Hardest Words To Spell In The English Language

  The two words "farther" and "further" are a pair of words that is often used interchangeably to talk about distances. However, not many know that there is actually a slight difference between the two. "Farther" is used for physical distances. So we would use it in this example: "Tokyo is farther away than Beijing". When using "further" we talk about non-physical, figurative distances, for example "I'm falling further away from my goals". As you can see, the two words have slighty different usages. However, in spoken English the two words are often used interchangeably without a difference. However, if you are keen to use them properly, you should stick to the rules mentioned above. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL...  [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]

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  "Who" and "whom" are another set of words that often causes confusion. Howeer, there is actuall a simple trick to deciding which one to use in a sentence. "Who" is used to refer to the subject of a sentence and 'whom' is used to refer to the object. Keeping this in mind will eliminate the chance of making mistakes. We recommend the following trick. The usage of these two words is the same as he and him. "He" is the subject and "him" is the object. If you are confused about which one you should use, look at the sentences and check whether "he" or "him" should be used. If it's "he", then you should use "who". If it's "him", then "whom" should be used. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one section of their online TEFL certification course. Each of our...  [Read more]

When teaching English as a foreign language, it's crucial to understand the various language barriers that students may face. These barriers can include differences in vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural context. Students may also struggle with understanding idiomatic expressions and nuances of the English language. By recognizing these challenges, teachers can better tailor their teaching methods to address these specific needs and help students overcome language barriers effectively. There are several strategies that ESL teachers can employ to help students overcome language barriers. One effective approach is to use visual aids, such as pictures, diagrams, and gestures, to help convey meaning. Teachers can also encourage students to practice speaking and listening through...  [Read more]

Transitioning from teaching English as a second language (ESL) to teaching English as a foreign language (EFL) involves understanding the key differences between these two contexts. ESL teaching typically occurs in countries where English is an official or dominant language, while EFL teaching takes place in regions where English is not widely spoken. In ESL settings, students may have more exposure to English outside the classroom, while EFL learners may have limited opportunities for language practice. As a result, EFL teaching often requires a stronger focus on building foundational language skills and providing cultural context for language use. To effectively transition to teaching English as a foreign language, educators need to develop specific skills and strategies tailored to the...  [Read more]

As a teacher of English as a foreign language, having strong language skills is crucial for effectively conveying lessons and explanations to students. Proficiency in English not only enhances your credibility as a teacher but also allows you to model correct language usage for your students. When you speak fluently and accurately, students are more likely to emulate your speech patterns and vocabulary, leading to better language acquisition. Additionally, strong language skills enable you to adapt your teaching style to different proficiency levels and effectively address students' questions and concerns. There are several strategies you can employ to enhance your language skills. Engaging in regular practice through activities such as reading English literature, watching English movies...  [Read more]

When providing language support for TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) students, it is crucial to understand the unique needs and challenges they face. TESOL students come from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds, and they may have varying levels of proficiency in English. Some students may be beginners with limited vocabulary, while others may be more advanced but struggle with complex grammar rules or pronunciation. By recognizing these differences, educators can tailor their language support strategies to meet the specific needs of each student. There are various strategies that educators can employ to provide effective language support for TESOL students. One common approach is to incorporate visual aids such as pictures, charts, and graphs to help students...  [Read more]

  These two words are often confused by native and non-native English speakers alike. The key thing to remember is that “accept” is a verb and a synonym of “to receive” as in the example “I accepted all my birthday gifts with gratitude”. “Except” on the other hand is a conjunction and a synonym of “apart from”. For example “When Susan travels she packs everything except the kitchen sink”. Remember, “accept” is a verb meaning “to receive” and “except” is a conjunction meaning “apart from”. Are you ready to live and teach abroad? Click here and get started today: https://www.teflcourse.net/?cu=YTDESCRIPTION Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate...  [Read more]

  "They're", "their" and "there" are three words that are often used incorrectly. "They're" is simply the contracted form of "they are". "Their" is a possessive and indicates ownership of something. "There" indicates a place. Due to the Internet and instant messaging, the three words have been icreasingly used incorrectly. However, if you'd like to use them correctly, you should keep their meanings in mind. When trying to decide which word to use remember that "they're" = they are, "their" = ownership and "there" = place. 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...  [Read more]

  This video breaks down the difference between the two words "invite" and "invitation". They are often used interchangeably but actually aren't synonyms. The word ?invite? is a verb and refers to the action of asking someone if they?d like to do something or go somewhere, such as here: 'I want to invite all my friends to a BBQ party'. "Invitation", on the other hand, is a noun and refers to the actual message of asking someone if they?d like to do something or go somewhere. A suitable example would be: 'I sent out an invitation to all my friends'. A very common mistake is to use 'invite' as a noun instead of 'invitation'. However, the sentence ?I haven?t responded to her invite yet? is incorrect and 'invitation' should be used. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate...  [Read more]

  Anna is from Russia and works as a tutor in English for young learners. She recently completed her 120-hour TEFL/TESOL course with ITTT and shares her thoughts in this TEFL review. She thought all the units were very well laid out and she has learned a lot from the course.  [Read more]

  In this video, Linda explains the difference between "then" and "than" two words often confused by native and non-native English speakers alike. "Than" is a conjunction used for comparisons, such as here: "Her car is faster than yours". "Then", on the other hand, is an adverb used to situate actions e.g. "I did my homework, then I had a nap?. As you can see, the usages of the two words is very different and cannot be used interchangeably. Keep their differences in mind and you'll not make any mistakes in the future. 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...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word gibe. This word can be used as a noun and as a verb. Used as a noun, it describes a taunting remark and when used as a verb it refers to the action of making a taunting or insulting remark. Synonyms for gibe are taunt, sneer and insult. 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 enjoy the grammat units of this course as they are really complex and give a nice overview of each section. The...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word nepotism. This word refers to people in power favoring and giving powerful positions to friends or family. Some synonyms of the word include favoritism, bias, partiality, or partisanship. 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 compacted with a lot of information. Additionally, it was very boring but I learned so much. For example, everything could be in this fashion. The meat...  [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]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word nonage. This word refers to the period of youth of a person as well as the lack of maturity of a person. Synonyms for nonage are minority and infancy. 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 so much fun! The two videos showing two totally different classroom structures. The positive and negatives of each. The videos helped me to really see a classroom in session and how you as the...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word whodunit. This word describes a mystery or detective story that can either be a movie, a book, a play or anything to that extend. It is basically a short form of the words Who has done it?, meaning who is the criminal / murder in the story. 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 outlines some of the personality traits and roles teachers and students need in order to become...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word "huckster". This word has to meanings an can either refer to someone who sells or advertises something in an aggressive and dishonest manner or to a person who creates promotions for commercial clients, such as for the radio or TV. 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. Lesson planning seems to be the most important lesson I have learned from this course so far. I had not thought that it would...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word bowdlerize. This word is used to refer to the act of removing improper or offensive material in order to make it weaker or less effective. Some synonyms for bowdlerize include censor, expurgate or edit. 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 this lesson, I learned about a direct and indirect speech. I was able to see how to relay to my students the different ways to properly talk and relay...  [Read more]