Aha Moment Definition

  Our second example sentence 'I am playing football at the moment.' is the present continuous tense. This has a different structure as the subject 'I', the verb 'to be' in the present tense 'am', 'is' or 'are' plus the verb with an '?ing' on the end. So here: 'I am playing football at the moment.' Whereas the present simple tense is used to talk about habits routines and facts, the present continuous tense is used to talk about actions in progress at the time of speaking or around the time of speaking. Our third example sentence is the present perfect: 'I have played football twice this week.' Here, the structure is the subject 'I', auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has' plus the past participle. The past participle is usually formed just by adding '-ed'- on to the end of the base form of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In a world where communication is the most important thing and language - your own or a second (even third or fourth) - grammar seems to be overlooked by people as unimportant. But is that really so? And is this true for all areas of communication? And do we only tend to say this because grammar is challenging for both teachers and learners? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Amal D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In traditional education, grammar was at the core of all language lessons - you started with it, you finished with it and very often had it for homework. Classes seemed long and not much variety was shown because it...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Vocabulary has a direct impact on written and spoken language comprehension. All students come to school with differences in their vocabulary knowledge, and part of teaching them how to be successful in English is to teach them vocabulary. Vocabulary development plays a critical role in helping English language learners increase their ability to communicate in the receptive and expressive domains in English. This is why vocabulary must be explicitly and systematically taught. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Gina A. Research suggests the following three big ideas about teaching and learning new words: Also read: 4 Super Easy Tips for Teaching Vocabulary to Young Learners There are two main...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences It has been the most extraordinary experience in developing my skills as a teacher. My own personal philosophy is that life has no finish line, it’s just a struggle uphill were you are continually overcoming adversity and constantly improving. This philosophy applies to many facets of life but few things better than the art of teaching. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jack W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I think of the great teachers that I have had. I think of their various breadths of experience. To be sure some are born with a natural talent, a knack as it were, to teach and connect with pupils, but some of the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I will never forget my first day in front of a class of students, and especially the night before the first lesson. I did not sleep much and spent the night planning and organizing every single detail, I remember even training the “teacher face” in front of the mirror. The morning the crucial moment arrives, and I find myself in front of sixty eyes looking at me and waiting. There are probably stress and expectations from both sides. It is at this precise moment we do not want to misstep, and want to start the lesson confidently. The confidence is a quality expected from an adult in the position to lead a group of students, but is it indispensable? How important is confidence in the classroom? Should we...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Whom a student is defined within about same parameters by different sources. The Collins COBUILD Advanced Dictionary also has two definitions of the word student. The Merriam Webster dictionary (online) has two definitions of students which are as reproduced below: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate PAUL D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For this summative assignment, the second definition by the Merriam-Webster and Collins COBUILD Dictionary will be used. Using the second definition as just stated, a beginner student will be one who is new to the subject and is just beginning to start learning, and in this respect, learning...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have always loved and benefited from etymological definitions of words and always wonder sometimes even the etymological definition of a very simple word like “sorry” which leads to great insights and a better understanding of that particular word which in turn pays off in ways that have a great positive impact on both my personal and professional life. For that very reason, I have found the etymological definitions of both words “learning” and “techniques”. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohammad S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. According to Etymonline website the word “learning” means "to get knowledge,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Words are an essential part of the structure of English sentences. If we want to speak English as a foreign language, we need to know new words and even progress. Considering a student who needs to know and learn new words as a teacher, we have to answer this question "What impressive ways do you have in teaching ESL vocabulary?" This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yasemin A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First, they notice a new word with help; Secondly, they recognize the name at first with help, then later on their own; and lastly, they can both...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Among my most cherished childhood memories takes me back to the moment when it was time to choose a new book to get lost in before bedtime. I was lucky enough to have a bookshelf in front of which I would sit and, I thought, let the book choose me. Sometimes the calling was immediate; sometimes it took longer. I picked up random books, read the back, and smelled them; sometimes I read the first page, anything I needed to do until I found the perfect connection. Reading was one of my favorite moments of the day. Most of the time, the book I picked would be so perfect for the moment in my life that it would take all my attention the next morning. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ana L. Please...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching vocabulary is one of the important ways for teachers to help English students succeed. When students expand their vocabulary, they can improve other language skills. The more vocabulary students have, the more words they can use to express thinking in their minds. And there are so many ways to help students to build their vocabulary, especially the three following ways. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anh N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The first way is using visual stimuli to present vocabulary. Visual learning plays a big role in academic careers for many people. One of the visual ways working effectively is...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Merriam Webster dictionary defines Business English as: “English as used in business”. While concise, this definition is of limited value to a teacher. This essay will attempt to expand on this definition in the context of English teaching. A more thorough examination of business English will precede an overview of teaching business English before concluding with a modified definition. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Christopher B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. It is important to note that the use of business English is not confined to countries whose primary language is English and multinational companies and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In the following essay, I consider something like a continuum from task to the game to assessment, but only in the bookend learning moments of “input” and “output.” I often think of learners in my classrooms as a gray box—not quite a “black box,” the inner workings of which are completely mysterious, but a thing into which we only ever have uncertain, provisional insight. We can do all sorts of theorizing about language acquisition and psychometry but will never have anything as exact as a litmus test. However accurate my notion is, it motivates me to focus on things that are much more knowable and observable: the inputs and outputs of a learning situation. This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences After dedicating more than 3 years of my life to travel and seeing 60 beautiful countries across 6 continents around the world, I have come to realize that the English language is the missing link in what would bring people and nations together. It was at a hostel in Bosnia and Herzegovina sometime last year when I decided I wanted to teach English to people from different parts of the world. I was speaking to an American volunteer at the hostel and she had been teaching English for more than 2 years already. The first thing that attracted me about the profession was the fact that it was a great way to earn money remotely while traveling around the world. But what I later came to realize was that teaching...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Anyone who has ever been in a classroom knows how much students enjoy playing games. Playing games is exciting and a great time for the students to get to know each other better as well as feel more at ease with the teacher. Consequently, a good English Teacher should know how to use games I order to achieve goals like reviewing previously learned vocabulary, enhancing spelling skills, practicing grammar points, promoting a nice and positive attitude in the classroom and many more! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xenia P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Students of all levels and ages usually like playing games in the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas A learned language isn't something to be kept on a shelf, slowly collecting dust, forgotten like any other book or relic. It must be held close and treasured, and used so that it is an extension of oneself. For true understanding, all the aspects of a language must be carefully developed until mastery. There are diverse aspects to practice in every language; the inflections and accent understanding of listening, the pronunciations and cadence of speaking, the grammar and structure of writing. Despite all these various skills and the pieces that compose them, they all come from the same source and the same primary skill, one that transcends...  [Read more]

