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  The first group of students we are looking at in this series are the beginners. It is important to understand that beginners can be of any age. This is why we break this category down into the following sub-categories: absolute beginners, false beginners, adult beginners, young beginners and beginners without the Roman alphabet. Find out more about this type of student group in this video. 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 was an...  [Read more]

No matter where you plan to teach English, the chances are that there will be a wide range of potential age groups to choose from in your chosen destination. So how do you know which one is best? Put simply, there is no best age group for teaching English as every teacher has their own preference. Many ESL teachers choose to only work with young children as they suit the high energy level and focus on fun that often accompanies this age group. Others prefer to teach adults as the calmer and more academic approach is more to their liking. As we have already seen, English is commonly taught to people of all ages, from as young as 18 months, all the way up to the oldest members of society. This wide range of students is typically broken down into three main groups of learners: Teaching...  [Read more]

Hong Kong’s and Macau’s pre-eminent English educational institution Headstart Group Ltd. is Hong Kong’s and Macau’s pre-eminent English educational institution. We are dynamic, driven and a market leader in the industry. We provide bespoke English curriculum development, in-class and after-school English programmes, UK study tours, teacher training and native-speaking English teacher (NET) recruitment services for our clients. We serve more than 270 schools and universities, and are well-known for our superior quality of services all round.  [Read more]

  There are many different types of groups of students that you will encounter when teaching English as a foreign language. This video introduces you to the five different types of student groups. 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 covered the basics of controlling the classroom environment in order to promote STT, discipline, and maximization of attention given to students when appropriat. In addition to these goals; this unit also...  [Read more]

  Within the teaching of ESL throughout the world, there is a whole spectrum of the types of groups that you may be involved in. It's worth breaking those types of groups down to have a look at some of the more specific things we need to do when we're teaching those groups - and this is what this video focuses on. 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. There are many different kinds of English as a Second Language (ESL) course books that are...  [Read more]

To make your TESOL classroom more interactive, there are several strategies you can implement to engage your students and enhance their learning experience. One effective way to promote interaction in the classroom is through the use of group activities and projects. Group work encourages students to collaborate, communicate, and problem-solve together, fostering a sense of community and teamwork within the class. You can assign group projects that require students to work together to complete a task, such as creating a presentation or conducting a debate on a particular topic. This not only promotes interaction among students but also allows them to practice their English language skills in a meaningful context. Another way to make your TESOL classroom more interactive is to incorporate...  [Read more]

To make your TESOL lessons more dynamic, it's important to incorporate a variety of teaching strategies and techniques that engage students and cater to different learning styles. Here are some tips to help you create dynamic and interactive TESOL lessons: Firstly, consider incorporating technology into your lessons. Utilize multimedia resources such as videos, interactive whiteboards, and online learning platforms to make the lessons more engaging and interactive for students. Technology can also help cater to visual and auditory learners, making the lessons more dynamic. Additionally, incorporate real-life scenarios and authentic materials into your lessons. This could include using newspaper articles, podcasts, or videos that are relevant to the students' interests and everyday lives....  [Read more]

Managing large classes in a TESOL setting can be challenging, but with the right strategies and techniques, it is definitely achievable. Here are some tips on how TESOL teachers can effectively manage large classes: 1. **Establishing clear expectations**: Setting clear rules and expectations from the beginning is crucial in managing a large class. This helps create a positive learning environment and ensures that students know what is expected of them. 2. **Use of classroom management techniques**: Implementing various classroom management techniques such as proximity control, eye contact, and positive reinforcement can help in keeping the class focused and engaged. 3. **Utilize group work and pair work**: Breaking the class into smaller groups or pairs can make it easier to manage a large...  [Read more]

To make your TESOL classes more interactive for mixed-ability students, there are several strategies you can implement. Differentiating instruction to cater to various learning styles and proficiency levels is key to ensuring all students are engaged and challenged in the classroom. One effective approach is to incorporate a variety of activities that appeal to different learning preferences. For example, visual learners may benefit from using flashcards or visual aids, while kinesthetic learners may thrive in activities that involve movement or hands-on tasks. By offering a mix of activities, you can accommodate the diverse needs of your students and create a more inclusive learning environment. Another helpful strategy is to group students based on their abilities for certain tasks or...  [Read more]

To make your TESOL lessons more interactive, there are several strategies you can implement. Interactive lessons engage students more effectively, promote active learning, and enhance language acquisition. Here are some tips to make your TESOL lessons more interactive: 1. Incorporate multimedia: Use videos, audio clips, and interactive online resources to cater to different learning styles and make the lessons more engaging. Multimedia can help students visualize concepts, improve listening skills, and enhance comprehension. 2. Group activities: Divide students into small groups to work on tasks and projects together. Group activities promote collaboration, communication, and teamwork skills. They also create a supportive learning environment where students can interact and learn from each...  [Read more]

