World's Most Difficult Languages

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences English may not be the most spoken language in the world, but it is the official language of 53 countries. It is the first language of nearly 400 million people and the second language of another 300 million people. Furthermore, 750 million people are learning English today. It is expected that half of the world’s speaking population will be proficient in English by the year 2050 (Hargraves, 2003). There is no other existing language that this high volume of people tries to learn it as a foreign language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zeki G. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Being able to speak English is not just...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Alumni Experiences In this blog post, I plan to examine why English may be such a challenging language for Chinese speakers to master, namely in comparison to their European peers. For the purpose of this examination, I will focus on four main aspects, from quite glaring differences to other aspects that some may not initially consider: written language, grammar, vocabulary, and language exposure. These points are drawn from my own experience of living and teaching English in China, from learning Chinese myself and from conversations with my students. I will be focusing on those who have not had experience in learning other languages before English, as I feel this constitutes the largest proportion of Chinese learners. This by no...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The English language holds an important position in today’s world. There may not be many people as native speakers of the English language, but most of the people all around the world somehow are influenced by English. It is the first language of nearly 400 million people and the second language of another 300 million people. Furthermore, 750 million people are learning English today. It is expected that half of the world’s speaking population will be proficient in English by the year 2050 (Hargraves, 2003). There is no other existing language that this high volume of people tries to learn it as a foreign language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Zeki G. Please note that this blog...  [Read more]

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Jon ITTT Alumni Experiences Technology these days is evolving at a massive pace. As a product is released into the market, newer versions or updates follow almost simultaneously, making previous versions obsolete. Back when I was in school, the only technology we had was the basic computer, calculators, VCR players and slide projectors. In a few years, technology allowed us to learn through apps on our smartphones, compact and more user-friendly laptops, tablets, and so on. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Lindsay S. Computer-aided-learning is vastly used across the three C's - curricula, courses and countries. Right now, it’s all about the cloud. With IaaS, PaaS and SaaS (Infrastructure / Platform / Software as a...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences I have started teaching English in Turkey, since 2018. If you are planning to start your teaching career here, I would like to mention several pros and cons and problems of learning English for the speakers of the Turkish language. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hanie s. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. First of all, learners expect teaching to be prescriptive rather than descriptive, which indicates, they tend to memorize the sample instead of learning through the examples and explanations. Secondly, students are occasionally, immersed in criticizing the politics but the teacher should not join, due to the fact that they...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences In Crystal (2003) the statement "English Rules" is said to present a scenario wherein the English language spreads continuously and becomes universal. This is a real possibility in the next century, as the technological and socio-economic developments are improving the quality of life and are enhancing the way we live and learn. The English language is well on its way to become the world’s first "lingua franca" if it has not already. It is said that a language achieves a genuinely global status once it has developed a special role that is recognized in every country across the planet. However, caution should be taken, as according to Crystal (2003) the special role has more than one meaning. This post was...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Second language acquisition in native English speakers from the United States is one aspect of American culture that is not widely discussed and seemingly overlooked in terms of its importance. Many factors contribute to the United States’ largely monolingual culture despite have a “melting pot” of sorts with a population comprised of multiple ethnicities and nationalities. This culture of English speakers points to strong geographic features of its continental location and debatably its position in the world’s economic index and political landscape. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Adam L. Comparatively, Europe is comprised of multiple countries with strong national identities and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Language is the primary medium of human social interaction, and interaction is the mean through which social relations are conducted and maintained. It is a vital commodity in a globalized world (Block and Cameron, 2002). Everyone needs and uses language as a means of communication and to express their needs in various aspects of life. So, as the community of the world, people need language to be used as a means of communication. Why do we need an international or global language? Why has it become a global language? This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Najaf Z. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. A global language is a language...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Language has always played an important role in communication between people. Today, in the globalization, the importance of mastering a foreign language has become increasingly prominent. English is the most widely used language in the world. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Xiao W. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In the 21st century, English is not unfamiliar to us Chinese. In our life, we can find English everywhere with little attention. Most Chinese learn dumb English. Few people can communicate with foreigners without barriers. Some Western netizens can't help wondering why English is so difficult for Chinese to...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations While many people wanting to teach English abroad move to countries in Asia or Latin America, Europe is also a popular destination that cannot be ignored. Despite stricter visa regulations and tougher job markets for teachers, there are still many places in all parts of Europe that have a need for foreign teachers. Here are the top 10 cities in Europe with the highest demand for English language teachers. Spain is one of the most attractive countries for teaching English abroad in Europe. The country’s capital Madrid has the largest job market for EFL teachers in Spain. While citizens from non-EU countries may find it difficult to secure a work visa in Spain, many teachers are able to obtain a student visa which...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Japanese is certainly one of the most interesting languages in the world thanks to its three types of writing (hiragana, katakana and kanji). This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Desiree I. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. After the outbreak of intercontinental travel (therefore with the appearance of commercialization and missionaries around the world) many terms of different languages, including English ones, also became part of the language of Japan. The main problem is that many sounds present in the English language are non-existent in the Japanese language; this means that the pronunciation of many terms has been adapted...  [Read more]

