Teacher Tools Online

Teaching English online offers a wide range of benefits for both teachers and students. From flexibility to accessibility, here are some of the advantages of teaching English online: Flexibility is one of the key benefits of teaching English online. As an online English teacher, you have the freedom to set your own schedule and work from anywhere in the world. This flexibility allows you to balance work with other commitments, such as family, travel, or further studies. Another benefit of teaching English online is the accessibility it provides to students. Online English classes eliminate the barriers of physical location, making it possible for students from all over the world to access high-quality English language education. This opens up a wider pool of students for teachers to work...  [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]

  Tim is from Hong Kong and he completed his 120-hour online TEFL course with ITTT. He enjoyed working independently on the course and enjoyed its flexibility. Now that he is qualified he is able to teach in schools in Hong Kong and had a great time working on 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 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 got an in depth look at all of the tools and aids which can be utilized for assisting with teaching. I learned about developing...  [Read more]

  In this TESOL review video Susie who teaches in Egypt talks about why she opted to complete ITTT's 120 hour online TEFL/TESOL certification course. She discusses the advantages of completing an online course. She also outlines some of the components of the course. Susie highlights how the course has enhanced her teaching. 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 covers the basics of the various different teaching tools available for a...  [Read more]

Technology has revolutionized the field of TEFL, offering educators and learners a wide range of tools and resources to enhance language learning. In the modern classroom, technology plays a crucial role in providing interactive and engaging learning experiences for students of all ages and language levels. One of the key benefits of technology in TEFL is its ability to provide access to authentic language materials from around the world. With the internet, students can easily access articles, videos, podcasts, and other authentic resources that expose them to real-world language use. This exposure helps students develop their listening, reading, and comprehension skills in a way that textbooks alone cannot achieve. In addition to authentic materials, technology also offers a variety of...  [Read more]

  Absolutely YES! Large numbers of non-native English speakers complete our TEFL courses each year and go on to have successful careers teaching English either in their home country or further afield. In order to successfully complete the course you will need to demonstrate a high standard of English, but it is certainly not a barrier that will stop you from becoming a fully qualified EFL teacher. In many cases being a non-native English speaker can actually be an advantage in the classroom as you have already been through the same experience that your students are currently facing. This can help to build a good rapport between the students and the teacher as they are often less afraid of making mistakes in this situation. It can also provide the students with a real incentive to...  [Read more]

Acronyms are an essential tool used in all professions and technical writing. They are powerful tools to reduce word content. However without knowing what the acronym stands for, they can form a barrier to understanding. In the ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching world there is certainly no shortage of acronyms. Here we look at a few and one in particular, TEFL. Some useful teaching acronyms are: ELT: English Language Teaching. This is a general term for teaching English and applies to the teaching of English to both native and non-native English speakers. ELL: English Language Learner. This is a general term for anyone learning English and applies to learners of English who are native or non-native English speakers. ESL: English as a Second Language: This relates to the...  [Read more]

  In this video we explain the difference in using "amount" and "number". The word "amount" is used when we want to refer to uncountable commodities such as water, electricity, money etc. Whereas, "number" is used to refer to individual things that are countable such as book, cat, chair etc. In the example "a greater amount of people are going to the gym" the use of "amount" is incorrect because we can count "people". In this case "number" needs to be used. A good example of the use of "amount" is "a greater amount of rain came down in November compared to October". Here "rain" is uncountable so "amount" should be used. 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...  [Read more]

  In this video Linda breaks down the difference between "in time" and "on time". Due to the fact that both expressions revolve around time, they can be quite difficult to distinguish. However, this video provides helpful examples and explanations that will help EFL teachers and students alike to grasp the difference. 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 was actually fun because it was different, therefore interesting. I like the idea of...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL review video Ann Marie describes her TEFL experience with ITTT and what she achieved by completing the course. Each of ITTT's training courses will provide you with all you need to begin your career as an English language teacher abroad. After you complete your course ITTT will continue to provide you with any job support information that you may require. 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 have learnt how teaching equipment should...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word captious. This word describes a person who likes to point out flaws and errors and enjoys raising objections to other people's statements or opinions. Common synonyms for captious can be critical, faultfinding, and judgmental. 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 first unit can be divided into two parts. The first part explains what a good teacher should be like and what roles he or she...  [Read more]

