Teaching English Abroad Blog

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas There are a number of different ways in which you can work online. In this blog we describe the ways you can do this and briefly describe some of the positives and negatives for each system. Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In this blog we discuss the types of platfrom available to online English teachers. We then look at ways to add your profile to these platforms in order to attract the maximum number of students to you. Hoàng Minh Huy TEFL Information Alumni Experiences In the wake of the pandemic, distance learning has become the norm worldwide. Keep your online classes engaging and fun for kids with these 3 creative Zoom lesson plans - Morning Sharing, Show and Tell, and...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas The following activities may be adapted for use as warmers, engage activities, structured practice or free practice style activities. They may also be adapted for level and age. The first one is really simple but can be one of the best activities to improve grammar. Some students even at the higher levels are lacking automatic habits, which are really important for grammatical skill. Basically this activity is a grammar drill and it is supposed to be used as a warmer or as an ice-breaker activity. The main objective is to help your students automate some grammatical skills. An example would be to use this activity to practice different forms of verbs, for example ‘do’ versus ‘does’ or different forms of the verb ‘to be’. It is...  [Read more]

Zareena Younis Destinations Alumni Experiences Nepotism, known as “wasta” in the workplace, is common in the Middle East, especially in the private sector. Personally, this area of common practice was unknown and unheard of to me as I come from a system of being recruited through the normal steps of applying for a job, being selected for an interview, and then being hired based on my experience knowledge, and skills. Ahmed Taha TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Cooperative learning is one of the successful methods of teaching that enhances critical thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills. Moreover, it encourages the learners to be more dependant and use their language effectively. Hadassah Roberts Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas As an English teacher, you may...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This blog will discuss how to stand out on online teaching platforms as they are getting more and more competitive, especially the big names out there. Most teachers want to teach on the most popular platforms and competition can get fierce. There are a number of things that you can do to make sure you stand out from the crowd and so that students can book you to be their teacher. When it comes to teaching online there are two main ways you can teach. One is an online teaching platform, a general online teaching platform offered by a company and the other one is a tutor marketplace platform. The main difference between an online teaching platform and a tutor marketplace platform is that on an online teaching platform, the...  [Read more]

Tho Nguyen Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Home tutoring in Vietnam can play a crucial role in helping students reach their full potential. With the traditional method of education being limited in its ability to cater to individual student needs, 1 on 1 tutoring can make a significant impact in the learning journey of students, especially those with learning disabilities and special needs. In this blog post, we delve into the benefits of 1 on 1 interaction in education and why it's a must for students. So if you're looking to find out how you can make a difference in a student's life, read on to discover the missing pieces of the puzzle that could prevent them from becoming the best version of themselves. Have you ever wondered why many parents across the US say no to...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences In this blog post, we look at two of the most common misconceptions about teaching ESL. First, that finding a job is really hard and second that you need a degree to teach English abroad.  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas As we talk about teaching English online (TEO), let's first look at some of the basics of teaching English in this way. So, what does TEO generally involve? Many TEO lessons are one-to-one (one teacher to one student) lessons while others are group lessons where you teach two or more students. They are typically delivered online via platforms such as Skype or Zoom or other similar platforms. Some of the larger companies may have their own internal platforms through which you teach. TEO allows you to work from anywhere in the world and take command of your own schedule most of the time, which is really what a lot of people want in today's world. Being able to get away from the nine-to-five and just make your schedule and...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Budget and Salary TEFL Information Teaching Ideas One area that often causes unnecessary stress when planning to teach English abroad is ensuring you have all the documents you will need to make the move. This live session will cover the process so that nothing stands in the way of your dream! Federico Riva Budget and Salary Destinations TEFL Information Are you interested in teaching English in Europe? TEFL expert Linda from ITTT shares the ultimate guide to teaching English as a foreign language in some of the most popular countries in Europe. Federico Riva Budget and Salary TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Career as a Non-Native Speaker ✅ In this live stream, we will talk about the most important steps for building a successful English teaching...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas There are a number of different ways in which you can work online. In this blog we describe the ways you can do this and briefly describe some of the positives and negatives for each system. Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In this blog we discuss the types of platfrom available to online English teachers. We then look at ways to add your profile to these platforms in order to attract the maximum number of students to you. Hoàng Minh Huy TEFL Information Alumni Experiences In the wake of the pandemic, distance learning has become the norm worldwide. Keep your online classes engaging and fun for kids with these 3 creative Zoom lesson plans - Morning Sharing, Show and Tell, and...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas When using the ESA methodology, there are a number of lesson formats available. In the third of this series we look at a Patchwork lesson. What does a Patchwork lesson look like and for what level of student is it most appropriate? Najwa Sabih Destinations Alumni Experiences Are you interested in teaching English in Turkey? Read this blog post written by an ITTT course graduate about her experience teaching English in Turkey. Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas When using the ESA methodology, there are a number of lesson formats available. In the second of this series we look at a Boomerang lesson. What does a boomerang lesson look like and for what level of student is it most appropriate? Federico...  [Read more]

