Bics And Calps

The primary purpose of assessment and evaluation is to improve student learning. Information gathered through assessment helps teachers to determine students’ strengths and needs in their achievement of the curriculum expectations in each course. This information also serves to guide teachers in adapting curriculum and instructional approaches to students’ needs and in assessing the overall effectiveness of programs and classroom practices. In order to ensure this primary purpose, assessment and evaluation must:be communicated clearly to students (and/or parents if applicable) at the beginning of the course and at other appropriate points throughout the course;address both what students learn and how well they learn;be based both on the categories of...  [Read more]

  The next thing we should look at is how our consonants are arranged for the top two rows we have P and F at the left side of our chart and G and J at the right side of our chart. They're arranged this way because if we analyze the way we speak we're using the front of our mouth to use these sounds as in ?p? and ?f? and I'm using my lips and my teeth to produce those sounds and as we move to the right on the chart slowly but surely we're making those sounds it towards the back of our mouth. We can use the examples of ?g?. The sound ?g? is produced further back in our mouth than ?p?. The next thing we'll notice about our chart is that some of our symbols are shaded. Notice that none of the symbols in the vowel sections are shaded but only a few are in the consonant section. The...  [Read more]

  Next, a couple of issues surrounding the use of worksheets and workcards. Firstly, these types of materials can either be bought or they could be made by yourself. Very often many of the book series that we use will have workcards in their teacher resource book. Worksheets and workcards are very useful because they can act as a prompt to introduce an activity or topic. They can also be used for role plays and one of the things you need to be aware of when making worksheets and workcards yourself is that you need to make them durable. So whenever you create a workcard, if you put it on some hard backing and then put it inside some cellophane or covered plastic just to make them durable then those types of workcards and worksheets can last for years. So examples of worksheets and...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we look at practice and external proficiency tests. Practice tests are usually used for revision purpose before internal and external exams to prepare the students. There are three types of external proficiency tests that English learners can take. Find out which ones in this video. 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 quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. The unit presents a brief overview...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we look at the diagnostic and progress test. A diagnostic test gives the teacher information about the students' current strengths and weaknesses, while a progress test is usually held multiple times during a course covering all the material taught up until that point to check understanding. 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 quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. If you are a teacher, you...  [Read more]

Reading is a process by which a reader gives meaning to text. The reader relies on a series of skills which they, depending on the age of the English language learner, may already possess in their native tongue. An older child or adult reader will read text knowing its purpose and meaning i.e. to give or request information, persuade, criticise, to give pleasure to or entertain. Further, they can make logical predictions as they read because of pre-existing experience or knowledge. All these skills are used by fluent readers, and as such, will be second nature to an older child or adult. A young English language learner may not have these skills or are developing them at the same time as learning a new language. This will necessitate the adoption of differing texts for reading....  [Read more]

In the realm of English language teaching certifications, two prominent qualifications stand out: the Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults (CELTA) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Understanding the distinctions between these two certifications can be crucial for aspiring educators looking to enter the field of English language teaching. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the key differences between CELTA and TESOL, highlighting the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision about which certification aligns best with your career goals and aspirations. The CELTA certification, offered by Cambridge Assessment English, is renowned for its rigorous training program that focuses on practical teaching skills and methodology....  [Read more]

In today's globalized world, the demand for qualified English language teachers continues to rise. As a result, many individuals are turning to online TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) programs to kickstart their teaching careers or enhance their existing qualifications. These online programs offer flexibility, convenience, and accessibility, making them an attractive option for those looking to pursue a career in English language teaching. However, like any educational pathway, online TESOL and TEFL programs come with their own set of pros and cons. 1. Flexibility: One of the most significant advantages of online TESOL and TEFL programs is the flexibility they offer. Students can complete coursework at their own pace...  [Read more]