  We'll begin our examination of all the tenses by first looking at the present tense. There are four present tenses and we'll begin with the present simple tense. It's the most common tense in the English language as it talks about things in general, general facts, routines, habits. Those are usages that we'll look at in a little while but first let's focus on the form of the tense. Here, we've got our subjects 'I', 'you', 'we', 'they' and the base form of the verb followed by the rest of our sentence. Here for the 'he', 'she' and 'it' subjects, we have to conjugate our verb and in this case we've added an '-es' for 'teaches' followed by the rest of our sentence. With subjects 'I', 'you', 'we' and 'they' the pattern stays the same throughout we use the base form of the verb....  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard holds his demonstration lesson about the second conditional. In his study phase, he explains the structure of the second conditional tense and the variation with ""could"" instead of ""would"". 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. The most parts of the unit...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL review video Kathryn describes her experiences as a TEFL/TESOL student at the training center in Phuket Thailand. Like Kathryn you can select the location that best suits you to complete your TEFL/TESOL course. No matter which international location you select you can be assured that the professional and most up to date level of training and the learning acquired on our course will enhance your employment prospects. 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...  [Read more]

  The idiom "white elephant" refers to an expensive item that is costly to maintain, for example: Shortly after Tanya inherited her aunt's castle, it turned out to be a white elephant she could not afford. The phrase originates from a long time ago when white elephants where regarded as precious and even holy in Asia, especially in Thailand. When the king was displeased with someone, he would gift them a white elephant as the upkeeping would likely ruin them. 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...  [Read more]

  This video focuses on the difference between the usage of "bring" and "take". These two words often cause confusion, especailly for English learners. It is important to consider the direction in order to determine which word to use. The word "bring" describes the movement of something toward a specified location, such as in this sentence: Can you bring some snacks to the party tonight? The word "take" on the other hand generally describes the movement of something away from a location, such as here: Do you want to take any leftovers home? As you can see, it's quite easy to determine the correct word to use in a sentence when considering the direction you are referring to. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification...  [Read more]

To enhance your TEFL teaching experience, there are several strategies you can implement that will not only benefit your students but also help you grow as a teacher. First and foremost, it's crucial to continue developing your own language skills. This can be done through regular practice, engaging with authentic materials like books, movies, and podcasts, and even taking language courses yourself. The more confident and proficient you are in the language you are teaching, the more effective you will be as a teacher. Another important aspect of enhancing your TEFL teaching experience is to stay updated on the latest teaching methodologies and approaches. Attend workshops, conferences, and webinars to learn about new techniques and technologies that can make your lessons more engaging and...  [Read more]

A TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) course is designed to provide you with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach English to non-native speakers. Here's what you can expect from a typical TEFL course: 1. **Curriculum**: A comprehensive TEFL course will cover essential topics such as lesson planning, classroom management, language skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening), and teaching methodologies. You will also learn about cultural awareness, teaching techniques for different age groups, and how to adapt your teaching to diverse learners. 2. **Practical Teaching Experience**: Many TEFL courses include a practicum component where you will have the opportunity to observe experienced teachers in action and practice your teaching skills in a real classroom setting. This...  [Read more]

  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 offers a clear review of past tenses. As for the present tenses, the way past tenses are explained is very schematic and helped me better understand how they are formed, all the grammar rules involved and when to use them. It made clear all the differences between the tenses, both present and past. Typical students error/mistakes and teaching ideas are of a great help.This unit outlines...  [Read more]