Tho Nguyen Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Discover the advantages of 1-on-1 home tutoring over conventional methods in Vietnam. Learn how personalized attention can improve self-esteem, address learning disabilities, and shorten the learning curve for students. Read this blog post to find out how small changes can make a big difference in a student's education. Federico Riva Destinations TEFL Information Explore the best countries in Europe for teaching ESL: from job opportunities to cultural immersion experiences, find your perfect destination to teach and travel. Federico Riva Destinations TEFL Information Mainland China and Taiwan form a very large part of the Asian ESL market. There are obviously many similarities but also many differences. In this blog we...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Most TEFL interviews are now conducted online. Whilst it is very important to think about what questions you may be asked and how you will answer them, of equal importance is being correctly physically set up for the interview. Here we will consider some of the major factors you need to consider before you say, “Hello”. Ahmed Taha Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas This blog post explores what criteria should be used to evaluate activities in an ESL classroom. Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas One of the most important concepts to cover in the use of the board is that of “dead time”. This is the time we are writing on the board and nothing is being said. Here we look at 7 top tips to reduce the dead time to...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas ESA is 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 Activate phase. Tamara Jennings Teaching Ideas Are you an English teacher and trying to find suitable material for your lessons? This blog post focuses on media influences in assisting with ESL learning. Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas Developments in the study of Psychology starting from the 1950's led to new theories of learning. These theories were translated into new methods. One such method was called Suggestopedia. What does this method involve and how effective does it appear to be? Mudita Yajnik TEFL Information...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas There are a number of different ways in which you can work online. In this blog we describe the ways you can do this and briefly describe some of the positives and negatives for each system. Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In this blog we discuss the types of platfrom available to online English teachers. We then look at ways to add your profile to these platforms in order to attract the maximum number of students to you. Tho Nguyen Destinations Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Discover the advantages of 1-on-1 home tutoring over conventional methods in Vietnam. Learn how personalized attention can improve self-esteem, address learning disabilities, and shorten the learning...  [Read more]

Hoàng Minh Huy TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) is a challenging yet rewarding task that requires a set of essential skills. Pronunciation, grammar knowledge, and teaching method are three crucial elements that every teacher needs to possess in order to be effective in their role. From developing a neutral pronunciation to understanding grammatical rules and exploring different teaching methodologies, these skills are necessary for both native and non-native English teachers. In this blog post, we'll delve into each of these skills, highlighting their importance and providing practical tips for improvement. Whether you're a seasoned teacher or just starting out, this guide will provide you with the tools you need to succeed in the...  [Read more]