Unlocking Opportunities with ITTT's TEFL and TESOL Courses in Mexico City Embark on a rewarding journey towards becoming a certified English teacher with International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT) in Mexico City. Our comprehensive courses are designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in the field of English language teaching. Whether you are a seasoned educator looking to expand your horizons or a fresh graduate eager to kickstart your career, our programs cater to individuals at all levels of experience. With ITTT, you can expect top-notch training, practical insights, and ongoing support to help you succeed in the classroom. Why Choose ITTT for Your TEFL and TESOL Certification? At ITTT, we take pride in offering high-quality TEFL and TESOL courses that are...  [Read more]

All of our teacher trainers have been involved in teaching and teacher training for a number of years. They are all still active teachers and therefore are fully aware of the classroom situations facing EFL teachers today. Each in-class group will have input from a number of trainers during the course. Trainees will also have the opportunity to observe the trainers teaching classes of native students during the course. For our online students, should you choose to have a online tutor assigned, he or she is available throughout the course to answer any questions that you may have, as well as providing any help that you may require. You are welcome to contact a tutor by email at any time and you should receive a reply within one working day.All online tutors are also experienced teacher...  [Read more]

Empowering students to take ownership of their learning journey is a crucial aspect of effective teaching. By fostering autonomy and self-regulation in the classroom, educators can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment where students are motivated to succeed. This article explores the importance of promoting student autonomy and self-regulation through strategic lesson planning and effective classroom management techniques. 1. The Significance of Student Autonomy 2. Strategies for Promoting Student Autonomy through Lesson Planning 3. Enhancing Self-Regulation through Classroom Management 4. Conclusion Student autonomy refers to the ability of learners to make choices and take control of their educational journey. When students are empowered to make decisions about their...  [Read more]

What is slang' A simple online definition is, "The nonstandard vocabulary of a given culture or subculture, typicaly consisting of transitory coinages and figures of speech." (Catchword) What is an idiom' From another online source, "Idiom refers to a grammatical construction unique to a certain people, region, or class that cannot be translated literally into another language." (Pearson Canada) When learning any language, these two concepts are an important part of complete understanding. The first hurdle a language student must overcome is grammar. After getting a basic understanding of how to string a language´s words together to form something understandable to an average native speaker, the next step is vocabulary. While grammar and vocabulary are definately an...  [Read more]

What is evaluation'Evaluation is the process of determining significance or worth, usually by careful appraisal and study. It can also be defined as the analysis and comparison of actual progress vs. prior plans , oriented toward improving plans for future implementation.. For this study evaluation and testing would be discussed under the following headings; the characteristics of a good test, types of testing and the reasons for testing, methods of evaluation and testing, why testing doesn't work, making testing more productive, alternatives to testing, and conclusion.The characteristics of a good test.The elements of a good test are:Validity of the test :- Validity is the extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure. Most important kinds of validity are,...  [Read more]

All of our TEFL courses are excellent value for money. Our course fees include tuition, course materials, certification, and moderation fees. No matter where you choose to study our TEFL course, we offer a variety of accommodation options. Airfares and food are not included in the price of our courses. All TEFL course fees are in US dollars but your payment can be made in any currency. The GBP (£) figure given is a guide only, and subject to change. Please check www.xe.com/ucc for a current exchange rate in pounds or any other currency of your choice. All of our courses run throughout the year. All of our TEFL courses come highly recommended from past trainees. Our courses provide an ideal opportunity to see the world and experience different cultures.   In-class Course Phuket...  [Read more]

'Idiom: groups of two or more words that taken together mean something different from the literal meaning of the individual words. Slang: informal speech that is outside conventional or standard usage and consists both of coined words and phrases and of new or extended meanings attached to established terms.' For a more specific definition we can look to http://en.wikipedia.org/wik, which offers the following detailed account of the two terms.Idiom: 'An idiom is an expression (i.e. term or phrase) whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal definitions and the arrangement of its parts, but refers instead to a figurative meaning that is known only through conventional use. In linguistics, idioms are figures of speech that contradict the principle of compositionality.'Common...  [Read more]

