English Language Teaching Meaning

The term TESOL is one that is often used in a general sense, although it does have a specific meaning. Generally the meaning of TESOL is some form of ‘the Teaching of English to people whose first language is not English’ and is often used interchangeably with terms such as TEFL, TEAL, TESL and many others. It is also generally used as the name of a qualification, such as a TESOL certificate, which relates to the result of a TESOL training course. Here we will look at the meaning of TESOL in these broad terms and also give its specific meaning, along with many other common acronyms used throughout the industry. The general acronym for the field of teaching English is ELT: English language teaching. This term applies across the board to teaching English, be it to American high school...  [Read more]

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Common Linguistic problems Contronyms, Heteronyms, Idioms, Oh my! English is an extremely complex language. Before a student can be considered truly proficient, he/she must not only master a variety of tenses and irregular verbs, sentence structure and parts of speech, but he/she must also work to understand and master lexical and structural ambiguities. Lexical ambiguities are very common and have a variety of names and definitions depending on the level of ambiguity. Homonyms are words that have the same spelling, but two or more meanings. An example of this is: mean. Is it describing an unkind person? Is it an average? Is someone talking about the definition of a word? Another type of lexical ambiguity is the heteronym. These are words that are spelled the same, but have different...  [Read more]

One of the essential components of language learning is vocabulary acquisition. In a TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) classroom, it is crucial to employ effective strategies to help students learn and retain new vocabulary. This article will discuss various strategies, techniques, and activities that TESOL teachers can utilize to teach English vocabulary effectively. When teaching vocabulary meaning, it is essential to provide context for the words to help students understand their usage. One effective strategy is to use visuals such as pictures, realia, or videos to illustrate the meaning of new words. Additionally, using synonyms, antonyms, and definitions can help students grasp the nuances of word meanings. Another helpful technique is to teach vocabulary in...  [Read more]

In Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), vocabulary and idioms play a crucial role in language acquisition. Vocabulary is the building block of language, while idioms add depth and cultural understanding to communication. Without a strong grasp of both vocabulary and idioms, learners may struggle to express themselves accurately and naturally in English. Therefore, it is essential for TEFL teachers to employ effective strategies to teach vocabulary and idioms to their students. 1. Contextual Learning: One of the most effective ways to teach vocabulary in TEFL is through contextual learning. By introducing new words in meaningful contexts such as sentences, paragraphs, or real-life situations, students can better understand the usage and meaning of the vocabulary. This approach...  [Read more]

Slang and Teaching Idioms In TESOL education, idioms appear particularly daunting for students and teachers alike and for this reason they are often neglected in English courses. A brief overview of everyday slang reveals an intimidating array of idioms that could easily go unnoticed by the native speaker but prove confusing for the student of English. On Kenneth Lawrence’s website devoted solely to idioms, he has attempted, like many other books on idioms and websites that focus on them, to organize idioms into coherent categories. The categories are diverse; there are bird idioms, money idioms, and even arm, head and finger idioms. It is clear from the amount of idioms in existence and the limited activities used for teaching them that idioms are a subject for more advanced English...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word firebrand. This word has two different meanings. The first meaning is quite literal and describes burning wood. The second meaning is rather figurative as it refers to a person who is usually inflicting change as a result of being passionate about a certain topic or cause. 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. First thoughts about this lesson: was a bit more intricate than I expected! Had to...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'adverse' and 'averse'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. While they are both adjectives, they have slightly different meanings. 'Adverse', for example, means unfavorable or harmful, while 'averse' means strongly disliking or opposed. Let's take a look at two example sentences: "He listened to no adverse criticism and receded before no obstacle." and "My children are quite averse to the suggestion of having year-round school". Since they are both adjectives, they are always used in combination with the verb 'to be', such as 'is adverse' or 'are averse', or before a noun: 'adverse criticism'. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online...  [Read more]

In Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), incorporating storytelling and narratives into lessons can significantly enhance language skills. Stories provide context and meaning to language, making it easier for learners to understand and remember vocabulary, grammar, and language structures. By engaging with stories, students are exposed to authentic language in context, which helps them develop their listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. Additionally, storytelling encourages students to actively participate in the learning process, leading to improved language fluency and proficiency. Another benefit of using storytelling in TESOL is the opportunity it provides for fostering cultural awareness and empathy. Stories often reflect cultural values, traditions, and...  [Read more]

Vocabulary is a foundational element in language learning and plays a crucial role in a learner's ability to communicate effectively in English. Without a strong vocabulary base, learners may struggle to understand and express themselves accurately. When teaching English vocabulary to non-native speakers, it is essential to focus on both the breadth and depth of vocabulary knowledge. Broad vocabulary knowledge includes a wide range of words across different topics and contexts, while depth of vocabulary knowledge refers to understanding the nuances of word meanings, collocations, and usage. There are various effective strategies for teaching English vocabulary to non-native speakers. One key approach is to provide explicit instruction through techniques such as semantic mapping, word...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'aisle' and 'isle'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. The word 'aisle' is a noun and describes a passage between rows of seats in a church, in a theater, an airplane or between shelves in a supermarket. A suitable example sentece for the word 'aisle' would be: The aisle was crowded with people looking for seats. The word 'isle' is also a noun but has a very different meaning. It usually refers to a small island, such as here: The pirates were in search of the lost isle for buried treasure. As you can see, once you know the meanings of the two words, you will not confuse them as their meanings are very different. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one...  [Read more]

