TEFL Sparks

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences When a student walks into any classroom, his outlook on the class has a lot to do with how a teacher may present themselves, and the qualities that make up that outward presentation. This concept proves itself to be true as the course goes on, and key concepts are taught. The student's perspective on the material is largely dependent on the specific qualities of the teacher that make him or her a dependable source of information. This essay will explore how patience, listening, and empathy are important qualities for English teachers to have and maintain, and how those qualities are vital in the teacher and student learning equation. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Sierra S. Please...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Everyone can remember the different ways teachers impacted their life, whether good or bad. In modern-day society, a teacher's role in education extends beyond just 'educating' and 'passing along the information to students, with teachers adopting myriad roles in the classroom setting and the students' personal life. Beyond educating, teachers can mentor students, be positive role models, encourage social inclusion, nurture student's development and interests, create a safe and welcoming environment for students, and look for signs of trouble. This essay will discuss the myriad roles teachers play in contemporary classroom contexts and the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Praises are like honey when you are on the receiving end you feel “sweet” or great about yourself. Imagine how your students feel when they are being praised for a job well done. They feel the same way too. According to the Cambridge English Dictionary, praise is defined as, “expressing admiration or approval of achievements of a person.” Praise works hand in hand with motivation. If you praise your students when they try to make an effort or when they do extremely well, it will go a far way in boosting their self-confidence and motivate them to want to learn. In doing so, this will help to increase their participation in class, which in turn would be a recipe for success. This post was written by our...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Motivation - It can be a bugbear for students & teachers alike. When someone is motivated, a future of endless opportunity is not only visible but achievable and a tiresome task no longer seems as such, but more of an alluring challenge with fruitful rewards along the way! This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Robert D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Although when motivation’s lacking, taking on the challenge of learning a foreign language can be a daunting one. A colossal amount of unfamiliar vocabulary, intonations & irregularity could swamp even the best of learners. Having spent over a year in Spain studying Spanish...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Benefits of Using TEFL Course Books with Audio Resources 3. How to Incorporate TEFL Course Books with Audio Resources 4. Conclusion Welcome to the world of TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) where the use of course books and audio resources plays a crucial role in providing effective language learning experiences. At ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training), we understand the importance of using a variety of teaching materials to engage students and enhance their language skills. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using TEFL course books with audio resources and provide tips on how to incorporate them into your lessons. 1. Enhanced Listening and Speaking Skills: Audio resources allow students to listen to authentic English accents,...  [Read more]

Lourien Prinsloo TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teachers are usually seen as welcoming, empathic, and, more often than not - enthusiastic creatures. Ready to change lives with the power of education. Students and parents often idolize them, leading exemplary lives that show they have it "together." They radiate positivity, and for some people, teachers are picture-perfect, the epitome of a human being. Understatement of the year! Although teachers may be seen as the superhumans of modern civilization, they are not superheroes. They are emotional beings who also experience various mixed emotions every day for a significant portion of my life. I witnessed fellow teachers navigating through negative emotions they experience...  [Read more]

Shakira Moss TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Have you ever been in the middle of a lesson only to look up and notice that your student has a strong look of confusion on their face? The student may look blank, glazed over, or they may be nervously giggling. If your student is not answering your questions and is waiting for your prompt, then it may be because they do not understand. No worries, fellow teachers! Here are five things to do to help prevent confusion and to make learning more seamless. Have your students complete a level test prior to your session or class time. This helps you to gauge the different ability levels in your class or with 1-1 tutoring. If you are teaching a class,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas There are a few aspects which should be taken into consideration when teaching either one-to-one, as well as teaching larger groups. As teachers, we might encounter, sooner or later, both situations and we have to make sure that we have the necessary tools to properly achieve the purpose of learning. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Flavia-Ioana S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I will start by looking first at one-to-one teaching, at the advantages and disadvantages that might arise. There are therefore 2 situations that we might encounter when we have only one student: our student could be either a child or an adult....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Motivation is perceived to be one of the key factors of any success story we know of today. It implies hope and a desire to act upon a task that may not look so appealing to us, on the contrary, motivation is usually needed when we face challenges. Whether it’s trying to climb a career ladder, get rid of bad unhealthy habits or even force yourself to go to the gym a certain amount of times per week. All these activities require a tremendous level of motivation and the desire to act upon it in the first place. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vadym L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For example, studying a new language is no...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In this essay, I will not only take a closer look at how to deal with difficult students and how to properly react to and solve challenging situations in the classroom but I will also highlight possible solutions outside the classroom. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Dennis S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First of all, teachers need to be aware of cultural differences that might spark conflicts within the classroom. So it is vital to study the local culture in-depth and make sure one is familiar with the dos and don’ts of the particular society before starting to teach. This also includes gestures that may be normal...  [Read more]

