Mai Learning

  Our next particular methodology is accredited to James Asher around 1965 and is called total physical response. Asher looked at the way in which we learn our native language and he saw that most children, before they even went to school, have picked up a very large percentage of both the grammar and the vocabulary that they would use in their native language before any type of formal schooling. So Asher started to have a look at ideas of how to use the whole of our brain in language learning in the way that we do when we're very young. It's accepted that within our brain there are two hemispheres, one is the left hemisphere the other is the right hemisphere, and one of the functions of the left hemisphere is language learning. One of the major functions of the right hemisphere is...  [Read more]

  Also in the 1970s la señal came up with a new methodology called "Suggestopedia". As psychological theory was developing, one of the ideas that came up was something called ?the effective filter?. Basically, the effective filter is a barrier to learning. It's the reasons why we inhibit our learning of a particular language. There are two main elements to the effective filter, two sets of factors, if you like, those are known as internal and external factors. The external factors to learning, the reasons why we have barriers to learning, may be just simple things such as external noise. So, people talking to us while we're trying to learn and so on and so forth. Perhaps more important are these internal factors and the internal factors one of the main things here is our previous...  [Read more]

  This TEFL review video was recorded by Ben from Brisbane, Australia. Ben has spent the last five years living and working in Chiang Mai, Thailand. During his time in Chiang Mai he has been teaching a variety of skills including building and life skills. Ben has always wanted to be a teacher and decided to take ITTT's 120-hour online TEFL course as a means to achieving that goal. He found the course to be ideal for his situation as he has a lot of work to do in Thailand and the flexibility of learning online allowed him to study the course whenever he was free. 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...  [Read more]

  Cameron from the USA moved to Mexico and started teaching English before taking her TEFL course with ITTT. In this TEFL review Cameron tells how she decided to take the course to help her improve her teaching skills as she had no prior teaching experience before moving to Mexico. Cameron took 23 days to complete the 20 modules of the course and the ability to study at her own pace was something that really suited her study style. One of the main benefits of the course for Cameron was the tutor support. During the course she was able to contact her tutor with any questions that she had and receive helpful feedback and explanations in a timely manner. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our...  [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]

A hybrid TEFL course, also known as a blended TEFL course, combines online learning with in-person components. This type of course offers a flexible approach to teaching English as a Foreign Language, allowing students to complete some of the coursework online while also participating in face-to-face sessions or practical teaching experiences. One of the main benefits of a hybrid TEFL course is the flexibility it provides to students. By offering a mix of online and in-person components, students can take advantage of the convenience of online learning while also gaining valuable practical experience in a classroom setting. This can be particularly beneficial for students who may not have the time or resources to commit to a full-time, in-person course. In a hybrid TEFL course, students...  [Read more]

Yes, TEFL teachers can work in summer camps as a rewarding and unique opportunity to teach English in an immersive and fun environment. Summer camps provide a dynamic setting for language learning, allowing students to practice English in real-life situations while engaging in exciting activities. TEFL teachers in summer camps play a crucial role in creating a supportive and enriching learning environment for campers of all ages and language levels. One of the main benefits of working as a TEFL teacher in a summer camp is the chance to experience a different teaching context that is focused on experiential learning and language immersion. In a summer camp setting, teachers have the opportunity to design creative and interactive lessons that incorporate games, sports, arts and crafts, and...  [Read more]

The demand for online TEFL teachers is currently on the rise, as more and more people around the world are looking to learn English as a second language. With the increasing globalization of business and the prominence of English as the international language of communication, there is a growing need for proficient English speakers in non-English speaking countries. This has led to a surge in the demand for qualified TEFL teachers who can deliver high-quality English language instruction online. One of the main reasons for the increasing demand for online TEFL teachers is the convenience and flexibility that online learning offers. Students can access lessons from anywhere in the world, at any time that is convenient for them. This flexibility is particularly appealing to working...  [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]

Integrating multimedia into your TEFL lessons can greatly enhance the learning experience for your students by making the lessons more engaging, interactive, and effective. There are several ways you can incorporate multimedia into your teaching, including using videos, audio clips, online resources, and interactive activities. Here are some tips on how to effectively integrate multimedia into your TEFL lessons: 1. **Use videos:** Videos are a powerful tool for teaching English as a foreign language. You can use videos to introduce new vocabulary, demonstrate grammar rules, or spark discussions. Choose videos that are relevant to your lesson objectives and appropriate for your students' language level. Pause the video at key points to ask comprehension questions or discuss the content. 2....  [Read more]

