Teaching Stories

Storytelling is a powerful tool that can greatly enhance your TEFL lessons by capturing students' attention and fostering language acquisition in a fun and engaging way. Incorporating storytelling into your teaching methodology can help make language learning more enjoyable and effective for students of all ages and proficiency levels. One of the key benefits of using storytelling in TEFL lessons is that it can create a meaningful context for language learning. By presenting vocabulary, grammar, and language structures in the context of a story, students are more likely to remember and understand the language in a deeper way. Stories can also help students make connections between words and phrases, leading to better retention and comprehension. When using storytelling in TEFL lessons,...  [Read more]

  John is currently teaching in Seoul, South Korea in a local school and at his home. John completed the TESOL course with ITTT. In this TESOL review video, John tells us what he gained from taking the course. The knowledge he gained from the course has already helped to improve his lessons and he is getting positive feedback from his students. John runs all of his own classes and is responsible for creating and choosing the materials for his classes as well as planning the lessons. Having completed this TESOL course, John is now considering taking further courses including a TESOL diploma and possibly a master?s in TESOL. 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 TESOL review video Eva from Germany talks about the reasons why she decided to do ITTT's 120 online TEFL/TESOL course with tutor support and how happy she was to achieve her certification. Eva also outlines the many benefits she gained from the course and how she is now planning to further enhance her qualifications by completing ITTT's Business English 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. This unit, teaching themes describes some...  [Read more]

  The teaching idea covered here is one that would be particularly appropriate for more advanced English language learners, those who can use different tenses accurately. The activity is a board game that focuses on comparing and contrasting the tenses, focusing on the Present Perfect and the Present Perfect Continuous. Each student takes a turn at rolling the dice and moving around the board. For example a student could land on a square that says "Something you have been learning for a long time." An appropriate answer for the student could be "I have been learning English for a long time." The next student takes a turn and could land on a square that says "A beautiful place you have visited." This time the student could use the Present Perfect rather than the Present Perfect...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL review video another TEFL/TESOL student shares some of her experiences as a student with ITTT completing the four week in-class course. Gaining a TEFL certification from ITTT is the first step towards an exciting and rewarding experience teaching English overseas. During your training course you will have the opportunity to meet and study with people from all over the world. Our trainees come from a variety of backgrounds and age 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...  [Read more]

  In this video for a teaching English second language teaching idea the students are given a sheet of paper with a series of pictures and each picture has a prompt with complicated verb structure as well as irregular verbs. The students will have to look at the prompts and order the pictures so as to make a story in the past simple tense. For higher level students you could remove the prompts and leave it up to them to create their own story. Teaching English as a second language is an increasingly popular career move. Not only do get the opportunity to help a variety of people around the world achieve their language learning goals but you also get to experience what it is like to live in another culture, often quite different to your own, which is always a rewarding experience....  [Read more]

Teaching English in rural areas can be a fulfilling and impactful experience for both you and your students. It comes with its own set of challenges and rewards, so it's essential to be well-prepared and adaptable. Here are some key points to consider when teaching English in rural areas: First and foremost, it's crucial to understand the specific needs and context of the community you will be working in. Rural areas often have limited access to resources, including educational materials and technology. Therefore, it's important to be creative and resourceful in your teaching approach. One of the challenges you may face is the lack of English proficiency among students. Many rural areas have limited exposure to the language, so you may need to start with the basics and focus on building a...  [Read more]

To prepare for teaching English in a high-poverty area, there are several key considerations and steps you can take to ensure you are effective in your role. Firstly, it's essential to familiarize yourself with the specific challenges that students in high-poverty areas may face. These could include limited access to resources, lack of parental support, and potential trauma or adverse experiences. Understanding these challenges will help you tailor your teaching approach to better support your students. Next, it's important to develop cultural competence and sensitivity. Students in high-poverty areas may come from diverse backgrounds, and it's essential to respect and value their experiences and perspectives. Building positive relationships with your students based on trust and respect...  [Read more]

