Good Songs For Esl Students

  This video looks at the difficulties students have when learning modal auxiliary verbs. The number of usages and the modal auxiliary verbs that can be used for various usages often bring about problems for the students. Also, the structure of sentences with modal auxiliary verbs can be confusing. Watch this video to understand all the difficulties students face with modal auxiliary verbs. 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 was an extremely...  [Read more]

  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. 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 past simple, the past continuous, the past perfect, and the...  [Read more]

  As there are many different reasons for learning the English language, there is no typical classroom environment for ESL teachers. Depending on the employer, your class could be full of five-year-old children, university students, or executives from the corporate world.  [Read more]

Argentina is one of the most popular destinations in South America for both international tourists and those looking to teach English abroad. Teachers are drawn to the country from all over the world by the promise of a stunning natural landscape, a unique European influenced culture, and a relaxed way of life. There is a strong demand for foreign teachers throughout the country, although the largest market is located in the capital Buenos Aires. Significant markets for ESL teachers can also be found in other major cities such as Cordoba, Rosario, Mendoza, and the beach resort of Mar del Plata. Although Argentina is a very popular destination for foreign teachers, few come here expecting to earn or save a large sum of money. Salaries are low in comparison to many other popular...  [Read more]

  The qualifications required to start teaching ESL are typically: having a good knowledge and use of the English language and a minimum TEFL certification of 120-hours. There are very few other professions where such a quick entry to the job market is available.  [Read more]

  "ESL teacher" can be used to describe various situations as teachers in this field work in a wide range of environments and teach vastly different groups of students. However, the common purpose of every ESL teacher is to help people to improve their ability to speak and write in English.  [Read more]

  This is one of the most common questions asked and the answer starts with a further question, where are you in your ESL teaching career? The good news is that regardless of your answer, ITTT has a TEFL course which will meet your specific needs. So what are the options?  [Read more]

From Mediterranean beach resorts in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south, the extraordinary continent of Africa has plenty of great opportunities for ESL teachers who are willing to seek them out. However, teaching positions in this part of the world are not as numerous or as widespread as in many other regions, so you might need to be flexible regarding your expectations and patience will almost certainly be required. The largest numbers of ESL teaching positions in Africa that pay a reasonable salary are generally found in North African countries such as Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia. In these countries you will find a strong demand for teachers in a range of schools, although the bulk of demand is from private language academies. Private tutoring is also a good option in...  [Read more]

  Due to economic instability in recent years it can be difficult for ESL teachers to earn a good living in Argentina, however, it is still a popular destination for teaching English abroad. Average monthly salaries range from US$600 to $1,200 depending on qualifications, experience, and hours worked.  [Read more]

Put simply, language is a verbal expression of culture which means that culture clearly has to be seen as an important part of language learning. Although it is important to learn the vocabulary and grammar of English during lessons, to truly grasp what the language means to native speakers it is vital that EFL students learn as much as possible about the culture of English speaking nations. The good news is that students generally love learning about cultural issues, whether it is music, films, books, and TV, or other things such as food or fashion. So, how can we incorporate culture into our EFL lessons to make them interesting and productive? Authentic materials can be anything that native English speakers might use that can be adapted for use in an EFL classroom. This type of material...  [Read more]

  This ITTT video is the second part of a lesson looking at the structure of the Present Perfect tense. It reviews an example of the structure with a regular verb -- played. I/you/we/they have played. She/He/It has played. The video then examines some of the spelling patterns that are used with irregular verbs. For example, verbs ending with a consonant + y. cry changes to cried, try changes to tried. Another spelling pattern with irregular verbs ending with a consonant + a vowel + a consonant Shop changes to shopped, ship changes to shipped. When teaching this particular point, as with other grammar points, it is important to explain to students that there are exceptions to most rules in the English language. Where specific patterns exist we need to introduce them to our...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classes more engaging for children, there are several strategies you can implement. First and foremost, it's essential to create a positive and welcoming learning environment. Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to participate. Start each class with a warm-up activity to set the tone for the lesson and get students excited about learning. Incorporating games and interactive activities is another effective way to keep children engaged. Games not only make learning fun but also help reinforce language concepts in a dynamic and memorable way. Consider using flashcards, board games, role-playing activities, or online resources to add variety to your lessons and cater to different learning styles. Furthermore, integrating music,...  [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]

