TEFL Maple Ridge

  Alveolar sounds get their name from the fact that the alveolar ridge is being used. Again, that ridge is just behind the front top row of teeth. Here the tongue is on or very very near the alveolar ridge. It's typically the tip of the tongue or what's just behind the tip of the tongue, called the blade of the tongue. Here, we're talking about sounds such as ?t? and ?d?. If you say them at home, you can tell the tip of your tongue is on that alveolar ridge. Again, that's ?t? and ?d?, as well as sounds such as ?s? and ?z?. Again, the blade of the tongue is just near that alveolar ridge but it is very near nonetheless. The two other sounds that make it into this category is the ?l? sound, where the tip of the tongue is very clearly touching that alveolar ridge, as well as ?r? or the...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'assent' and 'ascent'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. Let's take a look at the two words individually. 'Assent' is a noun and describes an agreement or an approval of something. He nodded his assent and she continued. As you can see in the example, 'assent' indicates that he is agreeing. We could also say 'He nodded in agreement and she continued.' While the word 'ascent' is also used as a noun, it has a very different meaning. It refers to the action of rising or climbing up, for example: My legs were tired after I took the ascent to the cabin on the ridge. We could also say 'My legs were tired from the climb to the cabin on the ridge'. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT...  [Read more]

  And now we have our nasal sounds. There are three nasal sounds and basically the pattern of air that's moving out of our vocal tract has to do with two big instances and that is a closure in the vocal tract. Except aside from the plosives and affricates, what we have is air escaping through our nasal cavity. These sounds include ?m?, ?n? and ?ng?. We're moving from the front of the mouth to the back of the mouth. First with the M sound or the ?m?, we're closing both lips and the air is escaping through the nasal passage ?m?. Next we have our N sound or our ?n? sound. There, the closure is inside the mouth but our tongue is closing up near our alveolar ridge and the air is escaping through the nose. Again that's ?n?. Finally we have our NG sound and the closure there is happening...  [Read more]

  Hannah took ITTT’s 120-hour online TEFL course without tutor support. In her TEFL review video she gives a brief overview of her experience on the course. During the course she studied classroom management, grammar, lesson planning among other topics. Although she struggled with the final project the feedback she received was good and Hannah highly recommends the course. 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. I feel that lesson plans are...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Say the word ‘hat’ to yourself out loud. Now say ‘mouth’. Was it easy? If you are a native English speaker you did it without thinking. You didn’t have to contort your face into all sorts of funny shapes or feel self-conscience during the process. The reason is that you already know the phonology of those two English words. You may not understand exactly how you said those words; whether they were plosives or voiced or non-voiced, whether or not the tongue was forward touching the teeth or raised touching the soft palate. You don’t need to know. You have heard and said these words hundreds if not thousands of times in your life. You already can say them easily without thinking. But what if you are...  [Read more]

  Place of articulation deals with the placement of the vocal organs when producing a sound. Before we can cover the particulars of places of articulation, we'll need to take a look at the various vocal organs and their locations. Moving from the front to the back we'd begin with our lips. We can use both lips in order to create a sound or we can use one of our lips with one of our rows of teeth, usually the top, in order to produce another sound. We also have other sounds, which use both of the rows of teeth. Further back we have what's called the alveolar ridge. That's the bit of the mouth that may get burnt when we're eating a pizza that's a bit too hot and the cheese burns just behind there our top two teeth. That again is the hard bit just behind our top teeth, called the...  [Read more]

As the most populous city in canada and the fourth most populous in the whole of north america, Toronto can certainly claim to be one of the world’s truly great cities. The city is also the capital of the province of Ontario and is at the heart of canadian business, finance, arts and culture. According to dozens of surveys and polls Toronto is consistently rated as one of the most livable cities in the world, which is yet another reason why this multicultural and cosmopolitan city provides the perfect venue for completing a tefl/tesol training course. The first European settlement in the area was established by the British in the late 18th century. Originally known as York, the city was renamed Toronto in 1834 and it then became the provincial capital in 1867. The city steadily grew in...  [Read more]

