TEFL Blue

  The idiom "blue collar" refers to manual labor or industrial work. The term comes from the usually blue overalls manual laborers would wear in factories etc Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. Very nice unit to learn ,as it provides us the most important stuff that each teacher must have it in the class. Also how to be prepared and make sure that everything works well before the lesson start. Finally The advantages and disadvantages for the...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Starbucks 3. Blue Bottle Coffee 4. Joe Coffee Company New York City is famous for its iconic coffee shops that offer a wide range of coffee blends and unique atmospheres. Whether you're a local looking for your daily caffeine fix or a tourist seeking a cozy spot to relax, NYC has something for everyone. In this article, we will explore some of the most popular coffee shops in the city that have become staples for coffee lovers. While Starbucks may be a global chain, its presence in New York City cannot be overlooked. With numerous locations scattered throughout the city, Starbucks offers a familiar and consistent coffee experience for those on the go. Whether you prefer a classic latte or a seasonal specialty drink, Starbucks has something for every taste. Plus, their...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I am a teacher in a training center for young learners in China, Beijing. Our school has a praise system, to be more precise our school has its own money that students can use to buy some toys from our school’s shop. To get this money students should listen to the teacher, do their homework, and pass the tests. The teachers can give them money even for each lesson if they want. And it is really useful to maintain discipline in the classroom. It’s the first reason why we should praise the students. The second reason is that if you praise the students it increases their self-esteem and they are more likely to enjoy their course and be motivated during it. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Abraham F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching tools used for learners: One bucket with nontoxic learner-approved clay. Each bucket of clay will have five sticks, each stick a different color. Paper plates matching the color of the clay. Scissors and crayons. Learner approved audio about a rainbow song. The object is to gain the learners' attention. The learning environment created will be interesting, fun, and relaxed. Class level - children between the ages of 8 – 10 class volume 10 learners. Learners will be...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Educators have debated on the topic of classroom management since the first class began. In the same way curricula and teaching cultures vary, as do the intricacies of classroom management. A topic that is, in my opinion, not taught enough in the realm of TEFL, is finding ways to manage a full classroom of young students for an entire day. As the trend for “kindergarten” prep courses rises in China, the void for managing 20+ five-year-olds has been dark and silent. Because many principals in these prep centers refuse to allow Mandarin in the classroom and the fact that these students do not initially understand basic commands in English, this creates a sense of chaos that hampers the learning process. This...  [Read more]

Beautiful natural landscapes along the river, state-of-the-art galleries and exhibition halls as well as a premier nightlife and entertainment selection are what make Ann Arbor an exciting destination. If you choose our training center in Ann Arbor, Michigan, you will not be disappointed. This is the perfect location to start your international teaching career. The University of Michigan is among the best educational institutes in the country and does not only offer high-quality education but is also specialized in the high-tech field. During our extensive in-class tefl/tesol course, you have the opportunity to work with experienced teacher trainers and explore the city and its exciting surroundings to the fullest. Whether you are a sports fan, an outdoor lover or a culinary enthusiast,...  [Read more]

Join our in-class training program in Orlando and you will spend four wonderful weeks in one of Florida’s most exciting places while becoming tefl/tesol certified. Explore Orlando and its surrounding beaches and attractions in your free time and you will not regret choosing our Orlando training center. The many theme parks are a major reason for Orlando’s popularity and that’s no wonder since the city is home to world-famous Disneyworld, Animal Kingdom and The Wizardly World of Harry Potter. Dive in the cool blue at water themed parks like Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon or Wet n’ Wild. Orlando also offers a range of interesting historic landmarks and museums you absolutely should not miss. Orlando, florida, is a place blessed with great sunny weather throughout...  [Read more]

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

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Legendary musician Paul McCartney once said, or rather sang, “When you’ve got a job to do you’ve got to do it well. You’ve got to give the other fellow hell.” I don’t believe anybody wants to be the middle of the road teacher, who just gets through each day, though I have seen many teachers who are. Before I started, I asked myself what makes the best kind of teacher and who were the best teachers in my life? There are many styles of teacher, but the answer I came to is the inspiring style of teacher – the teachers who made me WANT to learn and to go out and read and study on my own. The way they did that was by using their skills to make learning interesting and irresistible. As a teacher you need...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The benefits of using flashcards in the ESL classroom are well-documented. When teachers use flashcards, they typically provide their students with three learning pathways: visual, kinesthetic, and audio (assuming that the exercise requires the students to say something related to the flashcard). This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In addition to appealing to a wide range of learning styles, flashcards are very multifunctional. They can be used to teach simple things such as basic vocabulary words, advanced grammar structures like complex sentences, and many things in between. Flashcards...  [Read more]

