What To Teach First When Teaching English

  It is natural to have a few concerns when heading overseas to teach English for the first time. One area that is a common worry is keeping in contact with loved ones back home. So, how do you keep in touch with home while teaching English abroad?  [Read more]

  Taking a gap year between school and university, between university and a first job, or at any other time in your life is an increasingly popular option. Although some people can afford to head off without any money concerns, many people embrace TEFL as a way of earning cash on the road.  [Read more]

  There are always plenty of job opportunities for first time and experienced teachers in towns and cities across Italy. However, long term visas are not easy to secure for some nationalities so applying for a student visa before leaving home might be a good option.  [Read more]

  Although some employers insist on prior experience, due to a high demand in many countries there is no shortage of positions for first time teachers. By completing a TEFL course before going overseas you will learn all the skills and knowledge you need to get started as an ESL teacher.  [Read more]

  The initial costs of starting a journey teaching English abroad include your TEFL certification, transport to your chosen destination, and living expenses to see you through to your first payday. But which popular countries for teaching overseas offer a lower than average cost of living?  [Read more]

  The first conditional is used for likely results of possible future situations, as well as promises, threats, warnings or back-up plans. This video is specifically aimed at teaching the first 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. I have learnt some new things about future tense. First, I am clear about the difference between will and be going to, 'will 'can be a spontaneous decision, while be going to is planed;...  [Read more]

In the same way that we would expect our surgeon, dentist or airline pilot to have undertaken some training, our students of English might also expect their teachers to be trained and competent. What does it mean that our English teacher is competent? Possibly there are two major components to the answer: 1. The teacher has adequate subject knowledge. 2. The teacher has some classroom delivery skills. First you need to find a course that offers these components. While many native English speakers have learned the rules of English grammar sub-consciously as part of their language development, this does not give them the necessary subject knowledge required to teach English. So both native English speakers (NES) and non-native English speakers (NNES) should have some background knowledge of...  [Read more]

  People often confuse "its" and "it's". "Its" can be a possessive pronoun or possessive adjective indicating ownership. "It's" is the contraction of "it is". In the example "It's great to see the dog play with its toys", "it's" at the beginning is a contraction while "its" at the end is a possessive adjective used to express ownership of the toys. 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 covered different activities to utilize in order to...  [Read more]

Although you are free to sign up for any course that catches your eye, there is one thing you should always bear in mind: the minimum qualification required by most ESL employers worldwide is a 120-hour TEFL certificate course. The good news for our trainees is that there are a number of ways in which this can be achieved with ITTT. The first distinction in TEFL course type depends upon whether you want to travel to a training center to complete your studies or stay at home. If you wish to travel, then an ‘onsite’ course is best for you. Should you wish to complete your training at home then an ‘online’ course is best. The four-week 120-hour TEFL certification course can be completed at one of many locations spread across the globe. As the name implies, you attend the training...  [Read more]

Due to the huge international demand for English teachers both online and in the classroom, ITTT has designed various courses that are aimed at anyone who wants to teach English in either of these environments. No previous experience or training in teaching English is required to complete these courses and once completed you will be qualified to apply for jobs with a wide range of employers. This course is especially designed to build on the knowledge learned during a standard TEFL course and to prepare you for teaching English in an online environment. Upon successful completion of the course you will be given access to a unique graduate network, connecting you to ITTT CTEO alumni currently employed by many of the major employers in online teaching. The course consists of six...  [Read more]

Our 170-hour Teaching English as a Foreign Language with Online Specialization has been designed for those who would like to gain a qualification to enter the TEFL/TESOL employment market and wish to maximize their options. Through this course we will give you the knowledge and skills needed to teach English in both classroom and online settings. The course is taken in two parts: First, our 120-hour certification is completed. This is followed by a further 50-hours of study looking at the particular skills needed to teach English online. One added benefit of the course is that on completion you will gain access to a unique graduate network, connecting you to ITTT alumni currently employed by many of the major employers in online teaching. The 120-hour TEFL course must be taken and...  [Read more]

