English Teacher Blog

  The ITTT Blog offers a wealth of information on all aspects of the TESOL world in one convenient location. By visiting the blog you will gain access to hundreds of fascinating articles written by TESOL experts from around the world, as well as many by our own course graduates. The blog has many sections covering areas such as visas and work permits, teaching salaries, ideas for the classroom, and the different TESOL course options available to you. Another popular section looks at teaching destinations, including all the usual favorites and many places you might not have considered before. Many of our course graduates have contributed articles for the blog, most of whom are now working in classrooms across the globe. We highly recommend checking out these stories as they offer a...  [Read more]

TEFL Lemon began in 2014 as an ESL blog on the WeChat platform in China, quickly becoming the biggest ESL blog on WeChat. TEFL Lemon provided English teachers with ELT articles to read and share, as well as free ESL lesson ideas, ESL games and fun speaking activities which TEFL teachers could use in their classes. English teachers in China could also download free ESL flashcards on a variety of themes. Following their success on the WeChat platform, in 2018, TEFL Lemon decided to build their own website to offer their ESL Flashcard Games for Kids, ESL Warmers, ESL games and speaking activities for teens and adults for free to TEFL teachers around the world. You can visit their website here. Not only do TEFL Lemon offer teachers brilliant ESL games and teaching ideas, but they also have...  [Read more]

As a TESOL teacher, there are several strategies you can employ to stand out in the field. One of the most effective ways to differentiate yourself is by continuously improving your skills and knowledge. This can be achieved through ongoing professional development, such as attending workshops, conferences, and online courses related to TESOL. Additionally, obtaining advanced certifications, such as the CELTA or DELTA, can demonstrate your commitment to excellence in the field. Another way to stand out as a TESOL teacher is by specializing in a particular area of English language teaching. This could involve focusing on teaching specific age groups, proficiency levels, or skills (such as pronunciation or business English). By becoming an expert in a niche area, you can attract students who...  [Read more]

Linda is a passionate traveler and English teacher exploring the world one country at a time. After studying Mandarin Chinese, she moved to Guangzhou, China, to pursue an internship at a German online marketing company. She loved it so much that she decided to move back to China after finishing her Bachelor’s degree in Management in California. After working in online marketing for a while, she got into English teaching. Teaching English overseas has enabled her to experience life in different countries and fund her passion for travel. She taught English in China for a year and also during my her year in South Korea. She’s been living in South Korea since 2015 and returned to working in online marketing and teaching online in 2016 remotely. On her Website, she shares her tips and...  [Read more]

Although some people grow to love the lifestyle of an ESL teacher so much that they never return to work in their home country, the majority will head home at some stage. In many cases this can be an unsettling experience as you are no longer the same person that left home in the first place. So many things can feel strange, from the everyday language and time zone, to the climate and cuisine. One way to tackle this reverse culture shock is to find a job that allows you to use the new skills and knowledge that teaching English abroad has given you. The obvious answer might be to simply carry on working as an ESL teacher. Most cities will have language schools and community colleges that provide English lessons to a range of clients, whether it is foreign students, immigrants, or...  [Read more]

To enhance your TESOL teaching portfolio, there are several key steps you can take to showcase your skills and experience in teaching English as a foreign language. Building a strong portfolio is essential for advancing your career in the field of TESOL and can help you stand out to potential employers. Here are some tips to help you elevate your TESOL teaching portfolio: First and foremost, include a well-organized and professional resume highlighting your relevant education, certifications, teaching experience, and any specialized training you have received in TESOL. Be sure to tailor your resume to the specific job you are applying for and include any teaching awards or recognition you have received. When creating your portfolio, consider including a teaching philosophy statement that...  [Read more]

  In this video Linda explains the differences between "assure", "insure" and "ensure". They not only sound similar, but those three words also make an outcome sure but they are in no way interchangeable. "Assure" is used to speak out a promise or say something with confidence, for example "I assure you that he is a great lawyer". "Ensure" is used to make something certain, such as here: "Please ensure that you will be home at five o'clock today"."Insure" means to protect an object against risk by buying an insurance policy from an insurance company, like here: "I insure my television because it was expensive". Once you have realized the three different meanings and usages, there is no way you'll confuse them again. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one...  [Read more]

Most people who choose to teach English abroad will feel a certain amount of anxiety about the prospect of moving somewhere where they have no friends or family. However, the reality is that the vast majority of teachers soon get over their initial concerns once they are settled into their new environment. It is unlikely that you will be the only foreign teacher in your school or wider neighborhood and you are almost certain to meet a range of local people in the community who are keen to welcome you and make you feel at home. Your new workplace is one area where you are sure to meet like minded people. Most schools employ more than one foreign teacher so the chances are there will be other people at your new school who are in the same boat as you. Also, any teachers who have been at...  [Read more]

Singapore is a very attractive destination for teaching English as it is both modern and safe, as well as exotic and exciting. Although this island city-state is one of the smallest countries in Asia, it still has plenty to offer including a year-round warm climate, high quality cuisine, world-class shopping, and a culture that is inspired by countless countries around the world. Singapore?s rapid development has been nothing short of miraculous and it is now one of the wealthiest nations in the world. Compared to most of its regional neighbors, salaries for ESL teachers in Singapore are very high at around $2,700 to $3,500 per month, depending on previous experience and teaching qualifications. A standard week in most jobs would involve around 20 to 25 teaching hours, with...  [Read more]

When it comes to learning a new language there are four main skills that need to be covered: Reading, writing, speaking, and listening. These four skills are further divided into two areas: Productive skills (writing and speaking) and receptive skills (reading and listening). In any ESL classroom all four skills need to be fully covered to ensure each student has a rounded English ability. It is great if all your students can speak English clearly and confidently, but if they struggle to read or write in English then they will have real problems later on when they need these skills in the workplace, for further study, or when traveling, etc. When learning our native language we first learn to listen to all the language going on around us. For ESL students listening is a vital skill...  [Read more]

South Korea is a small but incredibly beautiful country, and during the 4 week TEFL you will have fantastic opportunities to experience the rich culture and history. Not only will you have the chance for local excursions, but based in Incheon, you will be less than an hour away from the lively city of Seoul on the express train. The first week of your program includes in-depth cultural orientations, ensuring you deeply understand the Korean way of life and culture. This includes a welcome dinner, tour of the local neighbourhood and the “Grand” Palace (Gyeongbok Palace), taekwondo class and learning South Korean cookery and language. Incheon is home to Korea’s only official Chinatown, where you can try jajangmyun (noodles with black bean sauce) at the Gongwachun restaurant and for...  [Read more]

Every year thousands of foreign ESL teachers head to Japan as jobs are widespread in towns and cities across the country. The average salary is enough to live well and still save and the cultural and social aspects of the country are unlike anywhere else on Earth. If you have already decided that Japan is for you, it might not be quite so easy to decide on exactly which part of it to call home. Every city will have plenty of potential options and quieter areas will also offer a change from the normal hectic pace of city life. Although it would be hard to make a bad choice of destination in Japan, we recommend the following options based on the local job market and the experiences of our previous course graduates. It is no surprise that Japan’s largest urban area is at the top of...  [Read more]

  In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word "belated". This word refers to something that happened later than it should have. A common use of the word is in the following phrase "Happy belated birthday," used by people who wish someone a happy birthday after the actual birthday. Synonyms for belated include late and overdue. 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 Units focus is on Modal Auxiliary Verbs, Phrasal Verbs and the...  [Read more]