The English Difference

Teaching English in Africa can be a rewarding and enriching experience for those looking to make a difference in the lives of others. There are several ways to secure a job teaching English in Africa, and below are some steps you can take to help you achieve this goal: Firstly, one of the most popular ways to teach English in Africa is through volunteering with organizations such as the Peace Corps or Teach For Africa. These organizations provide opportunities for individuals to teach English in various countries across the continent while also offering support and resources to help you succeed in your role. Another option is to look for paid teaching positions at international schools, language institutes, or universities in Africa. Many of these institutions require English teachers and...  [Read more]

When it comes to teaching English as a foreign language, two popular certifications that often come up are TESOL and CELTA. While both certifications are highly regarded in the field of TEFL, there are some key differences between them that aspiring teachers should be aware of. Firstly, TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and it is a broad term that encompasses a range of certifications and qualifications related to teaching English. TESOL courses can vary in length, content, and accreditation, as they are offered by a wide range of institutions around the world. On the other hand, CELTA stands for Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and it is a specific type of TESOL certification offered by Cambridge Assessment English. One of the...  [Read more]

When considering a career in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), it's essential to understand the differences between TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEYL (Teaching English to Young Learners). Both TESOL and TEYL are specialized fields within TEFL that cater to specific student demographics and learning needs. TESOL is a broad term that encompasses teaching English to non-native speakers of all ages, including adults, teenagers, and children. TESOL instructors typically work with students who have a basic understanding of English and are looking to improve their language skills for academic, professional, or personal reasons. TESOL courses and certifications focus on developing teaching strategies, lesson planning, language assessment, and classroom...  [Read more]

Teaching English with a TESOL certificate in Africa can open up a world of opportunities for you to make a difference in the lives of others while experiencing the rich and diverse cultures of the continent. There are several countries in Africa where you can teach English with a TESOL certificate, each offering unique experiences and challenges for English language teachers. One popular destination for teaching English in Africa is South Africa. With its diverse population and strong demand for English language skills, South Africa offers numerous opportunities for TESOL-certified teachers. Major cities like Johannesburg, Cape Town, and Durban have a high demand for English teachers in language schools, private institutes, and public schools. Another attractive destination for...  [Read more]

When considering pursuing a career in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), it is essential to understand the differences between the TESOL and DIPTESOL certificates. TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, while DIPTESOL stands for Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. These certificates are both recognized qualifications that can enhance your teaching skills and career prospects in the field of TEFL. One of the main differences between TESOL and DIPTESOL certificates is the level of qualification they represent. TESOL is typically a foundational certificate that provides basic training in TEFL methodologies, classroom management, and language teaching techniques. On the other hand, DIPTESOL is a more advanced diploma-level...  [Read more]

When considering pursuing a career in teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), it's important to understand the distinctions between TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and TEFL courses. Both TESOL and TEFL courses are designed to equip educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach English to non-native speakers, but there are some key differences between the two. One of the main differences between TESOL and TEFL courses lies in their target audience. TESOL courses are typically more comprehensive and cover a broader range of teaching contexts, including teaching English to speakers of other languages in English-speaking countries. On the other hand, TEFL courses are specifically geared towards teaching English to non-native speakers in countries...  [Read more]

The English teaching world is well known for its love of acronyms and TESOL and TEFL are the two most common you will come across. These two can sometimes cause confusion among trainees as it is assumed they are more different than they actually are. Firstly, let's clear up what they both stand for: TEFL = Teaching English as a Foreign Language TESOL = Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages The above two acronyms are typically used interchangeably when talking about English language teaching or when referring to teacher training courses, so neither one would be considered better than the other. A TESOL course and a TEFL course are exactly the same thing as the only difference is which one you choose to put on your teaching certificate. This decision is generally down to...  [Read more]

  This video breaks down the difference between "among" and "between". The word "between" is used to refer to two or more things that are distinct. A great example would be: "Choose between the red and the green socks". Here, we use "between" as the socks are clearly different and separated. "Among", on the other hand, is used to refer to things that are part of a group or mass, such as in this example: "Choose among all your socks" here we use ?among? because we are talking about all of the socks. Let's take a look at two more examples to make the difference even clearer. "I am walking between Baker Street and 5th Avenue." Here, we are talking about two separate streets and use 'between'. "I am walking among my friends." In this example, we're talking about more than two people...  [Read more]