California is probably the most famous state of them all due to the many Hollywood movies set here. Endless beaches, great surfing and a warm climate also make California a premier vacation destination. The Gold Rush of the 19th century first brought California a huge economic boom and an iconic wave of immigration. Still today, the state is among the most diverse in the country with a population of many different backgrounds and ethnicities. California is also the most populous state in the country and one of the largest as it covers three quarters of the entire West Coast. In the south, just 30 minutes from the Mexican border, lies San Diego. The city has a warm climate throughout the year and is often called ‘America’s Finest City’. San Diego offers splendid entertainment, outdoor...  [Read more]

  Now an example of a straight arrow ESA lesson for our engage phase. What we're going to do is to show the students a video of animals and they are going to say what they like about those animals and try to create a list of some more. So, remember what we're trying to do here is to get the students talking and thinking in English. We're using a typical engage activity, which is to create a list and we try to make sure that all the students have been involved in some way in creating those lists. Moving on to the study phase, the first part is going to be the board work and the teacher is going to try to elicit from the students what each of those animals can and can't do. Typically, what the students will say is just single words, so "run," "jump," "fly," etc. What we would then...  [Read more]

Lydia Pincott Destinations Alumni Experiences “But...why are you here?” It’s a phrase often uttered by Japanese, confused about what your reason could be for straying from the usual temples of Kyoto, shops of Shinjuku, and street-food of Osaka. The beaten path in Japan is pretty great and worth exploring thoroughly, but if you’ve done it, or feel like you’ve done it from seeing other people’s pictures, these 3 destinations are for you. Take a 4-week in-class TEFL/TESOL course in Japan and get a headstart in your teaching career! Picture this: Sandy beaches with perfectly turquoise waters stretching out as far as the eye can see, cafes with fresh, flavorful food just waiting to be devoured, and cheerful locals happy...  [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]

Our tefl/tesol training course in the resort city of Santa Monica is a perfect location for anyone who wants to take their course within easy reach of the beautiful California coastline, as well as all the sights and attractions of the wider los angeles region. Located in the downtown area, our school is just a short step from the city’s fantastic beachfront and within a short bus ride of many of the most famous attractions in the area such as Hollywood, Disneyland, Universal Studios, and some of the best shopping to be found anywhere in the world. The course is operated in an esl school that is well-equipped with 10 classrooms, Wi-Fi throughout the building and access to photocopying and a useful resource library. We also have a small snack shop on-site as well as tea and coffee making...  [Read more]

ITTT offers one of the most professional and affordable TEFL training courses in Mexico. Located in the beautiful small town of Chiapa de Corzo, our training centre in Mexico provides everything you will need to successfully complete our teacher training program. Our course participants also have the benefit of our unique job support service that will be invaluable in helping you find and secure the right job for you, whether you want to work in Mexico, elsewhere in Latin America or anywhere around the wider world. Due to Mexico’s close proximity to the USA, there is a large demand for English language teachers throughout the country. Practically every city and town has job opportunities available for well trained and motivated teachers, so graduates from our training course should have...  [Read more]

Enrol on our ITTT course in the USA and experience learning and living in the richest and most powerful country on earth. With a diverse culture, beautiful and varied landscapes, magical cities and warm, friendly people, this really is an exciting place in which to take our TEFL course. The many immigrants pouring into the country each day and throughout recent history provide it with a diverse cultural heritage and a huge sense of national pride. New adventures await every visitor to this wonderful country also known as the ‘land of the free’. This country has a real need for quality English language teachers and those of you who choose to take our internationally renowned course here should have no difficulty finding employment following successful completion of the course. TEFL...  [Read more]

