Top Spanish Speaking Countries

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Learning a new language while teaching English abroad is a great way to immerse yourself into a new culture. On top of that, a new language skill will be a great advantage when applying for jobs back home when you decide to return. With over 400 million native speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world behind Chinese with 1.2 billion. English comes in third with 360 million native speakers worldwide. If you are interested in learning Spanish, check out the top seven Spanish-speaking countries for teaching English abroad. It is really no surprise that Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations for teaching English abroad. The country boasts exceptional natural wonders, such as lush...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations If you dream of teaching English abroad but are concerned that jobs are limited to native English speakers only, don’t be as there are many great opportunities waiting for non-native speakers in a variety of countries worldwide. Linda Dunsmore Visa and Legal Destinations Teaching English in France often seems impossible for non-EU citizens. However, if you apply for a French language course, you will receive a student visa allowing you to teach a certain number of hours per week. If you are interested in teaching in France, read on to find out how to legally teach English in France with a student visa. Linda Dunsmore ...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas For non-native English student in Spain, specific difficulties may be encountered when learning English. A good English teacher will help a student address those difficulties including, but not limited to, pronunciation, listening, and grammar. A good English teacher to non-native English students requires a solid foundation in the knowledge of English as the student relies on the teacher as the main source of the language. The student looks to the teacher for guidance and direction in order to comprehend English. The teacher must instill trust and display confidence for the student to learn adequately. These are difficulties in teaching English to non-native students in general....  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore TEFL Information To find out whether it is best to complete your TEFL certification online as a distance learning course or in-class by attending a training center, you must understand the main differences between an online TEFL course and an in-class TEFL course. Linda Dunsmore Destinations With over 400 million native speakers, Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world behind Chinese with 1.2 billion. English comes in third with 360 million native speakers worldwide. If you are interested in learning Spanish, check out the top seven Spanish-speaking countries for teaching English abroad. Linda Dunsmore Visa and Legal ...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The difference between formal and informal grammar is very apparent both in everyday life and during ones time as a teacher of English as a foreign language. These differences, I believe, play an important part in why many language learners find it so difficult to understand and become fluent. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Daniel B. As a native English speaker and an ongoing learner of Spanish I find myself struggling with these differences as well. Much of the English grammar we learn in school in America is grammar that the person knows they are likely to use very sparingly. This is why most students fail to truly pay attention in their literature...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Most people consider English to be a global language because it is the one language that is spoken and understood by the majority of the population in almost every region of the world. What is a global language? While there is no official definition, it refers to a language that is learned and spoken internationally by native and second language speakers (Mastin, 2011). There are approximately 360 million native English speakers and almost twice as many speaking it as a second language, making English one of the topmost spoken languages in the world (Klappenbach, 2019). English is undoubtedly in just about every sector whether it is in education, medicine, business, technology, tourism, communication, and so...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas For this assignment, I decided to research problems experienced by Colombian students learning English. I will be teaching English in Colombia and thought this subject would benefit me. My findings more generally reflect the difficulties of Spanish-speaking learners. The paper outlines the top ten difficulties for Spanish-speakers learning English (vocabulary, spelling/pronunciation, subject-verb-agreement, verb tense, dialects, subject omission, pronunciation, stress, slang, and literal translations) based on CCJK (2019). Where possible I relate this information to my experiences/examples and units in the TEFL course. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate David B. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker TEFL Information Alumni Experiences For the last year, I have been learning Korean in my free time. Besides the obvious differences in alphabet, pronunciation, and grammar structure, one of the most striking differences between English and Korean is the use of formal and informal language. I was intrigued by the idea that a person speaks to different people in different politeness levels based on age or hierarchy, and was surprised to find that a majority of other languages also follow some form of this approach. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lea D. As native English speakers, we are not specifically taught to speak to anyone in a formal way as part of our language learning. In Korean,...  [Read more]

Maria Ducha Destinations Argentina is not only the fourth most populated Spanish-speaking country in the world but it also offers great opportunities for English teachers all over the country. Attracted by the vibrant culture, exciting nightlife and spectacular natural wonders, many thousands of people come to live and work in Argentina each year. Find out why Argentina is a great place to teach English abroad in this article. The scenery of Argentina ranges from snowy mountains and blue lakes in the south to the most amazing waterfalls in the northeast near Brazil that will really take your breath away. The “Cerro de los 7 colores” offer picturesque scenery paired with amazing wildlife, and the “Glaciar Perito Moreno”, the largest...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Most of the Mexican learners have difficulties with English due to a lack of the use of English in daily life. Most people in Mexico do not normally have real contact with English outside the classroom. They are usually only exposed to it through the media, such as online channels or music videos but most of them never listened to a real conversation in English or practiced a real-life situation (as asking for directions, ordering food, etc). If you are interested in teaching English in Mexico, this article will be very helpful as it highlights the most common problems students in Mexico face when learning English. This post was written by our ITTT graduate Pablo P. Only a minor percentage of Mexican students...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations One question many people considering becoming a TEFL teacher ask is whether it is possible to teach English abroad without a university degree. The answer to this question is simply, yes. While there certainly are some countries and individual schools that do require TEFL teachers to have a degree, in the vast majority of countries it is not a requirement by governments or employers. Below I look at the different regions of the world where you can work as an English teacher without having a university degree. Bear in mind that labour and immigration requirements for any country are always subject to change and that you should always contact your local consulate for the most up-to-date information before making your plans....  [Read more]

