Teacher Talking Time And Student Talking Time

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word rejuvenate. This word is used as a verb and refers to making a person look or feel younger, as well as fresher, and more lively. Some synonyms for rejuvenate include revive, revitalize and regenerate. The word is a combination from re- ?again? and the Latin word juvenis meaning ?young?. 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 time it was strange that the unit unit content was quite shorther...  [Read more]

  In this TEFL training video we look at one of three teaching ideas for the present continuous tense. English grammar lessons like this are taught on a regular basis and ITTT's TEFL training courses can show you how to use these activities to your advantage in the classroom. The TEFL lesson in this video can be found in our 140-hour online TEFL certification course. 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 very interesting and useful....  [Read more]

  When considering Teacher Talk Time, we can perhaps look at the major advantage and disadvantage of the teacher actually talking. The major advantage is that you as the teacher are usually the only real model for the language, the source of correct English. So at some stages, your talking time is very important to the students. So when you?re modeling language, that use of Teacher Talk Time can be very advantageous. There are major disadvantages to overusing Teacher Talk Time, however, and perhaps the major one is that whenever the teacher is talking, the students are listening and if the students are listening, then they themselves cannot be talking. So, Teacher Talk Time reduces the opportunity for Student Talk Time. So, we should try to minimize the use of Teacher Talk Time...  [Read more]

  In this TESOL review video Juhee tells us about her experience with ITTT. Juhee took the 120-hour online TESOL course with ITTT and really enjoyed her time. Although initially confident that her English speaking ability meant that she didn?t need to take a course to learn how to teach, she soon discovered the importance of earning a qualification in teaching English. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our online courses is broken down into concise units that focus on specific areas of English language teaching. This convenient, highly structured design means that you can quickly get to grips with each section before moving onto the next. This unit dissects the present tense further...  [Read more]

  In addition to its main TEFL courses, ITTT also offers two specialised certificates in teaching business English and teaching English to young learners. These courses are a fantastic way to improve your teaching skills, enhance your CV and give you the edge in the employment market. Each course has 50 hours of study time and 6 study modules. Both courses are available with or without the support of a highly experienced online tutor, feature continuous assessment and are completed 100% online. 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...  [Read more]

  Valentina is a proud graduate of ITTT's 120-hour online TEFL course with videos and tutor support. Watch this TEFL review video to hear Valentina talk about how the course helped her to develop her teaching skills. One of the main advantages of ITTT's online TEFL courses is their flexibility, allowing you to work at your own pace in your time. This makes it easy to fit your study around your prior commitments and allowing you to gain certification without having to take time off work. 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...  [Read more]

  Dahlia is a graduate of ITTT's 120-hour online TESOL course. In this TESOL review, she recommends the course for anyone thinking of earning a TESOL or TEFL certificate especially those with backgrounds in teaching and education. ITTT's courses assume no prior teaching knowledge so are suitable for complete beginners to English language teaching or those looking to refresh their skills. 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 talking...  [Read more]

  One of the major ideas here when writing on the board, is that we need to be aware that whenever we're using the board to write down information, we should not be talking and whenever we are talking we should not be writing on the board. This will inevitably lead to what's known as dead time when nothing is being said as we're putting information on the board. This dead time is not a problem but we can actually minimize it by using a number of techniques. We could use pre-prepared material. So we put information onto large pieces of paper and then instead of writing on the board, we actually stick those materials onto the board as we go through the class. Another idea is to actually ask students to write on the board for you. Another thing is that we could actually put work up...  [Read more]

Anyone who has considered teaching English abroad has probably had a reaction from a friend or family member along the lines of “that sounds like fun, but what will you do when you get back?” In some quarters, teaching English as a foreign language has the reputation of not being a ‘real job’, just something that people do to pay off student loans or simply for fun and adventure before settling down into a normal job and lifestyle. There are many people who do choose teaching abroad for these reasons, but there are also plenty who have made a successful and lucrative career out of TEFL. YES, you absolutely can have a long-term career as an EFL teacher. For the majority of people who head overseas to teach English, it all starts with a small idea to see a bit of the world while...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard introduces the topic of quantifiers to his students in Florida. After talking about quantifiers he uses an online game platform to start the activate phase with his students. 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. This unit when over the productive skills:...  [Read more]

  Edina decided to take a TEFL certificate course with ITTT after joining an NGO providing English teachers to students in Turkey. In this TEFL review video Edina talks about the many benefits of taking the course, including the extensive materials covering grammar, classroom management and lesson planning, the post course support and the fact that the certificate is recognised around 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. Although I like...  [Read more]

