Vocab Box

  Place of articulation deals with the placement of the vocal organs when producing a sound. Before we can cover the particulars of places of articulation, we'll need to take a look at the various vocal organs and their locations. Moving from the front to the back we'd begin with our lips. We can use both lips in order to create a sound or we can use one of our lips with one of our rows of teeth, usually the top, in order to produce another sound. We also have other sounds, which use both of the rows of teeth. Further back we have what's called the alveolar ridge. That's the bit of the mouth that may get burnt when we're eating a pizza that's a bit too hot and the cheese burns just behind there our top two teeth. That again is the hard bit just behind our top teeth, called the...  [Read more]

  And now we have our nasal sounds. There are three nasal sounds and basically the pattern of air that's moving out of our vocal tract has to do with two big instances and that is a closure in the vocal tract. Except aside from the plosives and affricates, what we have is air escaping through our nasal cavity. These sounds include ?m?, ?n? and ?ng?. We're moving from the front of the mouth to the back of the mouth. First with the M sound or the ?m?, we're closing both lips and the air is escaping through the nasal passage ?m?. Next we have our N sound or our ?n? sound. There, the closure is inside the mouth but our tongue is closing up near our alveolar ridge and the air is escaping through the nose. Again that's ?n?. Finally we have our NG sound and the closure there is happening...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our series on the past tenses in English. We start off the series with the past simple tense. In this video, we show you how to execute a mill drill activity for this tense. Here, the teacher provides the students with a survey or questionnaire with statements in the past simple tense. The students then go around the classroom and ask other students about their past experiences. 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...  [Read more]

Realia is a term that refers to any real life object that a teacher uses as a teaching aid in an English language classroom. The greatest benefit of using real life objects as teaching tools in the classroom is that they can help the student connect the theoretical vocabulary being taught, to the actual object itself. One simple example of this process would be to have a box full of various clothing items in the classroom to use as props when teaching the related vocabulary. Other examples include the use of kitchen utensils for teaching restaurant staff, or using specific documents to aid the teaching of business English.  [Read more]

Teaching young learners can be a rewarding experience, but it also comes with its unique set of challenges. Keeping children engaged and motivated in the classroom requires creativity and a willingness to think outside the box. At ITTT (International TEFL and TESOL Training), we understand the importance of using innovative teaching methods to capture the attention of young minds and foster a love of learning. In this article, we will explore some creative approaches that can help you effectively engage with your young learners and create a dynamic and interactive learning environment. One of the most effective ways to keep young learners engaged is through the use of interactive games and activities. Children learn best when they are actively involved in the learning process, and games...  [Read more]

  Outlined in the video above are some of the possible jobs teachers can take in order to move on in their EFL career. Below we expand a little more on what each role involves. Teacher Trainer – This position is one that some teachers move onto after teaching for a couple of years. Duties often include teaching a particular module of the course such as grammar, phonology, lesson planning etc. Teacher trainer jobs can be found advertised online but your best bet may be to remain in contact with the centre where you completed your initial training. Director of Studies – The Director of Studies (DOS) is a senior managerial position that includes overseeing the academic program, managing a successful teaching team, providing support and training for teachers, helping...  [Read more]

  One of the benefits of being an ITTT TESOL course graduate is the option of issuing a high-quality certificate of completion to any student who completes a set number of English language lessons with you. When issuing a certificate you can enter the name of the student, their language level, and the number of study hours they completed. Their certificate will also have a unique identification number and a box where you can enter your own ITTT certification number. Thanks to these features, all your students and anyone who has an interest in their language ability will know they were taught by a fully qualified ITTT teacher. This option is a particularly good way to stand out from the crowd if you are teaching in an area where the competition for students is high. Another...  [Read more]

  As mentioned before our four words here all are similar in using the 'b' and 't' sounds at the end. So we know that those phonemes will be used in spelling each one of those words phonetically. Now what we're left to do is assign a phoneme for our vowel sounds. So if we analyze the word, it's 'e' as in bet. We look at our chart, we see the phoneme which corresponds to that sound and that happens to be the standard 'e' that we all recognize. Here, bet phonetically looks very similar to bet in the Roman script. Now let's take a look at 'i' bit. Now we look at our chart and we see that this symbol represents the 'i' sound and that resembles a capital I not a lowercase I but a capital I and so we've arrived at bit. Now with 'but' we have to find the sound and that corresponds to this...  [Read more]

  The next thing we should look at is how our consonants are arranged for the top two rows we have P and F at the left side of our chart and G and J at the right side of our chart. They're arranged this way because if we analyze the way we speak we're using the front of our mouth to use these sounds as in ?p? and ?f? and I'm using my lips and my teeth to produce those sounds and as we move to the right on the chart slowly but surely we're making those sounds it towards the back of our mouth. We can use the examples of ?g?. The sound ?g? is produced further back in our mouth than ?p?. The next thing we'll notice about our chart is that some of our symbols are shaded. Notice that none of the symbols in the vowel sections are shaded but only a few are in the consonant section. The...  [Read more]

  When it comes to manner of articulation, we have six different ways in which our breath is produced in order to make our sounds. We have our plosives, our affricates, fricatives, the nasal sounds, our lateral sound and the approximants. Let's take a look at each individually and see how they differ from one another. First we have our plosive sounds. As the word might indicate we have basically a little explosion of sound with our breath. The plosive sounds are made through a three-step process. First there's a closure somewhere in the vocal tract. Second there's a buildup of air and finally there's a sudden release of that air like a little explosion. If we look at some of the sounds that are made this way we might better understand why they are called plosives. Examples are the...  [Read more]

  http://www.teflcourse.net The future simple tense can be used for threats, promises and predictions. In this video we look at a teaching idea for the predictions usage. In pairs students are given a card with some prompts and responses. One student reads the prompt and the other responds with the given comment and their own sentence in the future simple tense. For example: Student 1: I've lost my shoe. Student 2: Don't worry. It'll turn up somewhere. For anyone wanting to teach English certification is the best route to take. An online TEFL course from ITTT will equip you with the skills needed to be successful in the classroom. Not only will it cover tenses such as the future simple featured in this video but it will also cover other grammar points such as modal verbs,...  [Read more]

