Making Learning Fun

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas We live in an ever-changing world that is becoming smaller, more connected. Communication is faster and more diverse than ever. Computers, cell phones, and social media have increased the speed of communication. Therefore, the need for people to respond quickly and the language that has become synonymous with international communication is English. Thus, the demand for learning the language is increasing at a constant rate. But though people may have the need, they may lack the confidence to take on a new language fully. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Katherine R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. It is different to learn a new language at a young age or later on in life. In both cases, though, for beginners and sometimes even for more experienced le

1. Introduction 2. Benefits of ESL Activities 3. Types of ESL Activities 4. How ITTT Can Help Engaging ESL activities are an essential component of any successful English as a Second Language (ESL) program. These activities not only make learning fun and interactive but also help students improve their language skills in a practical and meaningful way. At ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training), we offer a wide range of resources and support to help ESL teachers create dynamic and engaging activities for their students. There are numerous benefits to incorporating engaging ESL activities into your lesson plans. First and foremost, these activities help to keep students motivated and interested in learning English. By making lessons interactive and fun, students are more likely to stay engaged and retain the information they learn. Additionally, ESL activities provide opportunities for students to practice their language skills in a real-world context, helping them gain confidence

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word petulant. This word refers to someone being rude in speech or behavior. Synonyms for the word petulant include grumpy, snarky or tempered. The word comes from the Latin petulant meaning to go to and attack. 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. Learning about Theories, Methods and techniques help a lot in understanding and determining how to have a proper approach in Teaching English.There are so many methodologies, techniques, and approaches in teaching that needed to be learned.ESA or the Engage-Study-Activate plays an important rule in teaching. Making the lesson be more interactive and

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word tenet. This word refers mainly to princibles of a religion or philosophy. Some synonyms for tenet can include principle, belief or doctrine. The word comes from the Latin word tenere meaning ‘he holds’. 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. My biggest take away from this lesson was the realization of how flexible a lesson plan can be according to the level and maturity of the students. I really enjoyed learning about how each stage of the lesson (engage-study-activate) can be manipulated through methods such as games, music and debate in order to maximize each student's learning experi

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Ever since I was in elementary school, I have always looked up to teachers. They have inspired me all my life, the role they play in a child's life is one of the most amazing things ever. That is the main reason I decided that I wanted to be a teacher myself. I have a few years of volunteer teaching work and from it, I have learned many things. Some of the main things are discipline, atmosphere, and education. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Christopher C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First, discipline. This is extremely important in the classroom. To have a controlled class who wants to also learn but also have fun is key. You will always have that one student who is a little naughty. I have found that giving discipline while also trying to connect with them is the best. For example, if a young student stands up i

1. Introduction to ESL for Kids 2. Benefits of Learning ESL at a Young Age 3. ITTT's ESL Programs for Kids 4. How to Enroll in ITTT's ESL Programs for Kids English as a Second Language (ESL) education for kids is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. As the global economy continues to grow, the ability to speak English is becoming more important than ever. ESL programs for kids aim to teach children the English language in a fun and interactive way, making learning a new language an enjoyable experience. Research has shown that children have a natural ability to learn new languages, and starting ESL education at a young age can have numerous benefits. Learning English early on can improve a child's cognitive skills, boost their academic performance, and increase their opportunities for future success. Additionally, learning a second language can enhance a child's creativity, problem-solving skills, and cultural awareness. ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) offers a range o

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The most difficult and important aspects of becoming a teacher are learning how to motivate your students. Students who are not motivated will not learn effectively. They will not absorb the information, they will not participate and some of them may even become disruptive. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vagia Nikoletta K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. A student may be unmotivated for many reasons. Some of those reasons might be that they have no interest in the subject, find the teacher’s methods un-engaging or be distracted by external forces. Also, a student who appeared unmotivated he/she might have difficulty learning and is need of special attention. Probably motivating students can be very difficult but the rewards are more than worth it. Some students are excited to learn and participate. Teaching a class wit

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences All humans are raised with an innate love for games. Since we were all children, playing games was our pastime activity. When comes to teaching either young learners or adults, in-class games are the foundation stone of learning. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Pavlina M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching Business English (BE) to clients/adults must be a fun procedure. There are many reasons why a teacher must use games when teaching English in class regardless of students’ age or occupation. To begin with, students can learn with great easiness through the game process. New concepts or language perspectives can be understood much easier when learners are actively involved. Group work or pair work is an excellent way of absorbing new aspects of a language as it is not a time-consuming procedure. On the contra

  ITTT graduate Emre talks about his course in this TEFL review video. Emre completed the 120-hour online course with ITTT while living in Turkey. For Emre, one of the great things about this course is the ability to study in your own home while still having access to an online tutor. 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. After going through this unit, I think I would be able to teach a very small group of students. Learning about teaching functions and structures, it gives me a sense of knowledge on how to effectively teach students and making sure that they are learning and having fun. I know that there is still more to learn, but I know the

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I am an English teacher. I am teaching beginner students who are aged from 3 years and a half to 8 years old. My students are very young learners who normally have shorter attention spans, and have not even completely mastered their mother tongue. They are generally amenable to fun games, singing, and drawing. For my students, they start from zero knowledge of English to a very basic knowledge that cannot be quickly or easily activated, but with these levels, success is easy to see and usually good fun. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yuan P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. From what I have learned at TESOL training and day to day own teaching experience, I always remember that children want to play and have fun. I bring the joy of games, songs, toys, puzzles, and movement into my classroom. Use video clips and real objec

