Bridge Linguatec

As it is one of the few countries in the world that overlaps two different continents, Turkey has long been a popular destination for international travelers. Due to a steadily growing demand for the English language across much of the country, it is now also an increasingly popular destination for teaching English abroad. Job opportunities can be found in many parts of the country, but the big markets for ESL teachers are located in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir. Technically a degree in any subject is required for all teaching jobs; however, there are often not enough teachers to fill vacant positions so a TEFL certificate is sufficient for many employers. The monthly salary you can expect when teaching English as a foreign language in Turkey will vary from around $800 to $1,800 USD per...  [Read more]

The study of business is a study of communication. The most important goal a graduate business student can have is to acquire good grounding in the principles of business and finance, sufficient technical knowledge and an adequate understanding of the role of an M.B.A. to serve as a bridge for communication between the strategic decision-makers and the science and management people who implement the strategic plans. Just as students in a formal business education program have the goal of acquiring a base of knowledge to make them better able to function in the business environment, most students of business English seek to acquire tools to function in a business setting. Learning English for a special purpose results in a dual focus, development of...  [Read more]

The study of business is a study of communication. The most important goal a graduate business student can have is to acquire good grounding in the principles of business and finance, sufficient technical knowledge and an adequate understanding of the role of an M.B.A. to serve as a bridge for communication between the strategic decision-makers and the science and management people who implement the strategic plans. Just as students in a formal business education program have the goal of acquiring a base of knowledge to make them better able to function in the business environment, most students of business English seek to acquire tools to function in a business setting. Learning English for a special purpose results in a dual focus, development of...  [Read more]

As an ESL teacher one of the biggest challenges I have had to face is cultural sensitivity. Not only on my part as a teacher but on the part of my students as well.My first experience on this subject dealt with stereotypes. Not only those held by my students but those that I carried as well. The second issue was how to bridge the gapsbetween our two cultures. Therefore, the issue becomes how do we increase our levelof cultural sensitivity. There have been many studies done on this issue. Most focus on the things the teachershould do to bridge the gap. I believe that it takes effort on the part of both the student and the teacher to resolve this issue. As ESL teachers most of us have left our countries and begun teaching in other countries. In his book The Developmental...  [Read more]

As an ESL teacher one of the biggest challenges I have had to face is cultural sensitivity. Not only on my part as a teacher but on the part of my students as well. My first experience on this subject dealt with stereotypes. Not only those held by my students but those that I carried as well. The second issue was how to bridge the gaps between our two cultures. Therefore, the issue becomes how do we increase our level of cultural sensitivity. There have been many studies done on this issue. Most focus on the things the teacher should do to bridge the gap. I believe that it takes effort on the part of both the student and the teacher to resolve this issue. As ESL teachers most of us have left our countries and begun teaching in other countries. In his book The Developmental Model...  [Read more]

Having been used as the setting for many famous movies and TV shows, the skyline and major landmarks of San Francisco are instantly recognizable to millions of people all over the world. Iconic structures such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island need no introduction, whilst other favorites including Fisherman’s Wharf, the hairpin turns of Lombard Street and the famous cable car system are equally famous. The city is also well known for its diversity and inclusive attitude that can still be felt today across many of its unique neighborhoods. With a fascinating list of attractions to explore, and a warm and welcoming population, San Francisco could well be the perfect venue for completing your TEFL/TESOL training course. San Francisco’s rise began with the onset of the infamous...  [Read more]

Famous for the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is a country located on the Pacific coast in the north west of South America. It is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The country is famous for its biodiversity, with thousands of endemic species of plants and animals, and for its rich history and culture. It has been part of a number of empires throughout history including the Inca and the Spanish and its capital city, Quito was named as a World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. The city is located on the eastern slopes of an active volcano and its historic center is home to a number of well-preserved examples of colonial architecture. Ecuador is home to a number of national parks housing a plethora of fascinating plant and...  [Read more]

Over the years, many debates have arisen in regards to second language instruction (L2), giving prominence to two main models: English Only versus Bilingual Education. English Only uses solely English as the medium for instruction, whereas Bilingual Education, as its name implies, uses both English and the student's native language. While there are several aspects to the debate, this paper will briefly cover a certain few: cultural sensitivity, accuracy, and segregation. Proponents of the English Only model claim that the use of a student's native language creates a 'cycle of native language dependency,' meaning that the student, to some extent, gets 'tethered' to his native tongue. Using solely English in the classroom, advocates say, frees students to think and...  [Read more]

