TEFL Coulter

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Learning a second language can be difficult, and this is especially true when the learners L1 and their target language are completely different in structure, sound, and tones. An English as a second language student who speaks French, German, or any other European language will have an easier task than one who speaks a language that is not of European origins. One such language is Mandarin Chinese. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ashley L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The areas that native Mandarin speakers most often run into difficulty are pronunciation, tones, tenses, and sentence structure. A Chinese speaker might...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences From my combined interest in Asian, and more specifically Korean, culture and my desire to teach English to anyone wanting to learn, I have personally come to interact with several adult learners from South Korea during the past few years. Through this experience, I have come to detect several common problems that students coming from this country, as well as students from neighboring Asian countries such as Japan and China, may face while learning English and that I will, therefore, develop in this short essay. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kimberley H. M. The most common problem would be pronunciation. Yes, it may be a common problem to all English learners, or any language learner...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences My experience in teaching English to young learners is based in Japan. At the start of my time teaching, my student group consisted of two children of the same family. The siblings are a boy, age five, and a girl, age three, who participate equally in the English conversation sessions. Three main factors of this situation present difficult walls, preventing forward progress. Those three factors are distracting objects, counter-productive classroom philosophies, and personality conflicts. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Brandon F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First, the English conversation takes place in the children's...  [Read more]

Thailand's capital city is a thriving, modern metropolis with gleaming sky scrapers rising above the exquisite Buddhist temples that dot the city. Traditional markets mingle with the latest shopping malls selling up-to-date fashions and technology. Bangkok is also home to some of the top restaurants in Southeast Asia and its street food is delicious, cheap and ubiquitous. Bangkok was named as one of the world's Top Ten Cities by Travel + Leisure and the number one visited city by Global Destination Cities Index Bangkok is one of the most exciting places to visit in Asia if not the world. Whether you're interests lay in exploring the history of the city and country or in finding the best place for a night out, there is bound to be something for you in Bangkok. Our school is in a pleasant...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Lesson planning is an essential part of your teaching practice. Moreover, it is vital to be creative all the time. This sample lesson plan will help you to set a perfect lesson for beginners or lower-intermediate students. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Michelle M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. List a number of role-play situations that would be appropriate for beginner and low intermediate level students. These role-play situations should include variety with multiple structures for students to exploit. Also Read: Top 10 Places to Take Your TEFL Course in Spring Choose one of the situations on your list and design...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Although a teacher's role seems like a simple topic to discuss, it's far more complicated than most people credit for. The role of a teacher is pivotal to the students for a myriad of reasons. Based on how the teacher holds themselves in the classroom, it will directly correlate with the amount each student learns and the amount of respect each student has for the teacher. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Roman S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The teacher needs to be in complete control of the classroom to ensure they have the respect and attention of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Attempting to learn a new language is a very challenging undertaking. An ESL student will face many obstacles and difficulties not only when they are a beginner but also throughout their entire English education. There are so many unique rules and intricacies to the English language that it can be very daunting to remember everything. Issues ranging from grammar to spelling to pronunciation; can add to a student’s stress level. That is why it is so vital for teachers to be aware of this when working with students. How a teacher speaks, acts, the actual words used, and many other things can impact students in either a positive way that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Are there alternatives to punishment? In this essay, we will explore what punishment sought to achieve within a classroom environment versus its applicability when seeking alternatives. Particular attention will be placed on measures that teachers may promote to achieve a class-culture that favors deterrence above sanction. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Aaron T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Before we can understand what punishment promotes and if possible alternatives are available, we must first know what punishment is within the parameters of a classroom. “Punishment involves some kind of unpleasantness or infliction...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Imagine you are in a language class and the teacher has given you a task. You are excited. The last time you completed an assignment like this one you gained a greater sense of confidence in the target language. After completing the last assignment the confidence gained from it gave you the courage to strike up a conversation with the waiter at the restaurant where you were dining. He was from the country of your target language. You said “hello” and also read the menu and ordered it in the TL. Why? Where did this confidence come from? I do not want to oversimplify the answer because learning a language takes time and effort, it is a compilation of many things, but in this instance, the reason is that your...