Best Phone Plans For Teachers

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teachers often need to spend a considerable amount of time planning and preparing lessons when there is a new study program. The task is exciting, yet somewhat overwhelming, for a new teacher responsible for a completely new course. Experienced teachers often re-use materials from their previous courses, but even they require regular overhauls and updates. Firstly, one has to select and find content to support the coursebook or course materials. Secondly, one has to assess the facilities and classroom equipment to find out what is the best way to use, deliver, and present the supporting materials to the students. These materials can be visual objects, audiovisual files, sound files, paper-based materials, computer...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas For many new and experienced EFL teachers, one of the most challenging aspects of their career is coming up with lesson plans that are both engaging and effective. Even if your employer provides a specific textbook to follow as a curriculum, you will often find that this can be rather dull for the students unless you spice things up by adding in some fun and original ideas from an outside source. By searching online you will find a huge amount of sites offering all manner of resources of varying quality and relevance. To save you the hassle of searching through them all, we have listed our 5 favorite websites that you can use to find quality lesson plans free of charge. This very useful website offers teachers a wealth...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Within the past 20 years we have seen great advancements in technology. Mobile phones and laptops that are thinner than a short novel, voice activated software systems, robotics, high speed internet etc. Much of the world is now technologically developed, but often the ESL classroom is less so. However, in many areas there has been a gradual introduction of newer, more educationally oriented forms of technology in the classroom. From the introduction of the overhead projector and cassette players to modern day equipment such as Smart Boards and laptops. So what has been the effect of this technology in language learning? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joshua P. With the inclusion of...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Alumni Experiences Hungarian Budapest, Hungary 37 Bachelor’s Degree in International Communication with a Specialty in East-Asian International Management; Master’s Degree in Social Sciences with a Thesis on Human Values in Contemporary Education; Diploma in TESOL by ITTT. I have been living in Japan for almost twelve years. Other than Japan, Korea, and the U.S. (Arizona), I have been mainly to European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, and Denmark. Budapest, Hungary, and Beppu, Japan Staying in Japan made it a necessity but I had already had experience in tutoring English in Hungary as a student. I did not have any concerns...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Many people think that teachers are just people with knowledge and teach; however, teachers are way more than that. There is a Chinese old saying, “Being a teacher for one day, respect them as a father for life.” What this means is that teachers usually have many responsibilities, just like students’ parents. Most of the time, teachers need to adapt to various roles in different situations during the class or even outside of the class. The five main roles that teachers play are instructor, controller, role model, and counselor. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yang L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. When most people...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations TEFL Information While a lot of teaching positions are filled locally through face-to-face interviews, there are many countries that prefer to recruit new teachers in advance before they leave home. The application process usually takes place online via email and interviews are held via phone or Skype. A lot of teachers prefer this method as it offers a bit more security than simply heading abroad to find a job. When getting hired for teaching English abroad in advance, you typically receive assistance with the necessary documents and visa from your employer. Many employers also provide free airfare, health insurance and accommodation that is move-in-ready when you arrive. These benefits are...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas One of the great things about teaching conditionals is that once you discover some classroom activities that work well for one, they can be adapted to suit any of the conditional patterns that you may be asked to teach. Here are 7 fun activities for teaching conditionals for the ESL classroom that you can easily adapt to help your students understand the correct structures and usages. Tell your students to stand up and form in two lines (teams) and have an item that can be thrown and caught without causing injury or damage. Set the timer on your phone to sound after about 30-45 seconds. The teacher calls out the beginning half of a conditional sentence, throws the ball to a student at the beginning of the line and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A lesson plan is a working document that serves as a reference point for teaching. A lesson plan is also a record; it can be referred to in any future lesson by the teacher. It also serves as a guide for a teacher who is covering an absent teacher. It helps the teacher to know how to carry out the lesson. This means that a lesson plan has to be simple and clear for another teacher to understand. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Esther O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. It is important to know the number of learners you will be teaching. It helps in planning how to pair or group learners in an activity. The planning for a large...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences I decided to write about the subject I’m an expert in, my personal teaching experience. The focus will be on what I’ve gained from the last nine years as an EFL instructor. I’ll begin by telling you about my first teaching position in rural South Korea. Next, I’ll share my experience taking the TEFL course. Finally, I’ll discuss my efforts to become an independent online English instructor. I hope my experience can provide some insight into some of the many options for EFL teachers. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Karissa B. After too many hours in an airplane and another two hours in a taxi, I finally arrived at my new home. My co-teacher was there to meet me. He would become...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker TEFL Information If you are considering teaching English abroad, you will no doubt be aware that there are many things to think about when planning your adventure. You might also be a little overwhelmed by the whole prospect of packing your life into a suitcase and heading off overseas. Whatever stage in the process you are at, do not panic as tens of thousands of people have been just where you are now and have gone on to have a successful and enjoyable time teaching English as a foreign language. The following top 6 tips should help you focus on the most important things to consider and set you on the road to a new chapter in your life as an EFL teacher. The number 1 tip for anyone who wants to teach English abroad is to complete a...  [Read more]

