Sdsu Tesol Certificate

TEFL is Teaching English as a Foreign Language; TESOL is Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. The two terms are generally interchangeable. A TEFL/TESOL certificate is the major qualification required to teach English abroad. There is a huge demand for teachers around the world with opportunities in almost every country. Taking a TEFL/TESOL certificate course provides the opportunity to travel and work around the world, to gain knowledge and experience of foreign cultures and languages and to embark upon a career in teaching. No previous teaching experience or specialist qualifications are required. The only requirement is fluency in English. TEFL/TESOL employment prospects for graduates of our courses are excellent. You will find teaching job opportunities throughout the world,...  [Read more]

Ahmed Taha TEFL Information Teaching Ideas This article explains what TBLT is and how it differs from more traditional approaches to teaching. Why has it become such a popular teaching method for languages? Will it continue to be popular or will it be replaced by another approach? PPP now stands for present, practise, and produce. The teacher is in charge of everything in the PPP classroom. As a result, there is a finite amount of room for student behaviour and agency. A linear syllabus is also a part of PPP. So you only get one chance to learn grammatical rules and other aspects of the language. Finally, lessons in the PPP format can become repetitive and boring. So this isn't the most effective method of inspiring students. Task-based language instruction has emerged as an...  [Read more]

Ahmed Taha TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The curriculum has been used in the past as a collection of topics and syllabuses for children and young people to be learned during their school years. However, this definition does not do justice to the wider outcomes required by the real world or to the complexity of what many teachers are actually doing to promote the well-being of children and young people. It fails to define the overall objectives that the program is supposed to serve. Learning is often greatly influenced by when and how success is evaluated and how the effects of measurement are used. Therefore, evaluation needs to be seen as an important part of the process of learning. Consequently, the study has taken the following general view of the curriculum....  [Read more]

Ahmed Taha Alumni Experiences What is effective learning? After context and objectives have been developed, the word "effective" makes sense. When is it most effective? What is it that makes it effective? Who is it that says this? The students? The teacher? Learning is a reflective process that allows a learner to use prior experience to understand and analyze the present in order to influence potential behavior and form new information. (Watkins, p.1, 2002) Some meanings of learning consider it to be a passive method of knowledge acquisition that is evaluated by tasks. Learning is a process that requires both reflection and assessment. The model can be used to explain the process of a single learner actively making sense of a learning opportunity or a community of learners working...  [Read more]

Ahmed Taha TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas As an English teacher, who is best? Native speakers of English or non-native speakers? Given the widespread belief that native speakers make better English teachers than non-native speakers, Jennifer Jenkins writes, "we will begin by analysing why this should be true." Is it true that native speakers make better teachers by definition, or just that they have a better understanding of English as a second language? To begin, here are two researchers who argue against the notion that a native speaker is a better teacher: Teachers of English are expected to teach English as a subject, not as a broad linguistic phenomenon, but as a subject that stands alongside history, physics, geography, and other subjects on the curriculum....  [Read more]

Gianluca Costa Destinations Alumni Experiences After traveling to a few cities in Asia, I think Hong Kong should be on top of everyone's travel bucket list. The city offers lots of attractions like museums, restaurants, and bars on a 100+ floor of skyscrapers, shopping venues, and even beaches. Going around Hong Kong can sometimes be a struggle, especially during pick hours. So, knowing in advance where to go, what is the right bus to take, or what is the best restaurant to eat in, will make your holiday much more comfortable. Nowadays, we are lucky to live in the era of mobile apps, where everything we need is a touch away from us on our smart-phone. Hong Kong's attractions are all well-connected with apps to offer a fantastic experience to tourists. Many locals also use those apps....  [Read more]

Shirin Sophy TEFL Information Teaching Ideas The fact that nowadays, the ESA method is conventional wisdom among all the English teachers around the world highly simplifies and standardizes the process of preparation and lesson planning, specifically for those who are at the beginning of their career path as a teacher. This method simply suggests that every lesson needs to be started with an engagement stage in which the teacher aims to attract students' attention in order to encourage and enhance their active participation during the lesson. Furthermore, the recent textbooks' content is mostly designed based on the ESA method, and there are manifold attractive engagement ideas included in them that teachers can take advantage of if need be. How a teacher plans to engage the learners...  [Read more]

