Online Teaching Methodology Course

  This presentation is going to focus on the ESA methodology of teaching. In our teaching methodologies section, we briefly had a look at what ESA was about, but in this presentation, we're going to look in greater detail about that particular methodology. This particular methodology is accredited to Jeremy Harmer from his "Practice of English language Teaching" book. It's a three-stage methodology and what we're going to do is to look at the purpose of each one of these stages and some typical activities that take place during those stages. So, the first stage is known as the engage and its sole purpose, as the name implies, is to get the students talking and thinking in English. There is no reason whatsoever, when these students come to your class, that they should have said a...  [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]

  The next example is going to be that of a boomerang lesson and remember the structure is like this. So, again, we're going to start with an engage phase and for our engage, the students are just going to have a discussion about jobs. What happens at interviews and so on and so forth. So, during that engage phase, what we'd hope to do is to elicit some useful language about jobs and interviews and the types of questions that are being asked. Then, we're going to move immediately into an activate activity and this is going to involve a role-play. So, we'll break the students into pairs. One will be an interviewer, the other will be an interviewee and they'll generate the language that that role-play will produce. What the teacher can do whilst that is taking place is to go around...  [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]

  Before we move on to the final methodology for today, let's just recap and see where we are at this point in time. We're looking at different learning methodologies. Each of those methodologies takes its premise from being somewhere on this particular spectrum of ?nature versus nurture? and where we are on this spectrum gives us a starting point for the background or theory to that particular methodology. So, we?ve had a look starting in the 17th century and the classical method and moving on as the ideas of psychology developed to various methods, such as audiolingualism, the silent way, Suggestopedia and TPR. Each of these showing a development as knowledge about learning increased and each of these takes a different starting point on our English spectrum. Below you can read...  [Read more]

  A final example is going to be an example of a patchwork ESA lesson and remember we said the form of this particular lesson will start with and engage always and will finish with and activate and there'll be some variation of E, S and A within the brackets here. So we're going to generate our patchwork ESA lesson as follows. Starting with the engage, the students are going to look at holiday photos and talk about what they like and don't like from what they see. From that, we're going to move directly into an activate phase and what the students are going to do is to make comments about holiday brochures and try to act out a role-play between the travel agent and a customer. Again, as this is taking place, the teacher will be moving around and looking for gaps in knowledge in...  [Read more]

  Now an example of a straight arrow ESA lesson for our engage phase. What we're going to do is to show the students a video of animals and they are going to say what they like about those animals and try to create a list of some more. So, remember what we're trying to do here is to get the students talking and thinking in English. We're using a typical engage activity, which is to create a list and we try to make sure that all the students have been involved in some way in creating those lists. Moving on to the study phase, the first part is going to be the board work and the teacher is going to try to elicit from the students what each of those animals can and can't do. Typically, what the students will say is just single words, so "run," "jump," "fly," etc. What we would then...  [Read more]

  This particular methodology is known as a straight arrow ESA lesson. If every single lesson that we undertook with our students was a straight arrow ESA lesson then it is quite possible that the students would be able to predict what is going to come up next and whilst this is good for the lower level students, then it could potentially become a little bit boring for our higher level students. So what Harmer did in his ideas about ESA, was to generate two other types of ESA lesson that we can use to try and generate a little bit more interest. So, the other two types of ESA lesson that we can follow: The first is known as a boomerang lesson and the second is known as a patchwork lesson and what we're going to do is to have a look at those other types of ESA lesson in a little bit...  [Read more]

  Our final methodology is accredited to Jeremy Harmer and it's known by the letters ESA. Around 1998, Jeremy Harmer produced a book called "How to teach English" and basically what Harmer did, is a background to this book is to do what we have done today and to work through all of the different methodologies that have come about over the last 300 years. He highlighted for each of those methodologies what was good about it, what was positive and what didn't appear to work and then put all of the positive things into a melting pot and came out with this methodology, which he called ESA. It's a three-stage methodology, where each of the letters represents a particular phase of the lesson. The first one being called the engage phase, the second the study phase and the final one the...  [Read more]