Georgia is one of the few Southern states that have a shoreline on the Atlantic Coast. That’s why the state is a popular tourist destination throughout the entire year. Moreover, Georgia is rich in history, has vibrant cities and boasts exceptional natural beauty. Combining these factors, you get a great location for your TEFL/TESOL course in the USA. Georgia was part of the original Thirteen Colonies and boasts a variety of unique historic sites and attractions. On top of that, the state’s landscape is dominated by the Blue Ridge Mountains in the north and it’s Atlantic Coast to the east. There is always something new to see and do in Georgia, which is why we are sure that you will enjoy your TEFL/TESOL course in this location. Georgia attracts millions of visitors each year due to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Most of us take being able to read for granted. We seldom give a thought to how the process of learning to read began in our lives. I am sure most of us will not even recall the age we began to read. For many learners experiencing some form of learning difficulty, this may seem like a mountain with no peak. I am writing this essay based on my experience of having worked with learners ranging from those with various learning challenges to those with extreme learning disabilities. One thing I have learned over the years is that giving up on a child is never an option. One is forced to think creatively and innovatively to address the challenge. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lynne C. Please...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Teaching Ideas The grammar worksheet is an integral part of any English class. It’s straight-forward and gets the job done. Nevertheless, both teachers and students always welcome alternatives to the, often so boring, worksheets. Here you go - ten alternatives to boring English worksheets! These days, a lot of learning occurs visually and many more students respond to visual learning. Have your students make their own videos or research and show videos relating to an English grammar point to the class for a great alternative to a worksheet - it will really get your students excited! Also Read: 7 Activities for Teaching Passive Voice in the ESL Classroom Yes, interactive notebooks can be a lot of work, and teachers often lack the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas First lessons are always a little bit overwhelming because the students and teacher don’t know each other yet. That's why it’s very important to break the ice and help your ESL learners to relax. Plus, for future planning, you need to learn more about your students and their likes and dislikes. Get-to-know games are great for these purposes and work best if you play them during the first 3-5 lessons. For this activity, give your students two opposite words to choose between and ask a question “Are you more like 1 or 2?”. This way, you find out a little bit more about your students and the students also can bond among themselves. ...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Trang V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Also Read: Moving Forward: My Personal Teaching Experience, Changing Careers STAGE 1 - Understanding And Learning The Meaning Of New Words (10’) Firstly, students watch a video that is related to colors. Students give their attention the main words: Black, white, yellow, pink, blue, green, orange, grey, brown, purple, red Help them to understand what topic we learn today. They watch the video once and try to remember some of the colors. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4XUBGJK180 Then the teacher will move around class make them have more focus:...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I have been an English teacher in China for roughly 3 years, one of the biggest challenges I face every day is the look I get from the children when they see me for the first time. I stand out a mile away (blonde hair and blue eyes) so they are either very eager to speak to me or they are petrified. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jeanne H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. As a training school teacher, we have to do a lot of recruiting demos and then brand new students will come and watch this demo and decide if they enjoy our school, the teachers and the course books that we use. The majority of the students have no...  [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]

Maria Ducha Destinations Argentina is not only the fourth most populated Spanish-speaking country in the world but it also offers great opportunities for English teachers all over the country. Attracted by the vibrant culture, exciting nightlife and spectacular natural wonders, many thousands of people come to live and work in Argentina each year. Find out why Argentina is a great place to teach English abroad in this article. The scenery of Argentina ranges from snowy mountains and blue lakes in the south to the most amazing waterfalls in the northeast near Brazil that will really take your breath away. The “Cerro de los 7 colores” offer picturesque scenery paired with amazing wildlife, and the “Glaciar Perito Moreno”, the largest...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I was born in the United States in a big Italian family, where Italian customs and tradition played a key role and influence in my upbringing. My Mom and Dad were travelers of a different kind and would take many hiatus to exotic lands in far off places, leaving us children behind. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Rosella P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. However, one year when I was just a little girl, my parents decided it was time to take the entire family on an 8 months travel excursion throughout all of Europe. On our travels, we were introduced to many different cultures and experiences that ultimately changed the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As babies and toddlers, learning a language is a natural thing. We listen, watch, learn, and eventually try speaking for ourselves. We make many mistakes. As a toddler, mistakes are adorable. Our parents, siblings, and grandparents can't get enough of our attempts at language. However, as we get older, mistakes are no longer cute and can become somewhat embarrassing, causing us to fear trying new things. This fear can make learning a new language particularly difficult as we get older. As teachers of foreign languages, it is important to help our students feel comfortable trying new things and even making mistakes. If our students can feel confident, even when they are wrong, they won't be afraid to try. This...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Kindergartners can range from as young as 1 and a half years old to 7 years old. These children have barely developed in themselves and their native language and are required to learn English as a foreign language. To achieve this, creativity is essential to make language learning as fun and enjoyable as physically possible. My new role as “Teacher Ellie” in a kindergarten school in Bangkok, Thailand has provided me with on the job experience of language teaching. This essay will explore what I have learned so far, including any problems I faced and how I overcame them. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ellie H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas When the aroma of gingerbread and eggnog is in the air, you know it’s time to translate your love for the most beautiful season of the year into your TEFL classroom with winter ESL activities! While this is the perfect time to embrace winter in TEFL destinations with changing seasons, it’s also ideal to educate your students living in places with tropical temperatures and other cultures about the holiday celebrations. Here are 7 amazing winter and Christmas ESL activities your students will love! Tell your students to imagine the following: You wake up in your bed and look out the window when you see a brightly decorated Christmas tree. It’s cold and even looks like snow is slowly falling from the sky. The...  [Read more]