Anastasiia Ovchinnikova TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Two months ago, I closed my laptop after a one-hour defense over Zoom of my MA dissertation from the University of Barcelona on mobile-assisted language learning in front of the most highly cited researchers in the field of Applied Linguistics. It was very satisfying and rewarding to know that everything I had done before directly led me to that point. In this article, I am going to elaborate on the following topics that helped me to get into the competitive program in Applied Linguistics: Learning the English language has always been key to my personal development. When I was 15, due to my English level, I won the FLEX grant program sponsored by the US Department of State, where I spent a year living in Arizona...  [Read more]

Anastasiia Ovchinnikova Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas It's already been a year and a half since I said goodbye to my young English learners at a small bilingual kindergarten in Beijing and packed my suitcases to start a new life chapter in Spain. The memories of this time, 10 GB of pictures and videos on my hard drive, and a little notebook with local recipes still warm up my heart. The life of an expat is not that easy, but it's worth it in so many different ways. This blog post talks about the most important things that I've learned after almost three years of living and teaching English in China. The first month after you arrive in a new country is probably accompanied by the overwhelming feeling of culture shock. But it's also a good thing as you...  [Read more]

Anastasiia Ovchinnikova TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Back in the days when I was living in China with my British boyfriend, who was born and raised in Oxford, we would always make our friends smile talking about our careers. We always felt it was a bit ironic that out of the two of us, it was me who ended up as an English language teacher. I started to wonder whether he would have been a better English teacher than me, had he decided to work at one of the international schools in China. I feel like it is a common misconception that non-native English teachers (short: NNETs) are not as qualified or skilled in teaching as native English teachers. I've recently gotten disheartened when looking for job openings where they are specifically requesting a native English teacher or, even...  [Read more]

Gianluca Costa Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences If you are thinking of moving to Hong Kong to teach English, this article is a great overview of how an ESL teacher's life in Hong Kong can be. English is widely spoken in Hong Kong, and even young children start their English education very early. Many parents place their children in English institutions early on, which shows how important English education is in Hong Kong. That's why Hong Kong offers many opportunities for ESL teachers, and you can find placements in a variety of school settings, from kindergartens, learning centers to private tutoring lessons. Most schools expect you to be in your classroom at 8:30, ready to welcome the students coming in. Hong Kong transportation is efficient and on time, but, I still...  [Read more]

Gianluca Costa Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas When I started working as a TEFL teacher in Hong Kong without any teaching experience, I was scared, and I thought, how am I going to teach English to someone who needs to learn English from scratch? Well, believe me, how surprised I was by the high English level of the children who were only between 3 and 6 years old. Before I came to Hong Kong, I knew that many of its citizens speak the English language widely, but I didn't expect that such young children could talk with great confidence in English. However, there are differences in the children's English levels that depend on two main factors: their family social status and mainly how much the parents are motivated to let their child learn. Also Read: Five Online Teaching...  [Read more]

Gianluca Costa Destinations Hong Kong is an energetic and exciting city. It is a modern metropolis with high skyscrapers, and its vast mountains make it a truly unique place. Adding to its beauty, Hong Kong is one of the major international financial centers, having very low taxation and a high standard of living. That's exactly why Hong Kong attracts people from all over the world. Even though Hong Kong is a small city, it has a lot to offer, and if you want to discover the local culture and learn their language, there are many language exchange groups or language courses to attend. The two main sports that expats do in Hong Kong are football and rugby. If you want to join a team during your stay, you can look on the internet for the Hong Kong Rugby Union or search for Yau Yee Football...  [Read more]

Anastasiia Ovchinnikova TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Let’s travel back in time a few months, when all schools and universities were closed and moved to teach their students remotely. Educators worldwide had to adjust their teaching methods to the new circumstances by moving their cozy, inspiring classrooms into the digital world. That was quite a challenge for many foreign language teachers to modify their offline routines to face the standards of distance learning and still be able to provide personal help and assistance to their students. This situation has proved that, unfortunately, teachers lack professional development and resources to address the challenges of distance learning. I’ve spent hours teaching English online in the last five months and had to...  [Read more]

Joanna Dineva Destinations Alumni Experiences Traveling for me is more than seeing a tourist sight and snapping a picture for your social media. Traveling is the opportunity to explore the world, immerse myself in different cultures and connect with the people of those cultures. Teaching English abroad has allowed me to do just that. In late 2019 an opportunity presented itself for me to teach English in Beijing, China. I had never been to China before. I had never traveled to Asia before. Having an adventurous soul and nomadic heart that I have, I accept the offer without too much hesitation. At the time of writing this personal experience article, I have lived in China for approximately four months and would like to share some lessons I have learned thus far. As soon as I received my...  [Read more]