Chris Rush TEFL Information Teaching Ideas Do you dream of using your TEFL certification to teach online? Online teaching is booming, and it’s an amazing opportunity, but working for an online teaching company also has its pitfalls: it’s hard to tell which companies are legit, wage information can be scarce, and you can be treated like a number rather than a person. The internet is unfortunately full of online teachers’ horror stories of being treated like replaceable commodities. To make matters even more confusing, social media is crawling with recruiters and teachers posting referral links to work at their companies. It’s hard to know who to trust! It’s easy to say: “work for yourself,” but it can be...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Being a teacher for the first time, I was very nervous about the type of students I would have in my class and how their behavior would affect the classroom environment and the students around them. Before starting teaching, I was mainly worried about middle and high school students. I was afraid they wouldn’t be interested in the games that we would play in class and that they would just be on their phones. However, I was wrong- at least partially. The students don’t use their phones during class, due to strict rules and also having a teaching assistant, which left me feeling very relieved. I was worried about having to tell students not to use their phones and ending up having to confiscate them. The...  [Read more]

Rhea Latchu Destinations Teaching Ideas Within the last months, many countries have been implementing various restrictive measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Thus, many of us have had to adapt to drastic changes in our day-to-day life. Lots of EFL teachers, myself included, are currently stranded in foreign countries with expiring visas and/or contracts. Many are faced with the absence of physical contact from others. Some have even lost their jobs and are currently without an income. Numerous EFL teachers aren’t earning their full salary. In addition to that, the ones who were used to face-to-face classes now have to adapt to online teaching. Can you imagine facing all these challenges, while dealing with the fear of...  [Read more]

Karah Musani Teaching Ideas One of the most daunting things about teaching online is setting up your online classroom. You have to set up the lighting, buy props, make sure the camera is at the right angle, and find a suitable headset. It can be expensive and overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here is what I’ve learned about setting up a cheap, organized online classroom. Whiteboards are your best friends. They are the most versatile prop you can buy. You can use them to teach students how to read, draw a concept your students don’t understand, write a sentence such as “I don’t ____ running,” and get them to fill in the blank, and even play Pictionary. Natural lighting is best, but if this isn’t at your disposal, you can use...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Only 13 percent of the world's population can speak English that makes it 983 million people according to Ethnologue. This means that there is still approximately 87 percent of the world's population as potential students/clients just waiting for an English teacher. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Chantelle F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. English is the third most common primary language in the world and moving up the ladder for a first-place very fast. Many international and multinational companies and universities are using English as a working and learning language. This means that there is such a huge demand for...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Business English is a powerful tool that can build bridges and connect individuals or groups of people to help them reach common goals. Having one common language as a means of communication is also a great help when starting or building a project. However, teaching business English is a specialism within English language teaching and thus requires a great deal of forward planning and some specific knowledge and skills. Here are the most important things I have learned during my time teaching business English in Brazil. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lea D. This broad statement encompasses many things, including the teacher’s knowledge of each individual student’s overall goals,...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas ESA is a common methodology that teachers use when teaching students another language. It is also a large part of your TEFL certification course. By using the layout of the ESA method to plan your lessons, they will be more structured, organized and effective. This post was written by our ITTT graduate Casandra L. ESA stands for engage, study, and activate. By using ESA, it gives teacher's the flexibility to conduct a classroom in an organized and productive way. ESA is extremely important when it comes to teaching, because it keeps the students interested, motivated, and eager to learn more. That is why all teachers, especially new ones, should learn the ESA method when teaching students a new language. The first...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences While attempting to actively assimilate into a foreign language environment overseas, it has been an ongoing journey and challenging adventure in these previous three years. There have been a few noted observations and insightful discoveries indeed. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Angela W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Through living in a tier three city where English is not commonly used, the role of an English teacher and the position of a Chinese student have been assumed simultaneously. Despite the lack of English usage in people’s daily living, independent vocabularies, phrases and sentences could be seen...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Having experienced campus life as a non-native English speaker and foreign student in Canada, I have learnt a few key aspects that affect the overall learning experience in a diverse classroom. The effectiveness and efficacy of the teacher primarily hinge on their ability to engage the students enough to maintain a reasonable level of motivation. I have observed a few ways that would increase the motivation of the students, especially within a classroom full of students from diverse cultural backgrounds and language levels. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jeannie C. By using real-life examples, current affairs, personal testimonies and even the current...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Establishing Rapport is important because it plays an important part in helping the class be successful, enjoyable, and engaging. If the teacher has established rapport, the students are more likely to feel comfortable, which will result in the students being active and participating in class lessons. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Angela H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. This may sound simple and obvious, but it is very important to learn your student's name. For a teacher, this can be difficult especially if there are numerous students in the classroom. Learning the student's name can help to facilitate two-way...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In a globalized world, information comes faster and faster, and just a hand-held mobile phone, a computer, or a laptop is enough to gain access to the latest and fastest source of knowledge and information: The Internet. Education needs to be more and more inserted in this environment, aiming to reach people flexibly and interactively, either in the classroom or in the comfort of home. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Natália C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. According to the publication of The Next Web, the world is social and connected. According to the publication, a survey by Hootsuite and We Are Social reveals the top...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT TEFL Information Many people are unaware quite how accessible a career teaching English as a foreign language is while others are simply not aware that it is even possible to live and work abroad in almost any country in the world. Not only is possible but it is relatively easy to achieve in a short period of time. By following the six steps outlined here, you could be working abroad as an EFL teacher before you know it. Once you have decided where you would like to teach, you need to find out what the requirements are for the place you want to work in. Do you need a degree? Is an online or in-class TEFL certificate required? Find out what the local salaries are like and what the cost of living is - some countries are best avoided if...  [Read more]

