TEFL Mason Neck

The word rapport originates from the French word, rapporter, meaning to bring back and the Oxford English Dictionary definition is one of “a close and harmonious relationship in which there is common understanding”. But what is the reality of rapport and is it of any importance in the classroom' With so many teaching methods, practises, aids and testing means at a teachers disposal, do we even need to spend time considering rapport and trying to build it with students' The short answer is most definitely yes. Rapport is a key characteristic of human interaction. It is a commonality of perspective. It is about basic interaction at every level. The relationship and rapport developed between a teacher and their students is a vital ingredient in the success of any...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word "bellwether". This word is a noun and describes someone who takes the lead and sets trends. A long time ago, shepherds hung a bell around the neck of one sheep of its flock designating it the leader. Therefore, bellwether is a combination of the words "bell" and "wether", a male sheep that has been castrated. 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. We are using Present Tenses in our normal life...  [Read more]

Everyone agrees that learning a second language is more difficult than picking up our native language. However, why this is so is still a question of great debate in the scientific community.Most children with normal intelligence and neurological development will easily pick up their native language. The ease of this process is something that still mystifies scientists. Furthermore, parents do not usually make painstaking efforts to teach their children to speak. In many ways, the process appears innate; the child either “absorbs” the language through immersion or models the language that he or she hears her parents speaking.Although we speak of language learning as innate, recent scientific studies seem to point to the fact that the brain is not hard- wired with...  [Read more]

The United Kingdom has a rich history of educational practices that have evolved over the years to meet the changing needs of society. From traditional methods rooted in the classics to modern approaches embracing technology, teaching in the UK has seen significant transformations. Understanding the historical perspectives on teaching in the UK provides valuable insights into the current state of education and the direction it is heading. Throughout history, the UK has been home to influential figures who have shaped the field of education. From John Amos Comenius, known as the father of modern education, to pioneers like Charlotte Mason and Maria Montessori, the UK has been at the forefront of educational innovation. These visionaries have introduced new ideas and methodologies that have...  [Read more]

Everyone agrees that learning a second language is more difficult than picking up our native language. However, why this is so is still a question of great debate in the scientific community. Most children with normal intelligence and neurological development will easily pick up their native language. The ease of this process is something that still mystifies scientists. Furthermore, parents do not usually make painstaking efforts to teach their children to speak. In many ways, the process appears innate; the child either ?absorbs? the language through immersion or models the language that he or she hears her parents speaking. Although we speak of language learning as innate, recent scientific studies seem to point to the fact that the brain is not hard- wired with...  [Read more]

Humans have worked in groups since the beginnings of civilisation however it is only in the last century that research has focused on the dynamics that occur in group encounters and a deeper understanding of the way individuals behave in a group setting has emerged.The term group dynamics implies that individual behaviours may differ depending on an individuals current prospective connections to a sociological group (wikipedia.org, 2006). The effect of group dynamics on task performance can vary in either a positive or a negative manner depending upon the disparity of group members, the cohesion towards mutual objectives and the control exercised by the group leader and accepted by individual members. Cunningham, (2000) contends that the greater the in-group identity...  [Read more]

Humans have worked in groups since the beginnings of civilisation however it is only in the last century that research has focused on the dynamics that occur in group encounters and a deeper understanding of the way individuals behave in a group setting has emerged. The term group dynamics implies that individual behaviours may differ depending on an individuals current prospective connections to a sociological group (wikipedia.org, 2006). The effect of group dynamics on task performance can vary in either a positive or a negative manner depending upon the disparity of group members, the cohesion towards mutual objectives and the control exercised by the group leader and accepted by individual members. Cunningham, (2000) contends that the greater the in-group ...  [Read more]

As a solo female traveler, packing smart and efficiently is essential for a successful and stress-free journey. Whether you are embarking on a weekend getaway or a long-term adventure, having the right items in your luggage can make all the difference. Here are some practical packing tips tailored specifically for women traveling by themselves. When it comes to packing clothes, versatility is key. Choose items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Opt for neutral colors that can easily be dressed up or down. Pack a few basic tops, bottoms, and layering pieces that can be worn in various combinations. Don't forget to include comfortable shoes for walking and a versatile jacket for different weather conditions. Instead of packing full-size bottles of toiletries, invest...  [Read more]