Tho Nguyen Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Learning English outside of the classroom can be a great way to practice and improve your language skills, especially if you don't have access to traditional language schools or classes. Whether you are a visual learner who benefits from colorful illustrations and pictures, an auditory learner who thrives on listening to spoken English, or someone who prefers the support and encouragement of friends, there are many different ways to learn and practice English at home. Additionally, immersing yourself in an English-speaking environment and participating in activities and events can be a fun and engaging way to improve your language skills. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best ways to learn and practice English outside of the...  [Read more]

Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas When using the ESA methodology, there are a number of lesson formats available. In the third of this series we look at a Patchwork lesson. What does a Patchwork lesson look like and for what level of student is it most appropriate? Najwa Sabih Destinations Alumni Experiences Are you interested in teaching English in Turkey? Read this blog post written by an ITTT course graduate about her experience teaching English in Turkey. Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas When using the ESA methodology, there are a number of lesson formats available. In the second of this series we look at a Boomerang lesson. What does a boomerang lesson look like and for what level of student is it most appropriate? Federico...  [Read more]

Hoàng Minh Huy TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Language is a tool for communication; we use it to share our ideas and learn about those of other people. Communication occurs anywhere speech is present. Without speaking, we are unable to communicate with one another. Therefore, speaking skills are crucial for language learners of any language. English skills include speaking, writing, reading, and listening. Although mastery of each communication skill is necessary to become a well-rounded communicator, speaking fluently has several important benefits. There are many advantages for the speaker when they can meaningfully combine words to convey their thoughts, attitudes, and feelings. Therefore, learning a second language, especially English is always, increasingly expanded, and...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences In this blog, we will look at some general do's and don'ts when teaching young learners. These ideas will cover general classroom management and class dynamics, giving a range of useful advice Federico Riva Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In this blog post we will consider how we need to adjust to teaching a single (one-to-one) student. Methods and techniques will need to be somewhat different from teaching a class where student to student interaction is available. Federico Riva TEFL Information Teaching Ideas This blog post outlines some of the best tips to use with your various beginner classes. Ideas about keeping them motivated and keeping them using the language are covered. Try these ideas with your beginners. ...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas In this blog post, we will look at five strategies you can use t boost your effectiveness within the class and also as a general way of increasing your online business. Ideas covered include the use of gamification and individualization. This idea isn't new but not many teachers appear to try to apply it to their online classes. There are several reasons why you should try it. (Especially as the majority of online classes are for young students). First we should define gamification: We may define it as a teaching strategy that involves play, integrated with clear learning objectives and outcomes. It can help to engage students with content better, allows them to get more motivated and engaged during the lesson and during...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences Teaching certificates open a lot of opportunities to find a good job throughout the world to native speakers of English language either for those who are fluent in it but doesn't have a special degree in pedagogic studies. One just needs to take a CELTA, DELTA, TESOL or TEFL course that is usually about one month long and depending on time and financial solvency can be taken online or offline. These courses have similar approaches to teaching techniques and methods, they are well structured and provide much useful information on teaching resources, teaching theories as well as practical tasks. But there are some issues one can meet in EFL teaching job searching. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Ekaterina E. Please note that...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences A foreign language is a sector of linguistics that is region-based and as the name states are foreign to the country or the person. And this entails that language is part of the culture and personality of every person. As each language is unique and meaningful in its way and turn reflects the culture, values, and behavior. No region or country does not have its language, culture, and beliefs. Overall, when learning a foreign language you are learning not only linguistics but their religion, their way of interaction, their mode of transportation or their way of life. And in the world today, English is considered as the universal language of the world because of globalization and in turn is the generalized or common medium in teaching form and common...  [Read more]