Humans speak with each other by creating sounds. That is how we communicate with each other. Over the centuries the different languages have created systems of grammar to explain how the words in their languages work. Sometime after that, they began to create systems to explain how the sounds, or phonemes, of the different words work. Two disciplines arose out of this: phonetics and phonology.Phonetics is the study of the sounds themselves. In the world there are a limited number of possible sounds which the human vocal tract can produce. Of these sounds, the distinctive pronunciations of the different languages are produced. But how are theses sounds produced and represented' The answer to this question is the area of study of Phonetics. Generally, Phonetics is subdivided into...  [Read more]

  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 quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. The content of this unit was concise and I believe it is essential for everyone to understand this subject, teacher or not. It is not something we think about all the time and it will probably happen automatically once a person manages to grasp the basics. Since parts of speech was a subject I did at school in my mother language, I never had any big issues with the concepts in English, but I'm not sure how...  [Read more]

The importance of Monitoring, Assessment, Recording, Reporting and Accountability is to enable us to understand what has been understood and the areas the student needs to develop. This can be in the form of written tasks or in individual or group discussions. Also this can be observational where there is no teacher interaction. Formative assessment informs future teaching and learning. A diagnostic test diagnoses the cause of problems, so the teacher would focus on that particular area of learning. Summative assessment marks the point when results are presented, and evaluative is evaluating and analysing the results. Learning objectives for the areas of language are a way of monitoring the students ability to carry out a task and if they are confident in this objective, there...  [Read more]

  The next item we're going to consider is the use of dictionaries and here perhaps the first thing we should do is to make a distinction between the two main types of dictionary and that distinction is between the monolingual and the bilingual dictionary. In a monolingual dictionary you have a word and its associated meaning and those two are both described for example in English so the word and the description of that word are both given in English. Whereas in a bilingual dictionary that word meaning could often be for example the word given in English and the explanation given in Thai and vice versa. So what can we use a dictionary for? Well, within the dictionary itself obviously we can get things like how words are spelled or the spelling of the word. We can also get the...  [Read more]

  Whereas stress is typically concerned with one individual word, intonation is generally concerned with the variation in volume and pitch throughout an entire sentence. Intonation carries the message of a sentence. It's particularly important when questioning or agreeing, disagreeing and confirming statements. It's also very important when expressing emotions and feelings. The normal pattern for intonation is the rise-fall. Few examples would be ?I haven't seen him for a week,? or a simple word as ?okay?. With the falling intonation, we?re indicating that we're finished speaking. Again, ?I haven't seen him for a week? and ?okay?. A few more examples would be ?I'll see you at six then,? or a question of information ?How do you spell rough?? These are straightforward statements that...  [Read more]

  In this video we'll be looking at the international phonemic alphabet and how it's used in the classroom. There are other phonemic alphabets but this is the most popular and the system, which is most widely used. You may have seen some of these symbols before as any good dictionary will supplement standard English spellings with the phonemic spellings to aid in pronunciation practice. Here we have a situation where we have what are called phonemes and each phoneme represents a sound within the English language. How is this helpful? Well, what it does is help students understand how to say words rather than simply relying on the often archaic English spellings. To illustrate this point let's for a moment put ourselves in the shoes of our students when trying to understand how to...  [Read more]

To undertake and complete an ESL course would normally allow the successful student to gain benefit from the ability to access the English speaking world. By covering the four domains of speaking, understanding, reading and writing a student would be able to undertake activities such as answering conversational questions, following a menu and writing a cheque. However, many students who have completed a course containing these four basic domains of language learning would continue to struggle when attempting to fully interact and participate with other 1st language English speakers. The main reason for this would be that they have not included in their studies the learning of slang and idioms that frequent the communication of 1st language English speakers.This higher level...  [Read more]

I would like to briefly consider the complexity of a non ' native English teacher in contrast to a native English teacher. My curiosity in this area has stemmed from participating on a TEFL course as a native English speaker. The diversity of students resulted in the course consisting of several students where English is their second language. It also highlighted the immense difference between 'American English' and 'British English'. The initial perception the non ' native English speakers generally voiced, was that the 'natives' had a head start. The more this was unravelled the benefits soon became a rather grey area.'A non- native teacher is a learner for life' Malgorzata Swwaj,English Unlimited, Poland. 1999The fine line that can potentially exist when teaching English to ...  [Read more]

