Esl Study Material

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. 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 ESL the entry level examination for teachers is...  [Read more]

First we will look at the different levels of study currently available and how they relate to the world of TEFL qualifications. Taking the UK as an example, there are nine qualification levels; examples of actual UK qualifications at each level are given below: From the above, we can see that a degree in TEFL/TESOL is at level 6 and is therefore a very high level of study in the English teaching world. A few examples of such Level 6 courses are shown below: https://www.bachelorstudies.com/BA-English-Language-Linguistics-and-TESOL/United-Kingdom/York-St-John-University/ https://www.bachelorstudies.com/Bachelor-of-Arts-in-TESOL/USA/Great-Northern-University/ https://www.bachelorstudies.com/BA-TESOL/Thailand/Thongsook-College/ If you have a TEFL/TESOL degree the most obvious use of it would...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL review video Geoff tells us that he has just finished a 120-hour online TEFL course with ITTT. Geoff has been in China for some time and decided to take the course to take advantage of his business background in China. He found the course to be challenging but rewarding with a good combination of video tutorials and online reading. 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. This unit covered some of the different groups of students that an...  [Read more]

The online Diploma in TESOL course is our most advanced online certification. The course is a very popular option as it adds a high-level qualification to your CV/resume that allows you to apply for more prestigious teaching positions that typically offer a higher salary and greater responsibility. The diploma course begins with our standard 120-hour online TEFL certification course which looks at all the basic subjects required by new English teachers. Because of this, the diploma course is open to first-time teachers and those with some existing teaching experience. There are many good reasons to take our online Diploma in TESOL course, including: The course is divided into 11 separate modules as outlined below: All course modules require roughly 21 hours of study. The final summative...  [Read more]

Online TEFL courses come in many shapes and sizes and their popularity continues to grow year after year. The convenience of being able to study in your own time from wherever you are in the world is one of the biggest attractions of this form of study, as is the relatively low cost. However, before you make a final decision on which type of course suits you best, it is advisable to have all the facts to hand. The subjects covered in our 120-hour online TEFL course and our in-class TEFL courses are virtually identical. The one area that clearly separates the two versions is observed teaching practice (OTP). Our in-class courses include extensive time in a real classroom where you can practice your teaching skills under the guidance of experienced trainers. As a consequence, in-class...  [Read more]

  What are ESL games? ESL games are games that can be used in the classroom to practice certain language points and encourage active and creative communication between your students. There are many different games created specifically for use in the English language classroom that can be found online or in any number of resource books. But we are not limited only to those games designed for the class. The majority of games that we played as children or still play as adults can be adapted and used in lessons. Whether games are co-operative or competitive, they provide students with a goal and in the English classroom this goal can only be reached by using the English they have learnt. Common Misconceptions about games in the classroom. "Games are fun but are not suitable for the...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word bowdlerize. This word is used to refer to the act of removing improper or offensive material in order to make it weaker or less effective. Some synonyms for bowdlerize include censor, expurgate or edit. 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. This Unit encompasses evaluation and testing of ESL. I was surprised to learn there were so many tests designed to test for English ability of varying...  [Read more]

In the same way that we would expect our surgeon, dentist or airline pilot to have undertaken some training, our students of English might also expect their teachers to be trained and competent. What does it mean that our English teacher is competent? Possibly there are two major components to the answer: 1. The teacher has adequate subject knowledge. 2. The teacher has some classroom delivery skills. First you need to find a course that offers these components. While many native English speakers have learned the rules of English grammar sub-consciously as part of their language development, this does not give them the necessary subject knowledge required to teach English. So both native English speakers (NES) and non-native English speakers (NNES) should have some background knowledge of...  [Read more]

It doesn’t matter whether you choose an in-class TEFL course or an online course, the skills and knowledge gained during an ITTT course will never expire. Successfully completing an ITTT course results in an academic qualification that is valid for life. Trainees of ITTT’s online courses complete regular assessments throughout the course to test their understanding of the course material. A further written summative task is the final task of each course. While your certificate won't expire, it isn't uncommon for teachers to feel the need to improve or refresh their skills. One option is to take a 120-hour online TEFL course to refresh your knowledge. Another option is to take one of our short specialized TEFL courses to extend your skills in a particular area of teaching. There are...  [Read more]

