Why Celebrating Valentine Day

{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ [ {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh0","name": "Can I teach English in Costa Rica?","url": "https://www.tefl-certificate.net/faq/can-i-get-a-job-teaching-english-in-the-tropics/#nameh0"},{"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh1","name": "Can I teach English in Thailand?","url": "https://www.tefl-certificate.net/faq/can-i-get-a-job-teaching-english-in-the-tropics/#nameh1"},{"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh3","name": "Can I teach English in Nicaragua?","url": "https://www.tefl-certificate.net/faq/can-i-get-a-job-teaching-english-in-the-tropics/#nameh3"},{"@context":...  [Read more]

  Valentina is a proud graduate of ITTT's 120-hour online TEFL course with videos and tutor support. Watch this TEFL review video to hear Valentina talk about how the course helped her to develop her teaching skills. One of the main advantages of ITTT's online TEFL courses is their flexibility, allowing you to work at your own pace in your time. This makes it easy to fit your study around your prior commitments and allowing you to gain certification without having to take time off work. 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...  [Read more]

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]

Laura Payne Teaching Ideas Much of language learning comes through language experimentation; steering away from examples and formulas and attempting to arrange your own ideas into words. No matter what a student's goal may be in learning English, they will eventually have to do this by leaving the classroom and using English on their own. Activities like creative writing are one method to encourage the practice of experimentation and expression in ESL students. In this post, we're going to look at five different activities students can use to put their thoughts into writing. Celebrating a new year is practically a universal tradition, and all students have goals. Writing down New Year's resolutions allows students to practice various usages of...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Culture is ubiquitous. Today, a lot of people, especially teachers, are aware of how culture plays a major role not only within the educational realm but everywhere. Indeed, it takes an astute observation and deep understanding of cultural sensitivity in the classroom. It is noteworthy to claim that cultural belongings shape our communicative skills and thoughts, which in return enable us to sympathize with people having different cultural backgrounds. To promote cultural sensitivity in the classroom, teachers should at least be culturally knowledgeable, adaptive and celebrating diversity. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Jihane A. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I have been teaching ESL classes professionally for two years. In addition to this experience, I have several years of experience as a volunteer teacher/mentor with ESL students. Through my experiences, I have learned that importance of establishing immediate rapport in the classroom. In this short article, I will talk about why it is vital to establish rapport from the very first day between the students and teacher as well as among the students. I will offer advice from my own experience of teaching both young learners and adults. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Michael S. Establishing rapport between the teacher and student is something that begins on the first day of class and it...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Establishing rapport in the classroom is essential if you are going to have a successful class. In this paper, I will examine some of my classroom experience and compare my successful classes to my less-successful classes. In doing so, I hope to make an observation about “best practices” that I can implement in my English teaching. Along with using my own experience, I will be talking with other teachers that I know and using the provided text that I have been given for this course. The three areas I will focus on are: Beginning the course, student participation, and being positive. Beginning the Course. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Taylor C. How a teacher begins a course will...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Today’s classroom is a global entity and unless appropriately addressed, issues of cultural diversity have the potential to severely diminish the success of even the most dedicated teachers and promising students. In order to promote an atmosphere that enables all students to be successful in learning English in the ESL (English as a Second Language) classroom, it is critical that each student feels safe, respected and appreciated. In today’s diverse and multi-cultural climate, this sensitivity has never been more important. In many countries, the administration of schools and learning centers (principals, superintendents, etc.) recognize the importance of cultural...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Having spent more than 20 years as a marketing consultant, I decided to change career, to become an English language teacher. Hence, I took up the 120-hour TEFL course with ITTT, along with a specialised course in teaching young learners and another one in teaching business English. Even before I finished my TEFL course, I was offered a teaching job with a private school in Bangkok, Thailand. I have since been teaching kindergarten kids for about 8 months. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Albert P. Teaching kindergarten kids is definitely a lot more fun and less stressful than working for corporate clients in my previous job. I start work at 8:00 a.m. and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas When it comes to an ESL (English Second Language) class, the first thing we should remember is that non-native speakers are normally deprived of the level of confidence they need to fulfill their learning potential in its entirety. This is why it’s important for a teacher to provide them with an appropriate background at a stretch of a lesson, favorable atmosphere and an opportunity to move at their own pace. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Valentina V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. It goes without saying that not only students, who learn a second language, can be rather short of confidence but they may also feel...  [Read more]

  ITTT’s teacher training course in Costa Rica represents the best possible tefl training course money can buy in Central America. Before trainees earn their internationally recognized tefl certificate, they will benefit from our professional training and reward their hard work with the opportunity to swim in pristine ocean bays and soak up the sun on some of the most stunning beaches in the region. Costa Rica is an amazing nation and our course is one of the most well-recognized and firmly established training centers in the industry. For these reasons, our course in Manuel Antonio has become very popular with those who wish to see the world from a new perspective. Once trainees gain their certification, they are able to travel to distant destinations and experience cultures in...  [Read more]