  Milica completed her 120-hour TEFL course with ITTT and is now teaching English to students in a summer camp in Italy. In this TEFL review video she gives an insight into the kind of activities her students enjoy while learning 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. In this unit I gained some good ideas for planning lessons and good ways to get students interested in learning about different aspects of language. It is interesting to note...  [Read more]

There are a number of EFL teaching scenarios that involve tutoring. The most obvious is that of one-to-one teaching. This can take place in a school, a language center, at a business or privately. Regardless of the teaching scenario, the route to becoming a TEFL tutor is basically the same as becoming a TEFL teacher. In general there are three ways to gain the certification required to become a TEFL tutor. They all involve a course with a minimum of 120 hours of training. This can be done from anywhere in the world with a computer and an internet connection. Typical 120-hour courses give you up to six months to complete the course, working at your own pace. These courses will cover the main aspects of EFL teaching, those being, learning about teaching methodology and learning how to teach...  [Read more]

Many potential TEFL trainees come to us and ask whether they need to speak another language in order to teach English overseas or online. The good news is the answer is most definitely NO, you do not need to have any language skills other than a thorough understanding of the English language. Obviously, if you do speak the native language of the country you intend to live and work in it can be a real help in many ways, but it is not normally required by the employer. The specific requirements for teaching English abroad or online will vary depending on the country and the individual employer. In all cases a thorough understanding of the mechanics of English will be required. On top of that, a TEFL certificate from a reputable course provider is usually a must, while some jobs will also...  [Read more]

  Our next methodology is called the silent way and it's accredited to Caleb Gattegno and was developed in or around the 1970s. This particular methodology moved on from the behaviorist stimulus response to what's called a theory of constructivism and this constructivist approach was very very different, very radical to anything that had been tried before. The background to this particular methodology was that there was a French mathematics teacher who found that his students were finding it very difficult to understand particular concepts. What he realized was that what they needed was a more visual representation of the information. So he came up with a series of colored rods to help with those concepts in mathematics. He gave his name to those rods and they're called Cuisenaire...  [Read more]

  Former ESL student Kieu recorded this TEFL review after completing her TEFL course online with ITTT. Already an English teacher, Kiue thought taking the course was the best decision of her career. The course gave her the confidence to apply appropriate teaching methods in her classroom. 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 section, I was introduced to various planning strategies as well as ideas for activities. The text starts with a brief...  [Read more]

  In her TEFL review video Francesca from Germany talks about her 120 hour TEFL/TESOL online course. The course gave her a greater understanding of grammar and phonology. It also gave her many insights into how to structure her lessons. She now feels very confident in her ability to be able to deliver productive lessons to her students. She now plans to further her job prospects by completing ITTT's Teaching English to Young Learners 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...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard introduces the topic of modal verbs. They are used to express ability, possibility, permission or obligation. Richard also introduces modal verbs in different tenses such as the past and the future to his students. 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]

  When choosing a TEFL certification course one of the first decisions you need to make is whether to complete it online as a distance learning course or in-class by attending a training center. Both have their pros and cons so it is down to the individual to decide which best suits their own personal situation. So what are the main differences to consider between an online TEFL course and an in-class TEFL course? Probably the most significant difference is the inclusion of Observed Teaching Practice (OTP) in classroom based courses. Throughout the four-week course you will spend many hours practicing your teaching skills in a real classroom with genuine English language learners. These practice lessons are observed by an experienced course trainer who will provide instant...  [Read more]

TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) and CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are both certificates that qualify individuals to teach English as a foreign language, but they have some key differences. Firstly, TEFL is a broader term that encompasses a range of courses and certifications that provide training in teaching English to non-native speakers. TEFL courses vary in length, content, and accreditation. On the other hand, CELTA is a specific type of TEFL certification offered by Cambridge English Language Assessment, which follows a standardized curriculum and is widely recognized by employers worldwide. In terms of course content, both TEFL and CELTA programs cover essential topics such as lesson planning, classroom management, language...  [Read more]

Anyone who is involved in English language teaching (ELT) is well aware of the industry’s love of acronyms. If you have researched training courses you will undoubtedly have come across several such as TEFL, TESOL, ESOL, EFL, ESL, ELT, and many more. Here we will look at EFL and the first thing to clear up is that EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language. It is often used interchangeably with some of the other acronyms mentioned when referring to the teaching or studying of the English language by non-native English speakers. Although these two acronyms are regularly used interchangeably within the teaching world, there are technical differences between the two. English as a Foreign Language (EFL) refers to situations where a student is learning English in a country (normally their...  [Read more]

