Speak In Arabic

Umber Sherjeel Destinations Alumni Experiences Being in the teaching field for more than a decade and having taught in Saudi Arabia for the last 7+ years, I will give some pointers about my experience here as an English Language teacher. The education industry in Saudi Arabia is very blooming. There are many international schools, colleges, and universities - and the English education field in Saudi Arabia continues to grow and expand. Due to the rapid shift in the education system during the past few years, the country has established an insatiable appetite for ESL English Language teachers. English language learning has become mandatory in pretty much the entire school system. Since English is considered as a key skill for...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When native Arabic learners attempt to learn the English language, they are faced with a variety of difficulties since there are fundamental differences between the two languages. Arabic words have a three-consonant root as its base, so all words are formed by combining the roots with either a fixed vowel pattern or and affix. The Arabic language has 28 consonants and 8 vowels which is three times less than the English language in terms of vowel sounds. Due to those differences, Arabic learners struggle in the following areas; writing, grammar, phonology, and pronunciation when learning the English language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ayman E. Please note that this blog post might not...  [Read more]

Gökhan Yilmaz Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This topic is very dear to my heart as I have been an English teacher in Arab countries for a long time. Therefore, I am writing this article as someone who has experience in learning both Arabic and English. In my observation, most of these difficulties either have to do with the students' native language (Arabic) or their cultural backgrounds. Here are the 5 most common problems for Arab learners when studying English. As Arabic is written from right to left, English looks very strange to Arabic speakers, which can cause them to find course books or lessons overwhelming. Adult learners, in particular, have a hard time in the initial stages of studying English compared to...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching English to non-English speaking students can be a big and challenging task. You need to be full of patience, understanding and passion if you decide to enter this vocation. I worked for ten years as a kindergarten teacher in the Middle East and at times it seemed like I was in a “jungle survival” competition. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alona J. I was really in shock when I entered into the classroom on my first day as I had students with zero-English and it was really hard to understand them all. There were also many parents sitting around with their children who were crying and having tantrums. Normally, each class should have an Arabic Assistant Teacher but at that time...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences A learner's mother tongue has a profound influence on verbalization of the second language. The absence of some sounds in the learner's first language, and the difference in intonation, word, and syllable stress between the learner's native language and English are some of the many factors that often lead to an incorrect pronunciation of English words. In order to address these issues, a teacher needs to have a basic understanding of the student's native language. This essay will briefly explore the most common pronunciation problems for Egyptians learners of English and some suggested solutions to tackle these problems. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Salma O. One of the most prominent...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Being a student learning a new, foreign language I can acknowledge that feelings of insecurity and fear of making mistakes are often present. This can lead to students being quiet or non- participating. As a teacher, it is important to understand this and to make the students feel comfortable in class. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Adela J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In my first month of learning Arabic, I was placed in the beginner’s class with 7 other students. My teacher at that time knew that she was dealing with students who have never read, spoken or written Arabic before in their life. As a result, she taught...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning a language is acquiring the ability to produce the language and to produce the language accurately, a student needs to learn the grammar of that language. So, what is grammar? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sheila A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Grammar is the study of the way words are used to make sentences. It is a set of rules that provides the structure we need to organize our ideas and convey our messages fully. It determines how words are arranged in a sentence for understanding. It gives us the ability to comprehend and produce language. When trying to acquire a language, learning the grammar of that...  [Read more]

Umber Sherjeel Destinations Saudi Arabia has a rich cultural heritage. The old historical buildings, different types of beaches, and deserts distinguish it from other countries. If you come here, you will find yourself enjoying hiking, camping, swimming, and exploring historical buildings and castles. The following are the 11 best places to visit in Saudi Arabia. If you like quiet and exotic beaches, you are in the right place. Clean white sand all along the coast and slow blue waves, gives you the just the right amount of peace. You may also like to go boating and spend days in the nearby hotels. The best part is that it's not at all crowded. It is clean and exotic. Al Duqm beach is known for its clean, soft sand and turquoise waters. Its long...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The United Arab Emirates though being a discrete country is a league of 7 states comprising people whose first language is Arabic. UAE being a prominent Arab country in Middle East homes to a myriad of Arabs from neighboring countries. Hence, the challenges that a learner's faces are also varying depending on the nativity of the person. I firmly believe there are four basic challenges that learners face in the UAE. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate MANJU A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Culture plays an important factor in learning a language effectively. Language defines the environment and vice versa. Hence, the traditions...