Teach For The Heart

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The boundaries of global communication are rapidly diminishing with the advent and pervasiveness of social media amongst other technologies. With parents recognizing this, they have taken the initiative to admit their children into English classes from a young age with the hope that they would be fluent in the language by the time he or she is old enough to venture out on their own and create his or her legacy. With the enrollment of children into English classes, their success is not only dependent on the teacher; the parents’ interest and encouragement play a critical role, regardless of the age. There are ways in which parents can aid their child or children to become fluent in English. This post was...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences It has been said that there are three great blessings in one's life: a good family when one is a child, a good teacher when one is reading, and a good leader when one is working. Thus, family education plays a very important role in people's growth. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ramy M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In the current family education, I think the biggest problem is not the lack of education, but improper education. To educate children, parents should play the following roles in family education: Some people say: family is a flag of children, parents are a mirror of children. It can be seen that parents...  [Read more]

Kristin Hoppe TEFL Information At 25 years old, I heard Peru calling my name and could no longer ignore it. I dreamed of moving abroad alone again after teaching English in France — and it was finally happening, with TEFL certification in hand. Unfortunately, many friends, family members, and acquaintances had a different reaction. I saw wide eyes and heard words of concern. Instead of sharing in my excitement, I spent most of my time fending off people’s fear-mongering questions or convincing them that my plan was actually a good idea. Spoiler alert: it was a fantastic idea. Women have all heard the warnings before: Don’t walk alone at night. Keep your purse close to you. Never leave your drink unattended. We’ve been raised listening to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences What exactly are the personal qualities that are important to make a good English teacher? Every teacher wants to be good. Although every teacher has a unique style of teaching, nine personal qualities are necessary for anyone who wants to be an effective 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. First, the teacher should have excellent communication skills You'd think that the most important quality for a teacher to possess would be knowledge, since that's what the job is all about, after all: sharing knowledge. But no matter how knowledgeable a person is, if they can't convey...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I did not realize how difficult English is until I became fluent in Spanish. I am currently studying French and I am pretty good at French. I have a basic knowledge of Esperanto. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Wayne K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I will just touch on each of these since a book could be written about each of these. Also Read: Teaching Young Learners vs. Adult Learners - The Differences You Can Expect I have found many poems(1) and articles on the internet discussing the insane way English is spelled and pronounced. On the previously sited website(ibid) an English instructor states that he has very often...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Being a teacher is not like any other jobs. For example, if you are an engineer and you don’t like your job, you can still manage to go to work but to be a teacher, you have to love what you do. It is just like being a mother of 20-30 children. You have to take care of them one by one. You have to be their psychologist, mentor, and idol at the same time. It’s not something that you can do just for the money; at least if you’re good at your job. That is why being a volunteer in teaching is an excellent way of making this planet better. There are a few reasons to be a volunteer teacher and this essay will mention some of them. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Elif Ç. Please note...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas To begin with, I have been teaching English for more than 30 years. I teach groups of students and individuals of different ages and abilities. That is why I have always had a problem how to raise my students’ motivation, how to make my lessons interesting and exciting so that the bell at the end of the class would be for me, not for my students. I have always wanted them to be upset that the lesson is over. As a result of this research, I concluded that along with having different games, quizzes, puzzles, crosswords and project works, learning and singing songs is as challenging and helpful as doing grammar exercises. The results of learning English songs by heart is stunning. Do not think that I do this...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching a group of new students can, and frequently is an intimidating challenge. Working with students who are just meeting you, and have unknown skill levels often creates a chaotic environment. By incorporating pieces of music that are familiar to the teacher and students we can increase rapport, improve confidence, train listening skills, and engage students quickly and more effectively. There are multiple ways to use music in the classroom and to teach English as a foreign language, and each should be tailored to the needs of the students. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Everitt G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Songs...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences For centuries, punishment, including corporal punishment, has been an integral part of family upbringing and schooling. Such rigorous practices exist in some cultures to this day. Are they effective? To a certain extent, yes. For example, punishment helps to maintain discipline. It also helps to learn one simple but important truth: whatever the person is sowing, this he will also reap; in other words, every action has its consequences. Thus, a person who has been accustomed to discipline and responsibility for his actions since childhood can better cope with the problems of adulthood. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dmitrii T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences In my past, I have lived in many different countries and language environments. I have come to learn that the best way to gain an understanding of a new language is to be absorbed in it. In countries where English is widely spoken as a foreign language (Scandinavian countries for example), learning the language of the country can be much more difficult. It is uncomfortable not being able to express oneself, so English offers a cane of comfort, but also a disservice. Unless one goes through this part of the learning process where speaking is hard for you and maybe even for your listener, fluency can never be achieved. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Eija R. Please note that this blog post...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Storytelling is used in the African culture to teach morals, values, historical lessons, and to communicate truths to all ages. Because words are highly valued by Africans, a skilled storyteller is viewed as an influential leader in a community, able to give wise advice. Since the method of storytelling is so widely used in African cultures for instruction, why not integrate it into teaching English to African students as a foreign language? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stanislav T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Storytelling is an effective way to reach both the heart and mind. When a teacher tells her students a story...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations The Czech Republic is by no means a newcomer to the EFL teaching world; in fact, it has been a firm favorite with many teachers for several years. However, it may not be among the countries you initially consider when planning to teach English as a foreign language in Europe. So what is it about the country that draws in thousands of teachers from all over the world every year? The following 6 reasons for teaching English in the Czech Republic should provide a few answers. One of the main reasons why EFL teachers are drawn to the Czech Republic is the high demand for English language instruction across the country. Since the fall of communism in Eastern Europe the Czech Republic has gone from strength to strength, and it...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Why is the incorporation of storytelling and singing vital when teaching English to young learners? When a teacher is faced with the – sometimes daunting – task of teaching English to young learners, he or she must pause and consider a few things. First of all, if it is the first time a teacher is confronted with young learners, they must adapt their teaching approach. As with any new course, the teacher must evaluate his or her teaching approach. Who are the learners? What level are they at? How do I, as the teacher, reach the student, gain their attention and trust? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Therese B....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Setting a solid foundation for any learner is crucial. There are many different factors to consider. The students' age, culture, religion, learning abilities, and difficulties are capable of reading and writing in the Roman alphabet. This is only looking at the learning as an individual. When you have a group of learners, you need to consider things such as the class dynamic, personality clashes, quiet vs. loud, making sure all students are comfortable. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Megan H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. When setting up a good foundation for students, you may only...  [Read more]