  Hello. This presentation is going to cover this section on lesson planning and what we're going to do is to have a look as to why we go about planning a lesson, what do we actually put in it? We'll create an empty lesson plan pro-forma and then having done that what we'll do is to fill in that lesson plan for a particular teaching point. So, our starting position is going to be: "Why do we plan lessons at all?" There are a number of reasons why we need to plan a lesson. The first and foremost perhaps is that it's going to create a logical sequence for our lessons. If we didn't have a lesson plan, it is quite possible that we could go all over the place and it would become confusing for the students. By having this plan, what we've created is a structure that we can work from. So,...  [Read more]

Teaching English to beginners can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Here are some tips to help you effectively teach English to beginners: 1. **Start with the Basics**: When teaching beginners, it's crucial to start with the very basics of the English language. Focus on teaching commonly used vocabulary, simple grammar structures, and essential phrases that will help them communicate in everyday situations. 2. **Use Visual Aids**: Visual aids such as flashcards, pictures, and gestures can be extremely helpful when teaching beginners. These visual cues can aid in comprehension and make learning more engaging and interactive. 3. **Encourage Interaction**: Encourage your students to practice speaking English from day one. Provide opportunities for...  [Read more]

Take a look at any online TEFL forum and there is a good chance you will come across stories of unscrupulous employers taking advantage of their teachers. Due to the huge number of English language training providers operating in countries all over the world, it is inevitable that there are some that are badly run. The good news is that by asking a few simple questions you should be able to avoid the jobs you don't want and greatly increase your chances of landing the right position to suit you. So what questions should you ask the employer during an interview? Exactly what is expected of teachers varies considerably from one school to the next. You may be expected to complete reports on your students, attend regular staff meetings, consult with student's parents, provide lesson plans...  [Read more]

  TEFL International offer an outstanding training course for anyone who wants to earn an internationally recognized and accredited TEFL certification in India. The school’s location in Calcutta (Kolkata) makes it convenient for teaching throughout India, or in one of the country’s neighbors such as China or Nepal Upon completion of TEFL International's training training course, you will have gained one of the most highly regarded TEFL certificates. In addition to this, we’ll also do everything we can to ensure that you find employment. Train to become a teacher at our TEFL course in India and you will find a place unlike any other. From an exciting past, to an electrifying present and a bright future, India promises to excite your mind and satisfy your senses. India is a...  [Read more]

  Just to finish the sectional materials, we'll have a look the difference between what are called authentic and created materials. Authentic materials, as the name implies, are actual materials that are created for any reason outside of the classroom. So examples of authentic materials would be things like newspapers. Those are generated for the general public and they're certainly not generated for the use in the classroom. However, they can be used within the classroom other ideas would be things like songs and poems and even things such as brochures and magazines and indeed menus from restaurants. So these are materials that all can be used within the classroom but they have not been created for that purpose, whereas creative materials, as the name implies, have been produced...  [Read more]

TEFL teachers can play a crucial role in language preservation programs by using their expertise to support communities in maintaining and revitalizing their native languages. Language preservation programs aim to protect and promote endangered languages, often by teaching them alongside dominant languages like English. TEFL teachers can contribute by incorporating elements of the endangered language into their English lessons, creating bilingual materials, or even teaching the endangered language directly. One way TEFL teachers can work in language preservation programs is by collaborating with local communities to develop bilingual educational materials. By creating resources that incorporate both English and the endangered language, teachers can help students maintain their linguistic...  [Read more]

To make your TEFL classes more engaging for children, there are several strategies you can implement. First and foremost, it's essential to create a positive and welcoming learning environment. Children thrive in environments where they feel safe, supported, and encouraged to participate. Start each class with a warm-up activity to set the tone for the lesson and get students excited about learning. Incorporating games and interactive activities is another effective way to keep children engaged. Games not only make learning fun but also help reinforce language concepts in a dynamic and memorable way. Consider using flashcards, board games, role-playing activities, or online resources to add variety to your lessons and cater to different learning styles. Furthermore, integrating music,...  [Read more]

Teaching English in any environment offers a wide variety of benefits that will enhance your future career, whatever path you choose to follow. If your English teaching experience also included an extended period living and working outside of your home country, then this will certainly look very appealing on your resume when applying for other jobs further down the line. In the modern age where every job seems to have a huge number of applicants and everyone seems to have a degree or other high-end qualifications, being able to add an overseas teaching adventure to your application could well be the difference between securing an interview and being put at the bottom of the pile. So what are the major benefits that teaching English abroad adds to your CV/resume? This is the most obvious...  [Read more]

