If I Could Teach The World

While teaching English abroad you are unlikely to face any type of discrimination from fellow teachers as most are like-minded people who are easy-going and accepting of the world in all its diversity. However, it can be a different story when it comes to employers. In some parts of the world, including some of the most popular teaching destinations, traditional, conservative views and opinions are still commonplace and this can lead to some uncomfortable situations. Many people still have the mistaken belief that all you need to teach English is to be a native English speaker and those that aren’t will never be as good at it. However, this view on teaching couldn’t be more wrong. To be an effective TEFL teacher you need to have a solid understanding of the workings of the language...  [Read more]

If you are thinking about teaching English in the short term, during a gap year break or just for a brief change of scenery, then a single 120-hour TEFL certification course will probably be enough to get you where you want to be. However, if your teaching plans are more long term or you simply want the best possible start to life in an EFL classroom, then you might want to consider taking advantage of a TEFL course bundle. At ITTT we offer a range of course packages that provide a thorough and in-depth introduction to the English language teaching world, as well as providing the very best value for money currently available on the market. This two course package is a great choice if you are particularly interested in teaching English in a virtual classroom. You start your training with...  [Read more]

When we look back on our own learning experiences, most of us will have strong memories of certain teachers, and in some cases this can be for all the wrong reasons. Some teachers might be remembered for being harsh disciplinarians, having a boring monotone delivery, failing to listen to the class, or any number of other negative traits. Thankfully, many of us will also have memories of the teachers who had a positive impact on our education, and this could be for a variety of reasons. If you are planning to teach English online or in a traditional classroom, there are several qualities that we think combine to make a great teacher. If you can develop your teaching strategy to include all these traits you are sure to be remembered by many of your students as a great EFL teacher. Although...  [Read more]

Almost anyone who has the desire to teach English abroad can make their dream come true. Although you will find some restrictions regarding teaching experience and academic qualifications in some countries, there are plenty of great destinations around the world where a TEFL certificate is all that is required. Whatever your background, work history, or age, there is the perfect teaching job waiting for you somewhere in the world. Yes, you can start a new career teaching English abroad without any form of teaching experience. Due to a huge demand for English language teachers in countries all over the world, tens of thousands of English speakers head overseas every year to work in a variety of different classrooms. Of this number, approximately 90% will have never worked in any kind of...  [Read more]

Whether you are just looking to earn some extra cash during a gap-year or are planning a more serious move into the world of education, teaching English as a foreign language has many benefits. The demand for TEFL qualified teachers is continually growing in many parts of the world and opportunities for making teaching a career are abundant. Also, if you decide that it is time to head back home, there are many directions in which your overseas teaching experience can take you. Although for many TEFL course graduates the aim is to head overseas to experience living and working in a foreign culture, it is not the only option. Plenty of people use their teaching qualification within their home country as increasing levels of immigration have led to a rapid increase in demand for ESL...  [Read more]

  Massachusetts is not only the most populous state in the region of New England, but also an exciting vacation destination for many. “The Bay State” is bordered by the mighty Atlantic Ocean in the east and offers a wide variety of different landscapes. For example, visitors can enjoy exciting mountains, lush valleys as well as some of the finest beaches in the USA. Besides its many natural wonders, Massachusetts is also an important historic location in North America. The famous Pilgrims landed here after their long journey from England across the ocean. That’s why Massachusetts is a historic gem and witness of the colonial and revolutionary eras. Today, Massachusetts is a popular vacation destination for many Americans due to the 1,500-mile long coastline with its abundant...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad is a great way to see the world and get paid while doing it, but what does it actually involve? Before you buy a plane ticket and jet off across the world it is a good idea to research as much as possible about TEFL qualifications, the possible restrictions you might encounter when applying for jobs, and the long term prospects this path might lead to. Here we look at the answers to all these questions and more. 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]

  TEFL International offers one of the most outstanding training courses for anyone who wants to gain TEFL certification in Indonesia. Once you’ve successfully completed the course, you’ll have one of the most reputable TEFL certificates in the world. With that in hand, we’ll provide job support—in Indonesia or elsewhere. Indonesia is also a scenic country with many stunning beaches and islands, active volcanoes and thick, dense jungle. For many, the main attraction of Indonesia is the laidback lifestyle and customs of its peoples. For those who decide to take a TEFL training course in Indonesia, you will experience a colorful, dynamic country with a huge variety of experiences and sights to experience. Demand for certified TEFL teachers is rather high in Indonesia and our...  [Read more]

  TEFL International offers two of the most outstanding training courses for people who want to gain TEFL certification in France. Once you’ve earned it, you’ll have one of the most recognizable TEFL certificates in the world. With that in hand, we’ll help you find employment and offer other post-course support—in France or elsewhere. Take our course in France and you’ll be spending a month of life-long learning in one of Europe’s most dynamic destinations. From food and wine to museums and architecture, France is home to some of the finest cuisine and art scenes in the entire world. France is home to numerous fascinating cities, the Cote d’azur and a countryside that could charm even the coldest of souls. Combine France's quaint and lazy days with its brilliant...  [Read more]

