How To Establish Rapport With Students

  Livinus is from Cameroon and is teaching English in China. He recently took our 120-hour online certification course and enjoyed working through the 20 units. He enjoyed the flexibility the course gave him to complete the course. 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. In Unit 6 I watched two videos which provided good examples of both a good teacher and a bad teacher. The portrayal of the effective and ineffective teacher utilized methods and...  [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]

  This TEFL review is from Stephanie. She is from the United States and recently completed our 120-hour TEFL/TESOL course online. She thought that all the units were very helpful as it definitely provides a comprehensive foundation of teaching English as a foreign language. She had a good time taking the course overall and recommend this course to anyone looking to work in the field of teaching English as a foreign language. 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]

  In this TESOL review video, Rick from the United States tells us how he has recently completed the 120-hour TESOL course online from ITTT. Despite already working as an online English teacher, Rick found the course to be very informative and helped him to develop better strategies to deal with the language issues his students have. Whether Rick decides to carry on teaching online or to take his career abroad, his experience with ITTT has enabled him to offer better lessons to his English language students. 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...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard warms up with his students by speaking about going to the gym and keeping fit. It's important to get your students thinking and talking in English before starting with the actual lesson of the class. 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. The final unit...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word levigate. This word is used as a verb and refers to the action of reducing a material to powder or a smooth paste. The word originates from the Latin 'levis' meaning 'smooth'. 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 the principles and forms of the conditional form and reported speech. I learned the different forms of conditionals as well as the rules of how direct speech...  [Read more]

Creating a supportive learning environment in your TEFL classroom is essential for fostering a positive and effective learning experience for your students. Here are some key strategies to help you achieve this goal: Establish clear expectations: Start by setting clear expectations for behavior, participation, and academic performance. Clearly communicate these expectations to your students and consistently reinforce them throughout the course. Encourage open communication: Create a safe and inclusive space where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. Encourage open communication by actively listening to your students, providing constructive feedback, and fostering a sense of mutual respect. Promote collaboration: Encourage collaboration among your students by...  [Read more]

  In this TESOL review video Juhee tells us about her experience with ITTT. Juhee took the 120-hour online TESOL course with ITTT and really enjoyed her time. Although initially confident that her English speaking ability meant that she didn?t need to take a course to learn how to teach, she soon discovered the importance of earning a qualification in teaching English. 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 dissects the present tense further...  [Read more]

  Julia completed the 370-hour Diploma in TESOL and the 50-hour young learners course with ITTT. In this TESOL review video, Julia tells us how studying the courses online and without tutor allowed her the freedom to study at her own pace giving her the freedom to study and look after her two children at the same time. 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. I thought grammar wasn't easy to teach. After this unit,I know we can't only focus on grammar...  [Read more]

  And now we'll have a look at both the infinitive and the gerund. Infinitive is the word "to", followed by the base form of the verb. We"ll typically use it after a verb, specifically verbs like "want" or "hope". We can make statements like "I want to go to the beach." We also have our gerund. Our gerund is a verb followed by "-ing", but specifically used as a noun within the sentence. We have a verb plus a gerund: "I enjoy playing poker." The main verb is "enjoy" and, although "playing" looks as if it's a verb, it's actually used as the noun within the sentence. We also can use it with a preposition followed by a gerund: "How about going to the beach?" We could also put it in the front of a sentence: "Smoking is bad for you." Again, the verb plus "-ing" can act as two things...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word filibuster. This word can be used both as a noun and as a verb. As a noun, it refers to a speech that avoids the progress in a legislative assembly while not technically being illegal or unlawful. As a verb, it describes the action of acting in an obstructive manner in legislature. The word originates from the Dutch vrijbuiter meaning freebooter. 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. The...  [Read more]

Teaching English in a culturally diverse setting can be a rewarding experience, but it also requires careful preparation to ensure effective communication and understanding among students from different backgrounds. Here are some tips to help you prepare for teaching English in a culturally diverse setting. First and foremost, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the cultural backgrounds of your students. Take the time to learn about their customs, traditions, and beliefs to better understand their perspectives and avoid unintentional misunderstandings. This cultural awareness will help you adapt your teaching approach to be more inclusive and respectful of the diversity in your classroom. In addition to understanding your students' cultures, it is important to create a welcoming...  [Read more]

