What To Teach First When Teaching English

  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. Modals, phrase verbs and passive voice are certainly not the first concepts to teach, as students need to have at least the rudiments of various tenses, an understanding of the nuances of modal usage, and enough grammar to analyze the function of various parts of a sentence. These concepts are a struggle for me and I am a native speaker with excellent grammar. I wish I could bottle whatever instincts tell me...  [Read more]

Check out Tesolcourse.com about TEFL - Canadian Based Online TEFL Courses 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: A.B . - Scotland said: Knowledge and understanding of grammar has improved Expanded ideas of how to make lessons fun and interesting while developing students? abilities Think the 2 week practical course will help put these into practice and help work towards being a good TEFL teacher A.D ? USA I can't even put into words how much I feel like I have accomplished in participating in this program. I started with this program to get a taste of what it may be like to teach...  [Read more]

China has been proclaimed to be the largest market for English learners. In the last twenty years, progress in teaching and learning of English has exploded. Arriving in China August 1993 was not my first time there. Though it was my first time in the Northeast. I was to spend the next twelve years of my life in the city of Shenyang. An industrial city of 7 million people. My first impression was that it was like being in a 1950´s black and white movie with no sub-titles.. I was to teach at Shenyang Institute of Technology. My first year, I had 800 students. All except one of the classes, were freshmen. One was a class of 25 graduate students. Shenyang was my home until October 2005. There were tremendous changes in China during those years affecting...  [Read more]

China has been proclaimed to be the largest market for English learners. In the last twenty years, progress in teaching and learning of English has exploded. Arriving in China August 1993 was not my first time there. Though it was my first time in the Northeast. I was to spend the next twelve years of my life in the city of Shenyang. An industrial city of 7 million people. My first impression was that it was like being in a 1950´s black and white movie with no sub-titles..I was to teach at Shenyang Institute of Technology. My first year, I had 800 students. All except one of the classes, were freshmen. One was a class of 25 graduate students. Shenyang was my home until October 2005. There were tremendous changes in China during those years affecting all aspects of life....  [Read more]

Although it is theoretically possible to teach the English language without any form of training or qualifications, something that was quite common in years gone by, it is now almost universally accepted that the ability to speak a language has little bearing on an individual’s ability to teach it effectively to others. This change of attitude among school directors and education departments has led to the development of TEFL certification courses that are designed to give native and non-native English speakers the skills and knowledge they require to provide effective language instruction to their future students. So what does a TEFL course actually teach you? The mere mention of English grammar is often enough to strike fear into the hearts of potential EFL teachers. Ask any native...  [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]

  Our final methodology is accredited to Jeremy Harmer and it's known by the letters ESA. Around 1998, Jeremy Harmer produced a book called "How to teach English" and basically what Harmer did, is a background to this book is to do what we have done today and to work through all of the different methodologies that have come about over the last 300 years. He highlighted for each of those methodologies what was good about it, what was positive and what didn't appear to work and then put all of the positive things into a melting pot and came out with this methodology, which he called ESA. It's a three-stage methodology, where each of the letters represents a particular phase of the lesson. The first one being called the engage phase, the second the study phase and the final one the...  [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 ingredient in the success of any...  [Read more]

Many new teachers are intimidated by the prospect of having to teach grammar. There are several reasons for this. Many of us aren't that familiar with grammar rules to begin with, the many exceptions make English grammar a complex subject, and finally, grammar just isn't that exciting to most teachers or students. For these reasons, there can be a tendency to question whether teaching grammar is really that important in the first place.So, is teaching grammar important' I believe it is. Ed Swick says, 'The rules of Grammar for a language learner are like the rules of the road for a driver. In order to be able to drive properly and maneuver with other drivers, you have to know the rules that everybody goes by' This is true of language to. If you follow the rules of...  [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]

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 Cambridge TEFL Certificates Online 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: C.J. - South Korea said: This course has actually taught me more than I initially thought it would. At first I thought it would be the basics of the english language, but I was wrong. I have learned so much about my own language that I did not know. I have learned stuff that I was never introduced to while I was going to school as a child. The english language, I have come to realize, is so much more complicated than I thought it was. This course has showed me that I have a lot to...  [Read more]