Exploring Siem Reap in Style with Affordable Tesla Options Siem Reap, a city in northwestern Cambodia, is known for its stunning temples, vibrant markets, and rich cultural heritage. For travelers looking to explore this enchanting destination in style and comfort, affordable Tesla options are now available. With a focus on sustainability and luxury, these electric vehicles offer a unique way to experience the beauty of Siem Reap while minimizing your carbon footprint. 1. **Discovering Siem Reap in a Tesla** 2. **Benefits of Choosing a Tesla** 3. **Exploring Siem Reap's Top Attractions** 4. **Booking Your Tesla Experience** Imagine cruising through the streets of Siem Reap in a sleek and eco-friendly Tesla, turning heads as you pass by ancient temples and bustling markets. With ITTT's...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Environmental Impact 3. Cost Savings 4. Convenience and Safety In the picturesque city of Cusco, Peru, owning a Tesla can bring about a myriad of benefits that go beyond just luxury and style. As the world shifts towards sustainable living, driving an electric vehicle like a Tesla can make a significant impact on the environment while also offering practical advantages to the residents of Cusco. From reducing carbon emissions to saving money on fuel costs, the decision to own a Tesla in Cusco can prove to be both environmentally conscious and economically savvy. One of the most compelling reasons to own a Tesla in Cusco is its positive impact on the environment. As a city known for its historical significance and natural beauty, Cusco faces environmental challenges due...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Each student faces their difficulties when it comes to English pronunciation depending on their country of origin. This essay will focus on the pronunciation difficulties facing ESL students in France and will also propose some solutions to help students overcome these difficulties. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kerri M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The number of English vowel sounds greatly outnumbers those found in the French language. As such, French students will have to produce sounds that they have never produced before. The short ‘ɪ’ used in ‘bit’ does not exist in French. In this case, they will...  [Read more]

Seoul is a city with a long and interesting history. It is also a thoroughly modern and technologically advanced city. Ancient neighborhoods sit side-by-side with gleaming skyscrapers in a city that provides some of the fastest internet connections in the world. Such a technologically advanced city is able to offer a high standard of living at a cost of living that is comparatively low to many other cities around the world. This is none of the reasons that Seoul is a popular destination for TEFL teachers from around the globe. There is plenty to see and do in Seoul. If you are looking for home comforts then a visit to the international districts of Itaewon and Hannam would be a good idea. There are also numerous museums and parks around the city and festivals are held throughout the year. ...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Since one of the essentials of being a good teacher is being respected by your students, it’s very important to make sure one does not offend culturally by one’s behavior or the content of the lessons. Lessons should be fun and at times feel “free” in the sense that students are laughing and interacting with each other and with the teacher perhaps in a game, but at no point should boundaries be crossed that would make students uncomfortable or put them in a defensive posture. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Renata D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. From the get-go, in establishing rapport, the teacher should do so in...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences From the days of Chaucer and Shakespeare to the present the English language has been filled with some amazingly peculiar and bizarre examples of speech and grammar. As the English sailed around the globe colonizing it to the extent the “sun never set on the British empire” the number of words that were adopted by the language could not help but grow. Along with this vocabulary growth so to did the number of expressions and grammatical rules that seem to make no sense when actually examined. One could say that English has been beating up other languages in dark alleys, then going through their pockets for loose grammar and spare vocabulary for centuries. This post was written by our ITTT graduate Jon C....  [Read more]

The ITTT TEFL course in Colombia gives you the opportunity to learn how to teach English in one of Latin America’s brightest stars and the gateway to South America. Colombia is a country filled with unique landscapes and innovative cities, cultural and gastronomic delights, and villages surrounded by imposing mountains. It is a country of diversity with places that only exist in Colombia. For lovers of nature and extreme sports, the three mountain ranges of the Colombian Andes are an excellent setting for climbing or walking trails. For water sports, the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Coast offer some of the world’s best surfing and snorkeling, and our lakes and reservoirs in the interior of the country are great for fishing and rafting. Colombia has everything; Caribbean beaches in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The purpose of my essay is to outline some of the most frequently occurred pronunciation mistakes made by Russian learners and share some of the teaching ideas based on a few sources and my own experience of teaching and learning English as a foreign and second language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Olga R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Teaching English phonology and pronunciation for Russian learners is always challenging as there are a great number of differences rather than similarities in the pronunciation norms in the English and the Russian language systems. That is why Russian learners experience difficulties...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Hello guys, please let me know in the comment section that you can see me clearly and you can hear this video so that I know that my equipment works smoothly. I'll be very thankful for that. To start with my name is Liza and I’m an ITTT TEFL expert and an online English teacher and today we will talk about one of the most important things in TEFL teaching, online lesson planning. Well we will talk about lesson planning in general, but as I’m more specialized in online teaching I'll try to share my personal experience in planning online classes. Thanks for joining me, I hope that you are having a great time especially after your long winter holidays. Let me know where you are...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Do you know what is the largest language by several speakers in the world? Yes, it is, in fact, English, so according to wikipedia.org, over 2 billion people speak English(1), now that statistic might have sounded huge but the real fact is that nowadays, since we live and depend on global economy, almost every country in the world is worried by the fact their people can’t speak English, this is basically because almost every country makes business with the United States. Now, based on that fact, a lot of foreign Governments are implementing English teaching methods in public schools from the early stages of the study. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alex D. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Alumni Experiences Hungarian Budapest, Hungary 37 Bachelor’s Degree in International Communication with a Specialty in East-Asian International Management; Master’s Degree in Social Sciences with a Thesis on Human Values in Contemporary Education; Diploma in TESOL by ITTT. I have been living in Japan for almost twelve years. Other than Japan, Korea, and the U.S. (Arizona), I have been mainly to European countries, such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Austria, France, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, and Denmark. Budapest, Hungary, and Beppu, Japan Staying in Japan made it a necessity but I had already had experience in tutoring English in Hungary as a student. I did not have any concerns...  [Read more]

