Word Pairs

  The two words "farther" and "further" are a pair of words that is often used interchangeably to talk about distances. However, not many know that there is actually a slight difference between the two. "Farther" is used for physical distances. So we would use it in this example: "Tokyo is farther away than Beijing". When using "further" we talk about non-physical, figurative distances, for example "I'm falling further away from my goals". As you can see, the two words have slighty different usages. However, in spoken English the two words are often used interchangeably without a difference. However, if you are keen to use them properly, you should stick to the rules mentioned above. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL...  [Read more]

  Our next consideration is going to be how we actually group our students. There are perhaps three types of grouping arrangements that we can consider and within those we'll have a look at the potential positive and negatives of those particular arrangements. So firstly, what arrangements can we use? We could arrange our group as a whole class so all of their activities will be done as a whole class. They could be working as individuals and the final grouping arrangement we'll consider is that of small groups or indeed the use of pair work. So for each of these types of arrangements what are the potential positive and negatives with that type of arrangement? For the whole class certainly one of the main positive features is that it gives that class a sense of belonging. Secondly...  [Read more]

Some people might think it is not so important where and how the students sit in the classroom. When they arrive for the first time, they leave it up to the students how they want to arrange the classroom and start teaching afterwards. Great care must be taken with this perception though. There are many different ways to arrange the classroom and each one of them has its own benefits and disadvantages. There is no 'best seating arrangement' for classes in general though. It depends on the available space, the type of chairs and tables, the age and personality of the students and the type of lesson that has been planned. The teacher must always take this into consideration and should plan very carefully how to arrange the classroom.The most common seating arrangements are...  [Read more]

When individuals are grouped together, especially in a learning environment, there will always be a mixture of abilities. A 'homogeneous classroom' does not exist. For this reason, it is essential, as a teacher, to be prepared to address a class full off different levels and abilities from start to finish.According to Gareth Rees, it is important to address this situation from the first day of class. He suggests having an open class discussion to put it out in the open which I believe makes for a more comfortable classroom. It is important to stage and structure the discussion by asking certain questions such as; would you rather sit and listen or actively participate' Rees calls this a 'Needs Analysis.' Comparing answers you, as a teacher, can have a better...  [Read more]

When individuals are grouped together, especially in a learning environment, there will always be a mixture of abilities. A ?homogeneous classroom? does not exist. For this reason, it is essential, as a teacher, to be prepared to address a class full off different levels and abilities from start to finish. According to Gareth Rees, it is important to address this situation from the first day of class. He suggests having an open class discussion to put it out in the open which I believe makes for a more comfortable classroom. It is important to stage and structure the discussion by asking certain questions such as; would you rather sit and listen or actively participate? Rees calls this a ?Needs Analysis.? Comparing answers you, as a teacher, can have...  [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 learned so many things that would make the students and the teacher as one family together! Even though there are challenges with different types of personalities and ideas that students might have, the teacher has to always try to make the class and calm and beneficial as possible. This definitely comes not just by dominating the class with talking, but to let the students have their chance to...  [Read more]

  The first part of my study phase is going to be the board work and I'm going to use the information that I generated in the elicitation part of my engage phase to move on to the actual board work. What I'm going to do is to show the structure of this particular tense. So, the phase study I'm expecting to take about ten minutes on this particular part and, again, the interaction will mainly be the students talking to me. So, how am I going to achieve that with this information? Well, we could ask the students to have a look at the sentences themselves and to tell us what they can see. If we look at each of the first words in here, then at this level, I should hopefully be able to elicit from my students what each of these words have in common and they may well give an answer that...  [Read more]

  Manuel from Germany took ITTT’s online 120-hour TESOL course. In this tesol review video; Manuel describes how, as a father of two small children, the format of the course enabled him to study on his own terms. With six months to complete the course, ITTT’s online TESOL courses are a great option for those with busy schedules, allowing you to study whenever and wherever you are able to do so. 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. ...  [Read more]

  In this TESOL review video two TEFL students talk about their experiences during their four week course in Corinth, Greece. Don't be worried if you have forgotten the rules of grammar. ITTT does not require prospective trainees to have an in depth knowledge of the terminology and structures of the English language. We will teach you this during the course thus providing you with the knowledge and skills needed to be a successful teacher. 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...  [Read more]

I went to France when I was fourteen and I didn?t speak any French. I lived in Toulon where barely anyone spoke English; I was therefore forced to speak French everyday at home and at school. Being surrounded by French resulted in me being able to speak it fluently with no knowledge of French grammar. After ten months, I returned to Australia speaking French as my second language. I continued to study French at school, but in a completely different approach. The lessons were carried out in English and we studied the French news and French current affairs. I learnt a lot more complicated vocabulary and was able to form more complex sentences. I also studied beginner Spanish at school. From the first class, we were only allowed to speak Spanish. This approach...  [Read more]

