What's A Border Hopper

If you plan on teaching English in Europe you might have come across something known as the Schengen Area. This area is currently comprised of 26 countries with a combined population of over 400 million people. The area was set up in 1985 with the intention of removing border controls to make moving between countries hassle free. The Schengen Area should not be confused with the European Union which is a separate institution. Before its creation you would have to show your passport at every border to receive an entry stamp, while now anyone including TEFL teachers can move freely from one country to another without any restrictions. Essentially, by entering a country that is a member of the Schengen Area you are entering the area as a whole. Regardless of which country you enter first, the...  [Read more]

If you are looking for a destination with lush nature and stunning scenery in America, come and visit Wisconsin. Even though the state is nicknamed “America’s Dairyland”, there is far more to see in Wisconsin than just farmland. However, it is worth noting that the state is America’s largest producer of dairy product and also produces the best cheese in the country. Take a closer look and you will find that Wisconsin offers lush nature, including big forests, lakes, and even waterfalls. Due to its location at the Great Lakes, Wisconsin is a major destination for water sports enthusiasts, but you can also find plenty of trails for hiking and biking. Join our TEFL/TESOL course in Wisconsin and spend four exciting weeks in the state. The coast of Lake Superior in Wisconsin is a major...  [Read more]

Here I was, waiting to teach a 'Lets Learn English' session with the Pacific and Asian newcomers to Australia. I was to continue the conversational English lessons with them. The attendees were looking forward to the class. I could tell this by the enthusiasm in their greeting as they arrived and by their hunger to learn in previous sessions. What's more we were having fun as we journeyed into the English language together. What's the biggest problem these students have I thought' The simple answer is 'the peculiarities of the English language, or more specifically'words. So what are words anyway' They're just sounds or noises that we utter after all. Unlike lower animals we may not bark neigh, moo, roar, purr or growl, but we do react instinctively to what's happening around...  [Read more]

Teaching English for a Specific Purpose (ESP) or Why not just teach'em Shakespeare' TEFL teaching in the classroom has maninly been focused on leaning General English skills with more specific English, needed for a specific profession for example, being taught only as and when it is needed. Some people argue that specific English should be introduced earlier and this will help motivate pupils and also keep the English taught within a professional and cultural environment that is relevant to the people learning it.English for a specific purpose was developed to meet the needs of individual learners and their specific needs, and is designed for specific disciplines. It makes some, but not exclusive use of the underlying methodology and activities of the discipline it serves, ...  [Read more]

  Alveolar sounds get their name from the fact that the alveolar ridge is being used. Again, that ridge is just behind the front top row of teeth. Here the tongue is on or very very near the alveolar ridge. It's typically the tip of the tongue or what's just behind the tip of the tongue, called the blade of the tongue. Here, we're talking about sounds such as ?t? and ?d?. If you say them at home, you can tell the tip of your tongue is on that alveolar ridge. Again, that's ?t? and ?d?, as well as sounds such as ?s? and ?z?. Again, the blade of the tongue is just near that alveolar ridge but it is very near nonetheless. The two other sounds that make it into this category is the ?l? sound, where the tip of the tongue is very clearly touching that alveolar ridge, as well as ?r? or the...  [Read more]

There are many different methods to teach grammar, but this essay will present the three that might be the most effective in retaining student interest. 1.Situational Presentations2.Text and Recordings3.Test Teach Test 1.Teaching grammar via Situational Presentation In order for grammar to have meaning, it needs to be placed within a context. For instance the preposition 'beside' has no meaning to a student unless it's placed within a context. Using a model sentence such as the 'The bread is beside the toaster' gives the word a basic context. Situational presentation refines the context and thus the meaning by building a 'situation' around the model sentence. It can be presented in three stages with the following example of teaching prepositions based on an airplane ride.Stage...  [Read more]

Without a doubt, New York is among the top most visited states in America. This is because of the many historic attractions, natural wonders and vibrant cities in the region. On top of that, New York is one of the most ethnically diverse states due to the mass immigration since the early 19th century. Today, New York is a melting pot of cultures, languages and also food. You will find everything you can imagine in New York. Upstate New York is the right place for you if you are searching for lush nature, such as forests and tall mountains. Many locals and those from further away come to the northern part of New York to spend some quality time outdoors. Lake George is a popular destination for those wanting to hike, bike or camp in a picturesque location. There are also a couple of...  [Read more]