Here you can see our TEFL trainers tutoring on many crucial aspects of teaching English to non-native English speakers in these extracts from our instructional videos. These videos cover subjects such as lesson planning and curriculum development and are taken from our 120-hour TEFL certificate course with tutor support.  [Read more]

When developing your TEFL teaching methodology, there are several key components that you should consider including to ensure effective and engaging English language instruction. A well-rounded methodology will incorporate a variety of approaches and techniques to cater to the diverse needs and learning styles of your students. First and foremost, it is important to establish clear learning objectives for each lesson or course. These objectives should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART), guiding both your lesson planning and assessment strategies. By clearly outlining what you want your students to achieve, you can design activities and tasks that support their language development in a structured and purposeful manner. Incorporating a communicative...  [Read more]

  This presentation is going to focus on the section of classroom management. We could start with a definition of classroom management as being the skill of organizing the class individual students within that class and what takes place within the class. Perhaps one of the most important resources for achieving these things is you and in terms of you there are a number of things that you can use to help with the classroom management and they include though they're not limited to the use of your eyes the use of your voice and the use of gesture. So let's take each of these in turn and see how they can be used to help with their management of the classroom. So starting with our eyes. First of all the eyes can be used in a number of ways and they can certainly be used to hold...  [Read more]

  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]

When considering the best TEFL course for teaching in language schools, there are several factors to take into account to ensure you are well-prepared for the classroom environment. The quality of the course, accreditation, content, and practical teaching experience are key elements to consider. First and foremost, it is essential to choose a TEFL course that is reputable and recognized by language schools worldwide. Accreditation by recognized bodies such as the British Council, ACCET, or Cambridge English Language Assessment ensures that the course meets high standards of quality and that your certification will be accepted by employers. The content of the TEFL course is also crucial in preparing you for teaching in language schools. Look for a course that covers essential topics such as...  [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]

  Before looking at the methods or approaches themselves, there are some terms that we need to define. These are the approach, the method or the technique. Basically, these are hierarchical. The approach is an overriding set of principles that a method can actually make use of, whereas the technique are the things that we actually do in the classroom to approach that method. So, these three words are going to appear during the presentation. Again, for each of either the approaches all the methodologies we're going to ask four questions. So be it an approach or a method for each of those things: Where did it come from? What's its background? What does it involve when we're talking about actually in the classroom, in other words techniques? What is positive about it? What appears to...  [Read more]

  "In terms of the things that are negative about it, we've already said that it doesn't develop speaking but perhaps the biggest negative point about this particular methodology is that it's very unnatural. Ok, so despite the criticisms of this particular method, and particularly the fact that is unnatural, this particular methodology was in use all the way through the 17th, 18th and 19th century and indeed it's still in use today. However, Gouin in the 1880s and Berlitz in the early 1900s decided that this particular methodology was so unnatural that they wanted to come up with something new. The method that they came up with, they called the direct method. You will also sometimes see it as the natural method. What these two people were saying is that if we wish to learn a...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word armada. This word refers to a large fleet of warships. The word has been in use ever since the Spanish naval forces lost against England in 1588. 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 provides the information about teaching methodology and techniques as well as some usefull ideas that can be used during the lesson. After studying the Unit 3, I have learnt that the mistakes and...  [Read more]