New technology in the classroom not only provides the teacher with a wealth of supportive tools but also provides interest and variety for the student and makes learning more interesting and relevant to today's society. The World Wide Web has made communication readily available and for the English learner offers a wealth of opportunities to supplement learning, A key asset of new technology in the classroom is the Interactive Whiteboard, a large touch sensitive board, which can be connected to a digital projector and a computer, which displays images from the computer screen onto the board and allows for more varied, creative and seamless use of teaching materials. It provides electronically all the familiar features of a traditional classroom blackboard or roller whiteboard...  [Read more]

  This video focuses on the difference between "bored" and "boring". Using those two words incorrectly is a very common mistake, especially for English learners around the world. The word "bored" is an adjective describing the feeling when there is nothing to do or when a person is not interested, for example, "she was so bored that she fell asleep". "Boring" is also an adjective but this word refers to the cause of the bored feeling rather than the feeling itself. For example, "the class was so boring that she fell asleep". Here the class is the reason for the feeling. The same concept can be applied to similar word pairs such as 'interested - interesting' or 'tired - tiring'. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word assailant. This word is used as a noun and refers to a person who physically attacks another person with the goal of doing harm. Some synonyms for assailant can include attacker, mugger and assaulter. 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. I am dealing with weak and reluctant students this school year. The suggestions in this unit are practical and useful that I plan to use this coming week. I...  [Read more]

This figure depends on a variety of factors including your qualifications, previous experience and the organization you work for. However, a typical hourly rate for online English teachers can range anywhere from $15 and $30. If, like most online teachers, you choose to work through an agency they will most likely take a cut of your pay as a fee for providing you with students and materials. The most popular teaching platforms for teaching English online include: Magic Ears: provides fun, interactive and efficient online English learning experiences to 4-12-year-old children in China. Magic Ears offers pay that is around 30% higher than the average and you can earn between $18 and $26 per hour. VIPKID: focuses on teaching children in Asia. All lesson plans and teaching materials are...  [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. I enjoyed the videos and felt myself cringing throughout the first one. It was everything a lesson should not be and I felt terribly sorry for the students who looked bewildered. It demonstrated the need to be warm, open, approachable and to give clear examples of what is expected from students before setting them tasks. I also noticed in the second lesson that pair work gave the students more confidence...  [Read more]

  Tim currently completed our 120-hour online certification course and enjoyed working with the well-organized units. He also found the videos accompanying the course very useful. 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, troubleshooting, I learned about the different problems and solutions that I might encounter in teaching English as Second Language. Some of the problems are when I have large classes, reluctant students, and when the...  [Read more]

  Shanice from Jamaica talks about her experience taking the 120-hour online course with ITTT in this TESOL review video. Shanice thought the course was amazing with each unit building on the last and caused her to really consider what she was learning and how it would be implemented in the classroom. Shanice recommends the course to anyone thinking of teaching English as a foreign language abroad. 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. Problems...  [Read more]

Vocabulary is a set of words known to a person that are part of a specific language. The set of words are used by a person to construct a sentence and a form of communication needed to interact with another person. Increasing one´s vocabulary is considered to be an important part of both learning a language and improving one´s skills in a language. According to the National Reading Panel, to develop vocabulary, students should be taught both specific words and word-learning strategies. Familiarizing students with vocabulary rich in contexts provided by authentic texts, rather than an isolated vocabulary drill, it can produce a stronger vocabulary learning experience. Knowing vocabulary goes beyond definitional knowledge; it gets the students actively engaged in using and...  [Read more]

In the modern age where working online has become a common way to make a steady living, the opportunities for qualified English teachers have further branched out into what we call the ?virtual classroom?. There are countless online platforms and providers that offer English lessons online allowing students from all over the world to learn how to speak English from the comfort of their own home. There are two main options for online English teachers. The first option is to set up your own teaching website. This allows teachers to be completely independent and free to set their own hours. However, it can take quite some time to find regular students and setting up a professional-looking website requires a certain budget and time commitment. A much more popular alternative, especially for...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'discreet' and 'discrete'. Their similar spelling and pronunciation makes them a word pair that is often confused. The word 'discreet' describes something that is unnoticeable and/or modest, whereas 'discrete' refers to something that is separate and distinct. Watch the video for detailed examples on the two words. 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. This unit covered teaching grammar, vocabulary and...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'defuse' and 'diffuse'. Their similar spelling and pronunciation make them a word pair that is often confused. The word 'defuse' refers to the action of making a situation less harmful or tense, whereas 'diffuse' means to spread over a wide area. Watch the video for detailed examples on the two words. 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. I think this lesson was new to me to see the breakdown and proper...  [Read more]

Seating arrangements are much more complex than students imagine. A proper and suitable seating arrangement can help a class thrive, but a poorly designed or chosen arrangement may result in classroom disorder. Seating arrangements are the key to classroom management and organization. Not only do they determine how well the teacher maintains control, but they also balance class dynamics. Teachers therefore must take several factors into consideration before settling on a seat arrangement, such as. how the teacher-student relationships will vary, how the arrangement will affect the classroom atmosphere, which arrangements allow the teacher to maintain control over the classroom, how it will affect the teacher's role, how well the students can still communicate, how it works...  [Read more]

