Info Gap Activities

If you have a gap in your employment history, it is still possible for you to teach English abroad. Many schools and language institutes are more concerned with your qualifications, experience, and ability to teach effectively rather than any employment gap. Here are some points to consider if you have a gap in your employment history: Firstly, it is important to highlight any relevant experience you have during the gap period. This could include volunteering, freelance work, travel experiences, or further education. Any activities that demonstrate skills relevant to teaching, such as communication, organization, or leadership, can be valuable to mention on your resume or during an interview. Secondly, consider taking a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification course....  [Read more]

  So speaking activities will come in many different forms but we can generalize them into three basic types. Control activities tend to be used in the study phase and here, the teacher will be helping the students in terms of what they need to say and how they go about saying it. So, there's a high level of structure within a controlled activity. A guided activity has slightly less structure than this and it can be used in either the study or the activate stages themselves. The final type of activity or class of activity is called creative activity and this one would be used in the activation phase. In a creative activity, we're giving a scenario or a very small amount of structure and we're asking the students to actually create their own answers to this particular question....  [Read more]

One of the key parts of our in-class TEFL/TESOL training in Beijing is to maximize your time with local students. We believe the best way to learn how to teach is to interact with real non-native English learners and get as much practical teaching experience as possible. That's why every trainee will leave the training center with up to 10 hours of teaching sessions with local students. Our local training staff will provide helpful feedback to make sure you know what to adjust and how to quickly improve your teaching skills.   [Read more]

There are many reasons why people take a gap year and there is no particular best time to do it. You might have just finished high school or university and are unsure what you want to do next. You might already be in work, but are bored of the daily routine and looking for a break. Whatever your reason for taking a few months, a year, or even longer away from your existing life, it could be the best decision you ever made. After being away for a while you should find you have time to reflect on the past, enjoy your present, and most importantly, make well thought out plans for your future. Initially many people assume that teaching English during a gap year is simply a good way to earn some cash while traveling from place to place. However, there are many reasons why teaching abroad is a...  [Read more]

  Taking a gap year between school and university, between university and a first job, or at any other time in your life is an increasingly popular option. Although some people can afford to head off without any money concerns, many people embrace TEFL as a way of earning cash on the road.  [Read more]

  Grammar lessons can be perceived as boring for some students, so it is important to have fun activities that encourage the students to use the target language creatively and foster high student talking time. Below is a list of ten activities that can be used for lessons on the past simple. Matching Pairs: The teacher creates a set of cards with present simple verbs and a set with the past simple form of the same verbs. The sets are mixed together and places face down on the desk. Students take turns to turn over two cards. If the two cards match, i.e. both forms of the same verb, the student has to make a sentence with the past simple form before they can keep the cards. If they cannot make a correct sentence, the cards are turned over and it is the next player's turn. The...  [Read more]

  Just to finish off this particular section on lesson planning, we're going to go through a couple of procedures that should take place during the study phase periods, particularly when we're doing the activities. It is quite important that before we actually go into a study activity that we go through a process of showing how that activity is going to work and one acronym that is often used for this is D-E-GO. The D part of this stands for a demonstration of the activity. Now, it's very important that you don't try to explain how the activity is going to work but rather you actually demonstrate the process. An example of the demonstration of the process of the activity could be something as simple as taking the first question and using it and writing it on the board. This will...  [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]

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]

To make TEFL classes more engaging for teenagers, it is essential to incorporate interactive and stimulating activities that cater to their interests and learning styles. Here are some strategies that can help you create a dynamic and engaging learning environment for teenagers: 1. **Incorporate Technology**: Teenagers are often tech-savvy and enjoy using technology in their daily lives. Integrate multimedia resources, interactive online platforms, educational apps, and digital tools to make learning more engaging and relevant to their interests. 2. **Use Real-World Contexts**: Relate language learning to real-life situations that teenagers can connect with. Incorporate authentic materials such as videos, songs, news articles, and social media content to make the learning experience more...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL lessons more interactive for young learners, it is essential to incorporate a variety of engaging activities that cater to their interests and learning styles. One effective strategy is to use games and hands-on activities that promote active participation and collaboration among students. By including activities such as role-plays, group discussions, and interactive games, you can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that motivates young learners to participate and interact with the material. Another key aspect of making TEFL lessons interactive for young learners is to incorporate multimedia resources such as videos, songs, and interactive online tools. These resources can help capture the attention of young learners and make the learning process more...  [Read more]