Some people who head overseas to teach English grow to love the lifestyle so much that they never return to work in their home country. However, for the majority, the move back home will come at some stage, whether after a single year or much longer. For some it can be a difficult experience as you are no longer the person you were when you first left home. Everything can feel different, from the everyday language to the time zone, from the climate to the cuisine. Reverse culture shock can be genuinely unsettling. One way you can combat this, and continue the international focus of your new found way of life, is to find a job that allows you to use the new skills and knowledge that your time abroad has given you. One obvious step for many teachers is to simply continue working as an...  [Read more]

  If you want to find information on all aspects of the TEFL world in one convenient location, head straight over to the ITTT Blog. The blog is home to hundreds of fascinating articles written by a range of TEFL experts and our very own TEFL course graduates. Some of the most popular sections of the blog include tips on visas and work permits, information on salaries and budgets, heaps of great teaching ideas, as well as insight into the different TEFL course options. You will also find many posts related to different teaching destinations around the world that could help you make the right choice of location to suit your preferences. A large number of these articles are written by ITTT course graduates who are now working as EFL teachers in many different settings and locations. It...  [Read more]

  ITTT has been at the forefront of TEFL certification for many years and in that time we have graduated tens of thousands of new EFL teachers. Because of our high profile in the TEFL field and the quality of our training courses, employers all over the world are fully aware of our certification. Many of these employers actually look out for our graduates as they are fully aware that they will have completed a meaningful training course that has prepared them for the reality of life in an EFL teaching environment. This recognition is true in all regions of the world and you will find our graduates teaching in almost every country you can think of. In the past it was common for people to head overseas to almost any country and find work as an English teacher without any relevant...  [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, the document itself needs to contain some general information about the class, for example the name of the teacher, the date and time of the lesson, what level of class is being taught and in what room, how many students are we expecting, this is important, when we've got things like photocopying and materials to do, what is the context of the lesson, in other words, what is the lesson actually about, what vocabulary or grammar point is this lesson covering and sometimes it's also useful to write out what the focus of the lesson is. So, in effect, the context of the lesson is telling us the grammar point, for example, that might be the present continuous tense, whereas the focus is telling us how we're going to go about teaching it. Another example to illustrate this: Let's...  [Read more]

Definition of TEFL: The acronym means the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language, usually in a country where the first language is not English. It could therefore be applied to any teaching situation where the English Language Learner (ELL) has a first language which is not English. The profession of teaching is regulated throughout the world, although the level of regulation varies from country to country. This is also true of the EFL teaching sector, however, there are some differences. The teaching of EFL has two main sectors, public and private. The public sector mainly includes government institutions such as schools and higher education institutions. The private sector includes private schools and language centers and a large number of self employed freelance teachers. Each of...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word hidebound. This word refers to an unwillingness to change because of a tradition. Some synonyms for hidebound include conservative, conventional and reactionary. 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 interesting unit, in particular the phonetic script. Speaking English as a first language, it was interesting to read how to teach such things, that come naturally to me. It was also...  [Read more]

The TESOL profession in Australia enjoys a constant influx of students from Asia wishing to take intensive English courses. Added to this, there are numerous governmental programs aimed at helping the indigenous Aboriginal community gain the English skills they need to integrate into a more modern society. This being said, the TESOL profession in Australia is highly regulated and standards are high in both private and public sectors. The national pay scale for ESL teachers is AUD 18,000-30,000 per year. British, Irish and Canadian citizens under 31 years of age might like the possibility of a working in Australia on a holiday visa. This is a 12-month, non-renewable visa that allows you to work in any one job for a maximum of three months. This could prove convenient for any...  [Read more]

The first major factor that has an impact on how long it will take to get TEFL certified is which type of course you choose to take. There are three main TEFL course types to be aware of: The most common form of in-person TEFL course is the four-week, 120-hour TEFL certificate. Trainees on this course usually travel from their home country to one of many locations around the world to take the course. Courses should involve a theory component, covering language awareness and teaching skills, and a practical teaching component where trainees teach classes of real English language learners and receive feedback. These courses usually take four weeks to complete and therefore some form of accommodation is required for the duration of the course. This and the travel aspect, make this form of...  [Read more]

If you have decided to pursue a career in teaching English abroad, it is now time to figure out what the requirements are to get you started! While there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to teaching abroad, the most commonly required qualifications to become a TEFL teacher are: Although it may seem self-evident, fluency in English is a prerequisite for TEFL instructors. If you don't speak English well, we recommend looking for another job. Non-native English speakers with fluency in the language can find work in many areas, including South and Central America, Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe. In some regions of the world, though, being a native English speaker is almost a necessity. If English is not your first language, countries like China, Japan, and Saudi Arabia are probably no...  [Read more]