  Take a look at any online TEFL forum and there is a good chance you will come across stories of unscrupulous employers taking advantage of their teachers. Due to the huge number of English language training providers operating in countries all over the world, it is inevitable that there are some that are badly run. The good news is that by asking a few simple questions you should be able to avoid the jobs you don't want and greatly increase your chances of landing the right position to suit you. Whether you are an experienced EFL teacher looking for a new challenge or a newly qualified TEFL graduate looking for that all important first teaching position, it is vital that you ask the right questions during the job interview process. Although you can never guarantee that any job...  [Read more]

Although it is natural to be a little apprehensive before taking a TEFL/TESOL course, there is no need to get overly anxious or concerned. As long as you are enthusiastic, prepared to put in the hours and are open to new ideas, you should have no problem successfully completing the training. However, there are a few things you can do in the run up to your training course to ensure that it is a smooth process that ends with that all important certificate in your hand. If you take an online course, you will be able to set your own amount of study hours and choose when you do them. In this case, it is important to plan a study schedule and keep to it if you want to complete the course in the time frame you need. Write up a calendar with weekly goals that you can realistically stick to....  [Read more]

There’s only a handful of cities in the world that truly deserve ‘must visit’ status and Hanoi is certainly one of them. While most people can only dream about a fleeting trip to Hanoi – if they’re lucky – ‘living like a local’ and working as EFL teacher in this magnificent city is a realistic proposition for anyone with a sense of adventure. Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital city and the seat of government. It’s noticeably smaller than Ho Chi Minh City in the south, but the pace of life is similarly frenetic. While Ho Chi Minh City is often referred to as Vietnam’s ‘engine room’, Hanoi is more of a ‘grand old lady’. It’s tough to pin down what makes Hanoi such a special place. Is it because there’s history, culture and art on display in seemingly every street...  [Read more]

  We are going to move on to the second of the productive skills, which is writing and, again, we'll have look at the background, too, and create a typical lesson for a writing skills session. One of the things to be aware of in a writing skills lesson is that writing tends to be more formal than spoken English. So, there will be some differences between the two, such as writing very often uses less contracted forms and so on, but having said that there are many similarities between the two particular skills. So, many of the considerations that we had for a speaking skills lesson will also apply here to a writing skills lesson. Within writing skills itself there are some sub-skills that we may want to teach and those sub-skills could include, but are not limited to, hand writing...  [Read more]

  Choose from thousands of teaching jobs around the world. Earning a TEFL or TESOL certificate enables you to work as an English teacher in almost any country around the world. Whether you are thinking of teaching English as a way to fund your world travels, as a new career, or as a means to supplement retirement income, getting TEFL qualified gives you the skills needed to make your dream come true. Earn money while travelling the globe. Making money while teaching English is a great way to conserve your hard-earned savings and extend your globetrotting almost indefinitely. Why limit yourself to just a month or two backpacking when a TEFL certificate will allow you to spend quality time in each country you visit. Volunteer in some of the world's less developed countries....  [Read more]

If you have a university degree, a well recognized TEFL certificate and you can present yourself in a professional manner, finding a TEFL Job in Thailand is as close to a guaranteed certainty as you can get. In places like Bangkok and the island of Phuket, there are far more TEFL jobs than there are teachers to fill them. All state schools are mandated to employ at least one native speaking English teacher, and a large number of schools just can’t find one, because the job market is so heavily weighted in the teacher’s favor. Teachers in Thailand are accorded a tremendous amount of respect, traditionally coming in third, just behind the king and monks. However, this respect is not indelible, and your actions can easily erase it, if you are not careful to be culturally sensitive and...  [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]

Moscow's vibe fluctuates between formal capital and cultural powerhouse. The Kremlin is at the core of political life, a building with an intimidating architectural style. Go inside – its cathedrals and museums whisper a thousand stories about czars and czarinas, patriarchs and princesses. The Kremlin is Moscow’s crème de la crème. The 12th-century construction began with wood, and blossomed into the world’s largest medieval fortress. Waltz through Red Square past Lenin’s Mausoleum, with his century-old body lying in state, to find palaces, museums and a startling art collection inside the Armoury, including some of the famed Fabergé Eggs. Wander through the world's largest gallery of Russian art. In the contemporary wing, analyze Malevich's provocative...  [Read more]

