Direct Questions Examples

  There are certain words that need backshifting when using reported speech. In this video we look at backshifting places in reported speech. This video is specifically aimed at teaching reported speech in an ESL setting. 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 focused on the many rules of the English langue and how and when to properly use them in the construction of sentence writing. There are many rules in the English language, this...  [Read more]

  Moving down our list of parts of speech, we have our verbs. The first big difference between verbs that we need to look at is whether it's an action verb or a state verb. Our action verbs, as the name suggests, mean that we typically can see these things in action. We can see people working and we certainly see people going to various places. Now, we have our state verbs. These are basically indicating a state of being. Two examples would be "seem" and "have" or "own". We have a sentence such as "He seems angry." and "I own my house." You can't actually see the action happening, even though those words are used as verbs. A very big differentiation between the two here as well is, state verbs typically don't take the progressive or continuous form. That form is the verb "+ing". As...  [Read more]

  And now let's look at the pronouns. Simply put, pronouns take the place of a noun. We have various types of pronouns. They are personal pronouns, which can either be subject or object. We have reflexive pronouns, relative pronouns and possessive pronouns. With our personal pronouns, we have to decide whether it's the subject or the object. The subject is the doer of an action, whereas the object is the one that receives the action. Subject pronouns are: I, you, he, she, it etc. Object pronouns are: me, you, him, her, etc. In the sentence "Greg hit Pete," the subject of the sentence is "Greg", therefore I would say "He hit Pete," or I could put a pronoun in for the object of the sentence, where "Greg hit Pete", now, I go into "Greg hit him." With our reflexive pronouns, these are...  [Read more]

In today's globalized world, effective communication is essential for success in both personal and professional relationships. One crucial aspect of communication that often gets overlooked is the influence of cultural nuances. Cultural nuances refer to the subtle differences in communication styles, gestures, customs, and social norms that exist between different cultures. Ignoring these nuances can lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and missed opportunities. Therefore, it is vital to be aware of and sensitive to cultural differences in communication to ensure effective and meaningful interactions. Cultural nuances play a significant role in shaping how people communicate and interpret messages. Different cultures have varying norms regarding eye contact, personal space, body language,...  [Read more]

1. Introduction 2. Cultural Aspects in Vietnam 3. Teaching Strategies 4. Conclusion Vietnam is a country rich in history, culture, and traditions. As an ESL teacher in Vietnam, it is essential to consider the cultural aspects that can impact your teaching approach and interactions with students. Understanding and respecting these cultural nuances can lead to more effective communication and a better learning experience for both you and your students. In this article, we will explore some key cultural aspects to consider when teaching English as a second language in Vietnam. Vietnamese culture is deeply rooted in Confucianism, which emphasizes respect for authority, hierarchy, and the importance of family. This cultural framework shapes the behavior and attitudes of Vietnamese people,...  [Read more]

Teaching English to German students presents a unique set of challenges due to the differences between the two languages. From pronunciation difficulties to grammatical complexities, educators need to employ effective strategies to help their students overcome these obstacles and achieve fluency. In this article, we will explore the specific challenges faced by German learners of English and provide practical tips for teachers to enhance the learning experience. One of the primary challenges for German students learning English lies in the linguistic variations between the two languages. German is a highly inflected language, with a complex system of noun declensions, verb conjugations, and grammatical cases. In contrast, English is more analytic, with a simpler structure and fewer...  [Read more]

Teaching methodologies in the "Super-learning" class “Super learning” (SL) is an accelerated learning technique and a fast-growing business, with varying results. Lessons usually last a whole day, and the course is often concentrated into a weekend. Some courses are based simply on suggestopedia, promising - but not always delivering - great results: “learn French in five days”. However, some successfully combine suggestopedia with other teaching methods to deliver good results. SL is designed to aid the learning process by removing learning barriers, stimulating both hemispheres of the brain simultaneously, as well as activating some of the intelligences not normally represented in a traditional course. The classroom environment is set up to facilitate subconscious learning, as...  [Read more]

British english vs american English With English being recognised as the global language of choice, which one is considered the official language? So just how did American English diverge from British English in the first place? American English roots back to the early colonial days of the late 16th century, were a whole gamut of cultures converged into a single society. In some colonies English wasn’t even a spoken language and in those colonies that did speak English it was quite different from the English we know today. The Elizabethan English of the day consisted of many varieties of regional English dialects. All these different dialects, intermingled with a multitude of cultures formed one big boiling pot, of which over time, a new variant was produced – American English. And...  [Read more]

Should Students Be Allowed to Use Their Native Language in the Classroom When I first began teaching lessons during the TESOL Course I found myself almost automatically saying to the students, “English please,” after all it is an English class. However, I began to question myself about whether or not this was “correct” practice or if the students should in fact use their native language to assist them in the learning process. After doing some research I found the TESOL Law Code of Ethics. The Law of Ethics provided many vague and open-ended ideas. It suggested things along the lines of, “The foreign language teacher shall direct her whole professional effort to assist the students to develop his/her second language speaking ability.” It also mentions that TESOL teachers are to...  [Read more]

China is not so much a country as a huge world in its own right. The ambition of the nation is to be the world’s largest economy, and most educated observers expect that it is only a matter of time before this aspiration is met. But it is not simply the economic dynamism and the strange contrast of cultures that draws the traveler. Thousands of years of history, philosophy and culture are clearly evident, and in a sense all of the political events of the 20th century, are merely a grain of sand on the beach of Chinese history. Cantonese and Mandarin are the official languages; however, in a country of around one point three billion spread over nearly four million square miles, there is a cornucopia of different dialects and idioms. The reality is that Cantonese will serve you well in...  [Read more]

The Role of the Teacher If only the role of a teacher was as easy as being a ‘medium through which students learn’. In today’s day and age, no matter what country the role takes place in, a teacher is so much more than a resource for information. When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher when I grew up, simply because I wanted to write on the chalkboard! My teachers seemed to be the greatest printers, curving their letters just so, and I wanted to do it also! Now, after ‘higher education’, and three different career paths, I have come back to wanting to be a teacher, but my reasons have changed. I was fortunate in my years of high school, to have teachers that really cared about me as an individual, and I want to give this back. This is where the difference between...  [Read more]