Speaking Lessons

  For the lesson that even takes place, there are a number of things that you need to have considered. Obviously, you need a very clear idea of what it is you're expecting the students to have to do and they need to know why. It's very important before you ask them to do an activity that they have an understanding of the purpose of that activity. You should, secondly, have had a thought about what they already know. Linked to that is, will it be necessary to do any form of pre-teaching before I can expect them to do this activity and finally, we need to make sure that we have prepared all our materials and our instructions for this particular activity. So, we'll consider a straight arrow ESA lesson, the focus of which is to be speaking skills. So, we'll start with our engage and in...  [Read more]

  Another way to approach teaching modal auxiliary verbs is in context, for example, "How to give advice". This is especially useful for students of higher levels that have some knowledge of the various modal auxiliary verbs. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. I really liked this unit as well. I liked how the information was clearly and effectively provided on how we can incorporate speaking and writing. These skills are very important and I liked...  [Read more]

  Chantelle is taking a 120-hour online TEFL course with tutor support and videos with ITTT. This is the first of her video diary entries outlining her experience taking the course. Chantelle took the online course because it was better for her to study online than to commit to attending an onsite course. In this video she talks about the first unit of the course. Unit 1 deals with teachers and learners discussing what makes good teachers and learners as well as the types of roles teachers perform in class, motivation levels of different types of learners and the different language levels. 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...  [Read more]

  Salah completed his TEFL course at the training centre in Egypt and then completed his Certificate in Teaching Business English online. In this TEFL review, he explains how working as an English language instructor has made him really appreciate the materials and knowledge he received while studying with ITTT. 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. Preparation is key to planning a lesson. By documenting a lesson plan, it keeps a record of what the...  [Read more]

  Before we move on to the planning of a lesson for speaking skills, something that we need to look at first is the idea of the accuracy versus the fluency of speaking. Accuracy relates to the correct usage of grammar and vocabulary, whereas fluency relates to our ability to continue speaking without any interruption. Now, ultimately within a whole ESA lesson or within language learning itself fluency and accuracy are equally important. Within an ESA lesson, however, depending upon which stage we're at in that lesson, then we're either focusing on accuracy or we're focusing on fluency. Remember in the ESA lesson, in the study phase, this is where we're looking at the target language where we're doing our language learning, so it's very important in this stage that we focus on the...  [Read more]

  In this lesson Iban covers the uses of ?wish?. Iban starts the lesson with an activity to warm the students up before covering the lesson point. He ends the lesson with activities to give the students practice using the language point he has taught. 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 is focused on teaching special group. in teaching a multilingual class,The students have no common language other than English and that is a very big...  [Read more]

  What are ESL games? ESL games are games that can be used in the classroom to practice certain language points and encourage active and creative communication between your students. There are many different games created specifically for use in the English language classroom that can be found online or in any number of resource books. But we are not limited only to those games designed for the class. The majority of games that we played as children or still play as adults can be adapted and used in lessons. Whether games are co-operative or competitive, they provide students with a goal and in the English classroom this goal can only be reached by using the English they have learnt. Common Misconceptions about games in the classroom. "Games are fun but are not suitable for the...  [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]

  The zero conditional is the most basic form of the conditionals in the English language. This is a teaching idea for the zero conditional that can also be adjusted for any other types of conditionals. 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. It gives me an overview of choosing topics, text and tasks to create interest among the students. I personally think that the pre-existent knowledge of students is very important to identify the cultural...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word lampoon. This word can be used as a verb and as a noun. Used as a verb, it describes the action of criticizing a person or a topic by using ridicule. The noun lampoon refers to the actual speech or text used to critize someone or something. The word was taken from the French word lampon. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. the art of teaching has become in an interactive and constant...  [Read more]

TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) and CELT-S (Certificate in English Language Teaching - Speaking) are both certifications that demonstrate a level of expertise in teaching English as a foreign language. However, they have distinct differences in terms of focus, content, and target audience. TEFL certification is a more general certification that covers various aspects of teaching English to non-native speakers. It typically includes modules on lesson planning, classroom management, language skills development, and assessment techniques. TEFL courses are designed to provide a broad foundation for teaching English in a variety of contexts, such as schools, language institutes, or online platforms. On the other hand, CELT-S certification specifically focuses on teaching speaking...  [Read more]

  While the Present Tenses are each covered individually in other ITTT videos this particular video reviews the four Present Tenses together. Looking at the tenses together helps to clarify and compare the different usages and structures. The video also highlights some of the problems that students may experience when learning and using the Present tenses. For example, in the Present Simple the use of the third person singular and the formation of the question form -- these can be problematic for students. In the Present Perfect, the Past Participle and irregular verbs can often be confusing for students. In the Present Perfect Continuous, the use of non-action verbs needs clarification. A TEFL certification entitles you to unlock the door to any one of a number of TEFL jobs...  [Read more]