Anastasiya Akpinar TEFL Information Alumni Experiences For the last 50 years, English has become one of the most widely spoken languages worldwide. Nowadays, almost all spheres of our daily life are strongly connected to this language. We use English in business, tourism, education, and entertainment. With globalization trends and technology development, we cannot imagine even one day passing without using English. So the need to learn English as a foreign language increases all around the world every day. Many people start English language courses and use different educational applications and try to find schools that provide the best foreign language study methods for their children. Turkey is a big country where different...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are many different types of teachers in the world: funny ones, boring ones, excitable ones, monotonous ones, stern ones and ones that are just too laid back. In my lifetime, I have had many teachers and experienced many different types of teaching styles. As I considered all these in retrospect, I realized there was a common theme in the handful of teachers that had a special place in my heart. These are the teachers that not only communicated genuine care for me and my success but exuded enthusiasm for what they did. This life in them changed my perspective on subjects I had always detested, like algebra and calculus! These teachers have played a major role in my life and have encouraged and inspired many...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are a lot of teaching methods. Some of them are more popular, some of them less. But the theme of this summative task is about efficiency, not about the most interesting or the most popular method. So, is drilling an effective teaching method? If we want to ask this question, first, we need to consider the following question: “What is drilling?”. After this, we can discuss the pros and cons of this method. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dmitry S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In short, drilling is a classroom technique that used to practice a new language. In common sense, it involves modeling a word by the...  [Read more]

Lourien Prinsloo TEFL Information Alumni Experiences English became the undisputed lingua franca of the modern world. Having a common language, English has led to unprecedented periods of peace in the world and opened up a world of opportunities to people of all creeds, cultures, and backgrounds. Furthermore, English achieved fame through reaching large audiences and became a communication key. Effectively communicating in English quickly became a happy medium for trading, diplomacy, and human relations. Today more than 57 countries recognize English as an official language. As if this is not enough for the English language, it also enjoys another achievement. The most commonly studied foreign language, all around the world. To...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations While many people wanting to teach English abroad move to countries in Asia or Latin America, Europe is also a popular destination that cannot be ignored. Despite stricter visa regulations and tougher job markets for teachers, there are still many places in all parts of Europe that have a need for foreign teachers. Here are the top 10 cities in Europe with the highest demand for English language teachers. Spain is one of the most attractive countries for teaching English abroad in Europe. The country’s capital Madrid has the largest job market for EFL teachers in Spain. While citizens from non-EU countries may find it difficult to secure a work visa in Spain, many teachers are able to obtain a student visa which...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas “Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears” - Mark Antony. I have a tall tale to tell you. A story filled with unspeakable horrors that make men dishonor all they have stood for; that pushes the statement “it is better to be feared than loved if you cannot be both”- Machiavelli. To tales of living in a land down under and learning the language of the locals and communing with them in a peaceful manner. Before ending with a tale as old of time, which is empires rise and fall, similar to teaching materials that are created and become outdated. If we are to succeed we must evolve or we will just get caught up in the churn with the changing tides. Let us begin with what truly motivates the world of men....  [Read more]