Traveling solo as a woman can be an empowering and liberating experience, allowing you the freedom to explore new destinations at your own pace. However, packing for a solo trip can be a daunting task, especially when you need to fit everything into a single suitcase or backpack. To help make your solo travel experience more enjoyable and stress-free, here are some essential packing hacks tailored specifically for women. 1. **Multi-purpose clothing items**: When packing for a solo trip, it's essential to pack smart and opt for versatile clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create different outfits. Choose items that can be dressed up or down, such as a versatile dress that can be worn during the day with sneakers and then dressed up with heels for a night out. 2. **Invest in...  [Read more]

  Now an example of a straight arrow ESA lesson for our engage phase. What we're going to do is to show the students a video of animals and they are going to say what they like about those animals and try to create a list of some more. So, remember what we're trying to do here is to get the students talking and thinking in English. We're using a typical engage activity, which is to create a list and we try to make sure that all the students have been involved in some way in creating those lists. Moving on to the study phase, the first part is going to be the board work and the teacher is going to try to elicit from the students what each of those animals can and can't do. Typically, what the students will say is just single words, so "run," "jump," "fly," etc. What we would then...  [Read more]

Classroom success for teachers and students encompasses classroom management, classroom discipline and seating arrangements; which are all dependent upon seating arrangement styles. In order to determine which seating arrangement style (SAS) is best for a class one must look at the reasons or the importance of a particular SAS.SAS are important for classroom control and management, student security, student interaction and socialization, ease of teaching, special needs of students such as seeing or hearing, and are a good way of memorizing students' names in the beginning. There are many factors in determining a SAS.Prior to selecting a specific SAS a teacher must determine how the class will be taught and which subject. Will there be a math class where every...  [Read more]

Although some ESL teachers find the thought of teaching beginners a bit frightening, they can be a very rewarding group to work with. With beginners it is very easy to see improvement. As a teacher, being able to see your work pay off so quickly can be very encouraging.Of course not all beginners are the same. Beginners are usually split into two categories: complete beginners and false beginners.Complete beginners are students who have had no exposure to English. Because they have often had very little formal education, they can be much more challenging to teach than false beginners.Kenneth Beare, author of English as 2nd Language, defines false beginners as, 'Beginners that have already studied some English at some point in their life.' Most experts on the subject have a...  [Read more]

Discover delicious and nutritious low-calorie meal ideas to help you stay on track with your health and wellness goals. From refreshing salads to hearty soups and protein-packed dishes, we've got you covered with a variety of options that are both satisfying and guilt-free. Whether you're looking to lose weight, maintain a healthy lifestyle, or simply enjoy tasty meals without the extra calories, these recipes are sure to inspire your next culinary adventure. Let's dive into a world of flavors and ingredients that will keep you feeling energized and nourished throughout the day. Salads are a great way to pack in a variety of nutrients while keeping your calorie intake in check. Start with a base of leafy greens such as spinach, kale, or arugula, and then add colorful veggies like bell...  [Read more]

Since we expect, D.v., to be in Bangkok, Thailand, from this January to May to teach English it seems quite appropriate to explore some of the challenges that we may encounter. During our previous year in Chiang Mai our Thai landlady came monthly to collect our rent money and always stayed to visit for an hour or so to practice her English. She consistently expressed frustration saying that ?my English has gone back to my teacher.? This probably rather common problem seems to stem from the Thai educational system?s approach to teaching English in the classroom. Typically English is taught from the earliest grade in school along with Thai, classes are often quite large, 30-40 students or so, and the style of instruction is by rote. It is hard to imagine that the ...  [Read more]

Since we expect, D.v., to be in Bangkok, Thailand, from this January to May to teach English it seems quite appropriate to explore some of the challenges that we may encounter.During our previous year in Chiang Mai our Thai landlady came monthly to collect our rent money and always stayed to visit for an hour or so to practice her English. She consistently expressed frustration saying that ‘my English has gone back to my teacher.’ This probably rather common problem seems to stem from the Thai educational system’s approach to teaching English in the classroom. Typically English is taught from the earliest grade in school along with Thai, classes are often quite large, 30-40 students or so, and the style of instruction is by rote. It is hard to imagine that...  [Read more]

  The next example is going to be that of a boomerang lesson and remember the structure is like this. So, again, we're going to start with an engage phase and for our engage, the students are just going to have a discussion about jobs. What happens at interviews and so on and so forth. So, during that engage phase, what we'd hope to do is to elicit some useful language about jobs and interviews and the types of questions that are being asked. Then, we're going to move immediately into an activate activity and this is going to involve a role-play. So, we'll break the students into pairs. One will be an interviewer, the other will be an interviewee and they'll generate the language that that role-play will produce. What the teacher can do whilst that is taking place is to go around...  [Read more]