  "In this video, our OTP trainee Richard introduces the topic of quantifiers to his students in Florida. After talking about quantifiers he uses an online game platform to start the activate phase with his students. 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. The job of the teacher is to gives the student...  [Read more]

In a TEFL classroom, it is not uncommon to encounter challenging behavior from students. This behavior can manifest in various forms such as disruptive talking, refusal to participate, aggression, or lack of focus. It is important to understand that these behaviors may stem from factors such as cultural differences, language barriers, individual learning styles, or personal issues. By recognizing the underlying reasons for challenging behavior, teachers can address them more effectively and create a more conducive learning environment. When faced with challenging behavior in the TEFL classroom, it is essential for teachers to have a repertoire of strategies to address and manage such situations. Some effective strategies include setting clear expectations and rules, establishing a positive...  [Read more]

  In this video, we break down the difference between the usage of "for" and "since". Both of these words are used when talking about time, which is why they often cause confusion for many English learners. However, the difference in the usage of the two words is actually qutie easy. The word "since" is used when referring to a point or exact moment in time, such as in this example: I have been living in this house since 2005. The year 2005 is a point or exact moment in time and therefore, we need to use 'since'. "For", on the other hand, is used for a period or duration of time, such as in this example: I have been living in this house for 12 years; 12 years is a duration of time, and therefore we need to use 'for'. As you can see, all you need to do is figure out whether you are...  [Read more]

Within the world of English language teaching there are many acronyms used to describe what type of teaching is involved in any particular scenario. EFL is one of the more common ones you will come across and it stands for English as a Foreign Language. You will find EFL is most commonly used when describing the teaching or learning of English in a non-English speaking country, such as Spain, Japan, or Mexico. It is very common for either of these acronyms to be used when talking about any situation where a student is learning English, however, there is a technical difference between the two. As previously mentioned, EFL is when the student is learning English in a non-English speaking environment, for example, a Japanese student learning English in Tokyo. In this scenario there is often...  [Read more]

--- Teacher burnout is a common issue among TEFL educators, characterized by feelings of exhaustion, frustration, and a lack of motivation. It can be caused by a variety of factors such as heavy workloads, challenging students, lack of support, and cultural differences. Recognizing the signs of burnout is crucial in addressing the issue early on. Symptoms may include fatigue, irritability, lack of enthusiasm for teaching, and physical ailments like headaches or stomach problems. Ignoring these signs can lead to long-term negative effects on both the teacher's well-being and the quality of education they provide. Preventing and managing teacher burnout requires a proactive approach to self-care and stress management. One effective strategy is to establish boundaries between work and...  [Read more]

  This video is a sample EFL lesson in a real-life classroom setting abroad. The video showcases the engage phase of the lesson. This phase is aimed at getting the students talking and thinking in English before the actual study phase of the lesson. This lesson focuses on the modal verbs 'have to' and 'can'. 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 unit provided me with a a summary of the conditional phrases as well as the somewhat complex grammar...  [Read more]

  This video reviews the four future tenses; the future simple, future continuous, future perfect and future perfect continuous. The future simple: Subject + will + base verb Used for predictions without evidence/threats/promises/spontaneous decisions. I'll have an orange juice. The future continuous: Subject + will + be + present participle Used for actions in progress at a particular time in the future. This time next year, I'll be teaching English in Thailand. The future perfect: Subject + will + have + past participle Used for actions completed before a certain time in the future. I'll have finished my TESOL course by the end of the month. The future perfect continuous: Subject + will + have + been + present participle Used for talking about the duration of an action...  [Read more]

--- As a TEFL teacher, ensuring the safety and well-being of your students is paramount. Here are some key strategies to help you create a safe and supportive environment, implement safety measures, address student well-being, and build strong relationships with your students. Creating a safe and supportive classroom environment is essential for the well-being of your students. Start by establishing clear expectations for behavior and respect in the classroom. Encourage open communication and create a space where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and concerns. Incorporate activities that promote teamwork, collaboration, and inclusivity. Emphasize the importance of diversity and cultural sensitivity in your lessons. By fostering a sense of community and belonging, you can...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our series on the past tenses in English. In this video, we take a look at the past continuous tense and suitable teaching ideas for this tense. The past continuous is very conducive to using pictures and talking about actions. We give our group of students cards with images and ask them to create sentences for what the people in the picture were doing at a certain time in the past. 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...  [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]