Enrol for our course in Egypt and experience one of the world’s greatest ancient civilisations. This country really does have a superb heritage and a bustling, thriving present that will enthral you. Choosing this location for your course will afford you the opportunity to teach English in one of the most culturally interesting countries on Earth. Egypt is situated in the North East of the African continent at the mouth of the Nile River which flows throughout the entire length of the country. Egypt covers a huge landmass, much of which is covered by the world famous Sahara Desert. The country has boundaries with the Mediterranean and Red Seas so it has a number of white sandy beaches. The earliest signs of human civilisation known to man are here. These are evidenced by beautiful...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Over a hundred years ago, in the late 19th century, a Polish-Jewish eye doctor named Dr. Ludwig Lazarus Zamenhof wanted to bridge the gaps and misunderstandings between different ethnic groups that he grew up around. Being from a Polish city that, at the time, was a polyglot, multi-ethnic mixture of Poles, Russians, Jews, Lithuanians, and Germans, he saw there was a great deal of distrust between each group, and he believed it was due to the language barriers that each imposed. To create a common ground between every group, he created an international, universal language called Esperanto (Yaffe, 2017). While it was a great idea to create a language that did not belong to any ethnic group and could be used...  [Read more]

Linda Dunsmore Destinations France is one of the most popular destinations for teaching English in Europe. While a lot of people settle in Paris to enjoy the Parisian lifestyle, there are a lot of other exciting cities in all parts of the country. Here are the top 8 places to teach English in France. Due to local laws and regulations, it can often be difficult for non-EU citizens to secure a visa and work legally in France. However, if you are dreaming of living and working in France, don’t despair. We have a thorough guide to legally teaching English for people outside of the EU. Be sure to check it out here for all the details on how to move to France and teach English. A wine lover’s paradise, Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne in...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations Known throughout the world for its literary giants, such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Chekhov, and its musical geniuses that include Tchaikovsky, Stravinsky, and Shostakovich, Russia’s unrivaled history of the arts is just one reason why it is increasingly popular with visitors from all over the globe. From the vast and rugged beauty of its eastern regions to the bustling cosmopolitan cities in the west, the Russian Federation offers a seemingly endless array of unique attractions to explore. Russia’s emergence as a major tourist destination is mirrored by its growing attraction among TEFL qualified teachers who are looking to experience a country that is steeped in history and culture but is still a little off the...  [Read more]