  In this online TESOL course video the trainer covers the structure of the future simple tense. The basic structure is as follows: Positive: Subject + will + base verb Negative: Subject + will + not + base verb Question: Will + subject + base verb? As noted in the video 'will' can be replaced by other modals to express varying degrees of certainty. For suggestions and more formal situations we can substitute 'will' for 'shall'. For more information about this and other future forms see our other videos on the future tenses. If you are interested in teaching English abroad and studying TESOL online visit our website at the link above. We have a number of online TESOL courses and studying TESOL online is not only a convenient way to earn your teaching qualification but also a...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'desert' and 'dessert'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. This is such a commen mistake made by both native speakers and English learners that we simply have to cover it. The pronunciation of the words is slightly different so most mistakes occurr in writing. Let's take a look at the two words. 'Desert' spelled with one 's' refers to a waterless, dry and empty area. A suitable example would be: Crossing that desert is dangerous. 'Dessert' spelled with double 's', on the other hand, has a very different meaning. It refers to the sweet course usually served at the end of a meal, such as cake or ice-cream. A good example would be: I had some ice-cream for dessert today. Keeping this...  [Read more]

To prepare for your first TEFL class, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you are ready to deliver a successful lesson. First, familiarize yourself with the lesson plan and materials provided by your TEFL course or employer. Review the objectives of the lesson, the activities, and any worksheets or handouts that you will be using. Make sure you understand the flow of the lesson and how each activity is structured. Next, consider the language level and cultural background of your students. This will help you tailor your lesson to their needs and interests. If possible, try to learn a few key phrases in their native language to establish rapport and show respect for their culture. Prepare any visual aids or props that you will be using during the lesson. This could include...  [Read more]

When teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), one of the key challenges that teachers often face is handling cultural differences in the classroom. Cultural differences can manifest in various ways, including communication styles, attitudes towards authority, and approaches to learning. As a TEFL teacher, it is essential to be aware of these differences and to develop strategies for effectively managing them in order to create a positive and inclusive learning environment for all students. One of the first steps in handling cultural differences in the classroom is to educate yourself about the cultural backgrounds of your students. Take the time to learn about their customs, traditions, and beliefs, as this will help you better understand where they are coming from and why they may...  [Read more]

Yes, TEFL teachers can work in language access programs. Language access programs are designed to help individuals with limited English proficiency to access important services and information. TEFL teachers are well-equipped to work in these programs as they have the necessary skills to teach English to non-native speakers effectively. These programs can be found in various settings such as government agencies, healthcare facilities, schools, and community organizations. TEFL teachers play a crucial role in helping individuals improve their English language skills, which in turn enables them to fully participate in society. TEFL teachers working in language access programs often create customized lesson plans based on the needs and proficiency levels of their students. They may focus on...  [Read more]

  It also helps us form our tenses. Many of the tenses will use these auxiliary verbs; particularly we have our continuous tense and our perfect tense. There are additional tenses that use auxiliary verbs. We'll get into that when we talk about our individual tenses. Another important aspect of our verbs is that they generally tell us what tense the sentence has been formed in. Take for instance the verb "to live." We could use it as live, lives, living or lived. "I live" or "she lives in Bangkok," meaning the present. "I am living in Bangkok," still the present or "I lived in Bangkok," meaning the past. Another difference with our verbs has to do with whether or not the verb is regular or irregular. With the regular verbs, in order to conjugate the verb into the past, we simply...  [Read more]

When considering the best TEFL course for teaching in economically disadvantaged areas, it is crucial to prioritize certain key factors that will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in such environments. First and foremost, look for a TEFL course that includes modules or specializations focused on teaching English to learners with diverse backgrounds and varying levels of proficiency. Understanding the specific challenges that students in economically disadvantaged areas may face, such as limited access to resources or lack of prior exposure to English, is essential for effective teaching. Additionally, opt for a course that emphasizes practical teaching experience through teaching practicums or volunteer opportunities. This hands-on experience will...  [Read more]

It is definitely possible to teach English without a degree. There are plenty of language schools that will gladly hire you regardless of your educational background. Even though having a degree opens more doors and opportunities, there is no reason for not pursuing your dream of teaching English abroad if you don't possess a degree. The question of whether a degree is required to find a teaching job is arbitrary, as it is for many other occupations. There is no reason why a university-educated English teacher would be more effective than one who does not possess a degree. One might argue that certain characteristics, such as passion, commitment, and the ability to establish rapport with your students, are far more important than a college diploma in this career. These qualities should,...  [Read more]