If you are looking for a destination to teach English abroad that is slightly off the beaten track, but still offers endless opportunity for culture and travel, then Russia could be a great choice. With a population close to 150 million and an increasing focus on cross border business, Russia has a very strong demand for English language teachers, particularly in cities such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg. As demand for teachers is so high in some parts of the country language schools tend to hire year-round, unlike many other countries across Europe that often have set hiring seasons. Russia also differs from most other destinations in Europe as schools routinely hire teachers in advance from within their home countries. This means the application process and interviews are conducted...  [Read more]

The notion that English is a global language rests on fairly substantial ground since it is used officially and unofficially throughout the world. Linguist David Graddol estimates in a report to the British Council that '500 million to one billion speak English now as either a first or second language,' and 'there could be two billion new (my italics) speakers of English within a decade.' Jacques L'vy, a native speaker of French who studies globalism at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, states 'It's a lost cause to try to fight against the tide. It could have been another [global] language; it was Greek, then Latin, French, now it is English.' In the United States today a heated debate over Mexican immigration has triggered a move toward making English its...  [Read more]

The combination of a tropical climate, stunning beach filled coastline, exotic flora and fauna, and some of the most pristine rain forest in the region, makes Costa Rica one of the most popular destinations in Latin America for teaching English abroad. The majority of foreign English teachers working in Costa Rica have no more than a tourist visa in their passport. Unlike many other countries, it is technically legal for teachers to work without the need for a work visa. For many nationalities, including Americans, Canadians, and most Western Europeans, tourist visas are issued on arrival in the country. Visas are valid for 90 days and can be renewed by crossing a border to a neighboring country and then simply crossing back to receive a new one. When entering Costa Rica it is worth...  [Read more]

Teaching English online from Thailand offers a unique opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of this Southeast Asian nation while also making a difference in the lives of students around the world. With the rise of remote work and digital learning, the demand for qualified English teachers has never been higher. At ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training), we provide comprehensive online courses that prepare you to become a certified English teacher, equipping you with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the competitive field of online education. In this guide, we will explore the benefits of teaching English online from Thailand, the advantages of getting certified through ITTT, and how our courses can help you achieve your career goals. We will also discuss the...  [Read more]

  So, some of the ways in which we can avoid these problems occurring in the first place is to reteach the vocabulary that's going to be required in the particular activity and the grammar. Now, having said this, it doesn't mean that if we think about a particular article that they're going to read or a listening activity that they're going to listen to. They don't have to know every single word in there but they do need to know a certain number of words in order to actually make sense out of it. Secondly, most of the materials that we'll be using for both reading and possibly for listening will be what's called an authentic material. In other words, it's a real piece of material from a newspaper or magazine that hasn't been created for a particular class and so we need a very...  [Read more]

  One of the major ideas here when writing on the board, is that we need to be aware that whenever we're using the board to write down information, we should not be talking and whenever we are talking we should not be writing on the board. This will inevitably lead to what's known as dead time when nothing is being said as we're putting information on the board. This dead time is not a problem but we can actually minimize it by using a number of techniques. We could use pre-prepared material. So we put information onto large pieces of paper and then instead of writing on the board, we actually stick those materials onto the board as we go through the class. Another idea is to actually ask students to write on the board for you. Another thing is that we could actually put work up...  [Read more]

All of my life I've been told that English is one of the most difficult languages on Earth to learn, and I should thank my lucky stars that it was my first language and I would never have to go through the agony of learning it later in life. Of course, I thought this was B.S. when I first heard it; after all, I learned English when I was like three years old. How hard could it be'It wasn't until I began to learn another language, Spanish, that it began to dawn on me just how convoluted and peculiar some parts of our language are. In Spanish, if you can say a word, you can spell it. That's it. Sound it out and you've got it. But English is chock full of all these funky, weird rules for spelling like I before E except after C. Okay, you got that' Now you can spell anything, right'...  [Read more]

  Before looking at the methods or approaches themselves, there are some terms that we need to define. These are the approach, the method or the technique. Basically, these are hierarchical. The approach is an overriding set of principles that a method can actually make use of, whereas the technique are the things that we actually do in the classroom to approach that method. So, these three words are going to appear during the presentation. Again, for each of either the approaches all the methodologies we're going to ask four questions. So be it an approach or a method for each of those things: Where did it come from? What's its background? What does it involve when we're talking about actually in the classroom, in other words techniques? What is positive about it? What appears to...  [Read more]

