Phonics And Reading

In Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), reading and writing are fundamental skills that students must develop to become proficient in the language. Reading helps students to comprehend written texts, expand their vocabulary, and improve their overall language skills. On the other hand, writing allows students to express their thoughts and ideas effectively, enhancing their communication skills. By focusing on reading and writing, teachers can help students become more confident and competent English language users. When teaching reading in TEFL, it is essential to use a variety of strategies to cater to different learning styles and levels of proficiency. Some effective strategies include pre-reading activities to activate prior knowledge, such as predicting the content based on...  [Read more]

In the field of teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), reading and writing skills are fundamental components of language acquisition. Proficiency in these skills not only enhances communication abilities but also fosters critical thinking, vocabulary expansion, and cultural understanding. In today's globalized world, where English is a lingua franca, these skills are essential for academic, professional, and social success. Therefore, as a TEFL teacher, it is vital to prioritize the development of reading and writing skills in your students to help them become confident and effective communicators. Improving reading skills in TEFL students requires a multifaceted approach that caters to different learning styles and levels of proficiency. One effective strategy is to incorporate a...  [Read more]

Unlock the potential of your ESL students with a comprehensive range of resources designed to enhance their reading skills. From interactive activities to engaging lesson plans, ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) offers a wealth of tools to support language learners on their journey to fluency. Discover how you can create a dynamic and effective learning environment with these ESL resources. ### Importance of Reading Skills in ESL Education Reading skills play a crucial role in the language acquisition process for ESL students. By improving their ability to comprehend written texts, learners can enhance their vocabulary, grammar, and overall language proficiency. Strong reading skills also empower students to engage with a wide range of authentic materials, from books and...  [Read more]

Unlock Your Potential with Advanced ESL Virtual Classes In today's globalized world, proficiency in English is essential for personal and professional success. For advanced learners looking to take their language skills to the next level, ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training) offers specialized virtual ESL classes designed to provide a challenging and enriching learning experience. Our advanced ESL courses are carefully crafted to meet the needs of students who already possess a strong foundation in English and are ready to enhance their fluency, accuracy, and confidence in using the language. 1. Mastering Advanced Grammar and Vocabulary 2. Developing Advanced Speaking and Listening Skills 3. Enhancing Advanced Reading and Writing Proficiency 4. Customized Learning Experience for...  [Read more]

1. Understanding the Importance of Reading Skills for Non-Native English Speakers Reading is a crucial skill for non-native English speakers as it enhances vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and overall language proficiency. It allows students to access a wide range of information, from academic texts to everyday materials like signs and menus. Effective reading skills also improve writing abilities and help learners communicate more fluently and accurately in English. When teaching reading to non-native English speakers, it's essential to use a variety of strategies to cater to different learning styles and levels. Some effective methods include pre-teaching vocabulary, predicting content, skimming and scanning for information, and post-reading discussions. Encouraging students to make...  [Read more]

  The 'going to' future tense is used to indicate future plans with intentions and predictions based on evidence. It is a very common future tense used in both spoken and written 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. That was a very challenging unit because of considering every detail of pronunciation and phonics is very difficult. This is because it is something so intricate and accurate there is room for many errors. For example,...  [Read more]

  The next thing we should look at is how our consonants are arranged for the top two rows we have P and F at the left side of our chart and G and J at the right side of our chart. They're arranged this way because if we analyze the way we speak we're using the front of our mouth to use these sounds as in ?p? and ?f? and I'm using my lips and my teeth to produce those sounds and as we move to the right on the chart slowly but surely we're making those sounds it towards the back of our mouth. We can use the examples of ?g?. The sound ?g? is produced further back in our mouth than ?p?. The next thing we'll notice about our chart is that some of our symbols are shaded. Notice that none of the symbols in the vowel sections are shaded but only a few are in the consonant section. The...  [Read more]

