all of the cards and shuffle them around and then redistribute them to the pairs so that they get a card that doesn't have their country or their month on it. What they're then going to do is...  [Read more]

  For the lesson that even takes place, there are a number of things that you need to have considered. Obviously, you need a very clear idea of what it is you're expecting the students to have to do and they need to know why. It's very important before you ask them to do an activity that they have an understanding of the purpose of that activity. You should, secondly, have had a thought about what they already know. Linked to that is, will it be necessary to do any form of pre-teaching before I can expect them to do this activity and finally, we need to make sure that we have prepared all our materials and our instructions for this particular activity. So, we'll consider a straight arrow ESA lesson, the focus of which is to be speaking skills. So, we'll start with our engage and in...  [Read more]

  Once we're satisfied that all the students have been engaged and that they've been given the opportunity to say something, we can move on to our study phase. Here, it may be necessary or useful to actually pre-teach some gaps in knowledge that have been shown from the engage phase and those gaps in knowledge may include actual grammar structures or indeed useful vocabulary and it's very important that, before we move on to doing any forms of activity, we check their understanding of this material. So, we need to do some study exercises. It's also very useful if you leave this information up on the board through all that study period. Those study activities can just be the normal types of gap fills or matching activities and, as always, we need to demonstrate those activities,...  [Read more]

A TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate can be a valuable asset if you are considering teaching English to rural communities. Here are some reasons why obtaining a TEFL certificate can help you in this endeavor: 1. **Cultural Sensitivity and Understanding**: Rural communities often have unique cultural norms and values. A TEFL course typically includes training on intercultural communication, which can help you navigate cultural differences and build rapport with your students. 2. **Effective Teaching Strategies**: Teaching English to non-native speakers requires different techniques than teaching it to native speakers. A TEFL course equips you with a variety of teaching methodologies and strategies that can be particularly useful when working with students from diverse...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL resume stand out, you need to highlight your relevant qualifications, experience, and skills effectively. Start by creating a clear and professional layout that is easy to read. Use a clean font and organize your resume into sections such as education, certifications, teaching experience, and skills. In the education section, include details about your TEFL certification, degree in English or related field, and any additional relevant coursework. Be sure to mention any specialized training you have completed, such as courses in teaching young learners or business English. In the certifications section, list any additional teaching certifications you hold, such as TESOL or CELTA. Highlight any specialized training or workshops you have attended, as well as any language...  [Read more]

Aspiring educators looking to teach English as a foreign language (TEFL) often wonder about the benefits of obtaining a TEFL certification. There are numerous advantages to getting certified in TEFL, ranging from enhanced teaching skills to increased job opportunities both locally and internationally. First and foremost, a TEFL certification provides future educators with the necessary training and skills to effectively teach English to non-native speakers. The certification covers essential topics such as lesson planning, classroom management, language assessment, and teaching methodologies. This training equips educators with the knowledge and tools needed to create engaging and effective lessons for students of all levels. Moreover, obtaining a TEFL certification can significantly boost...  [Read more]

A TEFL certificate can be an invaluable asset when teaching English to underserved populations. As an expert in TEFL, I can attest to the numerous benefits that a TEFL certification can bring to those working with marginalized communities. First and foremost, a TEFL certificate equips teachers with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach English as a second language. This includes understanding language acquisition theories, lesson planning, classroom management techniques, and assessment strategies. When working with underserved populations, who may have limited access to quality education, having a solid foundation in TEFL can make a significant difference in the learning outcomes of students. Moreover, a TEFL certification demonstrates a commitment to professional...  [Read more]

If you are considering teaching English in your home country, having a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate can be beneficial in several ways. While the primary focus of a TEFL certificate is to prepare individuals to teach English to non-native speakers in foreign countries, the skills and knowledge gained from a TEFL course can also be applied to teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) in your home country. One of the main advantages of having a TEFL certificate when teaching English in your home country is that it provides you with a recognized qualification that demonstrates your ability to teach English effectively. Employers, whether they are language schools, private tutoring companies, or educational institutions, often prefer candidates with a...  [Read more]

Negotiating your salary as a TEFL teacher is an important step in ensuring that you are fairly compensated for your skills and experience. Here are some tips to help you navigate this process effectively: First and foremost, it is important to research the typical salary range for TEFL teachers in the region where you will be working. This will give you a baseline from which to negotiate and ensure that you are not asking for an unrealistic amount. When negotiating your salary, it is important to highlight any relevant experience or qualifications that you have that make you a strong candidate for the position. This could include prior teaching experience, specialized training in teaching English as a foreign language, or fluency in multiple languages. Additionally, be prepared to discuss...  [Read more]

A TEFL certificate can be a valuable asset when teaching English to high school students, as it provides you with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively teach English as a foreign language. Here are some key points to consider: Firstly, a TEFL certificate equips you with essential teaching techniques and methodologies that are specifically tailored for teaching English to non-native speakers. High school students may have different learning styles and needs compared to adult learners, so having a solid foundation in TEFL can help you adapt your teaching approach to better suit their requirements. Additionally, a TEFL certificate demonstrates to potential employers that you have undergone training in teaching English as a foreign language and are committed to professional...  [Read more]

A TEFL certificate can be a valuable tool for teaching English to college students, as it provides you with the skills and knowledge needed to effectively instruct non-native speakers. Here are some key points to consider: Firstly, a TEFL certificate demonstrates your commitment to professional development and can enhance your credibility as an English teacher. College students may be more likely to trust and respect an instructor who has taken the time to earn a recognized teaching qualification. Additionally, a TEFL certificate equips you with practical teaching techniques and strategies that are specifically tailored to teaching English as a foreign language. This can help you create engaging and effective lessons that cater to the needs and proficiency levels of college students....  [Read more]

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification is primarily geared towards individuals looking to teach English to non-native speakers. While it may not directly qualify you for a job in academic research, possessing a TEFL certification can still be beneficial in certain research-related roles. One way in which a TEFL certification can be advantageous is if you are conducting research that involves language acquisition or education. Understanding the methodologies and techniques used in language teaching can provide valuable insights when designing and implementing research studies in these areas. Additionally, having a TEFL certification showcases to potential employers your proficiency in English language teaching, which can be a valuable skill in research environments...  [Read more]

A TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate can be a valuable asset when teaching English to adults with low literacy levels. This certification equips you with the essential tools and techniques to effectively teach English to individuals who may struggle with reading and writing. One of the key benefits of obtaining a TEFL certificate is gaining a solid understanding of how to tailor your teaching approach to meet the specific needs of adult learners with low literacy. Through TEFL training, you will learn strategies for simplifying language, using visual aids, and implementing interactive activities that can help individuals with limited literacy skills grasp English concepts more effectively. Additionally, a TEFL certificate can enhance your ability to create a supportive...  [Read more]

TEFL certification can definitely help you land a job in the corporate sector, as it demonstrates to potential employers that you have the necessary skills to effectively communicate in English. Here's how a TEFL certification can benefit you in the corporate world: First and foremost, having a TEFL certification shows employers that you are not only proficient in English, but that you also have a solid understanding of how to teach it to non-native speakers. This is a valuable skill in the corporate sector, where clear communication is key in areas such as business meetings, presentations, and negotiations. Moreover, a TEFL certification can set you apart from other candidates who may not have the same level of expertise in English language teaching. In a competitive job market, having...  [Read more]