Teaching English online has been a very popular option for several years, although its popularity has truly skyrocketed in recent times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. International travel restrictions and an understandable reluctance to cross borders has meant that many thousands of TEFL qualified teachers who would otherwise be living and teaching in countries all over the world have turned towards virtual classrooms. As the pandemic gradually recedes and international travel gets back to normal, many teachers will once again hit the road to seek adventure in far flung corners of the world. However, for many there will be no overseas travel planned as the stability and convenience of working online is something you can certainly get used to. During the recent pandemic the vast majority of...  [Read more]

Unlock your potential with ITTT's flexible American TESOL courses. Whether you are a seasoned educator looking to enhance your skills or a novice seeking to enter the world of teaching English as a foreign language, our comprehensive programs cater to individuals at all stages of their teaching journey. With a focus on practical training and real-world application, our courses are designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed in the competitive field of TESOL. In the ever-evolving landscape of education, having a globally recognized TESOL certification can open doors to a myriad of opportunities. At ITTT, we understand the importance of offering flexible learning solutions that fit seamlessly into your busy schedule. Our online courses provide the ultimate...  [Read more]

There are various different methods which are used to teach a second language. One such method is the immersion method of teaching , developed in Canada to provide Canada's majority group English- speaking students with opportunities to learn Canada's other official language, French. Students are taught a second language exclusively throught he medium of the second language.The structured immersion approach, however, must not be confused with submersion (which is really a non-approach). Essentially, it is a ' sink or swim ' approach. For example, a non-English-speaking French child moves to England and is placed in a regular English- speaking classroom and is taught exclusively in English in the same way as the English-speaking children.Bull (1965) drew a distinction between these...  [Read more]

The role of a teacher has changed more dramatically in the past half century then in anytime in previous history. Schools are changing from a period where information was held by few to dispense to many, to a period where the flow of information freely exchanges between all varieties of media, most noticeably TV and the Internet. Therefore teachers are no longer needed as the supreme dispenser of knowledge but rather as a guide to learning who understands their student's unique needs and barriers to learning.Traditionally, teachers have had the responsibility to dispense historically relevant information to students sitting obediently in rows. Although this model has worked in the past it often creates a distant relationship between student and teacher and places the bulk of...  [Read more]

  Place of articulation deals with the placement of the vocal organs when producing a sound. Before we can cover the particulars of places of articulation, we'll need to take a look at the various vocal organs and their locations. Moving from the front to the back we'd begin with our lips. We can use both lips in order to create a sound or we can use one of our lips with one of our rows of teeth, usually the top, in order to produce another sound. We also have other sounds, which use both of the rows of teeth. Further back we have what's called the alveolar ridge. That's the bit of the mouth that may get burnt when we're eating a pizza that's a bit too hot and the cheese burns just behind there our top two teeth. That again is the hard bit just behind our top teeth, called the...  [Read more]

  Here's a teaching idea that focuses on two very specific aspects of the present simple tense, one of which will be making statements about a habit and a routine. The other will be conjugating the verb into the 'he', 'she' or 'it' form. Here we'll present students with a picture. They will see various objects in the picture. Based upon the presence of these objects in someone's room, the students will have to make an observation such as 'She drinks coffee,' 'She plays the guitar,' 'She watches television,' 'She doesn't smoke.' Again, it's very specific used for the 'he', 'she' or 'it' form and habits and routines. At the end of the activity, the teacher will have the pairs or the small groups report back their various findings. Another idea for the present simple tense will be the...  [Read more]

If you crave adventure and a lifestyle that’s out of the ordinary, Phnom Penh, Cambodia is the perfect location to launch your ‘teach English abroad’ journey. The transformation of Cambodia over the past three decades from a country characterised by occupation and trouble, to a Southeast Asian powerhouse, is phenomenal. There’s an insatiable demand for English language skills in Cambodia - and a chronic shortage of TEFL qualified people to teach English. What does this mean for people just like you? Simple! It means opportunities galore. Phnom Penh is the capital city of Cambodia and the nation’s international gateway. With a population of around 2.5 million people and a relatively confined central business district, it has a noticeably slower pace of life than you’ll find in...  [Read more]