Mia Santarelli Destinations You’ve renewed your passport, packed durable walking shoes, and typed up a detailed itinerary directing your steps in Italy. Your Italian ducks may seem like they’re in a row, but sometimes, a dream adventure to a foreign country can turn into a stress-filled series of mishaps, unless you take advantage of technology and the apps that will make your trip a dream come true. The first time I traveled to Italy, I could not wait to arrive and begin exploring the hidden histories that the winding cobblestone streets offer their visitors. Navigating a city like Florence, in which the streets are decorated with signs indicating streets that curve into twisty knots, like a bowl of al dente spaghetti, or listening to locals speak a language that is equally...  [Read more]

Rhea Latchu Destinations Alumni Experiences With an emerging economy and a globalized society, is there a better choice than the continent of South America to work as an EFL teacher? The cultures of South American countries are welcoming and warm. As a continent, they are known for their sensual dances, delicious food, and friendly people. This region is also recognized for its exotic flora and fauna. However, the chances for an EFL teacher to get rich working in South America are limited. While the wages in this part of the world aren’t favorable for saving a lot of money, it’s still enough to live comfortably as the cost of living is relatively low. Below, we explore the most significant pros and cons of being an EFL teacher in South America. The most ecologically and geologically...  [Read more]

Minh Huy Hoang Destinations Alumni Experiences Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing countries in the top of Southeast Asia. The country has a warm tropical climate, great food, reliable infrastructure, abundant nature, and beautiful beaches and is a place that attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world. So what opportunities does this country have to attract people who want to live and work here permanently? Here are some reasons to help you decide whether or not to teach English in Vietnam: First of all, I would like to introduce Vietnamese history which started from about 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. Vietnam has been inhabited since the Paleolithic period. By around 1,200 BC, the development of paddy rice cultivation and bronze casting techniques in the Ma and Red River...  [Read more]

Zainab Sadriwala Destinations Alumni Experiences Karachi is a city of opportunities for the citizens of Pakistan and for the people abroad. Professionals from all around the country aspire to make their living in this cosmopolitan city which has so much to offer for those who are ambitious. Hence teaching being no different, Karachi offers a wide array of opportunities to the aspiring young generation to make their mark in this highly esteemed profession. The first reason I'd like to mention is the high demand for qualified English teachers in the city. Good language teachers are scarce as they also seem to have challenges in their educational experience and the vicious circle keeps on repeating. That's why there is a surge in demand for English teachers and the pay scale is quite good,...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for teaching ESL anywhere in the world, but what is there to do in your free time away from the classroom? Here we look at 8 of the most popular places to visit across this fascinating country. Mark Crocker Destinations When it comes to choosing a destination for teaching English abroad, there are many factors to consider, including how you like to spend your free time. If surfing is your thing, or you are keen to give it a go, there are several great options out there. Take a look at our 5 Great Destinations for Surfers to Teach English Abroad. Mark Crocker Visa and Legal Destinations Thailand has been at the forefront of teaching English abroad in Asia for many years. However, the rules and regulations...  [Read more]

Christine Thompson Visa and Legal Destinations The Czech Republic is an exciting country with prospering career opportunities in English language teaching for many around the world. Here's our step-by-step guide to legally teaching English in the Czech Republic. Katie and Jake from Untold Wanderlust Destinations Are you interested in teaching English in Vietnam? Here are 5 important things to prepare you for teaching English in Hanoi! Laura Payne Destinations TEFL Information Are you interested in teaching English in Japan? The JET Program is a popular option for many English teachers coming to the region. In this guide, you'll find out exactly how the JET Program works and how you can apply to teach English in the exciting destination of Japan. Linda Dunsmore Destinations...  [Read more]