When creating your TEFL teaching resources, it is important to consider a variety of factors to ensure they are effective and engaging for your students. Here are some key elements to include in your TEFL teaching resources: 1. **Lesson Plans**: Develop detailed lesson plans that outline the objectives, activities, and materials for each class. This will help you stay organized and ensure that you cover all necessary topics. 2. **Visual Aids**: Incorporate visual aids such as flashcards, pictures, and videos to help reinforce language concepts and make the material more engaging for students. 3. **Interactive Activities**: Include a variety of interactive activities such as games, role-plays, and group work to keep students actively engaged in the learning process. 4. **Language...  [Read more]

  The fact that our online TEFL courses are accredited by a leading educational institution such as the Paris University of International Education (PUIE) is a major benefit to many trainees as you are able to claim credits towards your bachelor’s or master’s degree through the PUIE. For example, if you choose to take our 120-hour TEFL certification course (generally seen as our standard online course option) you can claim three bachelor’s credits or one master’s credit on completion. If you take our 550-hour Expert Package you can claim nine bachelor’s credits or six master’s credits. At ITTT we offer the chance to gain a teaching qualification that is recognized and welcomed by all the best employers across the TEFL world, while also adding to your higher education...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classes more hands-on and engaging for your students, there are several strategies and activities you can incorporate into your lesson plans. By incorporating interactive and practical activities, you can create a dynamic learning environment that caters to different learning styles and keeps your students motivated and actively participating in the class. One effective way to make your TEFL classes more hands-on is to incorporate group work and pair work activities. These activities encourage collaboration and communication among students, allowing them to practice their English language skills in a more interactive setting. Group discussions, role-plays, debates, and problem-solving tasks are all examples of activities that can be used to promote hands-on learning in...  [Read more]

When creating a TEFL teaching plan, there are several key components to consider in order to ensure a comprehensive and effective approach to teaching English as a foreign language. First and foremost, it is essential to establish clear learning objectives for each lesson or unit. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By clearly defining what students are expected to learn by the end of each lesson, you can effectively guide your teaching and assessment strategies. Next, consider the overall structure of your teaching plan. This may include identifying the main topics or themes to be covered, sequencing of lessons, and determining the appropriate teaching methodologies and resources to be used. It is important to strike a balance...  [Read more]

When creating a TEFL teaching strategy, it is important to consider various factors that will contribute to the effectiveness of your lessons. Your strategy should encompass a range of teaching methods, activities, and resources to cater to the diverse needs of your students. Here are some key elements to include in your TEFL teaching strategy: First and foremost, it is essential to establish clear learning objectives for each lesson. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By clearly defining what you want your students to achieve by the end of the lesson, you can better structure your teaching approach. Incorporate a variety of teaching methods to keep your lessons engaging and interactive. This can include a combination of...  [Read more]

As a TEFL teacher, managing large classes can be challenging but with the right strategies in place, it is definitely achievable. Here are some tips and techniques to help you effectively handle large groups of students: One of the most important aspects of managing a large class is establishing clear expectations and rules from the beginning. Setting boundaries and creating a positive learning environment will help keep students focused and on task. Make sure to communicate these expectations clearly and consistently. Utilize classroom management techniques such as seating arrangements to control the flow of the lesson and minimize distractions. Group students strategically based on their language proficiency levels or behavior to create a conducive learning environment. Incorporate...  [Read more]

TEFL teachers can indeed work in study abroad programs, providing valuable language instruction to students who are studying in a foreign country. These programs offer students the opportunity to immerse themselves in a new culture while also improving their language skills. TEFL teachers play a crucial role in helping students develop their language proficiency through a variety of teaching methods and activities. One of the main responsibilities of TEFL teachers in study abroad programs is to design and deliver effective language lessons that are tailored to the needs and proficiency levels of the students. This may involve creating lesson plans, incorporating multimedia resources, and organizing interactive activities that engage students and enhance their language learning experience....  [Read more]

To make TEFL lessons more engaging for special needs students, it is essential to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment that caters to their unique needs and abilities. Here are some strategies to consider: 1. **Differentiated Instruction**: Tailor your lessons to accommodate various learning styles and abilities. Provide multiple means of representation, expression, and engagement to cater to diverse needs in the classroom. 2. **Visual Aids and Manipulatives**: Use visual aids, such as flashcards, charts, and pictures, to support understanding and retention of new vocabulary and concepts. Incorporating hands-on activities and manipulatives can also enhance learning for students with special needs. 3. **Sensory Activities**: Engage students through sensory activities that...  [Read more]

To enhance your TEFL teaching resources, you can consider a variety of strategies that can help make your lessons more engaging, effective, and enjoyable for your students. Here are some tips to help you improve your TEFL teaching resources: 1. **Incorporate Multimedia**: Utilize a variety of multimedia resources such as videos, podcasts, interactive games, and online platforms to make your lessons more dynamic and engaging for your students. These resources can help cater to different learning styles and keep your students motivated and interested in the lesson. 2. **Use Authentic Materials**: Incorporate authentic materials such as newspaper articles, songs, movie clips, and real-life scenarios to provide your students with exposure to natural language use. Authentic materials can help...  [Read more]