Indiana is a popular destination in the USA due to the natural beauty of the state. It is one of the eight Great Lakes states in the Midwest of the USA and also located on the Ohio River in the south, which marks the border between Indiana and Kentucky. Indiana’s history dates back to 8000 BC and beyond when Native Americans first populated the area. Therefore, there are countless historic attractions, as well as manmade crafts all over the state. On top of that, Indiana’s lush nature makes it possible to engage in a wide range of outdoor activities throughout the entire year. All of these factors make Indiana a great location for your TEFL/TESOL training course. Come and join our training center in Indiana and spend four exciting weeks in the state. Countless state-of-the-art museums,...  [Read more]

Are you looking to embark on a rewarding journey while exploring the world and making a difference in the lives of others? Look no further than our Online TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification program in Madison! At ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training), we offer comprehensive online courses that provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to become a successful English teacher abroad. Whether you are a recent graduate, a seasoned educator looking for a new adventure, or someone simply passionate about teaching, our TEFL certification will open doors to exciting opportunities around the globe. 1. Internationally Recognized Accreditation: Our TEFL courses are internationally accredited and recognized, ensuring that your certification is respected and...  [Read more]

Argentina is a country rich in culture, history, and opportunities for those who possess the valuable skill of bilingualism. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, the ability to speak more than one language has become a highly sought-after skill in the job market. In Argentina, in particular, being bilingual can open the door to a wide range of professional opportunities in various industries. Whether you are a native Spanish speaker looking to improve your English or vice versa, the demand for bilingual individuals in Argentina is on the rise. One of the most prominent fields where bilingual individuals can thrive in Argentina is education. With the growing importance of English as a global language, there is a high demand for qualified English teachers in schools, language...  [Read more]

The age, background, and motivation of the students in your ESL classroom will vary greatly depending on where you are teaching and the school or institute you work for. You could have a class full of university students, hotel workers or even high flying business executives. Alternatively, you might work in a government school teaching a class of children aged anywhere from five to sixteen. Each of these groups has its own characteristics, and different teachers have their own preferences. Just remember that by completing a reputable TEFL certification course before you head off abroad, you will learn all the skills required to deliver effective and enjoyable lessons to almost any group of learners. A large percentage of teachers working in ESL classrooms overseas will find their...  [Read more]

One of the greatest dilemmas facing the English as a Foreign Language teacher today is when, how and what to correct in terms of errors or mistakes made by their students ('Correcting Students,' 1). It is an area of teaching theory that lacks a specific principle. There are no hard and fast rules about correction techniques in EFL; the approach taken will differ according to the situation. However, there are some general, agreed upon principles that describe the dynamics that occur within the sphere of correction. As correction techniques are a grey area, let's look at what's at the black and white ends of the spectrum in reference to how often one should correct a student. For example, the 'black' extreme might be to focus only on accuracy, and correct everything a ...  [Read more]

  So how do we actually make best use of the course book? Well, just a couple of factors that you need to keep into consideration when using these types of material, use the course book to help you create a balanced lesson in terms of the range of skills that are being taught and the actual types of material within that the grammar or vocabulary. Secondly, don't use it all the time, particularly with things like activities, we can create our own materials and we can tailor those materials much more specifically to the actual class that we're teaching. As very often the actual creations in the book are very general, we can make our own materials much more specific. The third thing you need to be aware of is that you can't always rely 100% on the information that's presented in those...  [Read more]

Embark on a rewarding journey with part-time teaching gigs in Zhuhai, China. This bustling city offers a unique blend of traditional culture and modernity, making it an ideal destination for those looking to immerse themselves in a vibrant community while gaining valuable teaching experience. Whether you are a seasoned educator or a fresh graduate exploring new horizons, Zhuhai presents a wealth of opportunities to make a meaningful impact on the lives of students while expanding your own professional skills. Teaching part-time in Zhuhai opens doors to a multitude of benefits for educators of all levels. From flexible schedules that allow you to pursue other interests or studies to competitive compensation packages, these opportunities offer a well-rounded experience that caters to your...  [Read more]

1. Remote English Language Instruction 2. Benefits of Online TEFL and TESOL Training 3. ITTT Online TEFL and TESOL Courses 4. Start Your Teaching Journey with ITTT In today's interconnected world, the demand for English language skills is higher than ever. Whether for academic, professional, or personal reasons, people around the globe are seeking to improve their English proficiency. Remote English language instruction has become increasingly popular, allowing students to learn from the comfort of their own homes. This convenient and flexible approach to language learning provides opportunities for both teachers and students to connect across borders and time zones. Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) are rewarding...  [Read more]