TEFL Converse

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences At one time, in my role as a Speech Pathologist, I taught Foreign Accent Reduction. In assessing and treating individuals with a foreign accent I soon came to realize that the “culprit” interfering with communication was not so much the foreign accent (unless it was phenomenally strong) but rather the limited and poor grammar and vocabulary demonstrated. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Fay B. Over the past several years, in the acute care medical setting within which I work, this belief has been reinforced. Customer satisfaction surveys returned by recently discharged medical patients reveal that one area of discontent in received hospital care has to do with the difficulty...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching English in China has become very popular for ESL teachers and many are looking for job opportunities in China. Finding a teaching job in China isn’t too hard but working with Chinese students can be quite challenging. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate VIKTORIIA H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Chinese grammar is very different from English and many Chinese students try to copy the grammar rules of their native language and apply them to English. As a result, they form awkward sentences that are difficult to understand. They struggle to use gerunds and articles as these parts of speech do not exist in Mandarin....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Children going wild, shouting "O McDonald had a farm, eya eya oh, and a quack-quack here... and a...", chairs moving up and down the classroom, lights on and off, if you were in this situation, what would you do? I have seen Teachers crying and running out of the classroom, only to come back to find no one is in the classroom, where have they gone? Classroom Management is a vital skill that every teacher should have; a teacher without Classroom Management should not even teach. So where do we start? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Justin H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. You know that in the Teachers' Education curriculum,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning any language requires a great deal of effort. Playing games help students to make and sustain the effort of learning a particular language. Educational Games feel more like a form of entertainment than a method of learning. Because games include rules, definitive objectives, measurable goals, and competition, they deliver an interactive experience that promotes a sense of achievement for all of the participants/students. Games provide language practice in various ways –speaking, writing, understanding, listening and reading. They encourage students to interact and communicate with each other as well as with the teachers. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Shrutee V. Please note...  [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]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Several surveys, such as EF (Education First), have shown that France has the worst English level in the European Union. We shall explain, firstly, why French students have problems in learning English and what these problems are. Then, secondly, we shall share solutions to these problems. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mohamed S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Indeed, the difficulties that French students face are not recent but have deeper origins which are historical. As you may know, there has been a rivalry between the French and the English dating back to the Hundred Years War (1337-1453,) when the two countries...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Here we consider some of the things you should do and some you should not do within the Business English setting. Firstly you are not going to know everything about their particular business and you could actually use your ignorance of that to your advantage. For example if you're teaching a group of banking employees you may not know about some vocabulary of their particular areas of work. When they're using terms that are used within the banking system then you can say, “I'm sorry I don't understand, can you explain that to me?”, so they're actually getting more language practice using the terms within their role. Secondly it's very useful...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences One of the most rewarding times of my life is my career of teaching kindergarten for the last fifteen years. These young learners bring curiosity, energy, and enthusiasm to the classroom. Five and six year olds are still accustomed to needing help, and making mistakes; therefore, they are less self-conscious and are eager to learn in order for them to become more self-reliant. My husband and I are embarking on a new adventure to Indonesia where I will be working in a school in the early childhood department. The information I learned from my TEFL course will be very useful. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate JoAnn S. A kindergarten classroom needs to be a pleasant, cheerful and inviting...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In the current world, we live in being able to communicate is a massive factor in the making of one's career success. English is an internationally recognized standard for communication at the workplace. There are many reasons why we should learn English. There are many reasons why being able to communicate effectively and clearly in English can affect a student's future career. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anwar A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Firstly, when you speak English, whether as a first or second language you're able to look for job opportunities around the world, which will dramatically increase the size of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Many parents find helping their children learn English quite challenging and it can be more difficult if they are not native English speakers. So how can you still be a good source of learning a new language to your children? There are different ways that parents can influence their children in learning English at home. The best way to learn English is to practice every day. Try to make learning fun and interactive at all times. Talking to your child about everyday situations using English can also have a great impact on their English development. The most influential part is to be supportive and praise your child each step of the way. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Edgar R. Please...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I believe that peer learning can be very helpful in English as a Second Language classroom. I believe that as a language learner there is nothing more helpful than learning from people around you. I have found that humans are very social beings just by the nature of being human. I believe that we learn best by interacting with people and that this translates especially when learning other languages. I think that it is very beneficial for students at any level to learn from each other to build their skills in every way. I think that having students talk to each other is important for improving verbal communication and that having peers correct each other’s papers is a great way to help all students involved in...