Regan McAllister TEFL Information Teaching Ideas The pandemic has caused many changes in our daily lives. While I’m lucky to still have the opportunity to teach ESL in person, doing so with face masks has proved to be slightly more challenging. Face masks. A year ago, the thought of society operating with face masks seemed like some sort of ominous movie plot. Apocalyptic almost. Yet now they are on the same level as our phone or wallet, something we can’t leave the house without. Depending on where in the world you live, you may have never worn a mask until this pandemic. Unless you were in a medical setting, wearing a mask while going about your daily tasks would have probably attracted stares and raised some eyebrows....  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Visa and Legal If you have completed your TEFL certification course and are getting ready to head overseas to teach, you are certain to have plenty of things to organize. One area that often causes unnecessary stress is ensuring you have all the documents you will need to make the move. Luckily, this process is not as difficult as you might imagine. Although the exact requirements will vary from country to country and job to job, if you follow our straightforward breakdown you should find you have everything you need when you need it. It might seem obvious but many new teachers have got on the plane to start their new life abroad only to find that their passport’s expiry date is a real problem. The bottom line is that most...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are many goals for English as a second language teacher (ESL). The teacher must inform and evaluate student abilities to competently produce written and verbal communication in the English language. Ultimately, one of the most important goals for the teacher to achieve is a reduction in their own talk time and an increase in student talk time (STT), using the target language. Creating a positive classroom environment is essential in generating students that have high levels of productivity. This environment is established well by building rapport and engaging the students. Having varied course materials incorporated in each lesson will help to maintain engagement for the learner and with enough diversity and...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas Hey there it's Lizzy here and I'm super happy to welcome you to our weekly live stream. This live stream is provided by ITTT, International TEFL and TESOL Training. If you haven't watched our recent live streams please feel free to go to one of our social networks and check out the previous videos, because we share really useful topics on a regular basis. Today's live stream is going to be devoted to creating lessons based on videos. I'm going to change the size of the slide right now. Let me know if you can see and hear me clearly. There is a comment section in the live stream so feel free to write down any greetings there so I know that someone is there and someone is watching....  [Read more]

Leo Salazar TEFL Information Alumni Experiences With the advent of social distancing as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and the associated increase in people working from home rather than face-to-face, effective communication has never been more important. We share advice here on how you can improve your communication skills online. This information is especially useful for those offering online services, such as online English tutors. In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, many companies are shutting their doors and sending their employees home in order to keep them healthy. For those who work in blue-collar positions such as manufacturing, maintenance or service-industry jobs,...  [Read more]

Kavinna Batra Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Technology is something that is coming strong! Teachers need to incorporate technology besides from online resources. Teachers can use trusted online resources and different applications to keep students more engaged and to enhance the traditional ways of teaching. Online assessments, grading software, and virtual lesson plans can help teachers save a lot of time. There is a range of tools that can be used in a classroom to support student learning, ranging from traditional to high-tech options. For instance, index cards, posters, whiteboard, audience response systems (e.g. clicker technology), 3D printing, Google collaboration tools, and wikis. Instructors have become experts...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information In recent years, more and more classrooms have become more technologically advanced and more and more teachers are using digital teaching materials. However, you don’t always need to hand out tablets to your students or have a fancy digital whiteboard to take advantage of recent advances in digital teaching materials. Here are some great apps to have on your phone while teaching English abroad that you can use to enhance your lessons and really engage your students in the classroom. This app allows you to create an interactive whiteboard filled with instructional videos that can be watched as a class or at home. You can also annotate and animate your content to make it more fun to learn for your students. The...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Walking into a brand-new class, especially as a new teacher, can be very intimidating. Being prepared with the proper principles, tools, and attitude goes a long way when dealing with the first-class up through to the final exam. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mark R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Relationships matter. Building a relationship with your students is the basic foundation of teaching. If a teacher does not have a relationship with their students, then having students succeed in learning will be infinitely more difficult. The best way to communicate anything is through the basis of the relationship. If you...  [Read more]