Problem Pronunciation

Pronunciation Problems for Chinese Students of English As a global language, English has been popularly taught as the second language in China for quite a few years. Now there are more Chinese people learning English on various purposes, such as applying for a higher paid job, studying and living abroad, or establishing business with western countries. According to my experience of learning and teaching English, it is harder to master English pronunciation than English grammar for Chinese students. Chinese grammar may appear quite simple compared to that of many highly-inflected Western languages (e.g. Russian, Latin, etc.), or even the low-scale verb conjugations, for instance, of English (e.g. "swim, swam, swum") because of the lack of inflections. Even though there are similarities...  [Read more]

  Then, we have a set of objectives and aims. Here, the learner objectives relate to what we're hoping the students are going to be able to do by the end of your lesson and quite often, that can be a useful way of writing out what the objectives are. So, we would start the sentence "By the end of the lesson, students should be able to?" and then a list of two, three or four items that we're expecting the students to be able to do by completing this lesson. The learner objectives are different to the teacher aims the teacher aims are what you are expecting from that lesson itself. Now, when you first start teaching, quite a normal aim might be to complete the lesson successfully, to get through the whole thing without having any problems. As time goes on and you become more...  [Read more]

Problems for learners in a Country of your choice: Italy In this paper I will address the issues I face as a teacher from the context of living and working in Italy, as well as the common problems my students encounter while learning and speaking English. I also want to draw attention to the input culture and society has on language, and look at how these factors influence dynamics within the classroom. Of course, it is nearly impossible to view ones self outside your own given cultural perspective, so as a result of this I will also be discussing my own assumptions on how I "imagined" people might act, compared to the reality of the situation. Often I neglect to take into account these differences, simply because I was raised in America, where I am used to a different set of cultural...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'desert' and 'dessert'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. This is such a commen mistake made by both native speakers and English learners that we simply have to cover it. The pronunciation of the words is slightly different so most mistakes occurr in writing. Let's take a look at the two words. 'Desert' spelled with one 's' refers to a waterless, dry and empty area. A suitable example would be: Crossing that desert is dangerous. 'Dessert' spelled with double 's', on the other hand, has a very different meaning. It refers to the sweet course usually served at the end of a meal, such as cake or ice-cream. A good example would be: I had some ice-cream for dessert today. Keeping this...  [Read more]

  Okay, so we're going to use this pro-forma as our lesson plan and we're going to fill one out as though we were planning for an actual lesson. So, we start off with some basic information about the class. So, the name of the teacher, date and time and the class level. In this particular case, our class is going to be an elementary class and the room will be room 3. Having looked through the registers we see that the expected number of students for this particular class is going to be 10. This will help us in creating our worksheet copies. The context of the lesson for this class is going to be present continuous tense and it may well be the first time that this particular level of class has been introduced to this tense. So, our focus is going to be fairly general and it's going...  [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. In this unit, we covered...  [Read more]

Speaking is a crucial aspect of language learning as it allows students to practice real-time communication, improve pronunciation, and gain confidence in using the language. In a TESOL classroom, developing speaking skills is essential for students to become proficient in the language and engage effectively in real-life conversations. By focusing on speaking skills, students can enhance their fluency, accuracy, and overall communication abilities. When teaching speaking skills in a TESOL classroom, it is important to incorporate a variety of strategies to cater to different learning styles and abilities. Some effective strategies include role-plays, discussions, debates, and presentations. Role-plays help students simulate real-life scenarios, while discussions and debates encourage...  [Read more]

Modeling effective communication skills is crucial for TESOL teachers as it provides students with real-life examples of how language is used in authentic contexts. By demonstrating proper pronunciation, intonation, and body language, teachers show students how to communicate effectively. This modeling helps students develop their listening and speaking skills, as well as their overall language proficiency. Additionally, it creates a supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to practice and improve their own communication skills. TESOL teachers can employ various strategies to effectively model language use for their students. One common technique is think-alouds, where teachers verbalize their thought process while completing a task or solving a problem. This allows...  [Read more]

Incorporating games and activities into Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) instruction provides various cognitive benefits for language learners. When students engage in games, they are actively using their cognitive skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, and decision-making. These activities require learners to think quickly and make decisions on the spot, which helps improve their cognitive abilities. Additionally, games often involve repetition of language structures and vocabulary in a fun and engaging way, which aids in memory retention and recall. Using games and activities in TESOL instruction can have significant linguistic benefits for language learners. Games provide an authentic and meaningful context for language use, allowing students to...  [Read more]