Free Beach Vacation for March 2025 Guadalajara In-class Course Sign up for the course in Guadalajara, Mexico from 31st March to 2nd May 2025, and you will automatically get a FREE four-day/three-night vacation in fabulous, world-renowned Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. The vacation includes accommodation, deluxe motorcoach transportation and leisure time in Puerto Vallarta from 12th to 15th April 2025.   Nestled in the heart of Mexico, Guadalajara (the second largest city in Mexico) enchants visitors with its rich cultural heritage and dynamic atmosphere. From the towering Guadalajara Cathedral to the savory delights of birria and tortas ahogadas, the city offers a diverse tapestry of experiences. Mariachi music reverberates through its streets, embodying its status as the birthplace of...  [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 Teaching Ideas Educators have debated on the topic of classroom management since the first class began. In the same way curricula and teaching cultures vary, as do the intricacies of classroom management. A topic that is, in my opinion, not taught enough in the realm of TEFL, is finding ways to manage a full classroom of young students for an entire day. As the trend for “kindergarten” prep courses rises in China, the void for managing 20+ five-year-olds has been dark and silent. Because many principals in these prep centers refuse to allow Mandarin in the classroom and the fact that these students do not initially understand basic commands in English, this creates a sense of chaos that hampers the learning process. This...  [Read more]

{ "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ [ {"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh0","name": "Arrive on time.","url": "https://www.tefl-certificate.net/faq/how-to-navigate-your-first-day-in-a-tefl-classroom/#nameh0"},{"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh1","name": "Be thoroughly prepared","url": "https://www.tefl-certificate.net/faq/how-to-navigate-your-first-day-in-a-tefl-classroom/#nameh1"},{"@context": "https://schema.org","@type": "SiteNavigationElement","@id": "#nameh3","name": "Incorporate games","url": "https://www.tefl-certificate.net/faq/how-to-navigate-your-first-day-in-a-tefl-classroom/#nameh3"},{"@context": "https://schema.org","@type":...  [Read more]

Zainab Sadriwala Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas “The most challenging of the tasks during this COVID era has been to make my children read” states a frustrated Amena; a mother of two children, one in the primary years and the other in middle school. “It was much easier for me to monitor them and ask them to read and follow the schedule when they knew they had to report to their teacher. The school environment is just so integral for sustaining discipline in young people” she continues. Like Amena, there have been many parents worldwide trying to strike a balance for their children to maintain their healthy habits, which not only helps them develop academically but also grow in every aspect. Reading is one of such...  [Read more]

Amanda Stern Destinations Alumni Experiences Are you planning on teaching abroad, but worrying about how you can get involved in the community and leave a memorable impression on the locals? Language barriers may make this seem like a harrowing task, but fear not, the following is a list of a few jumping-off points for those planning to take the plunge into their new community. Celebrating multiculturalism in a community is a worldwide phenomenon, even for unassuming towns. In our rural port-town in Japan, we have multiple events throughout the year to promote understanding and celebrate the various cultures and people who have made Japan their home, temporarily or forever. These events included Filipino traditional dance...  [Read more]

Nadiia Dovbnia Destinations Alumni Experiences I have been working in China as an English teacher almost for half a year. When the outbreak began, I decided to stay in China. At first, I thought it would be like a seasonal flu quarantine back in my country, Ukraine, when schools are closed for just a week or two. However, the situation got worse and I realized that it might be safer to stay inside my city than to go through the train stations and airports. Shops gave no signs of opening after the New Year, busses were just passing by the stops on their way to the bus park, communities were closed for the non-residents, in one day you got more temperature checks that in a few months. Every movement has been noted down from the...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Teaching Ideas If like many TEFL qualified teachers, you have moved your teaching online in recent times you will probably have found that it is much harder than you might have imagined. Although you spend most of your lessons sitting down on a comfy office chair rather than standing in front of the class, you still end the day more exhausted than you ever did in a normal classroom setting. If this sounds familiar, don’t worry you are not alone as teaching English online is a tiring proposition for many teachers. Here we look at the main reasons why it is so tough and more importantly, what you can do to make things that bit easier. One of the biggest differences between teaching online and teaching in-class is trying to read how...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I started my journey as a TEFL tutor by having classes online. I just tried my luck and applied for some random ad postings on social media. A few days later, I received a call and it turned out to be a phone interview. I got the job soon after that phone call ended and later that day I was introduced to my trainer. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate John K. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Next, I was trained for just one day about the tools, the materials and how to handle classes online. Soon, I just need to pass the demo and I’m good to go. Without any background in teaching, I managed my way to become a top tutor with just...  [Read more]

Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences ”Teachers who are interested in fostering a cultural awareness in their classroom should actively demonstrate to their students that they genuinely care about their cultural, emotional, and intellectual needs. To this end, there are several strategies that you can use to build trusting relationships with diverse students.” (Lynch, 2015) This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nicholas R. The first strategy the above article outlined was showing interest in the ethnic background of the student you are teaching. One of the major things that is known about the Malagasy people is that is it considered rude to point without having the index finger bent back towards yourself, which would be extremely...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I am in my 3rd year of working in the countryside of Japan as an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) in public elementary and junior high schools. An ALT's official job description is to be the assistant to a Japanese Teacher of Language (JTL). In my experience, especially in elementary schools, the ALT is not seen as an assistant but as "the English teacher" since the regular homeroom teacher has no training or experience with ESL. In most cases, the ALT has a degree in a field unrelated to teaching and has no qualifications. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Carl S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. At the moment, English in...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As many scholarly articles define it, globalization is the idea that the world has become more interconnected. The simple outlook on it is that, in a way, the world has become closer through globalization. This is true in many aspects of the changing world such as economics, world trade, language, business, and education. When it comes to education, one aspect of it that has also changed and globalized along with the world is the ability to get an online education. Therefore, online education is a source of globalization. Globalization makes online education possible through the use of technology and people's desires to stay inter-connected. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vesa S....  [Read more]

  Come to the Czech Republic and earn your tefl certificate in the beautiful city of Prague. This modern, yet historic capital offers incredible opportunities to work and live in a city full of rich culture and heritage. One of the oldest and most historical cities in Europe, Prague is considered by many to be the most beautiful city in the region. Centuries of literary and artistic culture also make this one of the most intriguing places in which to become a certified efl teacher. Whether you are touring Prague Castle or walking over the famous Charles Bridge, you will be fascinated by Prague’s historic past. The city is separated into three districts, Old Town, New Town and Lesser Town, but no matter where you are you will always find something new to discover around every corner....  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Teaching Ideas When the aroma of gingerbread and eggnog is in the air, you know it’s time to translate your love for the most beautiful season of the year into your TEFL classroom with winter ESL activities! While this is the perfect time to embrace winter in TEFL destinations with changing seasons, it’s also ideal to educate your students living in places with tropical temperatures and other cultures about the holiday celebrations. Here are 7 amazing winter and Christmas ESL activities your students will love! Tell your students to imagine the following: You wake up in your bed and look out the window when you see a brightly decorated Christmas tree. It’s cold and even looks like snow is slowly falling from the sky. The...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Who was your favorite teacher in elementary school? Mine was my 5th-grade Teacher, Mr. Powers. Not because he was super cool, or cute, or wildly entertaining. It was because he was an amazing teacher. He was a retired Air Force pilot, yet was never very hard on us and I can’t think of a single time that he got upset with us. I believe this is completely due to his amazing classroom management skills. I try my best to model my own teaching skills after Mr. Powers while teaching here in Istanbul, Turkey. Cultural and economic differences are actually the least of my problems while working with these amazing children. The most challenging aspects happen to be making the most of classroom space, ensuring the...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Anyone can be a teacher but not every teacher is likable or caring. I found in my experience as a student, especially as a child, I would find myself dreading the classes with the teachers that had bad attitudes and would look forward to the ones who not only kept the class interesting but showed true interest in the student's lives. The truly talented teachers would take examples of scenarios people had discussed from their personal lives and use it as a tool in their teaching strategies. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Priscilla L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The only thing that separated these two types of teachers...  [Read more]

Joanna Dineva Destinations Alumni Experiences Traveling for me is more than seeing a tourist sight and snapping a picture for your social media. Traveling is the opportunity to explore the world, immerse myself in different cultures and connect with the people of those cultures. Teaching English abroad has allowed me to do just that. In late 2019 an opportunity presented itself for me to teach English in Beijing, China. I had never been to China before. I had never traveled to Asia before. Having an adventurous soul and nomadic heart that I have, I accept the offer without too much hesitation. At the time of writing this personal experience article, I have lived in China for approximately four months and would like to share...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Since I previously worked as an English teacher in China, I also have my own experience. What is important to me as a teacher? First of all, the personality of the child. He's a human, and I want him to stay that way. Therefore, I need to teach this person to learn, not just to know and be able, but to teach him to use knowledge for the benefit of himself and those around him. Knowledge is a power that can destroy and create. And the child learns to make a decision and be responsible. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vladlena H. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Of course, there are errors and problems. Together with our...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas My personal experience being an ESL teacher in China. Does the content of TEFL, YouTube, LinkedIn and Blog’s have more prowess over a newly graduated university student with passion? Let us not forget, most training institutes are businesses first and education institutions second with advertising portraying the latter as their priority. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Troy D. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. To be an ESL teacher is rewarding. It can be tiresome – energized kids and constant attention - but the reward out-weighs the labor. Teaching is not for everyone and neither is sleeping (night owls versus early...  [Read more]