  So now we'll consider the actual classroom arrangements themselves in terms of the physical desk layout. There are possibly three main types of arrangements that are used within classrooms and we're going to indicate the desks here as being boxes and the arrangements of the students within those desks will be blue crosses. So here we have the desks ranged in rows and the students sitting within those rows. The second arrangement could be the use of horseshoes or semi circles and finally the use of individual desks. So for each of these arrangements what are the potential advantages and disadvantages of arranging our seating in this way? Let's take the rows first of all. One of the potential advantages is that it does give the teacher the opportunity, if it's arranged correctly,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are thousands of English coursebooks nowadays, and one might get confused while trying to choose a coursebook for the students. I have faced this problem as well, trying to choose the coursebook for private classes with a 7-year-old student who has already learned some English before. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Elena K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. As far as I am concerned, Oxford University Press is known to be one of the best ESL coursebook «producers» in the world. One of their best courses is «Family and Friends» which had been developed into «Family and Friends 2nd edition», a highly-popular course...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In the past, some scientists thought young learners do not learn as fast as adults. However today even parents are aware of the importance of starting learning a second language early. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Safak İ. When people start learning at early ages of their life, they increase the probability of gaining better language skills and favorable attitudes to other languages and cultures. Moreover, it will be possible for them to acquire native English levels without an accent. Besides this being bilingual will provide the kids with many cognitive advantages such as mental flexibility. Looking through different language spectacles, their brain will develop the ability to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Assuming it has already been understood generally, I do not intend to elaborate on the reasons between Myanmar and Burma, even though it still remains unknown to many. In this essay, I will be using ‘Burmese’ or ‘Burmese language’ to refer to the language and ‘Myanmar’ for the country. Language acquisition can understandably present several challenges ranging from alphabets, accent, construction styles, pronunciation, etc. Depending on several factors, different language speakers will have different challenges. While one part is no less difficult than another, I reckon, in Myanmar, there is one component that most learners seem to have similar difficulty in taking up the English language –...  [Read more]

  Our tefl training center in Corinth works in partnership with a local recruitment company and we’ll provide employment assistance for any location in which you wish to teach. Our center and the accommodations are safe, comfortable and clean. All course materials and an airport pick-up are included in the course fees. Located on the Peloponnese Peninsula and very near pristine beaches, Corinth is rich with archeological sites. Outside of Athens, Corinth is the most visited site on the mainland of Greece. The center is only 50 miles from Athens and we have beautiful countryside with fantastic ruins just around the corner. This tefl training course represents a unique opportunity to absorb Greek history and culture. Corinth has all the amenities you’ll need in order to enjoy...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This essay on the Multiple Intelligences is based on my past 26 years of teaching experiences at the elementary and middle school grades, as well as teaching in teacher education in higher education at the university level. I have conducted much research on the area of Multiple Intelligences, however, this essay will be based on my memory and experiences of teaching utilizing the Multiple Intelligences; thus, references are not included as they have been an accumulation throughout the last 26 years of teaching. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Gahan B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Howard Gardner, a professor in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Charos H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I’ve designed this lesson for beginner students in the ESL new language class. There are 6 students in a small group classroom. The students are between 6-7 years old. My goal is to provide opportunities to explore and personalize a new language. I chose the “Straight Arrow” ESA methodology to teach the topic, Do you like Fruit? Also Read: Who will my students be when teaching English abroad? I will start to play the “Do you like Broccoli Ice Cream?” Kid’s song. We will sing and dance together. I’m sure they will like it and follow along...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas There is nothing comfortable than being in your comfort zone, especially when speaking your language (native language). The feeling that comes with it, how you pronounce words, the use of jokes and proverbs, idioms, and other slang within it, no one can take that joy or even compensate it because it naturally comes from within. It makes you feel safe at home and confident even when speaking about topics that you have never seen or heard before simply because your brain is already rich with enough vocabulary. So it allows you to navigate, swim and tackle the issues from all possible angles. As the world is changing and experiencing different...  [Read more]