To improve your TEFL teaching skills, there are several strategies and techniques you can implement. Firstly, it's essential to continue your professional development by attending workshops, conferences, and training courses specifically designed for TEFL teachers. These opportunities can provide you with new teaching methods, resources, and insights into the latest trends in the field. Another effective way to enhance your skills is to seek feedback from colleagues, mentors, or even your students. Constructive feedback can help you identify areas for improvement and build on your strengths as a teacher. Additionally, observing other experienced TEFL teachers in action can offer valuable insights and inspiration for your own teaching practice. Incorporating technology into your teaching...  [Read more]

  Brian took the 120-hour online TEFL course from ITTT so he could teach English abroad. In this TEFL review he tells us that as well as the many topics covered by the course he appreciated the flexibility that allowed him to complete it at his own pace. 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 focuses on the teachers' need to evaluate their students' English, as a clear way of measuring or assessing progress and language capabilities. It...  [Read more]

As an expert in TEFL, you understand the importance of having a well-equipped teaching toolkit to effectively teach English as a foreign language. Your toolkit should consist of a variety of resources and materials to cater to different learning styles and levels of proficiency. Here are some essential items to include in your TEFL teaching toolkit: 1. **Grammar Guides and Reference Books**: Having a comprehensive grammar guide is essential for teaching English language learners. Choose a guide that covers basic to advanced grammar rules and explanations that you can refer to during your lessons. 2. **Vocabulary Flashcards**: Vocabulary is a crucial aspect of language learning. Use flashcards to introduce and reinforce new words, phrases, and expressions. You can create your own flashcards...  [Read more]

Yes, TEFL teachers can work remotely by teaching English online to students around the world. This option provides flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere with a stable internet connection. Remote TEFL teaching can be done through various online platforms that connect teachers with students, allowing for one-on-one lessons or group classes. This mode of teaching is becoming increasingly popular as more people seek to learn English from the comfort of their own homes. One advantage of remote TEFL teaching is the ability to reach a wider audience of students from different countries and backgrounds. This can enrich the teaching experience as teachers interact with a diverse range of learners, each with their own unique language learning goals and challenges. Additionally,...  [Read more]

Teaching English abroad can be a rewarding experience, even if you have limited teaching experience. Many countries welcome native English speakers to teach their language, and there are opportunities available for both experienced teachers and newcomers to the field. Here are some key points to consider if you are thinking about teaching English abroad with limited teaching experience: First and foremost, it's essential to have a strong command of the English language. As a non-native English speaker, your fluency and proficiency in English will be crucial in effectively teaching the language to others. Additionally, having a recognized certification in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) can greatly enhance your chances...  [Read more]

  In this lesson Iban teaches adverbs of frequency. 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. Equipment and teaching aids can make a lesson more interesting and efficient. They allow students of non-native teachers to listen and watch authentic...  [Read more]

Effective classroom management is crucial for creating a positive and productive learning environment in a TEFL classroom. Here are some common techniques that TEFL teachers can use to manage their classrooms effectively: Establishing clear expectations: Setting clear and consistent rules and expectations from the beginning helps students understand what is expected of them and reduces the likelihood of disruptions. Creating a positive classroom environment: Building a positive and supportive atmosphere where students feel safe and respected encourages active participation and engagement in the learning process. Using positive reinforcement: Acknowledging and praising good behavior can motivate students to continue behaving positively and can help build a strong rapport between the teacher...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard warms up with his students by speaking about the current weather in the United States. It's important to get your students thinking and talking in English before starting with the actual lesson of the class. 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 unit...  [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]

  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]

As a TEFL teacher, there are numerous resources available to help you improve your skills and enhance your teaching practice. These resources range from online courses and webinars to books, blogs, podcasts, and teaching forums. By utilizing these tools, you can stay up-to-date with the latest teaching methodologies, improve your language proficiency, and connect with other professionals in the field. Online courses are a popular option for TEFL teachers looking to enhance their skills. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and TEFL courses offered by universities provide a wide range of courses on topics such as classroom management, lesson planning, and teaching grammar. These courses are often self-paced, allowing you to study at your own convenience. Webinars are another valuable resource...  [Read more]