TEFL Harmony

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The English language has become a bridge between nations and peoples all around the globe. Many aspiring students and individuals are choosing to pursue English as a foreign language to be able to boost their opportunities in our increasingly global world. Teachers of English are thus in demand all over the world, and those that take overseas positions naturally leave their homeland to live full time in a new country. It is valuable for these teachers to practice cultural sensitivity because the culture is a foundational part of society. Cultural sensitivity in the classroom can also promote a better classroom environment. Moreover, the teacher who practices this can increase their opportunities in the workplace....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The Cambridge dictionary defines grammar as ‘(the study or use of) the rules about how words change their form and combine with other words to make sentences’, but other dictionaries also include punctuation within the definition and, although they may not be strictly correct, the two aspects are so tightly interrelated, within the context of explicit and tacit meaning, the one can’t be divorced from the other. One describes the landscape — past, present, and future — while the other provides the form: defining where entities begin and end, where the silences occur before turning the corner to meet with a new sound. The landscape has a pulse: it has rhythm. This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Teaching English in Cambodia 3. Qualifications and Requirements 4. Cultural Considerations Are you passionate about teaching English and exploring new cultures? Cambodia is a country rich in history and culture, making it an ideal destination for teaching English as a foreign language. In this guide, we will explore the best practices for teaching English in Cambodia, including qualifications, cultural considerations, and teaching opportunities. Cambodia is a popular destination for English teachers looking to make a difference in the lives of students. The demand for English language education is high, especially in urban areas like Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. As an English teacher in Cambodia, you will have the opportunity to work in schools, language centers, or even...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Teaching Ideas Teachers are people who help, motivate, and encourage students to acquire knowledge. Their role in society should not be underestimated, as they tend to have a significant influence on student achievement, discipline, and overall intelligence. Many personality characteristics can be linked with a good teacher, such as their ability to be kind, patient, lively, knowledgeable, and caring amongst many other things. Their primary role in the classroom, however, should be to effectively encourage learning. Almost everyone can name a teacher who stands out amongst the rest not because they gave easy A’s, but rather due to their ability to fully engage and inspire their class. This post was written by our TEFL...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The short answer to the question in the title is a resounding Yes. Globalization has accelerated and reshaped not only the way we do business, but it has profoundly changed the way we interact, socialize, play and learn. But this just the tip of our (melting) iceberg. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Conrad H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Globalization has connected our seven-plus billion minds in ways that are sure to radically transform language and education. The idea of a global language is an old one, but never in history has it been such a profound reality. Also Read: How much can I earn teaching English in Chile?...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Some people might think that the methodology is of greater importance than any other teaching aspect. Yet teaching is based on human relationships. Therefore it is essential whether the teacher manages to establish harmonious interactions between faculty and students. Bernieri defines these interactions as 'rapport' (Galzier 2016). According to Frisby and Myers, rapport is "the ability to build a relationship based on trust and harmony and is considered to be a positive and prosocial behavior that is relationally powerful enough to enact cohesiveness, reduce the threat, and structure social interaction (Fleming 2009)." Multiple studies have...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Since my childhood, I have been frequently asked the same question "what kind of teacher do you want?" At different life stages, I have different answers. When I was a kid, I would say a teacher who dresses neatly and smiles nicely; when I was a teenager, I would prefer a "cool" teacher as a good teacher, who behaves differently from other boring and stereotyping adults; until I grow up, I think a good teacher should have sound subject knowledge, be fair and consistent with all of the students as well as being sensitive to the students’ reactions and providing necessary support, and until now I know being a good teacher has nothing to do with his/her appearances and dressings. This post was written by our...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Henry Wadsworth Longfellow once said "Music is the universal language of mankind” and it is still widely accepted today. Any language uses words to create sentences that convey messages with different tones and emotions as well as music does. Thus, bringing music to an English classroom is one good way to inspire the learners. There are tons of techniques or ideas involving music and songs that can be applied to any part of a lesson plan. It is available today in the form of online resources to use as a guideline for teachers. However, there are some arguments about how this strategy can be time-consuming and taking away the interest out of a focus lesson. In this case, the advantages outweigh the worries. Here...