Why Is It Important To Be A Teacher

  Although teachers in all subjects and environments are vitally important to the continued growth of education around the world, there are a few specific reasons why we think TEFL teachers should be considered important.  [Read more]

We can say in general terms that all teachers are important, English teachers among them. However, the requirement for specialist teachers who are able to teach English as a second or foreign language is particularly important. What makes specialist ESL teachers so necessary? Globalized industry has led to an explosion of the use of English as the lingua franca. This trend looks as though it will continue in the near future. Whilst English is a mainstream curriculum subject in many countries, teachers of English are not necessarily equipped to teach English as a second or foreign language. Teachers trained in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) are therefore in great demand. Whilst it is generally true that Native English Speakers (NES) have a good working knowledge of the...  [Read more]

Negotiating your salary as a TEFL teacher is an important step in ensuring that you are fairly compensated for your skills and experience. Here are some tips to help you navigate this process effectively: First and foremost, it is important to research the typical salary range for TEFL teachers in the region where you will be working. This will give you a baseline from which to negotiate and ensure that you are not asking for an unrealistic amount. When negotiating your salary, it is important to highlight any relevant experience or qualifications that you have that make you a strong candidate for the position. This could include prior teaching experience, specialized training in teaching English as a foreign language, or fluency in multiple languages. Additionally, be prepared to discuss...  [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]

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]

Although it is theoretically possible to teach the English language without any form of training or qualifications, something that was quite common in years gone by, it is now almost universally accepted that the ability to speak a language has little bearing on an individual’s ability to teach it effectively to others. This change of attitude among school directors and education departments has led to the development of TEFL certification courses that are designed to give native and non-native English speakers the skills and knowledge they require to provide effective language instruction to their future students. So what does a TEFL course actually teach you? The mere mention of English grammar is often enough to strike fear into the hearts of potential EFL teachers. Ask any native...  [Read more]

  Meera is currently living in France and wants to teach English as a foreign language. In her TEFL review video, Meera tells us how she wasn?t originally aware of TEFL until a friend told her about ITTT. Although initially anxious that the course might take some time to complete, she found the units were easy to follow, informative and enjoyable. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. Unit 11 is about teaching receptive skills which are reading and...  [Read more]

When we look back on our own learning experiences, most of us will have strong memories of certain teachers, and in some cases this can be for all the wrong reasons. Some teachers might be remembered for being harsh disciplinarians, having a boring monotone delivery, failing to listen to the class, or any number of other negative traits. Thankfully, many of us will also have memories of the teachers who had a positive impact on our education, and this could be for a variety of reasons. If you are planning to teach English online or in a traditional classroom, there are several qualities that we think combine to make a great teacher. If you can develop your teaching strategy to include all these traits you are sure to be remembered by many of your students as a great EFL teacher. Although...  [Read more]

  Here now is a teaching idea for the present perfect tense. If you remember back, one of the main usages of the present perfect tense is to talk about past experiences at an indefinite time. Here, will be having students work in small groups. Each small group will receive a prompt. This prompt has various past experiences. However, not conjugated into the question. The challenge for the students will be to take one of these prompts and to create a question based upon it. For example here they see 'win' and 'a competition'. One at a time, the students will take turns forming the question. 'Have you ever won a competition?' The other people listening to the question in the small group, will exchange their past experiences, either 'Yes, I have,' and perhaps tell a bit about the...  [Read more]

It is possible and even routine for TEFL course graduates to start a new career teaching English online without any previous classroom experience. Due to a huge demand for online English language teachers that is set to grow year-on-year, it is perfectly normal to set foot into a virtual classroom as a teacher despite having never worked in any kind of teaching role before. As an online English teacher, students from all over the world will want to connect with you and knowing their native language is in no way necessary. As with most English language classrooms, online teachers teach their students using a method known as total immersion. This teaching methodology simply implies that no other language other than English is used between the teacher and the student for the duration of...  [Read more]

