How Long Halloween Has Been Around

In some European countries including Italy it can be notoriously difficult for non-EU citizens to find teaching jobs. Language schools can be reluctant to undertake the often laborious task of obtaining a work permit when they can simply hire a teacher from within the EU who requires no documentation. One option open to non-EU teachers is to apply for a student visa that allows you to legally work in a language school for up to 20 hours per week. To supplement this income, many teachers also take on private students in their free time which should enable you to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while living and working in Italy. The process of applying for a student visa can take up to a month to be processed. You will need to visit your nearest Italian Consulate in person to submit the...  [Read more]

The popularity of China as a destination for English language teachers has steadily increased in recent years, and it is now right at the top of the list with an estimated 100,000 foreign teachers working in the country each year. As a result of an extraordinary economic boom, Chinese parents are more willing than ever to spend thousands of dollars on their children's English education to give them the best chance of success in the future. With over 300 million people learning English across the country, China's insatiable demand for English language teachers looks set to continue. As there are often more job opportunities than there are teachers to fill them, schools are willing to offer very good salaries and other benefits to attract teachers. Salaries vary depending on the type of...  [Read more]

Thailand has been a very popular destination for teaching English abroad for many years, and its' popularity is unlikely to fade in the foreseeable future. A large number of teaching positions can always be found in the bustling capital Bangkok, while other popular spots such as the northern city of Chiang Mai, the tropical island of Phuket, and the colorful resort of Pattaya also have a significant demand for foreign teachers. Whether you are a first time teacher looking for valuable classroom experience, or highly qualified and looking for a slower pace of life, Thailand could be the right choice for you. Although the country's famously laid-back lifestyle attracts large numbers of foreign teachers, the average salary is generally less attractive when compared to other countries in...  [Read more]

As it is one of the most visited countries in the world, Spain has a huge tourism industry that has a continually high demand for English language teachers. There are hundreds of privately run language schools located across the country that hire year-round, as well as government sponsored programs that place teachers into the public school system. The majority of positions can be found in large cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, although opportunities can be found in virtually every city, town, and beach resort in the country. The amount you can earn will vary considerably depending on your previous classroom experience, level of qualifications, the location you choose, and the type of employer. Salaries start at around ?700 per month, rising to ?1,800 for higher end...  [Read more]

  Thailand has long been a popular stop on the Southeast Asia backpacking trail and a significant number of visitors stay on and teach English. Depending on qualifications and experience, teachers can typically earn around $1,000 to $1,500 USD per month which should be enough to live a comfortable lifestyle.  [Read more]

  Europe has long been one of the most popular regions for TEFL qualified teachers as it offers a huge variety of cultures in a relatively small area. Wherever you choose to teach, you will be within striking distance of many fascinating attractions.  [Read more]

Teaching English in South Korea has become increasingly popular over the last decade and it is no secret that the country offers some of the best salaries for foreign teachers to be found anywhere in the world. English teachers in Korea can expect to earn between $1,500 and $3,000 US per month and it is certainly possible to save up to half of this depending on your lifestyle. On top of the basic salary you can also expect other benefits such as paid airfares, free housing and an end of contract bonus. Unsurprisingly, the high salaries and good benefits on offer have led to a high level of competition for the best jobs. If you have any teaching qualifications and experience in the classroom, you will find you have the pick of the available jobs. However, thanks to a continually high...  [Read more]

Across Europe there are several countries that attract a large number of EFL teachers every year. Some make it hard for foreign teachers to work legally, while others are much more open. By doing a bit of simple research you should be able to find the countries that offer the best prospects for your personal circumstances. Spain has long been one of the top destinations in Europe for teaching English abroad. Thousands of teachers from all over the world head to Spain every year, drawn by the promise of a relaxed lifestyle, a beautiful coastline dotted with sandy beaches, and the opportunity to learn Spanish while living in a modern, international city such as Madrid or Barcelona. If you are serious about living and working as an ESL teacher in Spain, the first thing you will need to do...  [Read more]

As learning the English language continues to rise in popularity all over the world so too does the number of course providers offering TEFL certification. Unfortunately for potential trainees there is little regulation governing TEFL course providers which makes it hard to distinguish between the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. The good news is there is something you can do to check the quality of a course. If the course is accredited by an independent body then it is fair to assume that it is of a reasonable standard. Essentially, an accrediting body is an independent third party who conducts a thorough review of the course provider's academic and professional standards, and if satisfied they provide their accreditation. When researching potential courses you should look out...  [Read more]

  Taiwan has been at the forefront of English language teaching in Asia for some time and the prospects are only going to get better in the coming years. If you want to earn a good salary in a welcoming and safe environment, here’s what you need to know about getting a teaching job in Taiwan.  [Read more]