  Next, a couple of issues surrounding the use of worksheets and workcards. Firstly, these types of materials can either be bought or they could be made by yourself. Very often many of the book series that we use will have workcards in their teacher resource book. Worksheets and workcards are very useful because they can act as a prompt to introduce an activity or topic. They can also be used for role plays and one of the things you need to be aware of when making worksheets and workcards yourself is that you need to make them durable. So whenever you create a workcard, if you put it on some hard backing and then put it inside some cellophane or covered plastic just to make them durable then those types of workcards and worksheets can last for years. So examples of worksheets and...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we look at practice and external proficiency tests. Practice tests are usually used for revision purpose before internal and external exams to prepare the students. There are three types of external proficiency tests that English learners can take. Find out which ones in this video. 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 really like this unit. I can...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we look at the diagnostic and progress test. A diagnostic test gives the teacher information about the students' current strengths and weaknesses, while a progress test is usually held multiple times during a course covering all the material taught up until that point to check understanding. 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 was a difficult...  [Read more]

Advanced and specialized TEFL courses are designed for experienced English language teachers who wish to deepen their knowledge and skills in specific areas of English language teaching. These courses go beyond the basics of TEFL/TESOL and focus on specialized topics, methodologies, or target student populations. Here are some key points about advanced and specialized TEFL courses: Specialized TEFL courses can significantly boost career advancement opportunities for English language teachers. These courses offer in-depth training in specific areas of English language teaching, allowing teachers to enhance their skills and knowledge in targeted areas. Here are some ways in which specialized TEFL courses can help with career advancement: Yes, there are typically prerequisites for enrolling...  [Read more]

Although it is natural to be a little apprehensive before taking a TEFL/TESOL course, there is no need to get overly anxious or concerned. As long as you are enthusiastic, prepared to put in the hours and are open to new ideas, you should have no problem successfully completing the training. However, there are a few things you can do in the run up to your training course to ensure that it is a smooth process that ends with that all important certificate in your hand. If you take an online course, you will be able to set your own amount of study hours and choose when you do them. In this case, it is important to plan a study schedule and keep to it if you want to complete the course in the time frame you need. Write up a calendar with weekly goals that you can realistically stick to....  [Read more]

  The Importance of Accreditation in TEFL Understanding TEFL Accreditation Bodies Accreditation Criteria for TEFL Courses Benefits of Choosing an Accredited TEFL Course Ensuring Quality in TEFL Education Recognizing Internationally Accredited TEFL Certifications Impact of Accreditation on Job Opportunities How to Verify TEFL Accreditation Common Misconceptions About TEFL Accreditation The Future of TEFL Accreditation Accreditation in TEFL is crucial for ensuring that courses meet specific standards set by recognized bodies. Accreditation serves as a benchmark for quality and credibility, providing assurance that a TEFL course has undergone rigorous evaluation and meets the educational and professional standards required for effective English language teaching. For aspiring English...  [Read more]

  Exploring TEFL and TESOL Courses Benefits of Teaching English Abroad Job Prospects for TEFL and TESOL Graduates Advancing Your Career with TEFL and TESOL Overcoming Challenges in Teaching English Overseas Networking in the TEFL and TESOL Community Continuing Professional Development in ESL Teaching Making a Difference Through TEFL and TESOL Success Stories of TEFL and TESOL Educators Embark on a journey towards a fulfilling career by enrolling in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) courses. These programs, offered by leading providers like ITTT, equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach English effectively in diverse settings worldwide. TEFL and TESOL courses are designed to provide...  [Read more]

  Whereas stress is typically concerned with one individual word, intonation is generally concerned with the variation in volume and pitch throughout an entire sentence. Intonation carries the message of a sentence. It's particularly important when questioning or agreeing, disagreeing and confirming statements. It's also very important when expressing emotions and feelings. The normal pattern for intonation is the rise-fall. Few examples would be ?I haven't seen him for a week,? or a simple word as ?okay?. With the falling intonation, we?re indicating that we're finished speaking. Again, ?I haven't seen him for a week? and ?okay?. A few more examples would be ?I'll see you at six then,? or a question of information ?How do you spell rough?? These are straightforward statements that...  [Read more]