As a global language, English has been popularly taught as the second language in China for quite a few years. Now there are more Chinese people learning English on various purposes, such as applying for a higher paid job, studying and living abroad, or establishing business with western countries. According to my experience of learning and teaching English, it is harder to master English pronunciation than English grammar for Chinese students. Chinese grammar may appear quite simple compared to that of many highly-inflected Western languages (e.g. Russian, Latin, etc.), or even the low-scale verb conjugations, for instance, of English (e.g. "swim, swam, swum") because of the lack of inflections. (1) Even though there are similarities between...  [Read more]

As a global language, English has been popularly taught as the second language in China for quite a few years. Now there are more Chinese people learning English on various purposes, such as applying for a higher paid job, studying and living abroad, or establishing business with western countries. According to my experience of learning and teaching English, it is harder to master English pronunciation than English grammar for Chinese students. Chinese grammar may appear quite simple compared to that of many highly-inflected Western languages (e.g. Russian, Latin, etc.), or even the low-scale verb conjugations, for instance, of English (e.g. "swim, swam, swum") because of the lack of inflections. (1)Even though there are similarities between English alphabet and Chinese one...  [Read more]

All canny religions and TEFL is no exception, offer confession and then redemption. Confess your sins of grammatical omission and TEFL will grant absolution with a certificate to prove it. Also, like most religions, it has branches everywhere. This is how most potential worshippers are recruited. For example, if you go online, you will find the cryptically named, 'Dave´s ESL Cafe´s Teacher Training Forum.' It is packed with attractive bite sized pieces of information and the usual testimonials by the Stepford Student's. From the inevitable, "Better than I could have hoped." To the unintentionally funny, "My head is now full of ideas." Further up or down the advertising food chain, is the 'workabroad' website which tries to attract its TEFL worshippers in the pithy...  [Read more]

The word rapport originates from the French word, rapporter, meaning to bring back and the Oxford English Dictionary definition is one of “a close and harmonious relationship in which there is common understanding”. But what is the reality of rapport and is it of any importance in the classroom? With so many teaching methods, practises, aids and testing means at a teachers disposal, do we even need to spend time considering rapport and trying to build it with students? The short answer is most definitely yes. Rapport is a key characteristic of human interaction. It is a commonality of perspective. It is about basic interaction at every level. The relationship and rapport developed between a teacher and their students is a vital...  [Read more]

All canny religions and TEFL is no exception, offer confession and then redemption. Confess your sins of grammatical omission and TEFL will grant absolution with a certificate to prove it. Also, like most religions, it has branches everywhere. This is how most potential worshippers are recruited. For example, if you go online, you will find the cryptically named, ?Dave´s ESL Cafe´s Teacher Training Forum.? It is packed with attractive bite sized pieces of information and the usual testimonials by the Stepford Student?s. From the inevitable, "Better than I could have hoped." To the unintentionally funny, "My head is now full of ideas." Further up or down the advertising food chain, is the...  [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. In this unit, I have learnt much about past tense. This tense has some similarities with present tense, but it is related with past time periods. This unit focuses on four patterns in the past tense:past simple, past continuous, past perfect and past perfect continuous. In each category, it covers form, usage, common mistakes/errors, and sample activate teaching ideas.Students should pay attention to the verb...  [Read more]

Our unique instructional videos provide an invaluable addition to the TEFL training experience. These extracts from our 120-hour course with tutor support cover many aspects of teaching such as English grammar and lesson planning.  [Read more]

What is it really like to take a TEFL training course with ITTT? Take a look at these video testimonials that feature course graduates describing their own unique experiences.  [Read more]

In these videos our grammar expert Linda demonstrates how to correctly pronounce a wide variety of common and not so common words that you might encounter in an English language classroom. Come back regularly as our Ask Linda series is frequently updated.  [Read more]

In order to become a great teacher, you should be familiar with the most important terms used in the classroom and the ESL world. The video glossary below covers the most widely used acronyms to help you get a head start in ESL.  [Read more]