As a TEFL teacher, preparing for cultural differences is essential to create a successful learning environment for your students. Understanding and respecting the cultural backgrounds of your students can help build rapport, avoid misunderstandings, and enhance the overall learning experience. Here are some tips on how to prepare for cultural differences as a TEFL teacher: 1. Educate Yourself: Start by learning about the cultural norms, values, and communication styles of the country where you will be teaching. Researching online, reading books, and talking to people from that culture can provide valuable insights. 2. Reflect on Your Own Culture: Take time to reflect on your own cultural biases and assumptions. Awareness of your own cultural background can help you approach cultural...  [Read more]

  If you want to teach English as a foreign language, it is important to make sure you are as well prepared as you can possibly be before entering a classroom. It is equally important to have a good understanding of the country and culture you are hoping to make your home while you are teaching. Below we look at some important aspects of etiquette in different countries in Latin America. The countries of Latin America are an increasingly popular destination for newly qualified English teachers. While they are generally more relaxed when it comes to formal rules of etiquette than other regions of the world, there are, as with any country, particular social norms that any visitor should make the effort to understand. COLOMBIA Manners/Behaviour: Although Colombians are generally...  [Read more]

Teaching English in any environment offers a wide variety of benefits that will enhance your future career, whatever path you choose to follow. If your English teaching experience also included an extended period living and working outside of your home country, then this will certainly look very appealing on your resume when applying for other jobs further down the line. In the modern age where every job seems to have a huge number of applicants and everyone seems to have a degree or other high-end qualifications, being able to add an overseas teaching adventure to your application could well be the difference between securing an interview and being put at the bottom of the pile. So what are the major benefits that teaching English abroad adds to your CV/resume? This is the most obvious...  [Read more]

  Our next consideration is going to be building and maintaining rapport. The importance of rapport is that within our communicative activities, we're asking the students to talk to each other. If they feel comfortable with each other and with us, then that interaction is much more likely to be useful. So how do we actually build and maintain rapport? Well, it's easiest if we consider two stages of the course itself. What we can do at the start of the course and what we can do throughout the course to help build and maintain that rapport. So at the start of the course, it's very useful if we ask the students to create a name card and to make that name card visible to everyone. Secondly we need to try to do some ice breaking activities that will allow the students to interact with...  [Read more]

Unlock the Secrets to Engaging ESL Activities for Beginners Are you looking for fun and effective ways to teach English as a Second Language (ESL) to beginners? Look no further! International TEFL and TESOL Training (ITTT) offers a wide range of innovative and interactive activities that will help your students learn English in a dynamic and engaging way. From games to songs to role-plays, our ESL activities are designed to make learning enjoyable and effective for students of all ages and language levels. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore some of the best ESL activities for beginners that you can start using in your classroom today. Whether you're a seasoned ESL teacher or just starting out, these activities are sure to captivate your students' attention and improve their...  [Read more]

Whether you are just looking to earn some extra cash during a gap-year or are planning a more serious move into the world of education, teaching English as a foreign language has many benefits. The demand for TEFL qualified teachers is continually growing in many parts of the world and opportunities for making teaching a career are abundant. Also, if you decide that it is time to head back home, there are many directions in which your overseas teaching experience can take you. Although for many TEFL course graduates the aim is to head overseas to experience living and working in a foreign culture, it is not the only option. Plenty of people use their teaching qualification within their home country as increasing levels of immigration have led to a rapid increase in demand for ESL...  [Read more]

In the same way that we would expect our surgeon, dentist or airline pilot to have undertaken some training, our students of English might also expect their teachers to be trained and competent. What does it mean that our English teacher is competent? Possibly there are two major components to the answer: 1. The teacher has adequate subject knowledge. 2. The teacher has some classroom delivery skills. First you need to find a course that offers these components. While many native English speakers have learned the rules of English grammar sub-consciously as part of their language development, this does not give them the necessary subject knowledge required to teach English. So both native English speakers (NES) and non-native English speakers (NNES) should have some background knowledge of...  [Read more]

After completing a TEFL certification course and working as an English language teacher, some people look to branch out into other avenues of the teaching profession in order to gain more experience or to earn a higher salary. One such route is to become a TEFL trainer. Teaching people to become classroom teachers can be a very rewarding and well paid job and a route into management positions or even setting up your own language school. The first and most obvious requirement is to successfully complete a TEFL course. This experience will give you the basic knowledge you need to teach English and also a valuable insight into what it takes to be a good teacher trainer. Crucially, it is not necessary to be at the top of the class when taking your course, as many of the best teacher trainers...  [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]