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Second language acquisition in native English speakers from the United States is one aspect of American culture that is not widely discussed and seemingly overlooked in terms of its importance. Many factors contribute to the United States’ largely monolingual culture despite have a “melting pot” of sorts with a population comprised of multiple ethnicities and nationalities. This culture of English speakers points to strong geographic features of its continental location and debatably its position in the world’s economic index and political landscape. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Adam L. Comparatively, Europe is comprised of multiple countries with strong national identities and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English pronunciation to students of other languages is always a big deal. English teachers from other countries may think that it is a topic to be skipped or only briefly introduced to students, but it is one of the most important subjects and it should be an integral part of an English course. As a matter of fact, the full understanding of a language and good communication actually depend, to a certain extent, on how correctly words are pronounced. Also, it is not only a matter of pronunciation but intonation. Every language has its own intonation and stress on words, so an English learner could find it difficult to get used to a new way of pronouncing words in another language. This is true for...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I was born in Saudi Arabia and I had to finish my education from kindergarten to high school in Jeddah and other cities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a student and a resident for more than 12 years there, I think that I have some experience in the education system in Saudi Arabia. I will try here to explain English learners’ problems in Saudi Arabia with my personal opinion and experience. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hesham Z. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. It started in 1927. Then, development spanned from 1944 to the present day, the ministry of education recruited all its efforts to provide a good education...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One of the many challenges I will face as a new teacher will be the uncertainty of the location where I will be teaching. The location and educational environment will impact the resources which will be available. Regardless of the location, however, in light of the rapid expansion of the internet, and vast array of websites, I think it is likely that students will be anticipating and expecting some use of the internet. As a member of the baby-boomer generation, I grew up and was educated prior to the development of the internet and when computer use was in its infancy. I am very accustomed to the traditional classroom with large class size, the teacher in the front of the room lecturing and students I am working...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English is my first language, however, I studied Spanish throughout high school growing up in the Midwest and eventually received a Master’s degree in Spanish Literature. I learned to speak Spanish very well after becoming a high school Spanish teacher for eight years and then a principal for elementary and secondary schools for 26 more years speaking Spanish to new immigrant students and parents the whole time. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rex P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In reflecting on the title question I first asked myself how Spanish had influenced me over the years. The first obvious answer was that I...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are about 6500 spoken languages in the world today. 11 of those are here from my home country of South Africa. The most spoken language of them all is Mandarin. Language is what defines us. It is what divides us. It what we are taught and brought up to understand and one day pass on to the next generation. It is like being a unicorn. When there are none left, you will only read about it in books and professors who learned and studied about it. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jacq-Pierre B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. But as time went on, people started to migrate to other parts of the world and taking their language...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences 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 setting, I am referring 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. One of the biggest being mobile phone usage. Now, it’s true that...  [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...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The United States and the United Kingdom's imperial histories and modern influences have had a significant effect on the English wording. Since English was exported to different countries across the world, the language has undergone different variations, the most common one being the British English vs. American English. The British introduced the language to Americans in the 17th century. At that time, the spelling had not been standardized. Given the number of regions where English is used, differences are bound to arise. Even though British and American English may seem similar, there are disparities in vocabulary, spelling, and grammar. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Fahimeh T....  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations So you’ve finished your TEFL course and are trying to decide what to next. Do you want to chill out on a tropical beach sipping exotic cocktails as the sun lazily drops below the horizon after the week’s teaching is done? Or are you looking to pay off the student loan while travelling the world and getting to know a whole new culture. This article looks at the differences between lifestyle and earning potential for popular TEFL destinations around the world. Tropical islands, beautiful beaches, jungle treks and delicious food; Thailand seems to have it all. You will find plenty of jobs available throughout the year up and down the country. Bangkok is a frenetic hub of energy, but the rest of the country is a much more...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations TEFL Information Are you thinking about teaching English in the Middle East? This region is rich in culture and natural beauty, plus the salaries for EFL teachers are among the highest in the world! Having work experience in the Middle East on your resume will open doors to endless opportunities around the world. Here are the best countries in the Middle East to teach English as a foreign language in 2018. Note that almost all employers in the Middle East require their teachers to possess a degree and a TEFL certificate. Some nations even require two or three years of teaching experience. Often the most popular choice of all the countries in the Middle East, the UAE is generally seen as one of the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Morocco’s official languages are classical Arabic, and Berber ( indigenous language in North Africa) Classical Arabic, and second unofficial language in Morocco is the French language taught in General educational curriculum from primary school, and Spanish taught in the north as a second unofficial language, Thus learning a third or even fourth language for a Moroccan learner is not a big challenge, however, there are some difficulties to learn a language efficiently and accurately. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate MOHAMMED t. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. English is emerging, especially in larger cities. And it is...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Budget and Salary There are many reasons why some people decide to teach English abroad. Some want to explore a new culture or learn a new language. Others want to gain teaching experience or be able to save a lot of money to pay off student debt or simply make some money for the future. For a lot of people, it is exactly this financial aspect that leads them to live and work abroad as an English teacher. But do you know where you can earn the highest salaries when teaching English abroad? This article highlights the regions with the highest salaries on the EFL market. Asia has long been one of the most popular regions for teaching English as a foreign language. Besides the many vibrant cultures and fascinating natural wonders, a...  [Read more]

Najwa Sabih Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching English in Turkey can be challenging as this language is not very common here. Turkish people are very loyal to their country and language, so they consider it unimportant to learn a new language. Moreover, in their opinion, foreigners must learn Turkish to communicate with them and never the opposite. Thus, if your target population to teach the English language is Turkish, your chance of finding a job is very low. However, it is well known that Turkey, especially Istanbul, Ankara, and Kutahya, are full of foreigners willing to learn the English language in Turkey for many reasons that we will discuss later in this article. “I am studying English in Turkey.” For a while,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences There are no words to fully describe the importance of parents in the education of children. They are the foremost educators in all aspects of their children’s development. Whatever a child studies - be it a subject in a classroom or private lessons for music, language, etc... they will greatly benefit from the impact of having this reinforced in their home environment through their parents’ efforts. Multiple studies have shown the increase and improvement in educational attainment when parents closely follow and are involved in encouraging the educational development of their children. Related studies also show how the more parents are involved in school initiatives and partnerships (i.e. parent-school...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations Whether you are a newly qualified EFL teacher, or you have some experience in the classroom already, there comes a time when you have to decide where to look for a teaching job. Across the world there are many regions and individual countries that offer a variety of opportunities, but which ones would suit you best? One big consideration is your own personal motivation for wanting to do it. Do you want to earn money to fund world travel or to pay off your student loans, or are you simply looking to escape the daily 9 to 5 grind? Are you looking to explore a foreign culture or to learn another language? Whatever it is that is driving your ambition to teach English abroad, the chances are you can find what you are looking...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations It’s no secret that one of the best ways to immerse oneself into a new culture is by learning the local language. Teaching English abroad is the perfect way to learn a new language, which will also come in handy when looking for a job back home if you decide to return. French is widely spoken in parts all across the world and is ranked the sixth most spoken language worldwide after Mandarin Chinese, English, Hindi, Spanish and Arabic. Currently, there are more than 220 million French speakers globally and French is an official or de facto language in 29 countries on four continents. If you are interested in learning French, check out the following 5 best places to learn French when teaching English abroad. Also read:...  [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]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English has undergone many changes since its roots in early Europe. It started out as a Germanic language, and standard word order along with some vocabulary still show German roots in the modern English of today. It went on over the years to incorporate numerous words and suffixes from French during the time that England was invaded and occupied by the Normans in the 11th Century. Its most recent and well-known adoption was from Latin, whose language patterns and vocabulary dominate English. Even today, the language is constantly growing and adapting as it takes on new words from Spanish due to the large Latin American immigrant population in the United States and their great cultural influence over the last...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas First of all, I notice that adults have a bigger focus on what the teacher is saying and doing during the lesson, than the kids or teenagers. It is because, in my opinion, adults realize why they need to study English. For example, they will be able to find a better job or they may get an enhancement. So they know it is one of the important goals for them for a particular period of their life. And speaking about kids, they are too young first of all. They do not have a clue what is a goal and why they need it. The only thing they know is that their parents want them to study well, but it’s not enough in a lot of cases. And sometimes the kids don’t even speak their language well yet, but they need to learn...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning a new language can elicit stress/fear responses in students. This is especially prominent in speaking as it can make people feel vulnerable/ashamed in front of their peers. It is very common for students to feel shy, especially if they are one of the weaker students in English or don’t have the motivation to learn the language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Daniela A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I have experienced intense stress in learning Arabic (my father’s mother tongue) because I was afraid of judgment from my family about how poor my speaking abilities were. Hence, I fully understand that the initial...  [Read more]