When it comes to teaching English as a foreign language in challenging environments, such as low-resource schools or conflict zones, it is crucial to have the right training to effectively support your students. One of the most respected qualifications for teaching English in these contexts is the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) certificate. There are several TESOL courses that are specifically designed to prepare teachers for working in challenging environments. These courses typically focus on strategies for teaching in low-resource settings, understanding the needs of students who have experienced trauma, and promoting inclusive and culturally responsive teaching practices. One highly recommended TESOL course for teaching in challenging environments is the CELTA...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'lose' and 'loose'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. 'Lose' spelled with one 'o' is a verb and means to fail to keep, to fail to win or to fail to make money. Such as in these three examples for each meaning: 1) To fail to keep: I will lose weight but also my hair. 2) To fail to win: I'm expected to lose this game. 3) To fail to make money: I will lose a fortune. The word 'loose' spelled with double 'o', on the other hand is not a verb but an adjective. It means not tight, or free from constraint. A suitable example sentence for the word 'loose' would be: 'These trousers are loose.' We hope this explanation helped you and next time you'll know exactly which word to use. Below you...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'adapt' and 'adopt'. Due to their similar spelling, their usage is often confused. 'Adapt' describes the action of taking something and changing it for a special purpose, for example: A screenwriter successfully adapts the book to make it work as a movie. The word 'adopt', on the other hand, refers to the action of taking something and using it or making it your own, such as here: Because they couldn't have children of their own, they decided to adopt a child. 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...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'principal' and 'principle'. These two words often cause confusion for English learners due to their similar spelling. The word 'principal' can be used as a noun and as an adjective. As a noun, it refers to a person of authority, like a school principal, the head of a school. When used as an adjective, it means 'leading' or 'primary', like a principal cause or reason. The word 'principle', on the other hand, is only used as a noun and refers to a moral or standard, like the principle of free speech. 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...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'aisle' and 'isle'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. The word 'aisle' is a noun and describes a passage between rows of seats in a church, in a theater, an airplane or between shelves in a supermarket. A suitable example sentece for the word 'aisle' would be: The aisle was crowded with people looking for seats. The word 'isle' is also a noun but has a very different meaning. It usually refers to a small island, such as here: The pirates were in search of the lost isle for buried treasure. As you can see, once you know the meanings of the two words, you will not confuse them as their meanings are very different. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate regarding one...  [Read more]

  In this video, we break down the difference between the usage of "for" and "since". Both of these words are used when talking about time, which is why they often cause confusion for many English learners. However, the difference in the usage of the two words is actually qutie easy. The word "since" is used when referring to a point or exact moment in time, such as in this example: I have been living in this house since 2005. The year 2005 is a point or exact moment in time and therefore, we need to use 'since'. "For", on the other hand, is used for a period or duration of time, such as in this example: I have been living in this house for 12 years; 12 years is a duration of time, and therefore we need to use 'for'. As you can see, all you need to do is figure out whether you are...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'interested' and 'interesting'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. 'Interesting' describes the people or things that cause the feeling of interest to someone, for example: Today's lesson about world history is very interesting. 'Interested', on the other hand, describes how someone feels, such as here: I am very interested in learning another language. 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...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'defuse' and 'diffuse'. Their similar spelling and pronunciation make them a word pair that is often confused. The word 'defuse' refers to the action of making a situation less harmful or tense, whereas 'diffuse' means to spread over a wide area. Watch the video for detailed examples on the two words. 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. Future tenses, which we speak about in the Unit 8, as for me much...  [Read more]

  This video covers the difference between 'affected' and 'effected'. As these two words have a similar pronunciation and spelling, their usage is often confused. 'Effected' means executed, produced, or brought about. On the other hand, 'affected' refers to the action of making an impact on something. Some example sentences would be: "The BP oil spill adversely affected marine wildlife in the Gulf of Mexico and surrounding areas." or "After the BP oil spill, the government effected sweeping environmental regulation." Both words are used in the past tense in these examples but can also be used in the same way in the present tense as 'affect' and 'effected'. They are also often used as a passive, such as 'was affected by...'. Below you can read feedback from an ITTT graduate...  [Read more]

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and DIPTESOL (Diploma in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) are both certification programs that aim to equip educators with the necessary skills and knowledge to teach English as a foreign language. While both programs focus on language teaching methodologies, classroom management techniques, and language assessment strategies, there are key differences between the two. One of the main differences between TESOL and DIPTESOL programs is the level of certification they offer. TESOL certification is typically an entry-level qualification that provides educators with foundational knowledge and skills in teaching English as a foreign language. On the other hand, DIPTESOL is a more advanced certification program that is...  [Read more]

TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) and ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching are closely related fields, but there are key differences between the two. Understanding these differences can help individuals decide which path to pursue in their teaching careers. In general, ESL teaching refers to teaching English to non-native speakers in an English-speaking country. This could include immigrants, international students, or refugees who need to improve their English language skills for daily living or academic purposes. ESL teachers often work in schools, community centers, or language institutes within English-speaking countries. On the other hand, TESOL encompasses a broader scope and includes teaching English to non-native speakers in any country, not just...  [Read more]

TESOL and TESOLQ certification programs are both valuable qualifications for teaching English as a foreign language, but there are some key differences between the two that prospective teachers should be aware of before choosing which program to pursue. Firstly, TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, while TESOLQ stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages Qualification. TESOL certification is a more general term that encompasses a variety of training programs and courses designed to prepare individuals to teach English to non-native speakers. On the other hand, TESOLQ specifically refers to a certification program that meets certain quality standards set by accrediting bodies in the field of English language teaching. In terms of curriculum, TESOL...  [Read more]