Asia is the hottest destination for teaching English abroad right now and Taiwan is one of the most popular locations in the region. The government of Taiwan recently announced an ambitious plan to make the country bilingual Chinese – English by 2030, something that offers a big increase in opportunities for English language teachers in the coming years. Along with the buoyant job market, other great attractions for teachers are the high salaries and extra benefits, a low cost of living, the warm and tropical climate, and a well earned reputation as one of the friendliest nations in the world. You have to be over 20 years old and be a native English speaker with a passport from the USA, the UK, Ireland, South Africa, Canada, New Zealand, or Australia. A university degree in any subject...  [Read more]

  A quick online search for TEFL or TESOL courses will result in page after page of courses offered by dozens of different providers, but how do you know which ones are reputable? One simple way is to check if the course has been accredited by any respected bodies within the English language teaching field.  [Read more]

  Teaching English overseas has become more and more popular in recent years, whether it is just for a short time or something more long term. Make your ambition of teaching English abroad a reality by looking through our step-by-step guide.  [Read more]

When it comes to the validity of an individual course it is not really the method of study that is the main issue, it is the overall quality of the course itself. Whether you complete your TEFL training online or via an in-class course is in many ways unimportant. What is really important is the quality of the training that leads to the TEFL qualification awarded. Essentially, the validity of a TEFL qualification is based on the standard of the course and not the method of study. A good quality TEFL course should include a number of essential topics relating to the theory of language teaching, teaching methodology, classroom management techniques, as well as a range of grammar subjects. However, as it is almost impossible to judge an individual course by its syllabus alone, how can you...  [Read more]

  "Now let's take a look at the future perfect continuous tense. This tense is used to talk about how long an action had been taking place up until a certain point in the future. Our examples are for the positive sentence we have our subject "you" and three auxiliary verbs "will have been" and then our main verb in the present participle form again that's the verb plus "ing". For our negative form, again, we're simply inserting the word "not" between "will" and "have" and to ask our question, we invert "will" with the subject here we're using "you" and we come up with a question "Will you have been watching?" and the rest of our sentence. As with the other future tenses the word will can be substituted for other modal verbs. These modal verbs would indicate very levels of certainty...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard introduces the second conditional to his class. He explains the usage and the grammatical structure of the second conditional. He also gives his students a worksheet to check their understanding. ITTT's Observed Teaching Practice courses (OTP) are ideal for teachers wanting to improve their teaching skills remotely from anywhere in the world." 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. After reading module 4 I...  [Read more]

  Just to finish the sectional materials, we'll have a look the difference between what are called authentic and created materials. Authentic materials, as the name implies, are actual materials that are created for any reason outside of the classroom. So examples of authentic materials would be things like newspapers. Those are generated for the general public and they're certainly not generated for the use in the classroom. However, they can be used within the classroom other ideas would be things like songs and poems and even things such as brochures and magazines and indeed menus from restaurants. So these are materials that all can be used within the classroom but they have not been created for that purpose, whereas creative materials, as the name implies, have been produced...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word "bellwether". This word is a noun and describes someone who takes the lead and sets trends. A long time ago, shepherds hung a bell around the neck of one sheep of its flock designating it the leader. Therefore, bellwether is a combination of the words "bell" and "wether", a male sheep that has been castrated. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. The framework for a business English class...  [Read more]

  Sonia recorded this TEFL review after completing the 120-hour online TEFL course from ITTT. The course has given her more confidence as a teacher as well as the chance to develop her skills in the profession. As a new graduate, Sonia is now looking to teach in China where she can put her newly learned teaching abilities to use and start her career as an English teacher 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. I enjoyed being able to watch...  [Read more]

  John tells us in this TESOL review that he completed his teaching course with ITTT while living in Mexico City, Mexico. The flexibility of ITTT's online courses mean that you can study anywhere in the world and fit your studying around your other commitments. 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 has been very beneficial because it has taught me all about modal verbs and phrasal verbs. By understanding all the different techniques used in...  [Read more]

Due to Cambodia’s booming tourism industry and general economic growth, demand for English teachers has increased significantly recently. Most of the available TEFL Jobs in Cambodia used to be on a volunteer basis, but this is not so much the case now. Especially in the capital, Phnom Penh, and in other towns such as Siem Reap, Battambang, Sihanoukville, and Kompong Cham, TEFL jobs are relatively easy to get. In some cases just being a native speaker and professionally dressed is enough, but having a B.A. and a TEFL certificate will increase your prospects. How to Find a TEFL Job and What to Expect Most schools pay in the area of $9-10 US per hour, though some employers have been known to go as high as $15. Given the low cost of living in Cambodia, this is enough to live quite...  [Read more]

  The future perfect continuous is not used a lot in everyday English usage. However, it does come up in when your EFL students get more advanced and if you plan to teach English overseas it is important to have an understanding of the less frequently used tenses. As the future perfect continuous is not often used it can be a struggle to think up teaching ideas for it. The trainer in this video shows us one idea that can be used for the tense. For this activity the students conduct a survey to find out how long someone will have been doing something by a certain point in the future. For example: Student A: How long will you have been learning English by the end of next month? Student B: I will have been learning English for three years. To find a course that will help you to...  [Read more]