Maddy Payne Destinations TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Assistant Language Teachers in Japan come from different countries worldwide, bringing different kinds of English with them. In my experience, American English is often the most sought-after version of English. Some countries highly value Language Teachers from the USA, which often matches their American-style textbooks and resources. Sometimes people are even overlooked for job opportunities due to their Australian accent and British English background. Well, Japan is no different in this regard. Many Japanese schools hold American English in high regard, so what is it like being an Australian-English teacher in Japan? It's no secret that Japanese...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas The Philippines is one of the countries in Asia that is known to be the largest English speaking nation when published by an English council a few years ago. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate CARMELA C. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The country uses the English language as an international language for communication and because the majority of the population has a degree of fluency. But not most people from other countries know that English learners from the Philippines are also facing difficulties in learning to speak English. Some Filipinos cannot speak or write English at all. Those groups of people are what we call the...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Destinations The utterly unique character of Japan has fascinated people from all over the world throughout history and this is still very true today. Nowhere else quite captures the imagination like Japan, with its individual blend of East Asian culture and high-tech modernity. Its popularity among foreign teachers is also enhanced by the strong demand for TEFL qualified professionals in all of its major cities, as well as many smaller towns across the country. Although competition for the top jobs can sometimes be tough, the promise of living and working in one of the world’s most fascinating countries continues to draw many thousands of teachers every year. If you would like to join them, take a look at our pick of the top 5...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences TEFL/TESOL stands for Teaching English as a foreign language, whether you are a native speaker which means you are born in an English-speaking country or a non-native speaker which means you are not, you can get a TEFL certificate to be a certified English teacher. It's a certificate for those who wish to teach English as a second language with minimal or no teaching experience. Students who wish to learn English as a second language are known as ELLs which stands for English Language learners. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Semih S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The number of people who wish to learn English is...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The steadfast force of globalization challenges the structures of local groups, nation-states, and societies. The cultural and economic connections between contrasting social groups require a mutually understood language for communication; whether through translators or an individual’s knowledge. In most cases, such as the United Nations, other political entities, and corporations, a common language is determined to facilitate communication. Sumerian, Greek, and French were languages deemed as the Lingua Francas in the past. As a result, political and economic connections began to flourish across regions. In this current era, the English language is the default language for communication between people...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas Having recently moved to Spain with the full intention of completing a TEFL course and making a new life outside of the UK, whilst studying how to teach English, at the same time as learning Spanish so that I can communicate reasonably, it is this juxtaposition between this my English competence that has underlined for me just how difficult it can be for anybody to learn a new language, having been humbled by the gaps in my knowledge. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Justin S. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Broadly speaking the first two questions to ask when considering the differences between the formal and informal sides...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas In this paper, I will discuss the reasons for students to learn English, and ways in which the teacher can help the students find motivation for learning said language. My arguments stem from the fact that English is one of the most beneficial languages to know in an increasingly global economy and a great number of different areas. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Vemund V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. A teacher might encounter a great variety of motivations their students may have to learn English. When student motivation is high, teaching and learning should be easier both for the teacher and student. However, some...  [Read more]

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Shirin Sophy Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The study stage, when the teaching is actually done, is the second phase of a straight-arrow ESA lesson plan. What needs to be taught in this stage depends on the course content and the source the teacher is expected to cover through a specific period. But generally speaking, languages are made of receptive and productive skills in addition to systems like syntax or grammar, vocabulary or lexis, and phonology. The content of textbooks is normally centered around these areas. Although the ESA method is supposed to be applied for almost every lesson, no matter if it is allocated to a skill or system, the details of the procedure may vary based on the aspect of language that is...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences The introverted Nathaniel struggled immensely through primary, high school, college, and music school. His first battle was learning how to read. At this point, no one knew he possessed a learning difficulty. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nathaniel F. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Although he had an impressive spoken vocabulary for a boy, when he looked at words on a page he could not match them to their sounds, therefore pronunciation was not possible. This struggle with phonetic decoding was overcome over a few years by reading books borrowed from the library, tracing the words with a finger while listening to the...  [Read more]

Prachi and Morgan from AlienEating Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching. It's frustrating, exhausting, and a whole lot of kid wrangling. It's also rewarding, eye-opening and will give you more patience than you ever thought possible. I had no idea how much went into this job. One day when I'm in Forbes 30 Under 30, I'm going to personally send a tower of Ferrero Rocher to every teacher in the world. This job is a huge responsibility and it's more difficult than I ever imagined. I urge everyone to dip a toe into the teaching world at least once. I've taught English in South Korea for two years now in both the open countryside and bustling city. It may not seem like there's too much of a difference, but there are a few things...  [Read more]

  Located at the tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore is the world’s only island city-state. Since independence from Britain, the country has developed at a phenomenal rate and is one of the leading economic centers in the world. However, its colonial history is evident almost everywhere you look in the architecture, place names and monuments, such as the Raffles Hotel, named after Singapore’s founder Sir Thomas Raffles. There are four official languages, English, Malay, Mandarin and Tamil but English is the language of government and the education system. Although Singapore is heavily urbanized, the “garden city” initiative of the government in the 1960s means that today there are plenty of green spaces to enjoy with almost 10% of land devoted to parks and nature reserves. ...  [Read more]

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