  The next item we're going to consider is the use of dictionaries and here perhaps the first thing we should do is to make a distinction between the two main types of dictionary and that distinction is between the monolingual and the bilingual dictionary. In a monolingual dictionary you have a word and its associated meaning and those two are both described for example in English so the word and the description of that word are both given in English. Whereas in a bilingual dictionary that word meaning could often be for example the word given in English and the explanation given in Thai and vice versa. So what can we use a dictionary for? Well, within the dictionary itself obviously we can get things like how words are spelled or the spelling of the word. We can also get the...  [Read more]

  This training video from one of ITTT's Teaching English as a Foreign Language courses reviews the usage of the future perfect tense. This is used to talk about actions that will be completed by a point in the future. "I will have finished my TEFL course by the end of the year" If you are interested in Teaching English as a Foreign Language the first thing you should think about is getting qualified. Many EFL employers require their teachers to have some form of teaching qualification and a 120-hour TEFL certificate meets that requirement. Follow the link above to browse the selection of TEFL courses that ITTT has to offer. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down...  [Read more]

As a TEFL teacher, staying motivated is essential to ensure a successful and fulfilling teaching experience. Here are some tips to help you stay motivated in your TEFL journey: 1. **Set clear goals**: Start by setting achievable short-term and long-term goals for yourself as a teacher. This could include improving your teaching techniques, enhancing your students' language skills, or even furthering your own education in the field of TEFL. 2. **Celebrate small victories**: Teaching can be challenging, so it's important to celebrate even the smallest victories. Whether it's a student mastering a difficult grammar point or receiving positive feedback from a class observation, take the time to acknowledge and celebrate these achievements. 3. **Continuous professional development**: Stay...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL review, Mohammed talks about he was looking for a change in career when he signed up for an online TEFL course with ITTT. Many people seeking a change in career turn to teaching English and ITTT's courses are a great way to take your first steps in an exciting new career. 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 attitude of the teacher influences the class behaviour and reflection. To get better feedback and results from students...  [Read more]

  Choosing a TEFL certification course can be a difficult decision as there is no standardized duration of training or a fixed syllabus for providers to adhere to. This seemingly free-for-all situation means there are a multitude of companies offering a wide range of courses of varying quality. The good news is there are several long established TEFL course providers out there who do offer high quality courses that provide all the skills and knowledge you need to start a new career as an EFL teacher. So what should you look for when choosing the right course for you? The overall length of the course is a good place to start. There are many providers who offer short format online courses of 40 hours or even less, as well as in-class courses that can be completed in one weekend...  [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]

  This TEFL review was recorded by ITTT graduate Surangi. Surangi took the TEFL course with ITTT because she wanted to become an English teacher. She found the course introduced her to aspects of teaching that she was unaware of such as interaction between the teacher and students, lesson planning and discipline. The course also gave her the chance to refresh her knowledge of English grammar. Surangi is currently teaching children in her local neighbourhood and is looking forward to taking the Certificate in Teaching English to Young Learners course with ITTT to help her be a better teacher for her students. 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...  [Read more]

  In this TESOL review a group of international students describe their experience during their four week TESOL/TEFL course in Corinth, Greece. Having a TEFL/TESOL credential is a means of combining work and travel. Our intensive in-class TEFL certification courses last for four weeks in a variety of exciting locations around the world, and have a very practical emphasis. 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. Grammar is the core of the English...  [Read more]

  The third conditional is used when speaking about regrets and excuses. This video is specifically aimed at teaching the third 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. Maintaining the class is a very important factor in teaching. It will helps our students to be more interested in the lesson. Yes that's right that building a good relationship to our students s very important. In line that you are also disciplining them....  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard introduces the topic ""can"". It is one of the most commonly used modal verbs in English. He starts the lesson by getting the students thinking and talking in English by saying things that they can do. 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. There is a great...  [Read more]