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Language is everywhere. It plays an essential role in our life. We use it as a tool to communicate with the people around us. But do we understand how the brain processes the language and the many factors that influence language learning? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Juri N. According to common theory, L1 (first language) acquisition happens in a natural setting and the linguistic knowledge is developed subconsciously. In contrast, L2 (second language) learning is generally more formal because the learning process happens in school with limited hours of instruction. Also, in L2 learning, the knowledge is developed consciously. Also read: Top 5 Tips: How to Learn a New Language When...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Becoming an English teacher can present many great opportunities, among such may be learning the skill of navigating issues and culturally sensitive situations unique to instructing students with a wide array of nationalities. Much of this skill comes from learned experience but a teacher who has had proper training and time for adequate research can steer though these issues with greater ease. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brynn G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Putting aside cultural matters for the moment, the strictly linguistic issues that may come to fruition in a multi-national classroom are plentiful. The most...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas According to the Cambridge Dictionary, pronunciation is “how words are pronounced. Pronunciation can be an intimidating prospect for English language learners, especially since English phonetics and phonology hardly seem consistent. The difficulty of English pronunciation should not be underestimated as speaking is a vital component of language learning. Confidence in this skill can be closely linked to students' accuracy and fluency. Therefore, a teacher should understand the basics of phonology and phonetics to help build students' confidence in their speaking skills. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sabrina C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In today’s world of the 21st Century, there is no doubt, rightly or wrongly that English is the dominant worldwide language. Used in aircraft management, business, political and personal interactions nothing surpasses the English language. English is the most widely spoken language around the world and is needed in communication in a variety of professional fields. If you have a good command of English, not only does your career opportunities broaden but also your chance of getting paid more at a chosen job increases. 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. With the Internet and smart...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Over the span of time, many educators from around the world have been using different techniques to encourage and productively teach students about any topic at hand. Oftentimes, various games or activities are incorporated, along with academic courses, to create more fun and encouraging the atmosphere for students to effectively acquire more knowledge from. Over the years, the format for classroom games has changed drastically, and now there are many more options that incorporate the use of technology and interactivity. Although this can be very challenging, and time-consuming, interactive games tend to motivate, collaborate, and encourage student participation in the learning process. This post was written...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Productivity could be described as what someone or something creates or in other words produces. In the world of education, and reference to students, most tangible progress can be seen and heard through two specific means of production, the productive skills of speaking and writing. However, it is important to ask, how important are these productive skills? From the perspective of the teacher, they must understand that in the instances that individuals wish to converse with one another there is a cause, they have a purpose, a need to say something, a need to listen to something, or they are interested in what is being said. (ITTT, 2011) When a teacher can understand this, they can conjure and create a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Malaysia is located in South East Asia which occupies parts of the Malay Peninsula and some part of the Borneo Island. These two lands are separated by the South China Sea It was once colonized by the British from the 18th century until it gained its independence in 1957 as the Federation of Malaya and later on formed Malaysia with joining of the North Borneo, Sarawak in 1963. Bahasa Melayu commonly known as the Malay Language is the national language of the country while English becomes the second language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Karibo B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In the early 18th century, many Malaysian...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I felt confused by it when I saw it the first time but now it’s unforgettable for me. E represents Engage, S is for study and A means activate. During my study of the TEFL course, I initially thought I would have only learned about ESA in one unit but it wasn't the case. I had a high frequency of interaction with it throughout the TEFL course. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Pei dong W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The first step is to have a deep understanding of the aim of each part, then the ways we can implement it, following that, we need to figure out some problems may arise from students in the class. Some of...  [Read more]

