TEFL Twin Rocks

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Travel had benefits for all of us. Particularly for our children. Our twin baby boys are mixed-race and mixed-cultured and equal importance will be placed on both sides of their heritage while maintaining a truly international worldview. We plan to raise them as true world citizens. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Mingke R. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. We plan to focus on a few areas to strengthen their cultural connections: language, exposure to different cultures, exposure to people from those cultures, and cultural holidays. We will achieve this by continuing to travel slowly. We plan to live in different cities and...  [Read more]

Utah is home to red canyons, creeks, and rivers that make for the perfect outdoor wonderland. The ancient tribe of Ute-Aztecs, as well as the Navajo Native Americans, lived in the area for thousands of years and took advantage of the rich natural environment, just as the European settlers did many years later. Still today, Utah is a premier travel destination for Americans and people from across the globe. Over millions of years, the region has been shaped by water, wind, and time. If you really want to get the most out of your visit to Utah, you could visit all of the seven national monuments, five national parks, three national historic trails, two national recreation areas and one national historic site. Failing that, you can enjoy some of the finest hiking, biking, and horseback riding...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When it comes to teaching more complex grammatical structures, TEFL teachers tend to dig deep with formal explanations. However, students need to be able to implement new grammar in real-life situations. The following classroom games will help you create a positive atmosphere for practicing the future perfect continuous with ease. Ask students to imagine they have an evil twin. Each person shares what their evil twin will have been doing until a certain time (today/this week/this month/this year). E.g.: My evil twin will have been hunting bunnies until 10 pm today. Also Read: 7 Fun Reward Systems That Will Keep Your Students More Engaged Ask your students what they will have been doing 10 years from now. For how...  [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]

arizona, known as ‘The Copper State’, is one of the most popular regions to visit in the United States as it offers unrivalled natural beauty. The Grand Canyon National Park is one of the most famous natural sites in the world and it attracts millions of visitors every year. The park is one of the oldest in the country and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979. While most visitors come to Arizona to explore the canyon, there is also a lot more to see and do. Sedona National Park is a beautiful example of the extraordinary natural features of Arizona. Here, visitors can explore stunning red sandstone formations that formed millions of years ago. Sedona is not only rocks and sand, but also features a number of waterfalls that are well worth taking a dip in. Oak Creek Canyon...  [Read more]

Due to its extensive silver mines and their influence on the local economy and history, Nevada is also known as ‘The Silver State’. Today, Nevada is only the 35th most populated state in the country, yet it is the perfect tourist destination for millions of people every year. Nevada’s five unique regions, Elko, Ely, Tonopah, Reno, and Las Vegas, invite you to explore their stunning natural environments and to enjoy world-class gaming and shopping. The great climate and beautiful landscape also makes it possible for visitors to spend their time hiking, biking, or horseback riding. Nevada’s ‘Cowboy Country’ is located in the northern part of the state, where the Elko region still maintains its’ links to the old Wild West. Red Rock Canyon is a perfect example of the local...  [Read more]

Zainab Sadriwala Destinations Pakistan is the world's fifth-most populous country and a growing destination for EFL teachers looking for a new and unique experience. Pakistan is home to unmatched natural wonders, especially in the most populous province of Punjab. This name literally translates to "the land of 5 rivers" and is famous for its many lakes, valleys, and pictures mountain scenery. Below, I have listed down 10 absolutely must-visit places in Punjab, northern Pakistan. Situated in the outskirts of the twin cities Rawalpindi-Islamabad, Murree Hills is the most beautiful mountain area in Punjab. The beauty of Murree Hills has been cherished since the colonial times as it used to be a favored resort of the British as well. Murree Hills is...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Teaching English abroad isn't all about working - it's mostly about fun and exploring the world! Here are 10 amazing music festivals around the world you must check out when teaching English abroad. Coachella is one of the best music festivals in the world and has been a true celeb hotspot in recent years. Everyone who is someone (and those who think they are) show up at Coachella and the world watches. Attending this music festival is definitely an amazing experience that you will never forget. Where: Indio, California When: Annually in April Apply for our TEFL in-class course in California to get certified. If you love eco-friendly partying with ambiance, Meadows in the Mountains is definitely your thing! Raking...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas For nearly a year, I have taught four to six-year-olds residing in the outskirts of Beijing. My students do not sit at desks. They instead sit side-by-side on a line of chairs, all of which face an interactive whiteboard complete with pre-designed flipcharts. As my students are still learning essential words for everyday English use, drills and flashcards are crucial within our lessons. However, drilling can quickly lose a young learner's interest. To remedy the monotony, I have used the following five activities: One-Step, Monster, Bomb; Hopscotch; Fly Swat Race; Tic-Tac-Toe; and Rock, Paper, Scissors Tournament. Each game proved to be an...  [Read more]