--- In Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL), grammar and vocabulary are essential components that contribute to effective communication skills. Grammar provides the structure and rules necessary for conveying meaning accurately, while vocabulary enhances the richness and precision of language use. A solid foundation in grammar and a diverse vocabulary repertoire are crucial for language learners to express themselves clearly and comprehensively in both written and spoken English. Moreover, mastering grammar and vocabulary enables learners to comprehend and produce language in various contexts, fostering fluency and confidence in communication. To effectively teach grammar and vocabulary in a TEFL classroom, it is vital to integrate these elements seamlessly into lesson plans....  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word amphibology. This word refers to the ambiguous meaning of sentence due due to confusing grammar patterns. A good example for this would be He sees more of his children than his wife. This sentence is an amphibology as it has two meanings. It could either mean that the husband sees his children more often than his wife sees their children, or it could mean that the husband sees his children more often than he sees his wife. 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...  [Read more]

Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) involves various aspects of language learning, including vocabulary and idioms. Vocabulary is essential for language proficiency, while idioms add depth and cultural understanding to communication. Teaching these aspects effectively requires the use of diverse resources that cater to different learning styles and levels of proficiency. In this guide, we will explore some of the best TESOL resources for teaching English vocabulary and idioms, ranging from online platforms to traditional teaching materials. 1. Vocabulary.com: This online platform offers a comprehensive range of vocabulary activities and exercises suitable for learners of all levels. It utilizes adaptive learning technology to customize the learning experience for each student,...  [Read more]

  ITTT's 220-hour TEFL/TESOL Master Package consists of three fully accredited TEFL/TESOL certifications.The 120-hour TEFL/TESOL course, as well as our two 50-hour certification courses in teaching English to young learners (CTEYL) and teaching Business English (CTBE) are included in this smart course package. 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. Well, The Course Development is a vital part of this unit. So, we have clearly concept in this...  [Read more]

Teaching English pronunciation and intonation is crucial in a TEFL classroom as it enhances communication effectiveness and overall language proficiency. Clear pronunciation helps students be understood by others, while appropriate intonation conveys meaning, emotions, and attitudes in speech. Without proper pronunciation and intonation, students may struggle to make themselves understood or to comprehend native speakers. Therefore, focusing on these aspects of language teaching is essential for students to become proficient English speakers. There are several strategies that TEFL teachers can employ to teach English pronunciation effectively. One approach is to focus on individual sounds, especially those that may not exist in the students' native language. Teachers can use minimal pairs...  [Read more]

Teaching Styles We all learn in different ways, and similarly, as teachers we tend to have different ways of teaching which come more naturally for us. As teachers, we need to be aware of what our particular style is, but we should then try to adapt the way we teach to fit the needs of our students as well. There are many different categorizations of teaching styles, but rather than discuss the ways styles are categorized, I will simply summarize the ones most commonly referred to. Probably the most traditional one is the direct instruction style. Direct instruction is very teacher-centered, and provides for little if any student-teacher interaction or group interaction. The teacher is the focus of attention and provides all the information necessary for the student to excel in...  [Read more]

--- English pronunciation is crucial for effective communication in the language. It impacts how well a non-native speaker is understood and can affect their confidence in speaking. Clear pronunciation helps in conveying the intended meaning accurately and enhances overall language proficiency. It is essential for students to focus on pronunciation alongside other language skills like grammar and vocabulary to become proficient English speakers. Various strategies can be employed to teach English pronunciation effectively. One of the key approaches is to focus on individual sounds and phonemes in English. Teaching the correct mouth and tongue positions for producing sounds can help students improve their pronunciation. Another strategy is to practice stress and intonation patterns in...  [Read more]

  Some and Any are two words that often cause confusion, which is why we have decided to take a closer look at the difference of the two words in this video. Firsly, some is a determiner used for positive statements while any is a determiner used in questions and negative statements. Consider the following situation: I asked the teacher if he could give me some paper. I said ‘Excuse me, have you got any paper?’ Unfortunately, he didn’t have any. The first statement is positive and therefore requires us to use some. The second sentence is a question and therefore, we need to use any. The third and final sentence is a negative statement which also requries us to use any. It's worth noting that we do sometimes use some in questions and we also use any in positive statements. For...  [Read more]

  The zero conditional is the most basic form of the conditionals in the English language. This is a teaching idea for the zero conditional that can also be adjusted for any other types of conditionals. 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. You have to know who is the publisher, of the book you using while teaching. Students is fast learners when you let them feel and see the real picture of the meaning of the word. It is like a movie, you...  [Read more]