Our Diploma in TESOL is an advanced online course that gives graduates an in-depth knowledge of English language teaching and a distinct advantage when applying for ESL jobs worldwide. By completing this research based course you will be in a position to apply for jobs that offer greater responsibility and an increased salary. As this option is an advanced level training course that has been designed to build on the subjects covered in a standard TEFL certification course, prior TEFL certification is usually required. However, as the 370-hour Diploma in TESOL course also includes our 120-hour TEFL certification, this is not an issue. Simply sign up for the Diploma in TESOL course and you will learn all the most important teaching subjects first, before you move onto the main diploma...  [Read more]

TEFL courses are designed to give you all the skills and knowledge you need to start a new career teaching English as a foreign language. Once you have completed a TEFL course and received your TEFL certificate you will be able to apply for a wide range of jobs in countries across the world. Before you choose a TEFL course you should be fully aware of all the course options available to ensure you make the right choice to suit your future plans. Deciding which TEFL course suits your individual learning style, your current situation and your future plans can be difficult as there is no standard length of training or a fixed syllabus that providers have to adhere to. The best advice we can give is don?t simply choose the cheapest or the first option you come across as it may not be...  [Read more]

We can say in general terms that all teachers are important, English teachers among them. However, the requirement for specialist teachers who are able to teach English as a second or foreign language is particularly important. What makes specialist ESL teachers so necessary? Globalized industry has led to an explosion of the use of English as the lingua franca. This trend looks as though it will continue in the near future. Whilst English is a mainstream curriculum subject in many countries, teachers of English are not necessarily equipped to teach English as a second or foreign language. Teachers trained in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) are therefore in great demand. Whilst it is generally true that Native English Speakers (NES) have a good working knowledge of the...  [Read more]

Formerly one of Europe’s leading centers of education and culture, Leipzig today is still a leading light of music and culture in Germany. The city’s long and fascinating history can be witnessed in its architecture and the many museums that are to be found in Leipzig and it is easy to see why Goethe once said that Leipzig was “A little Paris that educates its people” as you enjoy the café culture in the arcades surrounding the city center. Johann Sebastian Bach worked in Leipzig for several years in the 18th century and the city is home to the Bach-Archiv Leipzig, an institution that documents the life of Bach and his family. Classical music remains an important part of the life of the city and the Oper Leipzig is one of the most famous opera houses in Germany and the third...  [Read more]

TEFL International’s teacher training facility in Rome offers so much more than just a certificate for teaching. Rome is an epicenter of European history and Italian culture and for thousands of years, the city has played an integral part of European religion, history and culture. Attending our course in Rome is a once in a lifetime opportunity to absorb the capital city in a way that an average tourist could only envy. ‘The Eternal City’ as it’s known, is breathtaking. You can inundate your senses with leisurely strolls down cobblestone streets or by sitting in one of Italy’s famous piazzas (city squares), from the thrill of touring sites that have witnessed a turbulent past to a simple afternoon spent relaxing with a cooling portion of gelato (Italian ice cream), you’ll love...  [Read more]

If you are bored with the everyday grind and want a new life that is full of travel and adventure, TEFL could be the perfect option for you. First you need to choose the right TEFL course to suit your situation and then work your way through the training. Once you have completed the course and you have your TEFL certificate in hand you will be ready to head overseas to start work as an English language teacher in the country of your choice. These acronyms are used when referring to training courses that English language teachers undertake, as well as the certification they receive upon completion. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As these terms are essentially the same, they are often used...  [Read more]

Kolkata, is famous for its literary, artistic and cultural heritage. It was once India’s capital city and is still home to exquisite buildings, museums and galleries. Held in high esteem by locals and known as the ‘City of Joy’, Kolkata offers an unforgettable experience for anyone who takes our TEFL International certification course here. Along with Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai, Kolkata is one of the four main cities in India. It was once the headquarters for the British Raj during colonial rule in India and therefore, Victorian architecture can be seen from many points in the city. It is also commonly referred to as the nation’s intellectual capital. Kolkata offers plenty of activities for trainees during their downtime. You can take a morning stroll over Howrah Bridge—the...  [Read more]

Here at ITTT, we will do all we can to ensure your entire TEFL training experience is as straightforward and rewarding as possible. If you have any questions regarding our courses, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section below. Our FAQ section should clear up most of your queries but if you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us by submitting them via the form provided at the bottom of this page. What does TEFL mean?    The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is commonly used to refer to training courses that almost anyone can take to learn the skills and knowledge required to teach English to non-native speakers in countries all over the world. What is the difference between TESOL and...  [Read more]