Our Hangzhou course is the home of ITTT in eastern China, the capital city of Zhejiang province and less than 120 miles from Shanghai. Prosperous and modern, yet historically important, Hangzhou is one of Ancient China’s seven capitals. Our wonderful host school is expanding rapidly and as a result, routinely looking for teachers to fill its ever-growing demand for new staff members. This, combined with the low cost of the course, makes Hangzhou an incredibly affordable and stable option for beginning your teacher training adventure. The course in Hangzhou even offers free meals. That’s right; we’re one of the only teacher training centers to offer delicious meals in the cost of accommodation. With three meals Monday through Friday, and lunch and dinner over the weekends, you’ll...  [Read more]

As the most populous city and the capital of the state of Utah, Salt Lake City has plenty to offer trainees taking a tefl/tesol training course. Famous as the home of the Mormon Church, the city is also well known as a center for outdoor activities, a reputation that was greatly enhanced when it hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 2002. Since then, Salt Lake City has seen a dramatic rise in visitors who are keen to experience the fantastic conditions and facilities for winter sports in the area, as well as the natural beauty of the region through hiking, mountain biking and rock climbing. First settled by Mormon pioneers in the mid 19th century, Salt Lake City slowly grew due to a constant influx of religious converts and gold prospectors. However, it wasn’t until the completion of the...  [Read more]

1. Introduction to TEFL Job Opportunities 2. Benefits of Teaching English in Chongqing 3. Qualifications and Requirements for TEFL Jobs in Chongqing 4. How ITTT Can Help You Secure a TEFL Job in Chongqing Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) is a rewarding career path that offers a unique opportunity to travel and experience new cultures while making a positive impact on the lives of others. Chongqing, a bustling metropolis in southwestern China, is a popular destination for TEFL teachers looking to immerse themselves in Chinese culture and gain valuable teaching experience. Chongqing, known for its rich history, vibrant food scene, and stunning natural landscapes, offers a unique blend of traditional and modern attractions. TEFL teachers in Chongqing have the opportunity to...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Raijmond W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The liar game is a flashcard activity that can be used to drill vocabulary. This activity is ideal for vocabulary that a teacher is introducing as the activity involves repeating after the teacher. For this activity, the teacher should clap twice, point to a flashcard and say the vocabulary word. If the word and the flashcard match, students should clap twice and repeat the word. If the word does not match the flashcard, students should make an X with their arms and stay silent. This activity allows teachers to drill the correct pronunciation of the...  [Read more]

  Our tefl course in Nepal is based in the country’s capital city, Kathmandu. As well as being the country’s capital city, it is also the largest and most developed city in Nepal, with a population of over half a million people. The city is home to a wide variety of ethnic groups, one of the largest being the Newars who are famed for their skills as craftsmen and traders. In fact, it is the importance of Nepal as a trade route between India and Tibet that has led, in part, to the country becoming popular as a tourist destination. According to ancient folklore, the city was originally designed in the shape of the Khukuri knife, a traditional weapon and tool made famous by the legendary Gurkha soldiers. Durbar Square is located at the ‘handle of the knife’ and is surrounded...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Flashcards can be great tools for eliciting vocabulary, but teachers should not overlook the numerous other uses for these great tools. Flashcard games can add excitement to young learners’ classes. The following activities are aimed to drill the vocabulary in the second study phase of the lesson, after the elicitation of vocabulary. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Kiyomi Ann H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The liar game is a flashcard activity that can be used to drill vocabulary. This activity is ideal for vocabulary that a teacher is introducing as the activity involves repeating after the teacher. For this activity,...  [Read more]

Known for its year-round warm climate, miles of beautiful beaches, numerous leisure activities and a laid back atmosphere, the city of san diego is a great choice of destination for completing a tefl/tesol training course. Located right on the Pacific Ocean and only a short step from the mexican border, California’s second largest city is perfectly situated for enjoying everything that the region has to offer. San Diego is home to many man-made attractions such as amusement parks, water parks, a variety of museums and galleries, as well as some of the best known theaters and music venues in the whole state. The city and the surrounding area also offer plenty of natural attractions to enjoy such as a seemingly endless coastline, magnificent mountain ranges, lush valleys and large expanses...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas First of all, let us define the meaning of the phrase “global language”? I suppose a “global language” is the language suitable for communication among a huge amount of people around the world. We also can say it is the language of global meaning. After the Second World War and especially since the beginning of the 90th years of the twentieth century, English became the most common international language. Artificial languages, created specifically for international communication, for example, Esperanto, are also supposed to be multinational. Common characteristics of international languages are: a lot of people are native speakers; among the non-native speakers there are a lot of people who use this...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This paper will answer the question, "What are five flashcard activities for teaching English to young learners?" Young learners are defined as students attending elementary school, aged between six and twelve. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Tristan K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. This activity is a great warmer and an effective way to introduce or review vocabulary. This activity works well with both small and large groups. Students sit in a circle with the teacher. The target language is elicited and chorally drilled. The teacher then shows one...  [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]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The English language is the most spoken one as a second language in the whole world. It has become the international language of business, science, technology, international relations, and diplomacy. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Askarbekkyzy K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Songs can be used to develop students’ listening skills. They improve listening skills ‘because they provide students with practice listening to different forms of intonation and rhythm. Songs can be really helpful in practicing listening skills “warm-up work can provide a basis for students to make predictions before listening; listening...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Asia is the most popular destination for teaching English in the world with dozens of exciting regions to choose from. Moreover, Asia offers teaching jobs to people of all backgrounds, including native and non-native English speakers and those with or without a degree. Here are the top 10 cities in Asia with the highest demand for English language teachers. The capital of Thailand is a great place to start your TEFL journey in Asia. The city is known for its many ornate temples and vibrant street life. The demand for qualified teachers is very high in the city and even non-native English teachers can find employment here. The low cost of living in Bangkok also allows for a comfortable lifestyle, with teacher salaries...  [Read more]