  This TESOL review is from Polina. She is from Greece and recently completed our 120-hour online TEFL/TESOL training course right next to the beach at home. She found the course to be very interesting and learned a lot of new things. She is excited to use her new learned skills at the end of the year when she is going back to the capital city of Athens to work with new clients. 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. Every word that we use has a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Drilling is a teaching method used by teachers, teaching languages or other subjects, all over the world. Generally, drilling involves the teacher saying or modeling something to the class and the students repeating it. There are many ways of using the drilling method. Some teachers may use it sparingly in class while others may use the method so often it becomes the main way their students acquire new information. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Erin D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I believe when it comes to utilizing the drilling method in the classroom an important balance must be struck. Drilling can be a very...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Throughout this course, it was mentioned that language does not happen in isolation. It is a product of the various aspects of culture, values, and context that make up the environment in which the language is used. Language can be used in vastly diverse and varied manners, and within different contexts have unique meanings. In the same way, slang and idioms are created based on specific contexts that exist within a society or group within a culture. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Temi O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Proverbs, idioms, and slang can often speak volumes about the culture that one is encountering. Growing up...  [Read more]

  Within the teaching of ESL throughout the world, there is a whole spectrum of the types of groups that you may be involved in. It's worth breaking those types of groups down to have a look at some of the more specific things we need to do when we're teaching those groups - and this is what this video focuses on. 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 1 begins with an overview of the course content, how the CTEYL course works, the aims and...  [Read more]