Imagine you are an ESL student who has studied quite hard. You have followed your courses; you have been actively participating in class activities and discussions; you have completed all assignments; you have read your texts. In fact, you feel quite prepared to travel to the English speaking world and use your English skills quite confidently. Your assumption is a logical one. You have had no indication that the proper English you have been taught is missing a large piece of the language: idioms and slang. When you arrive in the new country, you understand most of the conversations but have quite a hard time understanding seemingly nonsensical phrases and words. This is not a situation that should occur. Teachers of English that are native speakers have all the...  [Read more]

In this essay I review some issues related to child development which are useful for ESL teachers to be aware of as they may enhance or constrain language acquisition.Stages of Language Acquisition: Much evidence suggests that basic sounds, vocabulary, negating phrases, forming questions, using relative clauses, etc., are developed in stages. This appears to be independent from the learning situation (in the classroom or on the street) and is generally applicable across a spectrum of learners from different language backgrounds. It is analogous to the learning stages that babies go through when acquiring language: babbling (bababa), vocabulary (milk then later milk drink), negation (no play), question forming (where she go) and so on. Interestingly, error correction does not...  [Read more]

Child development is a varied and complex subject. In this article, I will review the cognitive developmental stages formulated by Jean Piaget, a developmental biologist. These stages of cognitive development can help teachers understand the developmental stage of the students in their English classes and can help to make their teaching methods more effective. The first stage of cognitive development as defined by Piaget is the sensory motor period. This period happens between birth and twenty- four months. There are several sub stages, but most of them focus on motor skill development and reflexive response development. These skills and responses are the primary tools used to obtain and process information about the surrounding world.The preoperational period comes next and...  [Read more]

A question on the minds of many English as a Second Language instructors are whether or not it is appropriate to teach students the use of slang and idioms in the English language. Although the distinction between what is a formal term versus an informal one is crucial, slang is a significant part of conversational English and, as such, should be covered in the classroom. It would be very difficult for someone new to the English language to understand an American movie, TV show, news broadcast or even a typical conversation as they are filled with nonstandard English. Firstly, it is important to define the terms “idiom” and “slang”. Slang can be described as nonstandard vocabulary of a given culture or subculture. In other words, slang is typically a...  [Read more]

Are you looking to enhance your career prospects in the field of teaching English as a foreign language? Look no further! At ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training), we offer top-notch qualifications and certifications that will open doors to exciting opportunities worldwide. Whether you are a seasoned educator or a fresh graduate looking to kickstart your teaching journey, our programs are designed to equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in this dynamic industry. Our comprehensive courses cover a wide range of topics, including lesson planning, classroom management, grammar instruction, and more. With a focus on practical, hands-on learning, you will have the chance to apply your newfound knowledge in real classroom settings, ensuring that you are...  [Read more]

Welcome to the world of TEFL and TESOL training with ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training). Whether you are looking to start a new career teaching English as a foreign language or wanting to enhance your skills as an educator, ITTT is here to support you on your journey to becoming a successful English teacher. With a wide range of accredited courses, expert tutors, and job placement assistance, ITTT offers a comprehensive learning experience that will equip you with the necessary tools and knowledge to excel in the field of English language teaching. In this guide, we will explore the various benefits and opportunities that come with pursuing a TEFL or TESOL certification through ITTT. From the flexibility of online courses to the practical training provided in our in-class...  [Read more]

Are you looking to embark on a rewarding journey in the field of teaching English as a foreign language? ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) offers comprehensive certification programs that will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in this dynamic industry. With a focus on practical training and real-world experience, our courses are designed to prepare you for a successful career teaching English to non-native speakers around the globe. ITTT is a trusted leader in the field of TEFL and TESOL training, with over two decades of experience in providing high-quality education to aspiring teachers. Our courses are internationally recognized and accredited, ensuring that you receive a certification that is respected and valued by employers worldwide. With a...  [Read more]