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

  Now, let's take a look at the present continuous tense. The continuous tense is used to talk about actions in progress at the time of speaking or around the time of speaking. The first thing to notice with the continuous tense is that we must use the verb plus '-ing' form, also known as the present participle. You'll see it in any continuous tense, especially with the present continuous. We have three different forms of this tense. First, we have the subject 'I' used with 'am teaching'. Then, we have 'you', 'we' and 'they are teaching'. Finally, we've got 'he', 'she' 'it is teaching'. The 'am', 'are' and 'is' are forms of the verb 'to be' and here with this tense is used as an auxiliary verb or a helping verb. In order to form negative sentences, we simply add the word 'not'...  [Read more]

  Julia completed the 370-hour Diploma in TESOL and the 50-hour young learners course with ITTT. In this TESOL review video, Julia tells us how studying the courses online and without tutor allowed her the freedom to study at her own pace giving her the freedom to study and look after her two children at the same time. 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 thought grammar wasn't easy to teach. After this unit,I know we can't only focus on grammar...  [Read more]

In order to teach English in Norway, there are several requirements that you need to meet. First and foremost, you must be a native English speaker or demonstrate a high level of proficiency in the English language. This is essential as you will be teaching English as a foreign language to students who are looking to improve their language skills. Additionally, having a bachelor's degree is typically a requirement for teaching English in Norway. While it is not always mandatory for the degree to be in English or education, having a degree in one of these fields can be beneficial and increase your chances of finding a teaching position. Another important requirement is obtaining a teaching certification or qualification. This can vary depending on the institution or school where you wish...  [Read more]

Yes, having a teaching license from your home country can be a valuable asset when seeking opportunities to teach English abroad. Many countries and language schools require their English teachers to have some form of teaching qualification, and a teaching license demonstrates that you have received proper training and have met certain standards in your home country. One of the first steps you should take when considering teaching English abroad with a teaching license from your home country is to research the specific requirements of the country you are interested in teaching in. Some countries may have specific regulations or requirements for foreign teachers that you will need to meet in addition to having a teaching license. It's important to ensure that your teaching license is...  [Read more]

Definition of TEFL: The acronym means the Teaching of English as a Foreign Language, usually in a country where the first language is not English. It could therefore be applied to any teaching situation where the English Language Learner (ELL) has a first language which is not English. The profession of teaching is regulated throughout the world, although the level of regulation varies from country to country. This is also true of the EFL teaching sector, however, there are some differences. The teaching of EFL has two main sectors, public and private. The public sector mainly includes government institutions such as schools and higher education institutions. The private sector includes private schools and language centers and a large number of self employed freelance teachers. Each of...  [Read more]

The requirements for teaching English in China have changed frequently in recent years. They are also frequently misunderstood and the situation has become even more complicated due to COVID-19. So let's dive into it. The main requirement for teaching in China is a valid Z-Visa in your passport. This is the only type of visa that allows you to work in the country legally. This means that those who want to teach English in China must meet the Z visa requirements. To obtain a Z visa you must meet certain requirements, which range from nationality and age to qualifications and a few other crucial details. It is critical to understand that many of the rules outlined below have exceptions. The following are the primary Z Visa requirements: You must be a citizen of one of the seven approved...  [Read more]

There are many reasons why people take a gap year and there is no particular best time to do it. You might have just finished high school or university and are unsure what you want to do next. You might already be in work, but are bored of the daily routine and looking for a break. Whatever your reason for taking a few months, a year, or even longer away from your existing life, it could be the best decision you ever made. After being away for a while you should find you have time to reflect on the past, enjoy your present, and most importantly, make well thought out plans for your future. Initially many people assume that teaching English during a gap year is simply a good way to earn some cash while traveling from place to place. However, there are many reasons why teaching abroad is a...  [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 video, our OTP trainee Richard introduces the topic of quantifiers to his students in Florida. After talking about quantifiers, Richard is playing another game with his students. The students need to come up with 2 fruits each that are a) too sweet, b) too sour and c) too salty. 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...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL review video, Charne from South Africa tells us about her experience taking the 120-hour online TEFL course with tutor support and videos from ITTT. Charne found the course units to be very informative covering many topics from basic grammar structures to lesson planning and teaching different age groups. Charne is currently living in Mexico and has found many opportunities waiting for her now that she has completed 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...  [Read more]