To make your TESOL classes more engaging for teenagers, you can incorporate a variety of interactive activities that cater to their interests and learning styles. Teenagers can often be a challenging group to teach due to their short attention spans and desire for autonomy. By implementing the following strategies, you can create a dynamic and engaging learning environment that motivates teenagers to participate and learn effectively. Firstly, consider using technology in your lessons. Teenagers are digital natives and are often more receptive to learning through technology. You can utilize educational apps, online games, videos, and interactive websites to supplement your lessons and make them more engaging. Incorporating technology not only captures their interest but also enhances their...  [Read more]

  The next category we are looking at in our series on teaching special groups in ESL are individuals. Teaching individuals, or one-to-one, forms a large part of the ESL market. Find out the positives, negatives and tips in this video. 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. Unit 15 Introduces the ways students progress are evaluated and the different tests and external exams students need to prepare fo. Unit 15 explains that tests are an important...  [Read more]

  Our next category in our series of teaching special groups in ESL is English for specific purposes. This video focuses specifically on teaching business English. How is business Enligsh different to general English? Will you be able to teach business English? Find out in this video. 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. Unit 9 explains why lesson planning is a great tool to set goals, measure productivity as well as keeping record of what a...  [Read more]

  The next category we are looking at in our series on teaching special groups in ESL are young learners. We consider students aged 2 to 16 young learners. Find out the positives, negatives and tips when teaching young learners in this video. 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. What the teacher do depends on1. Whom he/she is working for and what they expect from him/her;2. Teaching environment;3. Upon the teache. The roles that the teacher adopts...  [Read more]

The basic answer to this question is No, it is not necessarily easier to teach English to any particular age group. Anyone who has spent time in different types of classrooms will know that there are many clear differences between teaching adults and teaching young learners. Different age groups have different reasons for being in the classroom, levels of motivation and discipline can vary considerably, and learning styles can also differ. Due to these differences, each age group will require a teaching style that is tailored to their needs. Below we look at some of the main differences between teaching young learners and teaching adults. One of the most important factors when teaching young learners is to keep them interested and motivated in whatever the day’s lesson is focused...  [Read more]

  Our next consideration is going to be how we actually group our students. There are perhaps three types of grouping arrangements that we can consider and within those we'll have a look at the potential positive and negatives of those particular arrangements. So firstly, what arrangements can we use? We could arrange our group as a whole class so all of their activities will be done as a whole class. They could be working as individuals and the final grouping arrangement we'll consider is that of small groups or indeed the use of pair work. So for each of these types of arrangements what are the potential positive and negatives with that type of arrangement? For the whole class certainly one of the main positive features is that it gives that class a sense of belonging. Secondly...  [Read more]

To make your TESOL classes more engaging for all age groups, you can incorporate a variety of interactive and engaging activities that cater to different learning styles and preferences. For young learners, use games, songs, and colorful visuals to keep them interested and motivated. For teenagers, incorporate technology, group projects, and discussions on relevant topics to make the learning experience more interactive. For adults, include real-life scenarios, role-plays, and discussions on current events to keep them engaged and interested in the material. When planning your lessons, consider the interests and backgrounds of your students to make the content more relevant and engaging. Use authentic materials such as videos, articles, and podcasts to expose students to real-world English...  [Read more]

When it comes to choosing the best TESOL certification for teaching young learners, there are several reputable organizations that offer high-quality programs tailored specifically for this age group. Some of the top providers include the University of Cambridge, Trinity College London, and the International Association of Teachers of English as a Foreign Language (IATEFL). The University of Cambridge offers the CELTA (Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), which is widely recognized and respected in the field of English language teaching. The CELTA course focuses on practical teaching skills and includes a specific module on teaching young learners. This certification is highly regarded by employers worldwide and is a great choice for those looking to specialize...  [Read more]

  This video focuses on some of the problems teachers of business English might encounter. How is business Enligsh different to general English? Will you be able to teach business English? Find out in this video. 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. When I was learning English, I used to have difficulties with listenin. Now I know, why some students find listening difficul. They are trying to understand every word and they just don't know the...  [Read more]

  There are some general Do's and Don'ts that need to be considered when teaching business English. Watch this video to get more insight into teaching this special group of learners. 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. Unit 14 is about course books and lesson material. Authentic, that is, materials produced primarily for the use of native speakers of the target language, are easily available from a number of sources for most of the worl. Some...  [Read more]