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences During my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification, I learned several valuable lessons. While knowing the English language and how to relay that to those who are learning the language is important, the most important lesson I learned is how a teacher’s attitude directly affects student interaction and class rapport. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Annie H. Being open and warm as well as using a smile has an extremely beneficial effect on a classroom. When students view the teacher as someone who is judgment-free and wanting to help, it elicits positive interaction and performance. Although this seems to be common sense, I’ve had several teachers (including language teachers) in the past who have been cold and judgmental, creating a poor working/learning environment for students within the class. Attitude is everything when it comes to teaching and positive energy

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Defining games for kids can open up a broad prospect but in this topic, we are going to specifically talk about the various games that kids can not only enjoy but can incorporate in their learning curriculum. Playing games in the classroom helps kids to feel more relaxed and friendly with the teachers. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sonal L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Learning becomes more of a fun activity for them rather than the same boring schedule which makes them lethargic and least interested in studying. Introducing the various types of games that can be played in the classroom are as follows: The game monopoly can be played to learn any kind of lesson whether it is tenses, vocabularies, etc. In this game the kids take turns and take chances or property cards which will have different questions or English wo

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Trying to make your class fun and exciting for young learners can be quite difficult at times. The best way to get around teaching young learners is to add games in each lesson. Kids can learn a foreign language without really trying, they soak up the new language like a sponge. It is up to the teacher to be the facilitator in the learning process and make it happen. To be effective in the classroom you have to be able to engage with your young students. By making your lessons lively and interesting you can achieve just that. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Edgar R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Games during the lesson can be quite an effective way to teach young English learners because the language is absorbed rather than learning it. Learning English vocabulary in a fun way has always been a good method to teach your

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences When it comes to learning ESL, most learners associate it with memorizing spelling rules, doing countless grammar exercises, making abstract speaking topics, and translating sentences from L1 into English. In these, there is little or no listening and speaking practice involved, making English just one of the numerous boring school subjects. However, there is so much more to learning and activating the language if the fun element is involved. This doesn't only include traditional classroom games but also learning both at school and home with the usage of modern technology. Most children born in the 2000s have grown up using iPads and mobile phones, which makes them much more tech-literate even compared to the children born in the 90s. This calls for revolutionizing the way ESL is taught and learned by introducing more online ESL games for different English levels. This post was written by our TEFL certific

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning English is often a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be boring or something to trudge through. By making English lessons fun and engaging, the students will be more motivated to learn the subject matter. Some ways that the teacher can make learning fun include playing games and turning activities into contests with positive reinforcements like prizes or additional game time. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Matthew S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Flashcards are wonderful educational tools in the classroom. Learning with flashcards can be a fun and interactive educational experience for both children and adults. Using flashcards develops and improves the retention of information and improves the connection of synapses. Most teachers find that learning with flashcards is quick, direct, and hassle-free. Thei

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One of the most important aspects of becoming a great teacher is establishing a positive rapport with students. Even with all the technical knowledge of teaching theory in the world, a class will not be successful without creating beneficial bonds between the teacher and pupils. With a tactful and thoughtful approach to building a deep rapport with the students, these bonds can establish a learning environment in which the students and teachers can thrive. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate James S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For every class lesson plan there should be an icebreaker to ease the students into the material. Similarly at the beginning of a new course, a teacher should ease the students into getting to know the teacher and each other as well. From my own teaching experience I have found that students respec

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Many parents find helping their children learn English quite challenging and it can be more difficult if they are not native English speakers. So how can you still be a good source of learning a new language to your children? There are different ways that parents can influence their children in learning English at home. The best way to learn English is to practice every day. Try to make learning fun and interactive at all times. Talking to your child about everyday situations using English can also have a great impact on their English development. The most influential part is to be supportive and praise your child each step of the way. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Edgar R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Coordinate a specific time of the day when you can have a short but effective lesson with your child is the best

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas As with any subject, a student’s motivation can affect their interest in the subject matter. English is no different, in fact, I believe that motivation is the key difference in students who continue to progress and improve in English and those who don’t and discontinue English in their future. Now, this is not to say that all students with low motivation do not pick up any English through their learning, nor does it mean that a student with motivation will find English learning to be easy. However, I believe that motivation plays a key role in ensuring that a student remains engaged with the English language and eventually progresses into fluency. I wouldd like to present ideas that can add to student’s motivation and improve their English learning experience. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Penniel H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs o

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Games are one of the most important components in the classroom. They include activities that have goals and rules at the same fun time. There are lots of benefits to playing games in the classroom. Students can practice important skills by playing an educational game in a small group or with a partner. Whole class games are great means to review skills for a test or at the end of the unit. When students need a brain break or during an inside recess, action games work perfectly. Games can be given for homework to provide fun, engaging and differentiated practice. Games can be played in all subjects and at all grade levels. Games are fun as well as beneficial. Here are important benefits that we should use games in the classroom: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dang N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Playing games in the c

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English as a Foreign Language in a Kindergarten could be interesting, challenging and rewarding at the same time. The outcome of the experience mostly depends on the following but not limited to the school environment, norms and cultures of the country, attitude of the teacher, rules and regulations of the school to mention but a few. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Olamiposi Blessing I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Many kindergarten teachers have made the miracle of learning languages possible with their effort, extra hours, and care because It is truly very difficult to gain and hold a child’s attention for long, so thorough planning, fun activities and endless energy; the teacher can hold an interactive audience and also develop good rapport with the kids. In many countries today, the learning of Engl