  In this video diary entry, Chantelle discusses unit 4 of her TEFL course. This unit covers the present tenses; present simple, present continuous, present perfect and present perfect continuous. The structures, usages and possible teaching ideas for each tense are outlined in the unit as well as common errors made by learners. The tenses are an aspect of the language that many native speakers of English struggle with as they are not explicitly taught in schools and, as Chantelle mentions, this was one of the more difficult units she has studied so far in 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...  [Read more]

Improving English listening skills is crucial for language learners to enhance their overall communication abilities. There are several effective methods and strategies that TEFL teachers can employ to help students develop their listening skills. Firstly, it is essential to create a supportive and engaging learning environment where students feel comfortable and motivated to listen actively. Using a variety of authentic audio materials such as podcasts, songs, news clips, and videos can make the learning process more interesting and relevant for students. These materials expose students to different accents, speech patterns, and vocabulary, helping them improve their listening comprehension skills. Incorporating listening activities that focus on specific listening sub-skills such as...  [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]

TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certification is primarily designed to train individuals to teach English to non-native speakers in a variety of settings, such as language schools, universities, and private tutoring. While the main focus of TEFL certification is on language teaching, the skills and competencies gained through this certification can be valuable in a wide range of professional fields, including public policy. One of the key benefits of obtaining a TEFL certification is the development of strong communication skills. Effective communication is essential in public policy roles, where professionals are required to communicate complex ideas and information to diverse audiences, including policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public. The ability to clearly...  [Read more]

  Valentina is a proud graduate of ITTT's 120-hour online TEFL course with videos and tutor support. Watch this TEFL review video to hear Valentina talk about how the course helped her to develop her teaching skills. One of the main advantages of ITTT's online TEFL courses is their flexibility, allowing you to work at your own pace in your time. This makes it easy to fit your study around your prior commitments and allowing you to gain certification without having to take time off work. 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...  [Read more]

Creating a well-structured and comprehensive TEFL teaching syllabus is essential for ensuring that your students receive a well-rounded language learning experience. A good syllabus not only outlines the topics and skills that will be covered in the course but also provides a roadmap for both teachers and students to follow throughout the learning process. When designing a TEFL teaching syllabus, there are several key components that you should include to ensure that your students are able to achieve their language learning goals effectively. 1. **Language Skills**: Start by outlining the four main language skills that should be covered in the course: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Each of these skills plays a crucial role in language acquisition, so it's important to dedicate...  [Read more]

Yes. One of the many benefits of teaching English abroad is that it can provide a great environment for learning a foreign language. It is no secret that being fully immersed in a different culture, where you are constantly surrounded by a new language, is the most effective way to quickly develop your understanding. Throughout your time living and working as an English teacher abroad, you will inevitably have endless opportunities to practice your language skills. As well as using the language as you go about your daily life, there is also a good chance that you will have access to local language courses that are far cheaper than those available in your home country. Another possibility is the network of friends that you will likely make among the local citizens. Often people are more...  [Read more]

  Now we'll have a look at the present perfect tense. The form for the present perfect tense is again our subject here, our auxiliary verb, or helping verb, in this case it's 'have'. For subjects 'I,' 'you,' 'we,' 'they', we leave the auxiliary verb as 'have'. For 'he,' 'she' and 'it', our auxiliary verb needs to be conjugated or changed into 'has'. Following these helping verbs, we have our main verb in the past participle form. Here we have the verb 'to play'. 'To play' is a regular verb. So for regular verbs we simply add '-ed'. The result is sentences such as 'I have played football today,' or 'He has played snooker today'. 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...  [Read more]

When considering this question it is important to first outline the different types of class levels found in English language classrooms worldwide. A fairly common classification of EFL teaching levels is indicated by the book resources available. If you consider book series such as, Reward, New Headway, and many others, you will find five levels. These levels are, Starter (or Beginner), Elementary, Pre-Intermediate, Intermediate, and Upper-Intermediate. Now we have established the general language levels of students, we can now consider the four skills of English. It is very important to remember that there are four skills that are required by any language user. These four skills are, reading and listening (known as the receptive skills) and writing and speaking (known as the productive...  [Read more]

  One of the main advantages of an online TEFL certification course is that it can be taken from anywhere in the world, providing you have an internet connection and a device to run it on. Even if you suffer from bad internet or do not have regular online access, you can simply download the course materials to your device and work offline or print them out and study anywhere you prefer. You can complete all your study on a home PC or you can choose to work with a laptop, tablet, or smartphone in any location. If you like flexibility, then our online TEFL courses are perfect for you. When and how much you study is also entirely up to you, as there are no set timetables or any specific times when you need to be online. This is particularly important as our trainees are spread all over...  [Read more]