Teaching English in an economically challenged area can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips on how to prepare for this unique teaching opportunity. First and foremost, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the cultural and economic context of the area where you will be teaching. Understanding the challenges that the community faces can help you tailor your teaching approach to better meet the needs of your students. One of the key considerations when teaching in an economically challenged area is the lack of resources. Be prepared to work with limited materials and technology. It can be helpful to create your own teaching resources using inexpensive or free materials that are readily available. Additionally, consider the...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classroom more interactive, there are several strategies you can implement. One effective method is to incorporate a variety of interactive activities that cater to different learning styles and preferences. For example, you can include group discussions, pair work, role plays, and games to engage students and promote active participation. These activities not only make learning more enjoyable but also help students practice their language skills in a meaningful context. Another way to enhance interactivity is to use technology in the classroom. You can utilize online resources, interactive whiteboards, educational apps, and multimedia tools to create a dynamic learning environment. By integrating technology, you can appeal to digital-native students and make the lessons...  [Read more]

Planning a TEFL lesson for advanced students requires careful consideration and preparation to ensure that the lesson is engaging, challenging, and meets the needs of the students. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you plan a successful lesson for advanced learners. Before planning your lesson, it is essential to assess the needs of your students. Consider their language proficiency, learning goals, interests, and areas for improvement. This will help you tailor the lesson to their specific needs and ensure that it is relevant and engaging for them. Define clear learning objectives for the lesson. What do you want your students to achieve by the end of the lesson? Make sure that the objectives are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will help guide...  [Read more]

To prepare effective lesson plans, TEFL teachers need to follow a structured approach that includes several key components. First, it's essential to start by clearly defining the learning objectives of the lesson. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). By outlining what students should be able to do by the end of the lesson, teachers can ensure that their planning is focused and aligned with desired outcomes. Next, teachers should consider the students' current level of English proficiency, interests, and learning styles. This information will help them tailor the lesson to meet the needs of their students and ensure that it is engaging and accessible to all learners. Once the objectives and student needs are identified, teachers can...  [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]

  This video is part of our ESA Methodology series. The ESA methodology consists of three stages. In this series, we look at the individual purposes of each stage and typical activities for each stage. This second video introduces the study phase of ESA. The purpose of this phase is to cover the actual teaching of the lesson and to check the understanding of that material.The second stage or phase of the lesson is known as the study phase and really the purpose of this phase is to cover the actual teaching of the lesson and to check understanding of that material. Typically in an ESA lesson, the study phase will have two parts. The first phase of the study is to cover the actual teaching component in what's known as the board work and what we try to do in the board work phase is to...  [Read more]

  To ensure you have all the information you need before signing up for one of our TEFL courses, download our free information packs. First, check out the ITTT brochure as it contains a wide range of info regarding all our course options. Is the convenience of an online certification course the right option for you, or would travelling to an in-class training center in an exotic destination suit you better? Our free course brochure should give you a clear picture of who we are and everything that we offer, allowing you to make the right TEFL course choice to suit your future plans. Once you have researched all of our various course options, you can download our free e-guide to TEFL which offers an insight into the world of teaching EFL. The e-guide covers a range of topics regarding...  [Read more]

  Jenny from California took the in-class TEFL course in Prague. In this TEFL review video Jenny talks about the things she learned and how they will benefit her teaching. As well as offering in-class TEFL courses at numerous centers around the world, ITTT also offers a range of online courses to suit different schedules and budgets. 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 this unit, we learn how to evaluate our students knowledge on English...  [Read more]

  And so on to the final phase of the ESA lesson, which is called the activate phase. What we have done so far, if you remember, is to engage the students, to get them talking and thinking in English, where possible we've elicited the teaching point from the students and covered any gaps in knowledge to make sure that the teaching point has been fully covered and then we've checked understanding of that teaching point by asking targeted and specific questions. Usually the types of activities that we've done for the study phase will involve using a single word in order to answer those questions correctly this, however, is not how language is actually used. When we use language, we always use it in some form of context. So the purpose of the activate activity is to put that teaching...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classes more interactive for mixed-ability students, there are several strategies you can implement. Firstly, consider incorporating a variety of activities that cater to different learning styles and abilities. For example, you could include visual aids for visual learners, hands-on activities for kinesthetic learners, and group discussions for auditory learners. This ensures that all students have the opportunity to engage with the material in a way that suits their strengths. Another effective approach is to use differentiated instruction techniques. This involves tailoring your teaching methods to meet the diverse needs of your students. For instance, you could provide additional support materials for students who require extra help, while challenging more advanced...  [Read more]