  Livinus is from Cameroon and is teaching English in China. He recently took our 120-hour online certification course and enjoyed working through the 20 units. He enjoyed the flexibility the course gave him to complete the 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. In this lesson we learned about teaching pronunciation and phonology. This was my most difficult lesson thus far. I especially found the part about the phonology hard. I will probably...  [Read more]

Incorporating games and activities into the English language classroom can have numerous cognitive benefits for students. Firstly, games can help improve students' problem-solving skills as they are often required to think critically and strategize to succeed in the game. This can enhance their ability to analyze and tackle linguistic challenges in the English language. Furthermore, games and activities can also boost students' memory retention as they engage in repeated practice of language structures and vocabulary in a fun and interactive way. By associating language learning with positive emotions and enjoyment, students are more likely to remember and recall the language items they have encountered during the game. Apart from the cognitive advantages, using games and activities in the...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word youthquake. This word describes a change in cultural standards brought about tastes and values by the young population. The word is a combination of youth and earthquake indicating the power of the 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. The course book is necessary for the teachers to have. It helps to see how and what to teach /prepare. The language vocabulary is a guide as a covered...  [Read more]

TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) courses provide comprehensive training to individuals interested in teaching English to non-native speakers. These courses cover various aspects of language teaching, including lesson planning, classroom management, language skills development, and assessment techniques. While the primary focus is on language instruction, TEFL courses often emphasize the importance of using a variety of teaching strategies to engage students and enhance learning outcomes. Music can be a powerful tool in language teaching, as it helps create a dynamic and interactive learning environment. TEFL courses may introduce different ways to incorporate music into English lessons, such as using songs to teach vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar rules. By integrating...  [Read more]

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]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word "libertine". This word is a noun and either refers to a freethinker in religious matters or someone who disregards morals and leads a dissolute life. The word comes from the Latin word libertus, which referred to a slave who become a free man. 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 unit I discovered the the difference between receptive skills and productive skills. I now know the...  [Read more]

English speaking skills are crucial for non-native speakers as they facilitate effective communication in various settings, such as work, social interactions, and academic environments. The ability to speak English fluently can boost confidence, open up opportunities for career advancement, and enhance cultural integration. Moreover, speaking skills are essential for language learners to actively participate in conversations, express their thoughts and opinions, and build meaningful relationships with native speakers. When teaching English speaking skills to non-native speakers, it is essential to create a supportive and interactive learning environment. Encourage students to practice speaking regularly through role-plays, group discussions, and presentations. Provide constructive feedback...  [Read more]

The Direct Method is a teaching approach that emphasizes the use of the target language in the classroom. This method focuses on teaching vocabulary and grammar through context, visual aids, and real-life objects rather than translation. It encourages students to think and communicate directly in the target language, promoting fluency and natural communication skills. The Grammar Translation Method is a traditional approach that focuses on teaching grammar rules and vocabulary through translation exercises. This method is often criticized for its lack of emphasis on communication skills and real-life language use. However, it can be useful for students who require a strong foundation in grammar and vocabulary. The Audio-Lingual Method is based on the principles of behaviorism and focuses...  [Read more]

  Now, let's take a look at the present continuous tense. The continuous tense is used to talk about actions in progress at the time of speaking or around the time of speaking. The first thing to notice with the continuous tense is that we must use the verb plus '-ing' form, also known as the present participle. You'll see it in any continuous tense, especially with the present continuous. We have three different forms of this tense. First, we have the subject 'I' used with 'am teaching'. Then, we have 'you', 'we' and 'they are teaching'. Finally, we've got 'he', 'she' 'it is teaching'. The 'am', 'are' and 'is' are forms of the verb 'to be' and here with this tense is used as an auxiliary verb or a helping verb. In order to form negative sentences, we simply add the word 'not'...  [Read more]

Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) involves a dynamic and multifaceted approach to language instruction. It encompasses teaching English as a second language (ESL), English as a foreign language (EFL), and English for specific purposes (ESP). TESOL teachers work with diverse student populations, each with unique linguistic backgrounds and learning needs. Understanding the TESOL approach requires familiarity with language acquisition theories, pedagogical strategies, and cultural considerations. Effective TESOL teaching involves integrating key components to create a comprehensive language learning experience. Language skills such as speaking, listening, reading, and writing are essential, along with grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Cultural competence plays a...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word quiescent. This word refers to a state of inactivity. Synonyms for quiescent include inactive, idle, at rest, and quiet. 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 is about the various future tenses. Similar to the unit on the past tense, I did not realize how many of the tenses I often take for granted. Understanding the difference between a hypothetical future and a certain one is...  [Read more]