Whether you want to teach in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America or Europe – each country has its own benefits when it comes to teaching English as a foreign language. Take a look at the infographics below and find out more about ESL and the different regions.  [Read more]

On this page you will find a selection of English grammar related videos taken from our Ask Linda series. Each video features our grammar expert Linda explaining a common grammar issue that can often cause confusion among students and teachers.  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accreditation Affordable TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: K.H. USA said: I?ve definitely learned how useful a lesson plan can be, especially for thinking back on a lesson you?ve taught and making it better. I like the way the template is set up to make you think about what could be problematic in a lesson, as well as the way it breaks the lesson into manageable chunks. I also learned a lot about grammar, and can sympathize with learners who are struggling with grammar problems! I know I struggled with some of the exercises in the course, even...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - 140 Hr TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: I. R. South Korea said: I have been teaching for 10 years, but I have never taught english as a foreign language. My field of expertise lies in Music, especially Singing and Body-voice-integration. My students have almost always been students who are taught in english but whose mother tongue is something different, and if I knew what I would gain from this course I would have taken it ten years ago. Throughout the course the information provided on tenses and grammatical structures and language function...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accreditation Fastest TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Al, Ireland said: Al, ireland This course has taught me to take the time to really understand new information and to look from a teachers and a student?s perspective in order to achieve the best results when planning lessons. I have gained confidence in my abilities and it has also taught me a lot about my own language! I now intend to look for work abroad, whether it be in france, where I am currently, or further I don't know but I believe I am much better equipped for whichever direction I...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - 2 Weeks TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: G. M. South Korea said: Upon starting this course I had very little idea as to what to expect. I had been teaching english for several years without any formal training of any kind, sort of making it up as I went along. When one enters a job without any formal theory or training, there are weaknesses and blindspots that are hard to identify and tackle. As my education was originally technical, it offered me little to no help with this. I did not know how to organize and execute a class so that the...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accreditation CELTA TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: K.F. Australia said: When I first made the decision to make a career out of teaching english as a foreign language, I thought the basis of the lesson would be teaching the students key words that would assist them in making sentences. Little did I know that there is much, much more to the english language than a native speaker realizes. As children, native speakers of english listen to the people around them speak and can pick up on the structure of a sentence, they hear the intonation...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accreditation Easy TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: LF, USA said: I have learned many things from this course. I have learned how truly complex the english language can be and how overwhelming or confusing it may seem. Having to learn parts of the english language again helped me see things from a student perspective. Even as a native speaker I had trouble. It is important to observe and understand my students and their learning style. Providing variety and learning what my students are interested in is a great way to make sure students are...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accelerated TEFL Cities and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: G.E. Australia said: Before commencing this course I was under the impression that the most important factor in teaching was the actual course material and the passing on of correct knowledge. Since doing this course I have come to realize that no single factor is more important than other factors that influence the overall efficiency of the classroom. The classroom dynamic, teacher/student interaction and student psyche are just some of the important factors that must be understood and...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accreditation Inclass TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: ES, Turkey said: The first main acquisition of mine from this course is that a teaching can be done in a very productive way by using its respective teaching style. As you can create your own lesson plan, the more you are creative, the better it is. In addition to this its efficiency derives from the company?s recommendation relating to the sources in terms of all of their either books? or websites? being of good quality. The crucial significance concerning a language is, its structure for...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accreditation Advanced TEFL and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: J.X. USA said: I think that these ittt courses were very fruitful to me. Why? Well because it taught me how to think and see further than I use too think and see things. It opened new ways to teach and new creativities in my mind to keep and use when I would have the opportunity. I think the most challenging for me is not that I don?t have enough creativity because as an Art studio myself, I?m almost never out of ideas and imaginations, but these courses taught me and shown me how to use...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Accelerated TEFL Course and apply today to be certified to teach English abroad. You could also be interested in: This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned: Z.H. China said: During my study in new zealand, I benefit a lot not only from the course, but online tutor as well as the teachers in excel college. From this course, I have learned various teaching methods and techniques such as ESA, boomerang and patchwork. I have also learned how to prepare and plan a lesson effectively. I have learned it is important to be respectful to students and attitude and manners are equally important in a teacher?s job. I?ll try to be a creative teacher and keep...  [Read more]