  The two most common usages for the present simple tense are habits and routines, as well as general facts and truths. Our example of routine would be 'I teach every Monday.' We've used our subject 'I', our base form 'teach' and 'every Monday' speaking about the routine that I have. We also have our general facts 'The sun rises in the east.' Here, 'the sun' would follow under the pronoun 'it' so we've had to conjugate our verb per our pattern and finish our sentence. We could also talk about general truths such as likes or dislikes. 'I like football,' or 'He likes football.' Of course, there are other usages but these are the two most common. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL review, Orshi from Hungary talks about her experience taking ITTT?s 120-hour online TEFL course with tutor support and videos. She appreciated the smoothness of the course and the ease of access to the materials and tutor support. Despite being an experienced language teacher, Orshi found many things in the 20 course modules that helped her to improve her teaching skills. ITTT?s TEFL courses assume participants have zero prior teaching experience, so they are ideal for people who have never taught before. They are also great for current teachers to looking to refresh their skills and pick up some new techniques. 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...  [Read more]

  Zanab took the in-class intensive TEFL course with TEFL International in Zhuhai, China. In this TEFL review video Zanab explains that before taking the course she had had no prior teaching experience and was not confident but now she has graduated she feels ready to teach English as a foreign language. During the course she had 8 hours of teaching practice when she taught young learners and students of varying levels. Zanab recommends the course in Zhuhai to anyone considering a TEFL 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...  [Read more]

  Mohamed from Morocco is living in Germany and has completed an ITTT TEFL course. In his TEFL review Mohamed explains how despite already having several years experience as an English teacher in China, he still found that he benefited from the course many different ways. 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. Unit 7 talks about the teaching of vocabulary, grammer and function in the English class and gives me some clue about what and how to teach...  [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]

  In this TESOL review video, ITTT course graduate Ken from the US shares his thoughts on the course. He enjoyed the flexibility of the online course and loved that he could study at his own pace and time. He especially loved learning about the ESA methodology of teaching and is sure that he will be able to use all of the things he learned in the course in his own classroom.  [Read more]

To obtain a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certificate, there are several steps you need to follow. First, research and choose a reputable TEFL course provider. Look for programs that are accredited by recognized bodies such as the British Council or Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training (ACCET). Next, decide whether you want to take an online or in-person course. Online courses offer flexibility and convenience, while in-person courses provide more hands-on experience. Consider your learning style and schedule when making this decision. Once you have chosen a course, check the requirements for enrollment. Most TEFL courses require a high school diploma or equivalent and fluency in English. Some programs may also require a bachelor's degree. After enrolling...  [Read more]

  The idiom "long arm of the law" refers to the police or authorities, for example: The long arm of the law finally caught up with the robber and the police arrested him 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 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. Using the coursebook as an outline for teaching methodology may allow teachers to cater the material toward to interests and skill level of students. Providing relevant and practical lessons may allow students to feel more empowered and...  [Read more]

When it comes to choosing the best TEFL certification for beginners and career changers, several factors need to be taken into consideration to ensure that you make the right choice for your individual needs. The quality of the program, accreditation, course content, practical teaching opportunities, job placement assistance, and cost are all important aspects to consider when selecting a TEFL certification course. One of the most reputable and widely recognized providers of TEFL certification is the University of Cambridge. Their CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) program is highly regarded in the industry and is often seen as the gold standard for TEFL certifications. The CELTA program provides trainees with a solid foundation in teaching methodology...  [Read more]

If you are looking to take a TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) course, there are several options available to you. Many institutions offer TEFL courses both online and in-person, so you can choose the format that best fits your schedule and learning preferences. Online TEFL courses are a popular choice for many aspiring English teachers, as they offer flexibility and convenience. You can complete the course from anywhere in the world and at your own pace. There are numerous online TEFL course providers, so be sure to do your research and choose a reputable and accredited program. In-person TEFL courses are also available in various locations around the world. These courses often provide a more immersive learning experience, as you have the opportunity to interact with instructors...  [Read more]

  The idiom "yellow-bellied" refers to a coward or cowardly behavior, for example: My brother called me yellow-bellied when I didn't want to touch the spider in the attic. 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 productive skills. The productive skills are speaking and writing. The lesson encouraged teachers to not leave writing skills out of their lessons. Writing activities are quieter times but they are also incredibly...  [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]