I'd like to write about my experience in volunteer teaching with an ALT, Assistant Language Teacher, at the local elementary school.Through this experience, the following important points that were covered by the TEFL course have been re-confirmed.1. Planning and preparation before lessons.2. Usage of the whiteboard/blackboard, flash cards, and the CD player.4. Facilities: classroom or gym'3. Body language: gestures and eye contact4. Voice control: volume, pronunciation, and accent5. DisciplineChiba prefecture, north east of Tokyo, where I live has been employing ALTs from all over the world for a number of years. Most of them are just out of college. Some of them have lived in Japan as exchange students in the past. ALT stands for assistant language teacher and therefore they...  [Read more]

I believe that Classroom Management is the key component in any educational setting. I believe that if a classroom is well manage by the teacher, the students can learn more not by punishing them with their behavior problems but to engage each students in every activities that takes place in the classroom. My goal is to make my classroom well manage so no students will be left behind in the lesson and make the environment organized. I believe that teaching is a very difficult job because we have to deal with so many people with different personalities in our daily life. But if we make our classroom enjoyable and make the students feel that they are big part of the class, it will make them feel comfortable and they will participate more in class. I have always had...  [Read more]

I believe that Classroom Management is the key component in any educational setting. I believe that if a classroom is well manage by the teacher, the students can learn more not by punishing them with their behavior problems but to engage each students in every activities that takes place in the classroom. My goal is to make my classroom well manage so no students will be left behind in the lesson and make the environment organized. I believe that teaching is a very difficult job because we have to deal with so many people with different personalities in our daily life. But if we make our classroom enjoyable and make the students feel that they are big part of the class, it will make them feel comfortable and they will participate more in class. I have always had large...  [Read more]

  The next idea we're going to consider is the use of visual aids and visual aids can include some examples such as real, objects, which we call realia, the use of pictures and photographs and also the use of models. So let's consider some of the ideas surrounding the use of visual aids. Well, why are they useful? Well, first of all the use of a visual aid can reduce teacher talk time. It's very much more simple just to show a real object than to try to describe it so that we could just ask the students ?what is this,? and they would say ?this is a pen,? rather than trying to actually describe it. Again if we were trying to show examples of fruit and vegetables rather than to try and describe them why not use an actual model and this is going to be much more visually stimulating...  [Read more]

To Teach, Travel, Work and Live abroad! says the ITTT website. Indeed, the main reasons for wanting to be a certified TEFL teacher are most probably these. If you are a student, to travel the world, discover different cultures, meet new people and learn the local language. If you are an office employee, frustrated by the routine and bored with your job, to escape to China or Japan to teach and learn about Buddhism. If you are an experienced teacher, to give a new dimension to your teaching. If you want to help others, to do volunteer work in Africa.There are a multitude of personal and professional reasons that may motivate people from all walks of life to do a TEFL course. For me it was to be a real teacher. This is my story.I am a native English speaker, but have lived in...  [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...  [Read more]

There are many reasons why people take a gap year and there is no particular best time to do it. You might have just finished high school or university and are unsure what you want to do next. You might already be in work, but are bored of the daily routine and looking for a break. Whatever your reason for taking a few months, a year, or even longer away from your existing life, it could be the best decision you ever made. After being away for a while you should find you have time to reflect on the past, enjoy your present, and most importantly, make well thought out plans for your future. Initially many people assume that teaching English during a gap year is simply a good way to earn some cash while traveling from place to place. However, there are many reasons why teaching abroad is a...  [Read more]

1. The Importance of Accreditation for TEFL Courses 2. Practical Training Opportunities 3. Job Placement Assistance 4. Conclusion When considering pursuing a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) course in Australia, there are several essential qualifications to keep in mind. One of the most critical aspects is ensuring that the course you choose is accredited by a reputable organization. Accreditation not only validates the quality of the program but also ensures that your certification will be recognized internationally. ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) offers accredited courses that meet the highest standards in the industry, providing you with the necessary qualifications to kickstart your teaching career. Another important qualification to look for in a TEFL course...  [Read more]

As the language of business, English is necessary all across the globe, from South America to Africa and Asia. China, the most populous country in the world, is fast becoming the leading world power. In trying to blend more efficiently into the Modern World, characterized by high technology and the privatization of financial institutions and corporate monopolies, China is adapting many of its practices to accommodate these changes. One of those changes is the fervent desire for the educational system to teacher English. However, due to its very long history and relatively recent emergence into the corporate world, this sometimes creates more hassles than their worth, especially for an international TEFL teacher determined to provide students with the opportunity to practice...  [Read more]