  Alveolar sounds get their name from the fact that the alveolar ridge is being used. Again, that ridge is just behind the front top row of teeth. Here the tongue is on or very very near the alveolar ridge. It's typically the tip of the tongue or what's just behind the tip of the tongue, called the blade of the tongue. Here, we're talking about sounds such as ?t? and ?d?. If you say them at home, you can tell the tip of your tongue is on that alveolar ridge. Again, that's ?t? and ?d?, as well as sounds such as ?s? and ?z?. Again, the blade of the tongue is just near that alveolar ridge but it is very near nonetheless. The two other sounds that make it into this category is the ?l? sound, where the tip of the tongue is very clearly touching that alveolar ridge, as well as ?r? or the...  [Read more]

TEFL students with limited access to resources face unique challenges that can hinder their language learning journey. These challenges may include a lack of textbooks, limited internet connectivity, scarce educational materials, and minimal exposure to authentic language use. Understanding these obstacles is crucial in developing effective strategies to support these students and provide them with a quality language learning experience. There are various strategies that can be implemented to support TEFL students who have limited access to resources. One approach is to create and provide tailored learning materials that are specifically designed to meet the needs of these students. This may involve developing worksheets, exercises, and activities that require minimal resources but still...  [Read more]

Teaching English in summer camp programs can be a rewarding experience for both teachers and students alike. One of the main benefits is the opportunity to immerse students in an English-speaking environment, where they can practice the language in a fun and interactive way. This can help improve their language skills and boost their confidence in using English in real-life situations. Additionally, teaching in a summer camp setting allows for more creativity and flexibility in lesson planning, as teachers can incorporate outdoor activities, games, and cultural experiences into their curriculum. Another advantage of teaching English in summer camps is the chance to work with students from diverse cultural backgrounds. This not only enriches the learning experience for students but also...  [Read more]

In today's dynamic educational landscape, the role of educators goes beyond traditional teaching methods. As the needs of learners continue to evolve, educators must adapt by integrating creative instructional strategies to engage students effectively. By incorporating innovative approaches into their teaching practices, educators can foster a more interactive and stimulating learning environment that caters to diverse learning styles. Creative instructional strategies empower educators to think outside the box and tailor their teaching methods to meet the individual needs of their students. By incorporating elements such as visual aids, hands-on activities, and technology integration, educators can create a dynamic learning experience that resonates with learners on a deeper level. These...  [Read more]

Fostering creativity and innovation in English language learners within a TESOL context begins with creating a supportive environment where students feel comfortable taking risks and expressing their ideas. This can be achieved through promoting a growth mindset, providing constructive feedback, and celebrating diverse perspectives. By encouraging a positive classroom culture, students are more likely to engage in creative thinking and problem-solving. One effective way to nurture creativity and innovation in English language learners is through project-based learning. By assigning tasks that require critical thinking, collaboration, and communication, students are challenged to think outside the box and apply their language skills in real-world contexts. Projects can range from creating...  [Read more]

Fostering creativity and innovation in TESOL classes begins with creating a stimulating learning environment. This can be achieved by incorporating various elements such as colorful visuals, comfortable seating arrangements, and interactive learning materials. By making the classroom visually appealing and engaging, students are more likely to feel inspired and motivated to think creatively. Teachers can also encourage creativity by allowing for flexibility in assignments and projects, giving students the freedom to explore different ideas and approaches. Another effective way to foster creativity and innovation in TESOL classes is by encouraging the development of critical thinking skills. Teachers can design activities that require students to analyze information, make connections...  [Read more]

As the field of education continues to evolve, teachers are expected to stay current with the latest trends, methodologies, and technologies. In order to meet these demands, many educators are required to complete continuing education courses to maintain their teaching credentials and licenses. Understanding the continuing education requirements for teachers is crucial for professional growth and career advancement. Continuing education for teachers is not just a box to check off – it is a vital component of professional development. By engaging in ongoing learning opportunities, educators can stay abreast of best practices, innovative teaching techniques, and emerging research in the field of education. This not only benefits teachers in their own classrooms but also enhances the...  [Read more]

Working as a TEFL teacher in remote areas can be a rewarding and unique experience. Many countries, especially in Asia, Africa, and South America, have a high demand for English teachers in rural and isolated regions. These areas often lack access to quality education and skilled teachers, making the presence of a TEFL teacher invaluable. Teaching in remote locations allows educators to make a significant impact on the lives of their students and contribute to the development of the local community. While teaching in remote areas can be fulfilling, it also comes with its challenges. Limited access to resources and technology can make lesson planning and teaching more difficult. Additionally, teachers may face isolation and a lack of amenities and services that they are accustomed to in...  [Read more]

Incorporating drama and role-play activities in the TEFL classroom can significantly enhance language skills among students. When learners engage in role-plays, they are actively using the language in context, which helps them improve their vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. Through these activities, students have the opportunity to practice real-life communication scenarios, such as ordering food in a restaurant or negotiating a business deal. This hands-on experience allows them to apply their language knowledge in a practical and meaningful way, leading to better retention and fluency in the target language. Drama and role-play activities also foster creativity and critical thinking skills in language learners. By taking on different roles and exploring various perspectives,...  [Read more]