To make your TEFL classes more interactive and fun, there are several strategies and activities you can incorporate into your teaching approach. Firstly, consider incorporating games into your lessons. Games are a great way to engage students and make learning enjoyable. You can use popular games like Jeopardy, Pictionary, or Bingo to review vocabulary, grammar, or other language concepts. Games not only make learning more fun but also encourage friendly competition and collaboration among students. Another effective way to make your TEFL classes more interactive is through group work and pair work activities. These activities allow students to practice speaking and listening skills in a more dynamic and engaging way. You can assign group projects, role plays, debates, or discussions on...  [Read more]

  Absolutely YES! Large numbers of non-native English speakers complete our TEFL courses each year and go on to have successful careers teaching English either in their home country or further afield. In order to successfully complete the course you will need to demonstrate a high standard of English, but it is certainly not a barrier that will stop you from becoming a fully qualified EFL teacher. In many cases being a non-native English speaker can actually be an advantage in the classroom as you have already been through the same experience that your students are currently facing. This can help to build a good rapport between the students and the teacher as they are often less afraid of making mistakes in this situation. It can also provide the students with a real incentive to...  [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]

To make your TEFL classes more engaging for diverse learners, it is essential to incorporate a variety of teaching strategies and techniques that cater to different learning styles and preferences. Here are some tips to help you create a more inclusive and engaging learning environment for all your students: 1. **Use a variety of teaching methods**: Incorporate a mix of visual, auditory, and kinesthetic activities to cater to different learning styles. For visual learners, use visual aids such as images, videos, and diagrams. For auditory learners, include listening activities and verbal instructions. For kinesthetic learners, incorporate hands-on activities and movement-based tasks. 2. **Provide opportunities for interaction**: Encourage collaboration and peer-to-peer interaction in your...  [Read more]

Teaching English pronunciation can be a challenging but rewarding task for TEFL teachers. Here are some tips to help you improve your students' pronunciation skills: 1. **Understand the Basics**: Before you can teach pronunciation effectively, make sure you have a good grasp of the basic sounds of the English language. Familiarize yourself with the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) to understand the different sounds and symbols. 2. **Focus on Sounds**: English has a variety of sounds that may not exist in your students' native language. Focus on teaching these specific sounds, such as the difference between /r/ and /l/ for Japanese speakers or the various vowel sounds for Spanish speakers. 3. **Minimal Pairs**: Use minimal pairs - words that differ by only one sound, such as "ship" and...  [Read more]

  There are two issues that need to be stressed when working with the international phonemic alphabet. First is the fact that we are no longer concerned with how a word is traditionally spelled. Additionally we need to stress that we are only concerned with the sounds needed to correctly produce a word. So rather than numerous spellings, which can often be pronounced in different ways, we have one symbol representing one sound. Once we can isolate a sound, rather than juggling various spellings, we can work with our students on how to say that sound. Doing that successfully is related to manner and place of articulation, which will be covered shortly. To get a better understanding of the phonemic alphabet, let's take a look at our chart. In the bottom half of our chart we have our...  [Read more]

  The dynamics of classroom interaction is often dictated by the arrangement of the classroom itself and the way in which the classroom is arranged could depend upon a number of factors and they might include things such as the age of the students, so for example we're unlikely to have the same arrangement for adult learners as we would have for young learners. It could also depend upon the actual physical space available. The physical space may determine how we have to arrange our classroom to maximize the opportunity for interaction and so forth. It will also depend on what material is available and by material in this case we're talking about the actual desks and chairs and so on and so forth. Perhaps the final thing we might put here is that it could also depend upon the...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classes more engaging for all age groups, it is essential to incorporate a variety of interactive activities and teaching methods. For young learners, games, songs, and hands-on activities can be highly effective in keeping them engaged and motivated. For teenagers, using multimedia resources, such as videos and music, can help maintain their interest. Adults, on the other hand, may appreciate more practical and real-life based activities that are relevant to their interests and goals. Incorporating technology into your lessons can also make them more engaging for all age groups. Utilizing online resources, interactive whiteboards, and educational apps can help create a dynamic and interactive learning environment. Additionally, incorporating a mix of individual, pair,...  [Read more]