Kayla Hill Destinations TEFL Information Are you interested in teaching English in Hong Kong? The NET scheme is a popular option for many English teachers coming to the region. In this guide, you'll find out exactly how it works and how to apply for the NET scheme for teaching English in the exciting destination of Hong Kong. Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary Destinations Taiwan is a popular destination for EFL teachers from across the world. If you are interested in joining the thousands of English teachers in the country, check out this guide on salary and budget for a teacher living in Taiwan. Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary Destinations Mexico is one of the largest EFL markets in the world. If you are interested in joining the thousands of English teachers in the country,...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations This ITTT TEFL article looks at the differences in cultural and behavioral attitudes in different countries in Europe. William Noble Destinations Teaching Ideas China is the largest EFL market in the world with more vacant positions than teachers to fill them with. If you want to teach English in China as well, it's a great idea to get a thorough understanding of the English speaking and writing errors made by Chinese students prior to coming to China. Mark Crocker Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Stepping into a ESL classroom as a teacher for the first time can be a scary prospect. In this post, one of our graduates explains how they would use their TEFL course knowledge to teach that first lesson in China. Elizaveta Pachina ...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The development of information lined social life and the economy's globalization make English more and more crucial. As one of the essential information carriers, English has become the most widely used language in every field of human life. English ability has become a necessary skill for every learner. The benefit of gaining a foreign language is tremendous. It will help him/her open the door to another world of learning different or new knowledge and achieve the goal of multiple learning and self-actualization. According to the number of people from all over the world, English usage has more than any language. English is the official language in 45 countries. One-third of the world's population speaks English, 75% of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Depending on which part of the world you are in, more often than not, you will find that majority of your learners, especially the younger ones, tend to be very tech-savvy nowadays. This is especially true in a Prep-Year setting in Saudi Arabia, where I'm currently based. When I speak about a Prep-Year location, I refer to young adults between the ages of 18-20 who have just finished high school and must complete a year of English language studies to begin their major. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohammad W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching such learners brings about several challenges. One of the biggest...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations Two thirds of South Koreans aged 25 to 34 have a college degree and take mandatory English classes. Koreans are obsessed with education to enable the best future for their children and South Korea provides top salary to their teachers and has the highest average reading literacy of the OECD. This makes South Korea the ideal destination for qualified English teachers looking to make a good living while teaching abroad. English teachers with TEFL certification in Korea can expect to earn between US$1,300 and US$3,000 per month. Salaries vary enormously depending on the educational institution. Public school teachers can expect to earn around 1.5 – 3 million won or US$1,265 – US$2,500 per month. Teachers in universities can make 2.3 – 3.5 million won or...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Destinations The Chinese education market has been growing for the recent ten years. As the country is getting more and more open towards the rest of the world, the demand for proper English training becomes ubiquitous. Compared to the Russian system, where English starts to be taught in primary school, in China, they try to include English as early as the nursery. The difference in culture, language structure, and the lack of proper training of the school staff open the doors to expats. If you find a position for an ESL teacher in China, chances are you get into a kindergarten. Two years ago, I found a teaching job in a private bilingual kindergarten chain in China. There were two main branches: a multiple intelligences kindergarten for children aged 3-7 years old...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations If you want to be a TEFL teacher, it is important to make sure you are as well prepared as you can possibly be before entering a classroom. It is equally important to have a good understanding of the country and culture you are hoping to make your home while you are teaching. Below I look at some important aspects of etiquette in different countries in Asia. Teachers hold a position of respect in many Asian countries and are expected to behave in a way that reflects that respect. Dress for teachers tends to be formal and women should avoid wearing anything too revealing. Although many locals understand a foreign TEFL teacher’s lack of understanding about local customs, taking the time to learn and show interest can make a real difference to your experience. In...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations If you want to be a TEFL teacher around the world, it is important to make sure you are as well prepared as you can possibly be before entering a classroom. It is equally important to have a good understanding of the country and culture you are hoping to make your home while you are teaching. The countries of Latin America are an increasingly popular destination for newly qualified TEFL teachers. While they are generally more relaxed when it comes to formal rules of etiquette than other regions of the world there are, as with any country, particular social norms that any visitor should make the effort to understand. Bargaining is not expected in shops or markets. Punching your left palm with your right fist is an obscene gesture. Gifts should be opened when they...  [Read more]

Maria Ducha Destinations Argentina offers some of the best job opportunities for qualified English teachers in the whole Latin American region. Be sure to check out these 4 reasons why Argentina is a great place to teach English abroad if you are interested in teaching English in this part of the world. Mark Crocker Destinations Thailand has been a hit with TEFL qualified teachers for many years, with year-round warm weather, great food, fascinating culture, amazing beaches, and a lively nightlife just a few of the reasons why. There are also a wide range of possible locations to choose from. In this post we take a look at some of the most popular destinations for foreign teachers in Thailand. Mark Crocker Destinations TEFL Information Although you can find an English...  [Read more]