  In this video we'll be looking at the international phonemic alphabet and how it's used in the classroom. There are other phonemic alphabets but this is the most popular and the system, which is most widely used. You may have seen some of these symbols before as any good dictionary will supplement standard English spellings with the phonemic spellings to aid in pronunciation practice. Here we have a situation where we have what are called phonemes and each phoneme represents a sound within the English language. How is this helpful? Well, what it does is help students understand how to say words rather than simply relying on the often archaic English spellings. To illustrate this point let's for a moment put ourselves in the shoes of our students when trying to understand how to...  [Read more]

  The next item we're going to consider is the use of dictionaries and here perhaps the first thing we should do is to make a distinction between the two main types of dictionary and that distinction is between the monolingual and the bilingual dictionary. In a monolingual dictionary you have a word and its associated meaning and those two are both described for example in English so the word and the description of that word are both given in English. Whereas in a bilingual dictionary that word meaning could often be for example the word given in English and the explanation given in Thai and vice versa. So what can we use a dictionary for? Well, within the dictionary itself obviously we can get things like how words are spelled or the spelling of the word. We can also get the...  [Read more]

  The combined TEFL course is a mix of online and in-class study that is a perfect fit for some trainees. The first part of the course is completed online from wherever you are in the world. For the second part you need to attend one of our training centers where you will get invaluable teaching practice in a genuine English language classroom. During your stay you will also receive further instruction on various teaching topics from our professional teacher trainers. If this sounds like a good option for you, you can choose your in-class training center from a number of great locations around the world. The second part of the combined TEFL course consists of ten days of study, with the middle weekend free, at our training centers in Bangkok, Phuket, and Rome. Study at our centers...  [Read more]

  All of our online TEFL courses come with the support and guidance of an online tutor. From start to finish you will have access to a professional tutor whose one and only focus is to guide you towards successful completion of your training. Throughout your training the tutor will be available to answer any questions you have and to steer you towards successful completion of your chosen course. To maintain the highest standards for all our trainees we only hire teacher trainers who have extensive experience of life in an international English language classroom. Every one of them has taught English in different environments and has several years of working in foreign countries under their belts. They also possess a range of high-level teaching qualifications. Our tutored courses...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we look at placement tests. This type of test is also referred to as a level test. Its goal is to find out the current level of the student tested. A placement test generally tests all four skills (reading, listening, writing and speaking) and progresses from easy to hard questions. 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. Unit one is about Teachers and...  [Read more]

  Connected speech is also an important element of phonology and it's involved in joining words together in an effect to make our speech more efficient. Some might say it's a product of being lazy but nonetheless it's what we all do and we want all of our non-native speakers to speak as naturally as possible, so we have to be aware of these things. Here are a few of the more common examples. We have linking, dropping, changing and extra lettering. An example of each would be with linking, we link our words together so that they almost in effect become one word. Instead of saying ?What do you want to do,? we typically will say ?Whatdoyou want to do?? Then, we can also have dropping. Rather than pronouncing each and every consonant, we can sometimes, especially in certain accents,...  [Read more]

  A better way to go about imparting how to make sounds or what sounds are utilized in a word, is this international phonemic alphabet. Now we have as mentioned one symbol being used in all the words which share that same sound. Now once we get a little bit more familiar with our phonemic alphabet we can also show how different our different sounds can be as in this symbol for ?ooh?, this symbol for ?ow? and this symbol for ?uh?. 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...  [Read more]