  Both the 120 hour TEFL/TESOL online course and the four week TEFL/TESOL in-class course cover the same academic content, i.e. grammar, phonology, teaching theories and methodologies. The difference between the two courses is the actual teaching practice component in the in- class course. During the in-class course trainees are given the opportunity to complete a number of observed teaching practice sessions. By having this practical teaching experience you are improving your job 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...  [Read more]

To teach English in South Africa, there are certain requirements that need to be met. Firstly, having a recognized TEFL (Teach English as a Foreign Language) certification is essential. This certification demonstrates that you have received proper training in teaching English to non-native speakers. Additionally, a bachelor's degree in any field is generally required to teach English in South Africa. Furthermore, it is important to have a good command of the English language, both spoken and written. This includes having a neutral accent that is easily understandable to students. Being able to effectively communicate and explain concepts is crucial in teaching English as a foreign language. Another requirement for teaching English in South Africa is obtaining a work visa. This process can...  [Read more]

  Linda updates us on her progress with ITTT's 120-hour online TEFL course. In the ninth part of her TEFL review video journal, Linda tells us about her progress with units 9 and 10 on the course. As Linda points out these two units are closely related with unit 9 covering lesson planning while unit 10 looks at two very different lessons, one good and one bad, taught by the same teacher. 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. Knowing the different...  [Read more]

  When choosing a TEFL certification course one of the first decisions you need to make is whether to complete it online as a distance learning course or in-class by attending a training center. Both have their pros and cons so it is down to the individual to decide which best suits their own personal situation. So what are the main differences to consider between an online TEFL course and an in-class TEFL course? Probably the most significant difference is the inclusion of Observed Teaching Practice (OTP) in classroom based courses. Throughout the four-week course you will spend many hours practicing your teaching skills in a real classroom with genuine English language learners. These practice lessons are observed by an experienced course trainer who will provide instant...  [Read more]

The job market for TEFL teachers in New Zealand is quite competitive, but there are opportunities available for those who are qualified and dedicated. One of the main factors that contribute to the competitiveness of the job market is the high demand for English language teachers in New Zealand, particularly in cities with a high population of international students and immigrants. Additionally, the country's reputation for high-quality education and its diverse multicultural environment attract many TEFL teachers from around the world. To increase your chances of finding a job as a TEFL teacher in New Zealand, it is essential to have the necessary qualifications and experience. Most schools and language institutes in New Zealand require TEFL teachers to have a TEFL certification, such as...  [Read more]

  The purpose of grammar translation then is to basically translate between L1 and L2 and vice versa. So, we could take a simple example. Let's imagine that our native language was English and our target language was French and let's assume that we want to translate a document from French into English. Let's take a simple sentence. Here's a sentence in French "Ouvre la fenêtre" and we'll add "s'il vous plaît" at the end. What we want to do is to take this L2 and translate it back into English. Now, if we have a reasonable knowledge of French then we may well know that this particular verb "ouvre" "to open" translates directly and this female form of the and finally the fenêtre "Open the window" and this polite form of "please". This is all very well if the two structures that...  [Read more]

  In addition to its main TEFL courses, ITTT also offers two specialised certificates in teaching business English and teaching English to young learners. These courses are a fantastic way to improve your teaching skills, enhance your CV and give you the edge in the employment market. Each course has 50 hours of study time and 6 study modules. Both courses are available with or without the support of a highly experienced online tutor, feature continuous assessment and are completed 100% online. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you...  [Read more]

  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]

Becoming a proficient TEFL teacher varies for each individual, depending on factors such as prior teaching experience, language proficiency, and the intensity of the training program. Generally, completing a standard TEFL certification course takes around 4 to 6 weeks if taken full-time, with intensive programs lasting 120-140 hours. However, part-time courses can take longer, typically around 10-12 weeks. During the course, you will learn about teaching methodologies, classroom management, lesson planning, and language assessment. You will also have the opportunity to practice teaching in front of peers and receive feedback from experienced instructors. This hands-on experience is crucial for developing your teaching skills and building confidence in the classroom. After completing the...  [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]