As the state capital of Arizona, Phoenix is a vibrant city that provides the perfect base for completing a tefl/tesol course. Due to its location in the Sonoran Desert, the city of Phoenix enjoys a warm and dry climate throughout the year. As well as the pleasant weather, the city is also ideally situated for exploring this fascinating region that is home to some of the most beautiful national parks in the country including the mighty Grand Canyon. Don’t worry if you are not keen on outdoor adventures as you will find plenty of other things to enjoy in this modern and lively city. Although the area has been home to Native Americans for over 2000 years, the modern city of Phoenix has a relatively short history. Founded in the 1860s, the city was small and mostly overlooked until it was...  [Read more]

Christine Thompson Destinations Prague is one of the most popular places for EFL teachers in Europe. The Czech Republic makes it relatively easy for non-EU citizens to secure a work permit and the cost of living isn't as astronomical as in many Western European countries. Here are four amazing reasons, why Prague is the ideal place to teach English. In Prague, and in the Czech Republic generally, teaching opportunities abound for English-proficient, qualified TEFL teachers. The sheer variety of work available is in itself impressive. You could be teaching in private language schools, pre-schools, public primary and secondary schools, universities as well as summer camps and after-school programs. In-company, exam preparation and soft-skills...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences The majority of children turning 5 years old attend kindergarten for two years in preparation for primary school. Some kids enter kindergarten earlier at the age of only four. This actually varies according from state to state and also from country to country. In China, most kindergartens combine childcare with teaching so that the children will develop physically, morally, and intellectually in a harmonious way to get ready for their formal school education. A good environment is assured for the kids to have a conducive place to learn actively. Teaching English in China can be overwhelming considering that English teachers are also assigned to teach kids as young as one year old or even younger. Chinese parents...  [Read more]

Ramon Perez Destinations China is a country where you can venture out and explore all it has to offer. The food, the culture, the people and everything else provide an exciting experience for those willing to challenge themselves. This country will allow you to grow in ways you never thought possible. However, some of these challenges can become a bit of an obstacle in our everyday lives. Don’t fret. There are tools that can help us overcome those obstacles and make our stay a pleasant one. In this blog, we will discuss a few apps that can aid in making our day to day journey a little easier. Start your adventure by taking a 4-week in-class TEFL course in China with ITTT. WeChat is a messaging app that most, if not all Chinese people use. Even...  [Read more]

  Beijing is a metropolis like no other and taking your tefl course here would allow you to see a side of the city that average travelers will never see. Located in the Xi Zhi Men downtown area, just a short distance from Tiananmen Square, our tefl training course in Beijing will prepare you to work in china or anywhere else your teaching career leads you. Should you wish to teach in Beijing, jobs are abundant and those having earned a certificate from the world’s largest tefl course provider are guaranteed to find meaningful employment in Beijing, or anywhere else in the country. We can use our contacts in the city to help you locate potential employers and you can also take advantage of our network of contacts throughout China. Beijing’s estimated population, spread over...  [Read more]