Anastasiia Ovchinnikova TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Let’s travel back in time a few months, when all schools and universities were closed and moved to teach their students remotely. Educators worldwide had to adjust their teaching methods to the new circumstances by moving their cozy, inspiring classrooms into the digital world. That was quite a challenge for many foreign language teachers to modify their offline routines to face the standards of distance learning and still be able to provide personal help and assistance to their students. This situation has proved that, unfortunately, teachers lack professional development and resources to address the challenges of distance learning....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English, like any language, is first and foremost the mother tongue of a person. Languages often are influenced by or entirely derive from migratory groups of people. The original native tongue of France, for example, was Gallic. The Latinized French we know today was only born after centuries of Roman occupation and assimilation. More confusing still, the nation takes its name from the Franks, who were themselves a Germanic tribe which conquered the territory from Rome. Despite this, their native German tongue had an only minor influence on French, as Roman Gaul had a quite large population. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Cole T. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning through games has become more common over the years. The traditional academic-oriented learning method of repetitive memorizing is slowly becoming outdated, and most students prefer to learn in a fun and interactive environment. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Katherine I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Children of all ages love to play, from the tiny infants to the toddler who sings ABC songs, to primary children who plays memory games. Children learn important skills by playing. Playing enhances children’s ability to problem solve, memorize, concentrate, imagine, be creative and interact with others (EYLF, 2009...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When thinking of course materials, one summons the image of textbooks and related worksheets. These are just a small part of what can be considered as course materials. With this in mind, course materials are anything the teacher brings with to the classroom to aid teaching. This essay will cover the two different groups of course material: authentic and non-authentic, created materials, and the combinations of materials as important aspects of the classroom to provide a rounded lesson for learners. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jade B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Authentic material can be just about anything that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The best thing I’ve learned from this course begins with the EFL teacher as an instrument of facilitation. The creative spark that ignites a flame in every student that is trying to master a new language. A teacher doesn’t need to be perfect but must be fully present and prepared with a positive, supportive vibe. The successful teacher is a role model, a subject matter expert, and a skilled conductor of English language learning and immersion. Course books aside, from the very first lesson, a teacher identifies the level of learners and builds rapport with students through engaging activities that aim to reveal the students’ needs and interests. These interests can then be incorporated into future lesson...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas British English versus American English always sparks a lively discussion. I have read some articles so far as to compare these 2 languages and gather the information from the online resources. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zahra J. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I am Iranian and have many American and British friends and I have been living abroad for about 6 years. As an English speaker as a second language, it took me a while to learn what is British and what is American English. As I have done some friendly interviews, the English spoken in the USA is different from the English spoken in the UK not only in pronunciation...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Ever since I was a little girl, education has been a huge part of my life. My mother was a teacher at the elementary school I attended and also taught me and my sisters Japanese after school in our home. I have always been inquisitive, constantly asking questions to my parents and teachers about topics I was interested in and about things I didn't quite understand. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kim S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I always enjoyed learning and loved the feeling of accomplishment when I received high scores on tests and other assignments. My favorite subjects were reading, writing, and spelling....  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Throughout the TEFL course, it is clear that teachers do not need to know the language of the host country to successfully teach English. I agree wholeheartedly with this assertion for various reasons. However, there are also certain advantages for teachers who know a foreign language have in the classroom. I will discuss the various ways that knowledge of a foreign language can help and hinder teachers in the EFL classroom. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Allison S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. There are several ways in which knowing the L1 or native language of your students can hinder your teaching ability. It is often...  [Read more]