  Now we'll have a look at the present perfect tense. The form for the present perfect tense is again our subject here, our auxiliary verb, or helping verb, in this case it's 'have'. For subjects 'I,' 'you,' 'we,' 'they', we leave the auxiliary verb as 'have'. For 'he,' 'she' and 'it', our auxiliary verb needs to be conjugated or changed into 'has'. Following these helping verbs, we have our main verb in the past participle form. Here we have the verb 'to play'. 'To play' is a regular verb. So for regular verbs we simply add '-ed'. The result is sentences such as 'I have played football today,' or 'He has played snooker today'. 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...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Evaluation is defined as the act of considering or examining something to judge its value, quality, importance, extent, or condition This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kum P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Other dictionaries will give several definitions but there few words we should be able to master or take away from all the definitions. The action to get a closer look at the value or importance is what should matter most from the various definitions. Evaluation can be done at various levels which we can list a few here; physical, detailed, brief, financial, medical, technical, and why not just a few. On the other hand,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Once classes are considered, their sizes are the first item that comes to mind since they are held in different sizes and scales. As a definition, Class size concerns with how many students are present in a classroom learning session. However, in terms of several students in a class, it may range from just one student, such as one-to-one individual classes, to 100 students. The average student number in a class is somewhere around 20 to 30 students per class which are different across the countries. As mentioned, the number of students in a class has always been variant but even from Socrates’ time up until now the importance of student population in the learning process has been in no doubts so that...  [Read more]

  In this video, we provide you with a useful overview of the various past tenses. We focus here especially on the differences between the past perfect and past perfect continuous. 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 unit on Equipment and Teaching aids gives an insight to the different types of equipment available for the classroom and also how to effectively use them. It also serves as a very useful online directory for teacher resources...  [Read more]

  Throughout section on the teaching of productive skills and the teaching of receptive skills our activate activities will usually involve some form of game and our final consideration here will be the use of games in the classroom. We can start with a definition of what we actually mean by a game and it basically has three components. A game is an activity that has rules it should have for its purpose in the classroom a teaching point and by nature to the fact that it's a game it should also include an element of fun. So that will be our working definition for a game that we're going to use in the classroom. There are many different types of games and they range between the competitive and those will require cooperation and there are all sorts of games that involve both of these...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences My first language was French –-the language of my Cajun-born mother. She wanted to pass on her cultural heritage and therefore spoke to her first-born child, me, only in French. However, once I was put into kindergarten and was unable to communicate or understand any of my teachers or classmates, my parents reverted to English because they feared to set me back in school. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Madeleine K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Despite understanding their fear, I did not appreciate my parent’s decision. I was very vocal about that fact, in true teenage fashion, especially when I had to spend hours...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this paper, we will attempt to show how important reading is and how it can influence language acquisition and its development. We will mainly focus on primary school pupils as most children start to learn to read around six or seven years of age. With this aim in mind, we will first try to define what reading is and carry on by providing a description of the different types of readings. In a second phase, we will look at the reasons that encourage pupils to read and finally the type of reading material that can be presented to them This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alexandre B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences According to the Collins online dictionary, grammar is defined as “the ways that words can be put together in order to make sentences.” The Oxford learner’s dictionary defines grammar as “a person’s knowledge and use of a language”. If those two definitions were to be combined we could define grammar as the way we utilize the language knowledge we possess for the purpose of communication. In keeping with this definition then, it can be said that in order to communicate effectively, grammar is essential. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jheanelle M. There are patterns that facilitate communication within every language. These patterns are the ways that words are put together...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Reading is one of the receptive skills with the other one being a listening skill. According to some scholars, the acquisition of language is believed to be a natural way of acquiring knowledge and learning is that acquired in the classroom. However, for this summative task, I am treating the two the same. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Onias M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Based on this definition, language acquisition is mostly done through listening as explained by how our children get to know their native language. The motivation they have to speak their native language is because their parents, who happen to be their...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word quay. This word is used as a noun and refers to the platform used for loading and unloading ships. Synonyms for quay include wharf, pier or landing stage. The spelling of the word was influenced by the French spelling quai. 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. by far one of the hardest units I've come across this far. I will need to go back and review this again to get a better understanding...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences There is a lot of information, books, and many experienced teachers that one can get the information from and be able to learn key tricks to become a successful teacher. We all know that teaching is not an easy task, but it does not mean it cannot be enjoyable. We need to have a lot of perseverance, consistency, and hard work to become a successful teacher. There is a very long list with countless strategies to help teachers to build a successful career. This paper intends to provide some of this insightful information on how to become a successful teacher. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Glaucia S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions...  [Read more]