Demand for TEFL qualified teachers is very strong in many parts of the world, which is why our TEFL courses are open to anyone who has a solid grasp of the English language. However, in order to successfully complete the course and go on to find a good quality teaching job you will need to put in some hard work and be willing to embrace new ideas and techniques. First and foremost, anyone thinking about earning their TEFL certification with ITTT needs to be enthusiastic, motivated and determined as every course requires a considerable amount of commitment in terms of both time and effort. If you are fully committed to becoming an English language teacher, either at home or abroad, then you should have little trouble successfully completing the course and becoming a qualified EFL...  [Read more]

ITTT's TEFL training course in Colombia is located in Chía "The Moon City," a municipality located 20 minutes by car or bus from Bogotá. Bogotá is the capital and the most important city of Colombia and its natural charm makes it one of the most popular tourist destinations in Latin America. It is the city that most represents life in Colombia with good coffee, Latin rhythms and buildings from the colonial past. Located in the heart of the South American continent, Colombia is a fascinating country full of historical and cultural heritage along with beautiful landscapes. The country has 53 natural parks and protected areas, along with coasts on both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean providing over 300 beaches to suit any preference. Colombia is an amazing place to visit, live,...  [Read more]

TEFL International’s course in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) is a fantastic choice for earning your certification to teaching English. Jobs are plentiful in Vietnam, Asia and the rest of the world if you wish to travel beyond local borders after the course. HCMC is the biggest and most vibrant city in Vietnam. Some still refer to it as Saigon but regardless of what it’s called, both the city, and our course will not disappoint you. Take leisurely strolls down neighborhood streets and you’ll find a plethora of tea shops, cafes, markets and canals—not to mention, a bustling population unlike anywhere else in the world. HCMC has a recent and world-famous past so an abundance of attractions await anyone who takes our course. Visit the Historical Museum with artifacts ranging from the Bronze...  [Read more]

Bangkok is a vibrant, hectic and awe inspiring Asian metropolis with gleaming sky scrapers rising above the incense infused air of the local Buddhist temple. Traditional floating markets are a short trip from 21st Century shopping malls selling the latest fashions and technology. The city is also home to some of the top restaurants in the region if not the world and its street food is delicious, cheap and available almost everywhere. The city is the gravitational centre of the country and attracts Thais from all over the kingdom with the promise of work as well as good schools and universities. As such, it is a great place to experience the unique cultures of the different parts of the country. ITTT’s Bangkok TEFL training course takes place in a working English language school that...  [Read more]

South Korea is a small but incredibly beautiful country, and during the 4 week TEFL you will have fantastic opportunities to experience the rich culture and history. Not only will you have the chance for local excursions, but based in Incheon, you will be less than an hour away from the lively city of Seoul on the express train. The first week of your program includes in-depth cultural orientations, ensuring you deeply understand the Korean way of life and culture. This includes a welcome dinner, tour of the local neighbourhood and the “Grand” Palace (Gyeongbok Palace), taekwondo class and learning South Korean cookery and language. Incheon is home to Korea’s only official Chinatown, where you can try jajangmyun (noodles with black bean sauce) at the Gongwachun restaurant and for...  [Read more]

Nestled in the heart of Mexico, Guadalajara (the second largest city in Mexico) enchants visitors with its rich cultural heritage and dynamic atmosphere. From the towering Guadalajara Cathedral to the savory delights of birria and tortas ahogadas, the city offers a diverse tapestry of experiences. Mariachi music reverberates through its streets, embodying its status as the birthplace of this iconic genre. Tranquil retreats like Parque Metropolitano contrast with the lively energy of markets such as Mercado Libertad. As a gateway to natural wonders like the Tequila landscape, Guadalajara warmly welcomes visitors with its friendly locals and vibrant neighborhoods, including the globally recognized Colonia Americana, that was named the "coolest neighborhood in the world to visit" by Time Out...  [Read more]