Julia Erbacher Alumni Experiences I am American. My hometown is Buffalo, New York. 26 I have an Associates of Science in Music and Bachelors of Arts in Spanish. I also have been TEFL certified and DELE certified with a C1 level of Spanish speaking from the Cervantes Institute. My first experience abroad I went to Peru, then Madrid, Spain, and finally back to Spain in another region of the country. I studied at the International Institute in Madrid through the University of Albany. In my hometown, I graduated from the University at Buffalo. I was looking for the next learning adventure in my life, as well as the desire to improve my Spanish speaking skills. That is why I made the decision to apply for the Conversation Auxiliar Program through the...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations It’s no secret that one of the best ways to immerse oneself into a new culture is by learning the local language. Teaching English abroad is the perfect way to learn a new language, which will also come in handy when looking for a job back home if you decide to return. French is widely spoken in parts all across the world and is ranked the sixth most spoken language worldwide after Mandarin Chinese, English, Hindi, Spanish and Arabic. Currently, there are more than 220 million French speakers globally and French is an official or de facto language in 29 countries on four continents. If you are interested in learning French, check out the following 5 best places to learn French when teaching English abroad. Also read:...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations The worldwide EFL market is ever-changing with new hotspots and trends popping out of nowhere on a regular basis. If you don’t want to teach English in one of the common EFL destinations, like China, Mexico or Italy, this list of the top 5 off-the-beaten-track countries for teaching English abroad might get you inspired. With a diverse range of landscapes, Guatemala is a teaching destination like no other. Here, you will find towering tree clad volcanoes, lush canyons and Caribbean beaches that could have come straight off a movie set. The local EFL market might not be as big as those in some other countries in the region, such as Chile or Brazil, but that is what makes Guatemala so unique. We also offer our 4-week...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations TEFL Information Are you planning on quitting the 9-to-5 and embark on an adventure of traveling the world? The following 10 women have done exactly that. Most of them got their TEFL certificate and are teaching English abroad, while others started out teaching and are now full-time travelers. Here are 10 female travel bloggers you should be following! Jessica from @curiositytrav is from San Diego and has visited 40 countries so far. After studying International Business at San Diego State University, she also studied in Buenos Aires. After her experience in South America, she moved on to teaching English through the EPIK program in South Korea for two years and backpacked around Asia for 5 months...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences More and more persons enjoy traveling and even make it their lifetime hobby! More young couples and families are hungry to discover new cultures and love meeting like-minded people. Sometimes mature individuals, who find themselves in different circumstances, either by choice or not, are looking for a change and wish to learn a new skill that would give them something worthwhile to do on their travels. These are only just a few reasons why someone would want to complete a TEFL course. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Genoveve C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. For me personally, completing a TEFL course will give me the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English has undergone many changes since its roots in early Europe. It started out as a Germanic language, and standard word order along with some vocabulary still show German roots in the modern English of today. It went on over the years to incorporate numerous words and suffixes from French during the time that England was invaded and occupied by the Normans in the 11th Century. Its most recent and well-known adoption was from Latin, whose language patterns and vocabulary dominate English. Even today, the language is constantly growing and adapting as it takes on new words from Spanish due to the large Latin American immigrant population in the United States and their great cultural influence over the last...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations Although it is true that there are some countries where employers will only consider native English speaking ESL teachers, either due to government restrictions or simply personal preference, there are still plenty of great opportunities across the world for non-native English speakers. In this article, we look at the best teaching destinations for people who are not from one of the countries generally consider to be native English speaking. Typically, these countries are Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the UK, and the USA. Due to the huge demand for foreign English language teachers across much of Asia, there are always plenty of jobs available regardless of your native language. So what are the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas “If you talk to a man in the language he understands, it goes to his head. If you talk to a man in his language, It goes to his heart.” This is an allusion to the effect of language to individuals especially when it has to do with eliciting emotions. One’s first language (L1) will always have a very big effect on how we react because it goes down to our innate desire to reach out. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Isiaka O. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Today, it is generally acknowledged that English has become native to so many countries even when those countries have other spoken languages. In 2015, there were 67...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Being able to communicate in English is probably one of the most beneficial things anybody in the world could be able to do today, especially if you are wanting to work, or simply explore in any field on the international level. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Meara B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. It is one of the most widely spoken languages and one of the fastest-growing in the entire world. So much in fact that in many countries English is a required academic course in their school curriculum, sometimes starting from as young as the age of 5 and carrying through to college. I believe that one reason for this, and...