Federico Riva TEFL Information Hello, it's Liza here. While I'm waiting for more people to join us let me introduce myself for those who will watch it as a recording. So my name is Liza and I am a TEFL expert at ITTT. I am also a self-employed online ESL teacher. I am a non-native English speaker and I am based in Yekaterinburg, Russia. I hope that today's session will be useful for as many people as possible, because it basically covers one of the most controversial topics in TEFL certification. So the main point of today's session is what are some differences between TEFL and TESOL, and other certifications such as CELTA and DELTA. Please let me know if you can hear me clearly and see me well, there is a chat box so you can communicate with me via the comments. So if you can hear me...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas I would rather start by sharing my experience with the combination of teaching and living in several different countries to clarify why I have chosen this topic: This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate moein m. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. In the past, when I was younger, I did not have any interest and was not enthusiastic about learning English, and I remember that I always used to escape from foreign language classes. Once I turned to 16 and 17, during high school, I spent most of my time with some friends who knew English well and they were always talking about the top movies and books that were on screen or best sellers. Little by little, these friends made me...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Teaching Ideas How do we manage the class when teaching youngsters aged from 4 to 12? This is different from teaching adults since students in this age range have a shorter concentration span and higher affective filter. Here are the techniques we may use in the classroom. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Yan L. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. Be patient towards all the students, not just the nice ones; Not comparing students with each other. Every child learns differently and comes from different backgrounds. Be willing to be wrong in front of the students. Not showing favoritism between the students. Be aware of how body language is presented to their students. Forgiving and...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences This is my teaching experience so l will tell it in the form of a story. In 2011, l sat for my Advanced Level final exams and then applied for a post of temporary teacher at a school in an area called Date. Beginning of 2012, l traveled to Date from Harare to begin what l call a character building turmoil. I was an inexperienced 20-year-old girl who was about to take on a class that would be sitting for its final exam come to the end of that year, with half the class being my former primary school classmates and the other half not thinking much of me. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Trish A. M. So here l was, in a rural and remote school, teaching a class of forty students with no teaching guidelines except for my own...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas There are many types of English learning groups and each group requires different teaching techniques. In my opinion, English learners can be divided into 2 groups: beginners and English learners for specific purposes. Beginners can be students who have no English at all or know a few simple structures. They can be children or adults. English learners for specific purposes are students who have a basic English level and want to achieve their specific aims of learning. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Nhung T. Children are quick to learn but prone to forget. Therefore, they need frequent repetition and revision. Here are some tips for successful lessons with young beginners: Also read: 10 Tips When Teaching English...  [Read more]

Mark Crocker Alumni Experiences Teaching Ideas Although evaluation and testing are considered to be a ‘necessary evil’ by some teachers and students, it is quite absurd to call them so. Evaluation and testing should never be seen as ‘evil’, although they are certainly ‘necessary’ within a properly functioning educational system. It can be argued that no serious study is possible without evaluation and testing as they are surely the best way of judging the capabilities and progress of a student, and a serious motivation for reaching new goals. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Hira H. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, it is important to clarify the distinctions between evaluation and testing as they are technically different. Testing...  [Read more]

Umber Sherjeel Destinations Alumni Experiences Being in the teaching field for more than a decade and having taught in Saudi Arabia for the last 7+ years, I will give some pointers about my experience here as an English Language teacher. The education industry in Saudi Arabia is very blooming. There are many international schools, colleges, and universities - and the English education field in Saudi Arabia continues to grow and expand. Due to the rapid shift in the education system during the past few years, the country has established an insatiable appetite for ESL English Language teachers. English language learning has become mandatory in pretty much the entire school system. Since English is considered as a key skill for the international development of the country, the demand for...  [Read more]

Elizaveta Pachina Alumni Experiences As an experienced teacher, I would like to speak about motivation in the classroom. When we are going to teach a class one of the biggest problems is the motivation. Depending on the level of the class we need to consider how the students are motivated. As we know generally we divide the age of groups into 3 parts: 18+, 7 and less, and the middle group. This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Anna V. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT. The groups of 7 and less are not so much motivated, so as a teacher we need to do the best to motivate them and involve them in the lesson, otherwise, we can’t have a prosperous lesson. Regarding the middle age group, the motivation is not...  [Read more]