  Tori completed the 120-hour TESOL certificate course as well as the business English course to further her education in English language teaching. In this TESOL review she tells us that as an English and Education university graduate Tori found that she had come across some of the theories covered in the courses before but also learned new theories and methodologies. She was also able to put the knowledge she learned on the courses to immediate use in her lessons in Japan. 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]

For anyone planning an adventure teaching English overseas, the amount of cash needed to cover the initial start-up costs is an important question to consider. As with any move there are certain expenses that cannot be avoided, although these will vary depending on where you plan to teach. In most cases the basic start-up costs will include: The cost of obtaining TEFL certification can vary considerably depending on the style of course you choose. At ITTT our least expensive online option can be completed for under $200, while an in-class course will typically cost between $1500 and $2000, not including flights, accommodation, meals etc. However, you should not base your choice of course solely on the cost, as there are fundamental differences to consider. Online courses offer an...  [Read more]

The high demand for English language teachers worldwide offers English speakers from all walks of life exciting opportunities to live and travel abroad. In most cases, you do not need any prior teaching experience to teach English overseas. Moving to another country to live, work, and travel, on the other hand, will necessitate careful planning and foresight. Good research is also essential to ensuring that you do it correctly. Teaching English abroad, like any new endeavor, can present challenges, and you will most likely be nervous at first. However, your TEFL certification training will provide you with the skills necessary to lead your own classroom, where you will teach the fundamentals of grammar and conversation, as well as prepare lessons and manage a classroom. You must meet...  [Read more]

To prepare for teaching English in an international school, there are several key steps you can take to ensure you are ready for this rewarding and challenging experience. First and foremost, it's essential to have a strong grasp of the English language yourself. This means having a deep understanding of grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and sentence structure. If English is not your first language, consider taking language courses or working with a tutor to improve your skills. Additionally, obtaining a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certification is highly recommended. These certifications provide you with the necessary training and credentials to teach English effectively to non-native speakers. Many...  [Read more]

  Angelina is from Russia and she decided to take the 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL course. She found the units on teaching methodologies and techniques to be very helpful and she is now able to create and present effective English lessons to EFL students. Her next goal is to find a position teaching young learners. This is her TEFL review. 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. International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT) is known as one of the most...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word levigate. This word is used as a verb and refers to the action of reducing a material to powder or a smooth paste. The word originates from the Latin 'levis' meaning 'smooth'. 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 covered the principles and forms of the conditional form and reported speech. I learned the different forms of conditionals as well as the rules of how direct speech...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word acumen. This word refers to a person's ability to make good decisions in a particular field. Suitable synonyms for acumen are shrewdness, sharpness, or cleverness. The word is of Latin origin from acuere (to sharpen). 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. There are many teaching aids, which can help to make a lesson more interesting and effective and not just depending on textbook. There is...  [Read more]

  The teaching idea for the past perfect continuous tense covered in this video is an adaptation of a present perfect continuous idea. The past perfect continuous is rarely used so it can be quite hard to think up original and interesting ideas for it so adapting ideas for other tenses where suitable is useful. For this idea students are given situation that was happening in the past and the other students having to say what they think had been happening before that event to cause it. For example: Yesterday you were crying (because you had been watching a sad film). If you are thinking about becoming an English teacher you should consider getting yourself properly qualified. In addition taking a TEFL certificate course will open up a large number of ESL jobs to you. Take a look...  [Read more]