How to Land the Perfect Job and Change your Life Forever Here, you will find everything you need to know about TEFL recruitment companies for teaching English abroad, including a list of our trusted recruiters with whom we have worked for several years. If you are a TEFL recruiter and would like to work with us, please contact us via email ([email protected]). The Advantages of Using a TEFL Recruitment Company Choosing a TEFL recruitment company for finding a teaching job is a popular option for many teachers. Recruiters specialized in the EFL market overseas have the professional know-how and network to connect teachers with suitable schools and companies. On top of that, recruiters know the local job market in their specialized region and know exactly what type of teacher is sought...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One of my favorite songs a young boy was Veggie Tales’, I am Promise’. The first verse says: I am a promise I am a possibility I am a promise with a capital "P" I am a great big bundle of potentiality And I am learnin' to hear God's voice And I am tryin' to make the right choice I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be. The song was a constant reminder that as children we possessed unlimited potential. Various factors contribute to whether or not we harness this full potential and experts believe that parental involvement plays a pivotal role in the life of a child. “It is the nicest work ever assumed by men and women to deal with youthful minds. The greatest care should be taken in the education of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Listening is an important skill in which learners need help in developing their abilities. Listening strategies are so helpful. By giving a learner, tools to listen to the learner can develop more control over his/her listening abilities. Many learners ask “ Teacher, how can I improve my listening?” The truth of the matter is with training from teachers. We can apply strategies in class to help learners overcome the obstacles, which they encounter while listening. The spoken text varies greatly from written text, and these differences can affect the listeners’ understanding. For example, when listening to spoken text the learner must process the information right away, and in some cases, there is often...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas According to Wikipedia, Classroom management is a term teachers use to describe the process of ensuring that classroom lessons run smoothly without disruptive behaviour from students compromising the delivery of instruction. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Oluchi O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Classroom management is the procedures used to establish and maintain an environment where instruction and learning can take place using teacher efforts to oversee classroom activities, social interaction, and student behaviour. Managing of the classroom involves two major tasks: to facilitate learning among pupils and to establish...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Have you ever wondered why people all over the world are somehow curious about the English language? Or why does a country like Japan wherein the English language is not a requirement to get a job, is on-demand for more competent and effective English teachers? These kinds of questions make me remember my favorite quote, “Everything has a reason”; And yes somehow, English exists for a reason of course. You might be thinking why I entitled this essay “Connecting Dots Through English”, well you will find out why, as you read more on this essay. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hanah M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Music is an important element in our lives. When you’re on your way to work, you turn on the radio. When you’re too tired to do anything, you choose a song from your playlist and play it to make you feel relaxed. Human beings are emotional by nature. Music offers encouragement and the strength that one needs. Its importance cannot be taken for granted. It is a tool that connects people of all ages, nationality, and culture. It’s not odd to see a child listening to an old rock musician’s song. Also, it’s not surprising to see an Indian woman listening to Taylor Swift despite the differences in their cultures. I believe using music as a tool to teach English to foreign students have many advantages. This...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences “Everyone who remembers his education remembers teachers, not methods, and or techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system” – Sidney Hook. Teaching is as ancient as time and its ways of imparting knowledge have evolved throughout the centuries. Past behind are those days when children were considered wicked and in need to be reformed (Hobbes’ view). Likewise, it stopped being a one-way relationship where teachers had a dominant position and students were just mere recipients of data. Looking back at my school days, I compare teaching now and then. And even though roles and methods have made a 180 degrees turn, it has made me wonder why I can’t remember my university Language teacher...  [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 TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Reading affects language acquisition based on the level of the content read, the type of content, and the reader’s external sources of language acquisition. This summative text will explain the different difficulties that can arise when any English learner uses reading as their sole or primary language acquisition mode. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Laura J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Reading over the level of your speaking and listening skills can cause errors in phonetics, such as mispronouncing words that you’ve only read and have not...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas For a native English speaker, it is easy to understand as they are commonly used every day in casual conversation. But for ESL students, this type of informal English might as well sound like Mumbo Jumbo! (Make no sense). That’s because most students are taught proper, textbook English like: “[name of person], are you going anywhere today?” “No. I’m just relaxing at home.” This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mark L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. “Dude where ya hanging?” “Na man just chilling” To an ESL student, the above conversation would be hard to comprehend. The same goes for Idioms. “I am so happy...  [Read more]