Charli HelloGrads TEFL Information Do you want to use your skills and knowledge to educate others? Do you feel that you could connect with young people and change their lives? If so, maybe teaching is the career for you. The HelloGrads team has interviewed a number of teachers (including TEFL teachers) to find out about their experience, the massive appeal of a teaching career, and the various training routes. Here are some of the things they told us: But more than this… ‘As a teacher, you really feel that you’re making a difference. Some of the children’s home lives are not so happy, or you ignite a spark in them. The visible results and reactions you see from the children can be so rewarding.’ - Sophie ‘Being a teacher gives you the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas "A man doesn't learn to understand anything unless he loves it" Goethe The role of the teacher is very important in our lives. A good teacher provides us with knowledge, motivation, and encouragement while creating interest in his subject. He cares about his students and demonstrates patience. An experienced teacher knows what role or roles to take during his lesson. The most important role is the role of an organizer. The teacher instructs the class through daily activities. He may also split students into pairs for role-playing or encourage mill drill exercise, where students come to each other, ask questions, and receive answers. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ekaterina H. Please note...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Language acquisition often involves four skills. These skills are further divided into two groups receptive skills (reading and listening) and productive skills (writing and speaking). Not all languages have a corresponding writing system however, learners of English will have to learn all these skills to be proficient in their use of English. Reading is more than just calling words on paper, In this essay, the importance of reading in language acquisition will be discussed on the basis that reading influences vocabulary expansion, facilitates the practice of word pronunciation and finally sparks and improves the imagination. These concepts will be discussed from the standpoint of English language acquisition in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences With the rapid growth of technology, we can immediately see how it's affecting not only the world as we know it and how we interact with it. We also become aware of how it changes the way we teach language. In this essay, we will discuss how the change of technology has influenced our teaching process and also how it can be used to our benefit to make grammar learning an exciting process for students. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Andreas K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For decades we have taught students grammar the traditional way. Providing them with lists of vocabulary/language terminologies and having them study...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Although it is important that a teacher maintains the students' motivation throughout the course, the initial stages are particularly important because they lay the foundation for the course. For example, if a strong motivational atmosphere is not initially established then he/she will have more difficulty motivating them when correction is needed in the later stages. If a strong motivational foundation is laid then the students' will understand that the teacher has their best interests at heart and is trying to help them as best as he/she can. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ann R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. A teacher's...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Learning a new language can be nerve-wracking, especially for young learners who experience a great deal of peer pressure and fear of sounding unintelligent in front of their classmates. This fear is something adults learning a new language experience as well. I have personally experienced it as a native English speaker learning Spanish. Therefore, praise from the teacher they view as an expert in the language they’re learning is vital to the learning process in many ways. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Alexandra W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. I believe praising students is very important. It is essential, however,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Children are not born with a set vocabulary, yet it is something that they can acquire and build within themselves. Montessori stated, “The baby absorbs speech it hears spoken around it and with it says a word it says it because it has learned it by hearing it, and holds it present in the memory. It uses it according to its need of the moment”. Young children behave similarly. When children absorb language, they become better equipped to articulate thoughts and experiences. Children can express themselves more clearly. Precise language can render children independent in their ability to express their needs and emotions. In the early years of a child's development, the child must be exposed to rich language,...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The role of the teacher, without a doubt, is the most important factor when you begin your teaching profession. For it is here--where you start and then continue to educate students your entire life. Everything a teacher does is what leads to the success and failure of the students. For a teacher to achieve success, they must want it internally. Some teachers enter the field because they want summers off. I know it sounds absurd but it's true. The teacher must be dedicated to their profession and show that every day when they walk into the classroom. The old phrase, "what you see is what you get" applies perfectly. If the teacher's appearance and demeanor are poor--chances are so will their teaching efforts. This...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Motivation can be seen as the reason or reasons for acting or behaving in a certain way. Many people in the world today battle to find the motivation they need to achieve their goals, be it in the business sector, schools, or even in their day to day activities. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Chéz-lynn M. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The higher the level of motivation, the more likely a task is to be achieved. There are different types of motivation such as intrinsic motivation which involves doing something because it's personally rewarding to you and extrinsic motivation that involves doing something to earn a reward...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When teaching English as a foreign language there are a few settings a teacher can choose from such as teaching online, in a traditional classroom, instructing a large group, or one-on-one, among others. I will be discussing the motives, advantages and disadvantages, special considerations, and activities associated with the one to one set of instructions. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Austin S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The most common motive for one to one instruction is likely for business professionals to improve their language skills to communicate more fluently. English is becoming the foremost international...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have taught in a Japanese high school for the past four years as an assistant language teacher, which gives me a particular insight into the problems and advantages of EFL in that area. This will naturally require some generalizations. Individuals have very different problems from one another, but broader shared issues do crop up. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate William L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For context, I work in two Japanese high schools as an assistant language teacher in Toyama prefecture. I go to one school four days a week, which caters to students who can only study part-time. I also work at a farming...  [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]