Located in the east of the country, Uzbekistan’s capital, Tashkent, is its largest city and the most populated city in the region of Central Asia with around two and a half million people calling it home. The city became the capital of the Republic of Uzbekistan when the country became independent in 1991. Tashkent has a long and interesting history which is evidenced in its delightful architecture. The exhibition halls and metro stations are particularly good examples to look out for. One of the best ways of experiencing local life in Tashkent is to drop by one of the numerous local markets, which are thriving social centers for the local inhabitants. The nightlife in Tashkent is exciting and varied and you will find the best clubs, restaurants and teahouses in Uzbekistan in the city....  [Read more]

Deciding to leave your old life behind and head overseas to teach English is a big move to make and one that can come with a few issues. One that many people encounter is how to stay in regular contact with friends and family. However old and independent you might be, the people you leave behind are likely to have some concerns and it certainly helps them and yourself if you are able to keep everyone informed of your experiences. While it is easy to make excuses and pass the buck, it ultimately is down to you to maintain relationships while you are teaching English abroad. The people you leave behind will have little understanding of the time difference, or your new work schedule, which means it is up to you to find the best time to make a phone or webcam call and to make the necessary...  [Read more]

For many years Teachers of English have used the PPP model of Presentation, Practice and Production for the preferred model of teaching. It has worked well. The PPP model falls short however, in that it does not work well when teaching more complex language problems beyond the sentence level or when teaching communicative skills. Jeremy Harmer in How to Teach English (Longman Publishing 1998) proposed an alternative to PPP called ESA: Engage, Study, and Activate. In an article written in The Guardian Weekend, March 15 1997, Bridget Riley complained about the treatment she and her fellow students received at the Royal College of Art. ?We were abandoned when what we needed and what we hoped for was help toward independence in teaching rather than having...  [Read more]

For many years Teachers of English have used the PPP model of Presentation, Practice and Production for the preferred model of teaching. It has worked well. The PPP model falls short however, in that it does not work well when teaching more complex language problems beyond the sentence level or when teaching communicative skills. Jeremy Harmer in How to Teach English (Longman Publishing 1998) proposed an alternative to PPP called ESA: Engage, Study, and Activate. In an article written in The Guardian Weekend, March 15 1997, Bridget Riley complained about the treatment she and her fellow students received at the Royal College of Art. 'We were abandoned when what we needed and what we hoped for was help toward independence in teaching rather than having independence...  [Read more]

  Okay, so we're going to use this pro-forma as our lesson plan and we're going to fill one out as though we were planning for an actual lesson. So, we start off with some basic information about the class. So, the name of the teacher, date and time and the class level. In this particular case, our class is going to be an elementary class and the room will be room 3. Having looked through the registers we see that the expected number of students for this particular class is going to be 10. This will help us in creating our worksheet copies. The context of the lesson for this class is going to be present continuous tense and it may well be the first time that this particular level of class has been introduced to this tense. So, our focus is going to be fairly general and it's going...  [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]

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain, but also the most populated city in the country and the nerve center of the government and economy, all of which make it a great location for taking a teacher training course. Famous as one of the most welcoming and hospitable capitals in Europe, Madrid is a very cosmopolitan city that is home to a wide range of cultures from all corners of the globe. Here you will find countless opportunities to make friends and to work alongside people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Regardless of the time of year, you will never be short of things to do in Madrid. Indoors you can explore many fascinating art galleries, including the Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, as well as numerous museums. When the weather is fine...  [Read more]

Madrid is not only the capital of Spain, but also the most populated city in the country and the nerve center of the government and economy, all of which make it a great location for taking a teacher training course. Famous as one of the most welcoming and hospitable capitals in Europe, Madrid is a very cosmopolitan city that is home to a wide range of cultures from all corners of the globe. Here you will find countless opportunities to make friends and to work alongside people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Regardless of the time of year, you will never be short of things to do in Madrid. Indoors you can explore many fascinating art galleries, including the Museo del Prado, Museo Reina Sofía and Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza, as well as numerous museums. When the weather is fine...  [Read more]

  This presentation is going to focus on the section of classroom management. We could start with a definition of classroom management as being the skill of organizing the class individual students within that class and what takes place within the class. Perhaps one of the most important resources for achieving these things is you and in terms of you there are a number of things that you can use to help with the classroom management and they include though they're not limited to the use of your eyes the use of your voice and the use of gesture. So let's take each of these in turn and see how they can be used to help with their management of the classroom. So starting with our eyes. First of all the eyes can be used in a number of ways and they can certainly be used to hold...  [Read more]