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Activities bring your classroom to life. They provide meaningful and fun use of language. Children learn through play and it is how adults learn, too. Acting, moving, having fun help learners effectively participate in the lesson, and retain what is being taught. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Trang M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Place the 3 cups in a row in front of your students. Tell your students to watch carefully because you are going to hide one of the flashcards in a cup. Start shuffling the cup around, being careful not to let the card fall out. Encourage your students to keep track of the cup that they think...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Vocabulary is the knowledge of words and word meanings. As we all know, vocabulary plays a significant role in language. If we want to speak or write, we need to know the vocabulary first. So as an English teacher, we have to know some effective ways to teach vocabulary otherwise the class is going to be so dull. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ruqiong C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. When it comes to teaching vocabulary, there are plenty of easy options. The funniest one is playing games! No matter younger learners or adults, they both love games! Games are easy to motivate students to learn. The first game I am going to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning a new language can be incredibly challenging. To even attempt to learn a language that is not one’s mother tongue takes both incredible courage and humility, especially when the language is English. As a teacher of English, stress must be expected and prepared for in order to keep students feeling encouraged and wanting to try. These are my tips for doing just that. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate AmyJoy G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First, make sure that students know you care about them by building rapport with them as they begin the class. With this, it’s helpful to see that other’s aren’t perfect so...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In the following essay, I want to talk about teaching EFL in kindergarten and the possible advantages and disadvantages of it. In addition to that, I will talk about different teaching methods for teaching kindergarten students. They were followed by the importance of creating the right classroom environment and the teacher's personality and attitude when working with children. This essay is based on my personal experience as a kindergarten teacher and on what I have learned through this course. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Annika L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or...  [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 Alumni Experiences A teacher has an important responsibility to get to know his or her students to ensure that they are engaged with the lesson on a daily basis. Learning another language is not easy so it is imperative that a teacher does everything in his or her power to get to know their students and become as familiar with them as possible. One of the most effective ways a teacher can begin to do so is by establishing rapport with their students. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kathyrine L. Establishing rapport with students is ideally something that should happen at the beginning of the course. It is better to get to know your students as soon as possible rather than later. There is much to be...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A TEFL course is undertaken by individuals that would like to teach English as a foreign language. Completing a TEFL course is important as the course teaches aspiring teachers the key skills they would need to teach the English language in the best manner possible. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Everyl C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Students or rather learners come from various backgrounds and have varied life experiences. Several factors need to be kept into consideration while dealing with students such as age, prior learning experience, motivation to learn, ability to take feedback and awareness of the language. A...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are many ways to teach students English or any other language. You can learn in an immersive environment, a formal classroom setting, or even try to learn from watching and listening to media. One common format is one to one teaching. This means there are one student and one teacher working on the curriculum together. This can be in person or on the internet, which is becoming increasingly more common. As with all things in life, there are both good and bad aspects resulting from this teaching format. Individual attention has benefits and drawbacks, as does the lack of peers. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Naomi P. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Teachers are experts, tutors, mentors, superiors, masters, organizers, models, etc. that “rule”, lead or guide students in their learning. They bear the important responsibility of leading the learning of their students towards success (meeting goals). They have a position that requires constant attention and responsibility, usually towards a group and they always need to adapt themselves to the classes and cultural differences. In the many roles and responsibilities that teachers may face, how can they not be nervous about the multiple approaches they could take and the multitude of problems that could appear in their future classes? Especially new teachers, how can they increase their confidence in the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In the wake of the upcoming 2020 Olympics in Japan, there has been an increase in elementary school level English classes. As an assistant language teacher half into my fourth year, I have had the rare chance to work the entirety of my time in one elementary school where I have had many great memories. However, being present every day I began to notice that some students were struggling or in some cases, not even trying when it came to English class. Talking with my peers and colleagues from other elementary schools as well as my own, there are some common problems that many students seem to experience in an English class. These problems include learning in a counter-productive environment, inconsistent...