Our TEFL training course in Peru gives you the opportunity to earn an accredited and internationally recognized TEFL certification in a country with a rich and diverse history. You’ll experience the traditions and lifestyle of one of the most fascinating places in South America and on successfully completing the course, you may decide to stay on and teach English here. Peru is a land of many fascinating and awe inspiring sights and sounds, from the large waves of the Pacific coast to the heights of the Andes and the tropical rainforest of the Amazon, there is always something new to see and discover. You can explore the history of the Inca civilization among the many ruins that abound in the country the most famous of which is the lost Inca city of Machu Picchu. Peru is a great place for...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Music is an important element in our lives. When you’re on your way to work, you turn on the radio. When you’re too tired to do anything, you choose a song from your playlist and play it to make you feel relaxed. Human beings are emotional by nature. Music offers encouragement and the strength that one needs. Its importance cannot be taken for granted. It is a tool that connects people of all ages, nationality, and culture. It’s not odd to see a child listening to an old rock musician’s song. Also, it’s not surprising to see an Indian woman listening to Taylor Swift despite the differences in their cultures. I believe using music as a tool to teach English to foreign students have many advantages. This...  [Read more]

Anastasiia Ovchinnikova TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Two months ago, I closed my laptop after a one-hour defense over Zoom of my MA dissertation from the University of Barcelona on mobile-assisted language learning in front of the most highly cited researchers in the field of Applied Linguistics. It was very satisfying and rewarding to know that everything I had done before directly led me to that point. In this article, I am going to elaborate on the following topics that helped me to get into the competitive program in Applied Linguistics: Learning the English language has always been key to my personal development. When I was 15, due to my English level, I won the FLEX grant program...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English is everywhere. It is the world’s lingua franca. Out of 7.5 billion people, 1.5 billion speak English and just 360 million of them are native speakers, that is to say, that English is by far the most commonly studied language. It has become the global language for business, science, technology, aviation, advertisement, cinema, music, education, and so much more. How did it become so powerful? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Philippa K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The answer lies in history – after 1945, when the world was recovering from the biggest and most horrific conflict, the United States business...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Over the years, the English language has reached the status of a global language and is considered to be characterized as lingua franca or the language which is adopted as a common language between speakers whose native languages are different. The English language is spoken by millions of people all around the globe. It is spoken by people as their native language, it is taught in almost all schools around the world as a second language and is also used as a first language for international communication. The English language has become a global language for many reasons: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Milos O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Over the years English no doubt has reached the status of a global language. It has become the language that is spoken by millions of people all over the world; as the mother tongue, as the language used for international communication and as the language learned in the millions of schools. If English is used as a global language, there are several advantages and disadvantages attached to this but overall the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, therefore, English has been considered as a global language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Manahil S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. During the 19th and 20th century various...  [Read more]

Barbara Harrison Teaching Ideas Celebrate the universal language of music with your students. With music, students at all levels work on the basic skills of learning and improving their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills while having fun! Music improves attitudes toward content and learning, as well as classroom participation. It’s also been shown to decrease anxiety and tension on scary topics and increase memory of grammar concepts. The benefits are many, including improved concentration and memory, help to absorb material, inspire creativity, and encourage learning. Music makes learning fun! A student’s previous class or activity can determine the best song choice. Ask yourself: Is your student coming to class from...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas TEFL teacher can incorporate the nine intellectual intelligences that determine to learn styles into the lesson plans for young learners and adults. These include the use of drawings and pictures for visual learners, math and logical games, for students who learn best using logic, music for learners who learn best when music is somehow incorporated into the lesson, kinaesthetic for students who learn best through psychical movement, students with an interpersonal intelligence, one on one dialogue can be used, intrapersonal, diaries cane used, naturalistic intelligence natural objects can be used in the lesson and existential intelligence can be considered when developing a lesson plan creating existential...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker TEFL Information As the very essence of teaching English abroad involves leaving behind your friends and family and the social life you have been used to, it is inevitable that many newly qualified teachers have some concerns about making new friends once they head overseas. However, just like the many thousands of teachers who have gone before you, you will find that making the decision to leave home is actually the hard part and everything else will soon fall into place. To help set your mind at ease, we have put together 5 top tips for making new friends while teaching English abroad. Most TEFL certified teachers who head overseas will start their new job soon after arrival, and this is usually a great place to start making new...  [Read more]