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Destinations A TEFL qualification allows you to teach English almost anywhere in the world, some countries are more popular than others for differing reasons. Some are popular because of the salary and benefits offered to teachers, others are popular because they offer a better quality of life and others are popular because they provide teachers with plenty of opportunities. The top most popular countries are all in Asia as the demand for English is so much higher here than elsewhere in the world. China, the first country, has the largest demand for English teachers in the world and an abundance of teaching jobs for newly qualified and experienced TEFL teachers alike. As such, salaries and benefits vary considerably, but experienced and...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations It’s not hard to see why Spain is one of the most attractive countries in Europe for teaching English as a foreign language. Most teachers head straight to Madrid or Barcelona but there are many more stunning cities in Spain for teaching English abroad. While it’s true that it can be a little difficult for non-EU citizens to secure a work permit in Spain, there is a legal way to still be able to live and teach in this European paradise. Check out our detailed guide on how to legally teach English in Spain to find out how to go about it. The capital of Spain’s Catalonia region, Barcelona is among the top destinations for English teachers in Spain. The city is known for the arts and architecture, including the...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Teaching English abroad is an adventure all by itself but there are some TEFL destinations that really take the cake for adrenaline junkies and adventure seekers. Here’s our list of the best places that won’t leave you bored when you’re not in the classroom. Nicaragua is filled with adventurous places but the city of Leon really wins the crown. Only here, you can balance on a piece of wood and zoom down the side of an active volcano. If that’s not enough, you can end your day at the nearby ocean catching some of the best waves in the Latin American region. Plus, there are plenty of English schools hiring TEFL qualified teachers in Nicaragua and the demand is increasing. Learn more about living and teaching in...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences There are many different reasons why someone might choose to complete a TEFL course. For some it may be simply to earn a new qualification whilst for others there may be much more to it than that. This post will highlight and explain some of the main reasons why people choose to study and complete TEFL courses. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Connie S. One of the main reasons why people choose to complete a TEFL course is to gain a qualification that will help them to obtain a job in a foreign country where they wish to live and work. Teaching English in their country of choice may not be the only job that is available to them, but it is one of the easiest ways to be able to live in a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The native language -or L1-, is the language a person has been exposed to from birth. It can also be called the first language and it is usually referred to as the language one learned as a child. It is part of the cultural identity of a person. The second language -or L2-, is the language that is not the native language and it is learned later, usually as a foreign language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Natália S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. According to English at Ethnologue (22nd ed., 2019), English is the most widely spoken language in the world with a total of 1.132 Billion speakers. It is the first most spoken...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Classroom materials are important tools in learning. These can range from books, printed materials, graphs, charts, videos, realia, and a lot of varied materials that aid in learning. It is easy to succumb to using materials that are commercially produced and textbooks that are provided by the school or the education center that a teacher works for. They are available and convenient for the busy teacher. Published materials are level-appropriate, thus, they give good practice for the students. Although sometimes the teacher needs to create his or her material at some point in the learning process. Creating materials that are tuned to the students’ needs gives the learning experience more meaningful. Students can...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker TEFL Information Alumni Experiences The 20th century brought in its wake the concept of globalization, changing the dynamics of the world to what we have come to know it as today. As the world continues to move towards becoming a grand global village, many countries, people and things which once seemed so far out of reach are now more readily available and closer to home. Undoubtedly, with the advent of globalization, communication has become paramount to the ways in which we share knowledge and gather or receive information. Why? Because without this, humans will have a much more challenging time building relationships with others be it for economic, social or spiritual gains (just to name a few). This post was...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations While you are not likely to find the highest salaries in this region, teachers moving to Latin America to teach English are predominantly attracted by the continents cultural richness and varied landscapes. Whether you see yourself exploring the Andes in Chile or the rainforests of Costa Rica, here are the top 10 cities in Latin America with the highest demand for English language teachers. Also read: Top 10 Cities in Asia with the Highest Demand for English Language Teachers Argentina has a high demand for English language education leading to lucrative opportunities for qualified English teachers. Most teachers find jobs in the capital Buenos Aires and work for language institutes, private schools as well as public...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The bulk part of the teacher’s work is to adjust the learning material to the needs, goals, and interests of students. Even though some groups’ needs may coincide with each other, the group’s dynamic is something truly individual in manner. The same goes for one to one students. From this perspective, it becomes evident that the difference between teaching one to one and groups has many layers to it. The number and nature of activities the teacher prepares for the class is different; so is the style of communication. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Polina K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The first thing that needs to...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations Currently, there are around 1.75 billion people speaking and learning English around the world and researchers say that by 2020 more than two billion people will speak and learn English. This means, now is the perfect time to embark on your adventure of teaching English abroad. Whether you are looking for opportunities in Asia, South America, the Middle East or Europe, qualified English teachers are hired everywhere. Even English-speaking countries have a never-before-seen demand for ESL teachers. The best part? No prior teaching experience is required to get hired. All you need is the will to explore the world and oftentimes an internationally accredited TEFL certificate. A TEFL certification course teaches you the...  [Read more]