Put simply, language is a verbal expression of culture which means that culture clearly has to be seen as an important part of language learning. Although it is important to learn the vocabulary and grammar of English during lessons, to truly grasp what the language means to native speakers it is vital that EFL students learn as much as possible about the culture of English speaking nations. The good news is that students generally love learning about cultural issues, whether it is music, films, books, and TV, or other things such as food or fashion. So, how can we incorporate culture into our EFL lessons to make them interesting and productive? Authentic materials can be anything that native English speakers might use that can be adapted for use in an EFL classroom. This type of material...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard gives feedback after his students complete a worksheet on the second conditional. 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. This lesson shows me what the other two productive skills are, speaking and writing skills. It also shows the difference between accuracy...  [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 second conditional is used when speaking about dreams, fantasies and hypothetical situations. This video is specifically aimed at teaching the second conditional in an ESL setting. 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 lesson of troubleshooting we learned about common problem situations. We learned how to approach first lesson, we learned about warmers we can use, we learned about how to teach different groups of learners, how to teach...  [Read more]

  In this episode, Linda takes on the pronunciation of the word "futile". Enjoy the episode! Linda is a German/American ITTT alumna, teaching English in South Korea. Be sure to like and share this video if you find it helpful. 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 focused on the productive skills: speaking and writing. Both have a common purpose, to communicate something; Therefore, teachers need to create the desire in the...  [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]

  This video covers the difference between 'overdo' and 'overdue'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. 'Overdue' describes something that is past a due date or past a scheduled time, for example: I need to pay all my overdue bills to avoid a late fee. 'Overdo', on the other hand, is used when speaking about doing something to an excessive degree, for example: Don't overdo the salt in this recipe or it will taste bad. 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...  [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]

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]

  In this ITTT TEFL review Ben from South Africa describes his experience as a TEFL/TESOL student with ITTT. ITTT offers a variety of TEFL/TESOL Certificate courses that vary in duration, study method and price. No matter which course you select we guaranteed to provide high quality and practical teacher training. Check out our web site to find the right TEFL/TESOL course for you. 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 is basically on...  [Read more]

  The first part of my study phase is going to be the board work and I'm going to use the information that I generated in the elicitation part of my engage phase to move on to the actual board work. What I'm going to do is to show the structure of this particular tense. So, the phase study I'm expecting to take about ten minutes on this particular part and, again, the interaction will mainly be the students talking to me. So, how am I going to achieve that with this information? Well, we could ask the students to have a look at the sentences themselves and to tell us what they can see. If we look at each of the first words in here, then at this level, I should hopefully be able to elicit from my students what each of these words have in common and they may well give an answer that...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we cover the different types of tests teachers will come across. These include placement tests, diagnostic tests, progress tests, practice tests and proficiency tests. In the next videos, we will take a look at each type of test in detail. 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. It is true that writing skills are often neglected during lessons. We as...  [Read more]

  This video is a sample EFL lesson in a real-life classroom setting abroad. In the study phase of this lesson the students learn how to build questions with modal verbs. The teacher writes example sentences on the board and the students need to make corresponding questions. It is essential during a study lesson to clearly write information on the board so that the students can absorb the new grammar point or vocabulary effectively. 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...  [Read more]

In today's digital age, technology plays a crucial role in education, including TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) classrooms. Integrating technology into lessons can enhance language learning, engage students, and provide opportunities for interactive and dynamic teaching. TEFL teachers can effectively incorporate various forms of technology to create a more immersive and effective learning experience for their students. One way TEFL teachers can integrate technology into their lessons is by using interactive whiteboards or smart boards. These tools allow teachers to display multimedia content, interactive activities, and online resources to engage students visually and audibly. Teachers can use interactive whiteboards to present language exercises, videos, audio clips, and...  [Read more]

  Fernando is originally from Buenos Aires but spent the past 12 years working in the United States. As he has now returned to Argentina, he wants to become an English teacher. In his TESOL review he shares his thoughts on the center in Buenos Aires. He learned a lot regarding teaching techniques and lesson planning. He is confident that he can now lead his own classroom and is excited to start working as an 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. ...  [Read more]

  In this instalment of Chantelle?s TEFL course video diary she talks about the sixth unit. Unit 6 covers the past tenses; past simple, past continuous, past perfect and past perfect continuous. As with Unit 4, this unit describes the structure and common usages of the tenses as well pointing out common mistakes and providing teaching ideas that can be used in the classroom. Although not her favourite unit, Chantelle thought it was well laid out with good test questions and support. 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...  [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]

  In this TEFL review, Marli from South Africa tells us she is heading to South Korea to teach English now she has completed her TEFL course online with ITTT. To help her as she starts her teaching career abroad Marli has compiled the materials from the 120-hour TEFL course for use in her lessons in South Korea. 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. Since Englsih teaching skills are gradually developing young learners these days have more...  [Read more]