Desrine Francois TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Teaching English as a foreign language to older adults students comes with its own unique set of challenges. These students are, more often than not, retirees whose professional lives are behind them. Unlike their younger counterparts, they do not need to learn English for educational or professional purposes. So what impels these older adults to attend EFL classes? And what are the advantages and disadvantages of having them as students? Personal growth, social interaction, and continued intellectual stimulation are often cited by older adult students as the main reasons they attend EFL classes. They believe that learning, whether it is a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Given the increase in globalization during the late 20th and early 21st centuries and the growing inter-dependencies of domestic economies within the international marketplace, English, as a primary language medium for conducting international business arrangements, has become an increased priority both socially and within the business environment. However, notwithstanding the importance of English fluency within contemporary society, Japan and Japanese English learners face difficulties when trying to achieve competency. These difficulties and issues can be shown by the 2018 EF English Proficiency Index which ranked the English level of Japanese learners as rank 49 out of 88 countries which place Japan within the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas While studying the content of the Teaching Business English specialized course, I was introduced to the unique place of role-playing and simulation. In a similar vein, in a previous summative task, I focused on the use of games within a general TEFL/TESOL context. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Stephen W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Role-playing and simulating business interactions, using gamification techniques, would be an effective educational tool in teaching business English. It would be effective because it encourages the development of fluency, the ability to focus upon the use of degrees to which a point is...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences When I first began my career of teaching internationally I remember a very distinct moment. I was sitting at a dinner restaurant with friends who were all from different countries: Germany, the Netherlands, the US, Columbia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Montenegro. While we were all from very different and faraway places we could all talk and share with each other. The only way that was possible was because of our one connected, global language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Taylor K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The term “global language” has never officially been defined. There has never been such a connection of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Language development is one of those milestones that parents can’t wait to achieve. And rightly so! Language development is critical to the overall development of children. It is never too early or too late to begin working on your child’s language development. It lays the foundation for communication, understanding feelings, and expressing them. It also supports critical thinking and problem solving and developing and maintaining relationships. Learning a language is a stepping stone to understanding or learning all future knowledge that the child will undertake. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Najia S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or...  [Read more]

Gökhan Yilmaz Destinations TEFL Information Turkey is one of the world's top travel destinations and sees more than 40 million visitors every year. Half of Turkey's population works in the tourism industry and lives from national and international tourism. Summer is typically the peak season for visiting Turkey. What attracts most visitors to Turkey are the friendly locals, beautiful scenery, and rich culture and history as well as the mix old modern and tradition. Due to Turkey's huge tourism industry, English is widely spoken among locals, which also means that the opportunities for teaching English in Turkey are vast. Here are 5 reasons to teach English in Turkey. Turkey's geopolitical importance is quite unique in the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this paper, I will discuss the reasons for students to learn English, and ways in which the teacher can help the students find motivation for learning said language. My arguments stem from the fact that English is one of the most beneficial languages to know in an increasingly global economy and a great number of different areas. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vemund V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. A teacher might encounter a great variety of motivations their students may have to learn English. When student motivation is high, teaching and learning should be easier both for the teacher and student. However, some...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teaching English is traditionally done in a classroom setting; however, a growing number of teachers and students are attracted to the convenience and flexibility of teaching one-to-one lessons. Whether teaching privately or for a company, in-person or online, to young learners or adults ESL teachers know their approach must change when switching from group teaching to teaching individuals. How is this done and what changes need to be made? Switching from group lessons to teaching one-to-one involves much more than modifying materials for a smaller audience; ESL teachers also need to make changes to teacher-student roles, syllabus and structure, and resources. This post was written by our TEFL certification...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas For the past four years, I have worked in Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) of English. Before this, I had limited experience operating in a conventional classroom, teaching young learners. I trained adults who were self-motivated and designed curricula for vocation institutions. Now, outside of my expertise, here I am teaching at a junior high school – my base school and an elementary school. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Aeika P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The city in which I live is very rural, farming and fishing are traditional...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences With a flash of exasperation my Colombian friend, José, inquired, “Why do you always say it like that?” I paused unsure to what he was referring. José continued, “We're the same age and you’ve lived here for months but you still greet me like I’m a long-lost grandfather.” As I prepare to teach English abroad, this interaction forced me to confront the question of slang and idioms (SI) in the classroom. Is it appropriate to teach slang and idioms to learners of English as a foreign language (LEFL)? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Conor J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The widespread prevalence of English SI...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas One of the key elements to being an effective teacher is variety. One cannot teach by using the same lesson structure, the same activities, the same worksheets, the same plan every single time. No matter how effective it may be, students will still tire from the repetition, and their engagement will wane. And that is exactly why teachers have a toolbox from which to draw a wide variety of skills, activities, plans, and ideas to keep the classroom fresh and engaging. Changing scenery, environments, and going outside is all part of this toolbox, and can be used to an effective extent to keep lessons feeling stimulating and varied. And by doing so, the teacher is opening up lessons to a fun and exciting range of...  [Read more]