How much money you can earn teaching English online depends on a variety of factors, including your qualifications, prior experience, and the platform you work for. Online English teachers are paid on an hourly basis, typically ranging between $15 and $30. If you decide to work through an online platform, as most online teachers do, a fee for connecting you with students and providing materials is also deducted in the form of a commission. There are different ways to earn a living as an online English teacher. Some teachers work for an online ESL company, some offer their lessons on an open marketplace, and others even start their own online ESL business. Depending on your qualifications and the type of platform, online English teachers can typically earn between $10 and $40 US per hour....  [Read more]

  The next category we are looking at in our series on teaching special groups in ESL are individuals. Teaching individuals, or one-to-one, forms a large part of the ESL market. Find out the positives, negatives and tips in this video. 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. After reading Introductory Unit I found out how the whole course will be structured, what are the objectives of the course. It was useful to find out the general terminology used...  [Read more]

Within the world of English language teaching there are many acronyms used to describe what type of teaching is involved in any particular scenario. EFL is one of the more common ones you will come across and it stands for English as a Foreign Language. You will find EFL is most commonly used when describing the teaching or learning of English in a non-English speaking country, such as Spain, Japan, or Mexico. It is very common for either of these acronyms to be used when talking about any situation where a student is learning English, however, there is a technical difference between the two. As previously mentioned, EFL is when the student is learning English in a non-English speaking environment, for example, a Japanese student learning English in Tokyo. In this scenario there is often...  [Read more]

When creating TEFL teaching materials, it's essential to consider various factors to ensure they are effective and engaging for your students. Here are some key components to include in your TEFL teaching materials: 1. **Language Skills Practice**: Include activities that focus on developing the four essential language skills - reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Incorporate a variety of exercises that cater to different learning styles and abilities. 2. **Grammar and Vocabulary**: Integrate grammar explanations and exercises that are clear and concise. Provide opportunities for students to practice using new vocabulary in context to enhance retention and understanding. 3. **Cultural Content**: Incorporate materials that expose students to the cultural aspects of the...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL lessons more engaging, there are several strategies you can implement to keep your students motivated and interested in learning English. Firstly, incorporating a variety of teaching methods and activities can help cater to different learning styles and keep your lessons dynamic. For example, you can include group work, pair work, role plays, games, and multimedia resources to engage students and make the learning process more interactive. Another important aspect to consider is the relevance of the content you are teaching. Try to select topics and materials that are interesting and culturally relevant to your students, as this can increase their motivation to learn and participate in class activities. Furthermore, creating a positive and inclusive learning environment...  [Read more]

Adapting your TEFL teaching style to different cultures is crucial for creating an inclusive and effective learning environment. Here are some key strategies to help you navigate cultural differences and tailor your approach accordingly. Before diving into specific teaching techniques, it's essential to educate yourself about the cultural norms, values, communication styles, and educational expectations of the country or region where you will be teaching. This cultural awareness will help you avoid misunderstandings and adapt your teaching style appropriately. Flexibility is key when teaching English as a foreign language in diverse cultural settings. Be open to new ways of learning and communicating, and be willing to adjust your lesson plans and teaching methods based on the needs and...  [Read more]

Creating engaging online TEFL lessons is essential for keeping your students motivated and interested in learning English. Below are some key strategies and tips to help you design dynamic and interactive lessons that will captivate your students and enhance their language learning experience. First and foremost, it's important to vary your lesson formats to cater to different learning styles and preferences. Incorporate a mix of activities such as videos, interactive quizzes, games, role-plays, and group discussions to keep your students engaged and interested in the lesson content. Another effective strategy is to make your lessons relevant and relatable to your students' interests and everyday lives. Incorporate real-life scenarios, topics, and materials that are meaningful to your...  [Read more]

  In this video we explain the difference in using "amount" and "number". The word "amount" is used when we want to refer to uncountable commodities such as water, electricity, money etc. Whereas, "number" is used to refer to individual things that are countable such as book, cat, chair etc. In the example "a greater amount of people are going to the gym" the use of "amount" is incorrect because we can count "people". In this case "number" needs to be used. A good example of the use of "amount" is "a greater amount of rain came down in November compared to October". Here "rain" is uncountable so "amount" should be used. 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...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard elicits the topic of his class by asking his students what they would buy if they won the lottery. He then puts the information up on the board and does a quick gap-fill exercise to further elicit the second conditional. ITTT's Observed Teaching Practice courses (OTP) are ideal for teachers wanting to improve their teaching skills remotely from anywhere in the world." 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. ...  [Read more]