  The state of Utah in the Western USA is filled with untouched natural scenery, red canyons, rivers and creeks, making it a great destination for outdoor activities. Long before the first European settlers reached this land, various tribes of the Ute-Aztec Native American ethnicity called it their home. Another group of Native Americans, the Navajo, settled in the region around the 18th century and they are still one of the largest Native American groups in the country. Utah is a unique state where the landscape has been strongly influenced by wind, water and time. The state has some of the best parks in the USA, including five national parks, seven national monuments, three national historic trails, two national recreation areas, and one national historic site. The Mighty 5®...  [Read more]

  There's another activity for comparing and contrasting the tenses focusing here in this activity on the present perfect and the present perfect continuous. So in the activity, students will start at the start and roll a die. Perhaps they can roll a 5. They will read 'something you've been learning for a long time'. The appropriate sentence may be 'I've been learning English for a long time.' The next student may go and roll 4. They read 'a beautiful place you've visited.' Then, rather than the present perfect continuous, they would use the present perfect tense: 'I visited Paris.' You can encourage students to even ask follow-up questions, which would also include other tenses: 'What was so beautiful about Paris?' Now, this activity will be particularly good for your more...  [Read more]

Revolutionizing English Education in South Korea 1. The Evolution of English Teaching in South Korea 2. The Impact of Technology on English Education 3. The Role of International TEFL and TESOL Training 4. Future Trends in English Education in South Korea South Korea has long been a global leader in education, with a particular emphasis on English language learning. The country's commitment to providing quality English education to its citizens has led to constant innovation in teaching methods. Over the years, South Korea has seen a shift from traditional rote learning towards more interactive and communicative approaches. This evolution in English teaching methods has been crucial in preparing students for success in an increasingly globalized world. One of the key drivers of change in...  [Read more]

  And now we'll have a look at the present perfect continuous tense. As its name suggests, what we're going to do is combine the present continuous usages and the present perfect usages into a tense that basically expresses the fact that we've got an action continuing up until the present point in time. For the form of this tense, again, we're going to combine into various aspects of both the perfect and the continuous tenses. If we have a look we always begin with our subjects, then we have our, two now, helping verbs. The helping verb 'to have' for the perfect tenses, as well as the helping verb 'be' for the continuous tenses. For our subjects 'I', 'you', 'we' and 'they', we leave 'have' as 'have' and for 'he', 'she' and 'it', we conjugate it to 'has'. Because it's a continuous...  [Read more]

Chile has long been one of the most popular countries in Latin America for teaching English abroad. The capital city of Santiago has a thriving demand for ESL teachers year-round and is subsequently the most popular location for foreign teachers. If you prefer to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city you will also find a smaller number of options in other towns and cities across the country. Although not an official requirement in Chile, it is recommended that you complete a TEFL/TESOL certification of at least 120 hours duration before looking for work as it will increase your job prospects significantly. There are many things to consider when calculating your expected salary for teaching English in Chile, such as your level of experience, qualifications, location, type...  [Read more]

  This video explores the usages of the Present Perfect Continuous -- the tense that relates past activities to the present. It implies that the activity is likely to continue in the future or that the activity was in progress for some length of time, or both. The first usage is to talk about an incomplete and ongoing activity, when we want to say how long it has continued. For example, "I have been teaching for ten years." It talks about an action that started in the past and is continuing now. The second usage is to describe recently finished activities that have present results. For example, "He is tired because he has been chopping trees." It is talking about an action that was continuing until very recently. The Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the action or the...  [Read more]

  This video covers the structure of the future perfect continuous. Other videos look at the usage and possible teaching ideas. The structure is as follows: Positive -- Subject + will + have + been + present participle By the end of this week, I will have been teaching English for three years. Negative -- Subject + will + not + have + been + present participle I won't have been waiting long by the time you get here. Question -- Will + subject + have + been + present participle? How long will you have been teaching English in Korea by the time you leave? One thing that worries many people thinking about teaching English as a foreign language is the grammar side of things. Most simply won't have been taught the ins and outs of English Grammar while they were at school. ITTT's...  [Read more]

  Absolutely YES! Large numbers of non-native English speakers complete our TEFL courses each year and go on to have successful careers teaching English either in their home country or further afield. In order to successfully complete the course you will need to demonstrate a high standard of English, but it is certainly not a barrier that will stop you from becoming a fully qualified EFL teacher. In many cases being a non-native English speaker can actually be an advantage in the classroom as you have already been through the same experience that your students are currently facing. This can help to build a good rapport between the students and the teacher as they are often less afraid of making mistakes in this situation. It can also provide the students with a real incentive to...  [Read more]