  The teaching idea covered in this video is a fun group game that should generate a good deal of student talk time using the Present Perfect tense. The students will be in small groups and each student will have the question sheet with a number of pictures and word prompts. Students take turns forming their question with the aid of the prompts. The groups then give their answers using the Present Perfect. The prompts include: win/a competition, go/scuba-diving, meet/ a famous person The questions would be: Have you ever won a competition?, Have you ever been scuba-diving?, Have you ever met a famous person? Group members would answer, Yes I have...., No I haven't... After a given amount of time each group share their answers with the class. The teacher could then encourage the...  [Read more]

  Tracy from the USA took the in-class TEFL course in Prague, Czech Republic. In this TEFL review video she discusses her overall experience. Tracy was very satisfied with the support she received before and during the course. Prague is just one of many training centers around the world where ITTT's TEFL/TESOL courses are offered. 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 nineteen I learned about the different types of classes I could be teaching...  [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]

  In this video we look at a TESOL teaching idea for the Present Perfect Continuous. This tense is the one we use when we want to say what has been happening. The activity in the video is called "Guess what I've been doing?" It is a fun activity that can generate a lot of student talk time. Students each receive a card that has two pieces of information on it, a past activity and a result. Each student has a turn of telling the class the result and the class then has to guess the activity using the Present Perfect Continuous. For example, the past activity on a card is "You have been driving your motorbike in the rain", the result written on the card is "You are all wet. Your clothes are wet". The other students could ask, "Have you been swimming?", "Have you been washing the dog?"...  [Read more]

Job interviews are notorious for causing anxiety, but if you know what to expect and you prepare accordingly you should find they are not as bad as you are expecting. The essential nature of any interview is to show that you are confident in your teaching ability, keen to get started, and able to fit into the existing workforce. By doing some research and planning in advance, you should be able to demonstrate all of this and land the job on the spot. The worldwide market for teaching English abroad covers dozens of countries and many types of employer. In some situations it is normal to complete the recruitment process before leaving home, including an interview conducted via Skype or phone. However, in many of the most popular destinations employers prefer to recruit their teachers...  [Read more]

Some people who go abroad to teach English fall in love with their new life overseas and never return to their home country. The majority, however, will return home at some point, whether after a single year or much longer. It can be a difficult experience for some because you are no longer the person you were when you first left home. Everything, from the everyday language to the time zone, the climate to the cuisine, can feel different. Reverse culture shock can be frightening. For many teachers the obvious next step is to continue working as an English language tutor. If you live in or near a relatively large city you are likely to come across language schools and community colleges that provide English lessons to international students, immigrants, and refugees, among others. With...  [Read more]

To prepare for teaching English in a business setting, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you are ready to deliver effective and engaging lessons to your students. First and foremost, it is essential to have a strong understanding of the specific needs and objectives of your students in a business context. This may involve familiarizing yourself with common business English vocabulary, phrases, and communication styles. Additionally, understanding the cultural norms and expectations within the business world can help you tailor your lessons to be relevant and impactful for your students. Next, it is important to develop a curriculum that is tailored to the unique needs of your business English students. This may involve incorporating real-world business scenarios, case...  [Read more]

EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language and is to almost all purposes the same as ESL, English as a Second Language. These two are also equivalent to ESOL which means, English to Speakers of Other Languages. For each of these terms, when we talk about the teaching of them, we add a ‘T’ to the front of each acronym and hence we arrive at the terms TEFL, TESL and TESOL. As they are basically the same we will refer to just one from here on, TEFL for the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language and EFL for English as a Foreign Language. Almost all TEFL teaching positions require a minimum qualification of a 100 to 120-hour TEFL certification. Courses provided to cover this certification are usually delivered by one of three methods, namely, onsite courses, online courses and combined...  [Read more]

Yes, having a degree in communications can be a valuable asset when pursuing a career in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) abroad. While a degree in English or education is often preferred, many countries and language schools also accept degrees in related fields such as communications. One of the key requirements for teaching English abroad is to have a bachelor's degree, so your degree in communications meets this criterion. Additionally, your background in communications may provide you with transferable skills that can be beneficial in the classroom. Communication skills, for example, are essential for explaining language concepts and facilitating classroom discussions. In some cases, having a degree in communications may even make you stand out as a candidate. Your...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'adapt' and 'adopt'. Due to their similar spelling, their usage is often confused. 'Adapt' describes the action of taking something and changing it for a special purpose, for example: A screenwriter successfully adapts the book to make it work as a movie. The word 'adopt', on the other hand, refers to the action of taking something and using it or making it your own, such as here: Because they couldn't have children of their own, they decided to adopt a child. 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...  [Read more]

Due to the rapid rise in popularity of online study in recent times some people have the idea that traditional in-class TEFL training is a thing of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth. While it is true that the flexibility and convenience of online study means it is certainly here to stay, in-class courses still have several key advantages that will ensure they stay very much relevant today and in the future. And the best thing is they are available in many fantastic locations around the world. Probably the biggest attraction of taking an in-class TEFL course rather than an online course is that you get to spend several hours practicing all the theory you have learned during real lessons given to real language learners. As part of the overall training you will need to plan...  [Read more]