  Here we have a set of five words, which all share one sound: the ?oh? sound, as in ?go?, ?show?, ?dough?, ?note? and ?boat?. They?re five different spelling patterns to tell our students so they can identify when to make the ?oh? sound. We can have a simple letter ?o?, ?ow?, ?ough?, ?o? with the magic ?e? which turns our vowel into what we knew as long sounds and the ?oa? as in ?boat?. Now, for a non-native learner, perhaps they can handle something like this. They remember that these spelling combinations help to produce the ?oh? sound and they can go about their business looking at the words and memorizing this knowing that these spelling patterns will produce the sound ?oh?. Now that?s okay until we get to a situation where we can also have words like ?to?, ?cow? and also...  [Read more]

  As you would expect, our in-class TEFL course offers highly practical training. However, we try to make sure that our online courses also cover as much practical content as possible. Whatever course you choose you will cover a wide range of theory subjects that every new teacher needs to know before they start teaching. On top of this, we do all we can to make each subject as realistic and relevant to what you will experience in the classroom. Some of the subjects that are covered in this manner are lesson planning, classroom management, and testing procedures. These are all covered in some depth to ensure you have a comprehensive understanding of both the theory and the practicalities of EFL teaching. To add extra depth to our standard written materials, many of our online...  [Read more]

  One of the main advantages of an online TEFL certification course is that it can be taken from anywhere in the world, providing you have an internet connection and a device to run it on. Even if you suffer from bad internet or do not have regular online access, you can simply download the course materials to your device and work offline or print them out and study anywhere you prefer. You can complete all your study on a home PC or you can choose to work with a laptop, tablet, or smartphone in any location. If you like flexibility, then our online TEFL courses are perfect for you. When and how much you study is also entirely up to you, as there are no set timetables or any specific times when you need to be online. This is particularly important as our trainees are spread all over...  [Read more]

  For many people the idea of an end of course exam can be a scary proposition and a lot of us fail to do ourselves justice due to exam anxiety. With ITTT’s online TEFL courses you will have nothing to fear as they all include ongoing assessments as you make your way through the course materials, which means there is no final exam. Each course is broken down into individual units with a multiple choice assessment at the end of each unit. Once you have completed the assessment, you then move on and work through the next unit. Also, there is no required pass rate on each of these unit assessments. The course pass rate is set at an average requirement of 75% across all the assessments in your course. As long as you achieve an average of 75%, you will graduate and receive your TEFL...  [Read more]

  Get TEFL or TESOL certified and teach English 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. The two main topics of this unit were conditionals and speech for reporting what has previously been said. Compared to the previous grammar units, this one appears to be more difficult due to the fact that there are many ways that the verb tenses can change depending on what is used, excluding any exceptions. Examples on activities to perform with students...  [Read more]

Are you considering a career in teaching English as a foreign language? In today's globalized world, the demand for qualified English teachers is on the rise, offering exciting opportunities for those with a passion for language education. If you are looking to embark on this rewarding journey, it is essential to understand the job prerequisites and qualifications required to excel in the field. Let's delve into the key aspects that will set you on the path to becoming a successful TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) or TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) educator. 1. The Importance of Accreditation One of the most critical factors to consider when pursuing a career in TEFL or TESOL is accreditation. Employers worldwide seek teachers who have completed a...  [Read more]

Home > CELTA and Trinity Courses On top of all our other course options, ITTT now offers four-week in-class CELTA and Trinity College CertTESOL courses that are conducted by independent organisations in several great locations around the world. Both of these course options are outlined below. The full-time CELTA course involves 120 contact hours divided into 6 hour days for a 20 day period. Completion requires the following: The CELTA course covers the following topics: OTP sessions involve each trainee teaching real lessons under the supervision of a course tutor. In total you will teach six hours of lessons that are between 40 and 60 minutes in length. Immediately following each class the trainee will receive a thorough debrief from the tutor who will provide clear feedback that...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our video series on "Evaluation and Testing of Students". In this video, we look at some of the most common business English exams people take around the world. Many EFL teachers around the world need to prepare their students for these international proficiency tests. 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. Very helpful unit. Clearly underlining the advantages to each type of teaching aid. Some of the advantages or...  [Read more]