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas My personal teaching experience is not a typical teaching job that most people come across. It starts back in the early 1990s. At that time, I was a Senior Prison Office with the Office of Corrections of Victoria and was working in the “B” Division at our maximum security prison H.M. Prison Pentridge. 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. “B” Division housed 105 of Victoria’s worst prisoners and at the young age of 25 I oversaw them all, I also had 26 rotating staff to help run the division. With daily flights, stabbings, and assaults on staff, we were constantly having to find new...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Establishing rapport is essential not only for a successful classroom but for creating successful and harmonious relationships between people or groups. It is essentially trust and a decisive factor that can define the interaction between different bodies. In this case, I will discuss why establishing rapport is essential in the classroom, focusing on having a good connection between the teacher and students. The benefits of good rapport include more efficient learning, universal application, and rewarding results. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ellen X. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Stories are universal. They have existed in every culture and every period is known to modern man. From Neolithic cave art to Homer and from Virgil to Dostoevsky, humanity has been enthralled with stories. The most successful speakers constantly engage in bard-like tale-bearing, and, oftentimes, the songs that most resonate with listeners follow a story arch—albeit loosely. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ryan S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Total enthrallment with television and movies proves this theory to be true beyond a shadow of a doubt. People like stories; mankind loves them. It is for these reasons that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The trust that a person has in another is one of the most important parts of communication and the first step in strengthening bonds. Establishing rapport can put any individual at ease, whether it be in the business world, classroom setting or even a neighbor. To execute efficiently, a teacher must first inspire confidence in his or her students. In this summative assessment, I will show how establishing rapport is essential to the flow of the classroom. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph Matthew B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In my former profession, I was the manager of a successful defense contracting firm in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As someone whose parents and grandparents are ethnically Chinese, but lived in Canada ever since I can remember, there has always been a disconnect in terms of the two cultures I am stuck between. I hope to use my background as an advantage to find TEFL jobs in China, and this task will be part of my research to learn about the problems learners and I may face while engaging in English lessons. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Joseph Kevin Y. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Speaking is a dominant skill in communication; even individuals who have never taken English lessons may know some words or phrases due to pop culture...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences If you ever find yourself driving in French Canada, you will be stopped by stop signs that say ‘arrêt’, which is stopped in French. Almost all drivers in North America would know that this means stop because it’s the same octagon red stop sign. In Japan it’s very different, stop signs are triangular with Japanese script on them but, beneath the Japanese, you can find English subtitles which read ‘stop’. In fact, if you travel anywhere in Japan, the majority of signs and announcements related to travel are offered in Japanese and English. English has been taught in Japanese schools since the American occupation after World War Two. However, according to an EF English Proficiency Index in 2017,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas "Parents are the ultimate role models for children. Every word movement and action affects…" this opinion expressed by Bob Keeshan is supported by many people worldwide. Is this true? What are some of the roles they model? How do these roles impact their child's education? Henceforth let us take a look at some of the parents' education in the education of their children, then briefly look at some of the impact observed in students' attitude in an English class? Parents play many roles in education, and that role begins on the day of the child's birth (Although there are many studies out there that argue that it starts in utero). Studies...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences A resource I found invaluable for this essay was the website Cyborlink (2019a), a reference provided in the TEFL Young Learners course (ITTT, 2019). The TEFL course (Unit 6) discusses how cultural considerations are important when teaching abroad. This includes cultural sensitivity when interacting with the young learners themselves, as well as in interacting with parents and school staff (administration/teachers). This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate David B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Cyborlink is aimed at a more general audience of people doing business in other cultures, though of course has implications for TEFL...  [Read more]