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Common standards must be met by every American student in classes like mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts. English language learners are held to the same standards and given the same assessments in these different content area classes. Are these assessments a true measure of what an English language learner knows? How can teachers prepare English language learners for the rigors and expectations of the American educational system? Teachers who are prepared can help these students to succeed in both their learning of the new language and the content of the academic classes in which they are enrolled. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Danita O. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas A teaching job abroad is another level of everyday challenge but is a fulfilling one. With my teaching experiences, I started crafting my own ways on how to develop the English-speaking skills kindergarten level students, especially the non-native speakers. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ruffy M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Routine is one of the most vital things a kindergarten teacher should keep in mind while teaching kindergarten learners. A well-established routine helps the learners follow instructions effortlessly and remember the things you taught easily, such as instructions and songs. Being lively in class adds...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences A foreign language is a sector of linguistics that is region-based and as the name states are foreign to the country or the person. And this entails that language is part of the culture and personality of every person. As each language is unique and meaningful in its way and turn reflects the culture, values, and behavior. No region or country does not have its language, culture, and beliefs. Overall, when learning a foreign language you are learning not only linguistics but their religion, their way of interaction, their mode of transportation or their way of life. And in the world today, English is considered as the universal language of the world because of globalization and in turn is the generalized or...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Observation is an essential element in the teaching-learning process. It is a powerful tool that is underestimated by some teachers, the fact which in its turn hinders the progress of the students and slows down the teacher’s professional development. Observation can be viewed from different aspects such as peer observation, self-observation, and observation of the students at the lesson. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alina S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. While conducting peer observation two questions may arise. What to observe and how to observe? Peer observation aims to assist your colleague in dealing with...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Observation is an essential element in the teaching-learning process. It is a powerful tool that is underestimated by some teachers, the fact which in its turn hinders the progress of the students and slows down the teacher’s professional development. Observation can be viewed from different aspects such as peer observation, self-observation, and observation of the students at the lesson. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alina S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. While conducting peer observation two questions may arise. What to observe and how to observe? Peer observation aims to assist your colleague in dealing with...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are many reasons why classroom management skill sets are really important for the basics of teaching generally. It effectively helps build a great classroom atmosphere for everyone in it as well as create rapport between the teacher and the student. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Amelie R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Few of the most important skills the teacher needs to acquire are the special details towards their eye contact, gesture, and the voice, as it is can determine the outcome of the class. It is essential for the teacher to always have good eye contact technique which will help in a number of ways...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Self-confidence has been seen as a major contributor to a person learning a language. As a teacher and a counselor, I agree with Jack Welch’s quote: Giving people self-confidence is by far the most important thing that I can do because then they will act. Confidence exists of three realms: who I am, what I can learn, and what I can do. These are steps that can be taken to help Chinese Business English students improve confidence in these realms. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate William N. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Self-confidence is the total of attributes which enable the use of acquiring knowledge and application of...  [Read more]

  Our TEFL course in Germany is based in the wonderful city of Leipzig in the state of Saxony in the East of the country. Leipzig has a long and fascinating history dating back at least to the Holy Roman Empire and was an important cultural and educational center in medieval times. Art and culture plays a strong role in the life of the city today and the Oper Leipzig is one of the most famous opera houses in Germany. Bach worked in Leipzig for several years in the 18th century and the city is home to the Bach-Archiv Leipzig, an institution that documents the life of Bach and his family. Leipzig is also an important center for contemporary music and the “Südvorstadt” area of the city is well-known for its clubs playing cutting edge electronic music. Counter culture plays a large...  [Read more]

  Thailand’s capital city is a thriving, modern metropolis with gleaming sky scrapers rising above the exquisite Buddhist temples that dot the city. Traditional markets mingle with the latest shopping malls selling up-to-date fashions and technology. Bangkok is also home to some of the top restaurants in Southeast Asia and its street food is delicious, cheap and ubiquitous. Bangkok was named as one of the world’s Top Ten Cities by Travel + Leisure and the number one visited city by Global Destination Cities Index Bangkok is one of the most exciting places to visit in Asia if not the world. Whether you’re interests lay in exploring the history of the city and country or in finding the best place for a night out, there is bound to be something for you in Bangkok. Register now...  [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]