For many years Teachers of English have used the PPP model of Presentation, Practice and Production for the preferred model of teaching. It has worked well. The PPP model falls short however, in that it does not work well when teaching more complex language problems beyond the sentence level or when teaching communicative skills. Jeremy Harmer in How to Teach English (Longman Publishing 1998) proposed an alternative to PPP called ESA: Engage, Study, and Activate. In an article written in The Guardian Weekend, March 15 1997, Bridget Riley complained about the treatment she and her fellow students received at the Royal College of Art. 'We were abandoned when what we needed and what we hoped for was help toward independence in teaching rather than having independence...  [Read more]

Over the years, many debates have arisen in regards to second language instruction (L2), giving prominence to two main models: English Only versus Bilingual Education. English Only uses solely English as the medium for instruction, whereas Bilingual Education, as its name implies, uses both English and the student?s native language. While there are several aspects to the debate, this paper will briefly cover a certain few: cultural sensitivity, accuracy, and segregation. Proponents of the English Only model claim that the use of a student?s native language creates a ?cycle of native language dependency,? meaning that the student, to some extent, gets ?tethered? to his native tongue. Using solely English in the classroom, advocates say, frees students to...  [Read more]

For many years Teachers of English have used the PPP model of Presentation, Practice and Production for the preferred model of teaching. It has worked well. The PPP model falls short however, in that it does not work well when teaching more complex language problems beyond the sentence level or when teaching communicative skills. Jeremy Harmer in How to Teach English (Longman Publishing 1998) proposed an alternative to PPP called ESA: Engage, Study, and Activate. In an article written in The Guardian Weekend, March 15 1997, Bridget Riley complained about the treatment she and her fellow students received at the Royal College of Art. ?We were abandoned when what we needed and what we hoped for was help toward independence in teaching rather than having...  [Read more]

It goes without saying that California is one of the most popular states in the USA. Home to exciting cities, such as Los Angeles and San Francisco, “The Golden State” attracts millions of visitors each year who are looking to get the Californian experience. The state also offers plenty of scenic landscapes of beaches, mountains, and even deserts. It is also worth mentioning that California is one of the most ethnically diverse states in the country, which is due to the Gold Rush from 1848 when huge waves of immigrants from all parts of the world came to California in hopes of finding a better life. California is stretched along the Pacific Coast with distinct differences between the northern and southern part of the state. While Southern California stays sunny and mild year-round, the...  [Read more]

'You learn a lot in your classes, but you can't learn about human relationships and about life from a book.' -Julie Venci, Washington UniversityIt was a little daunting at first. In fact, I was downright nervous. 'Go out and find someone in the community to do a student profile on.' Find someone in the community' I was already plunked half way across the globe, in a totally different culture attending a TESOL Certification course, and now I had to go out on my own and offer someone an hour-long, free one on one course'oh, my!Conducting a student profile seemed like an impossible feat, but as time progressed I came to realize the importance of one. As described in a chapter from the Diversity Institute: 'In order to effectively choose teaching methods and help students learn,...  [Read more]

You learn a lot in your classes, but you can?t learn about human relationships and about life from a book.? -Julie Venci, Washington University It was a little daunting at first. In fact, I was downright nervous. ?Go out and find someone in the community to do a student profile on.? Find someone in the community? I was already plunked half way across the globe, in a totally different culture attending a TESOL certification course, and now I had to go out on my own and offer someone an hour-long, free one on one course?oh, my! Conducting a student profile seemed like an impossible feat, but as time progressed I came to realize the importance of one. As described in a chapter from the Diversity Institute: ?In order to effectively choose teaching methods and help...  [Read more]

Wherever one travels in the world these days English quickly becomes the the common language of communication between different nationalities. This was a trend that began during the days of the British Empire with it''s global trade and political network. The process has accelerated dramatically since the end of the Second World War with the rise of the American world hegemony. ''A language becomes a world language for one reason only, the power of the people who speak it. Power means political, economic technological and cultural power of course.'' ( Crystall.D. 2001).More recently technology has made a huge impact in the form of satellite T.V. and the internet in particular, giving fresh impetus to the movement for English as the dominant second language of choice. According to ...  [Read more]

Motivation is a paramount factor in determining the success or failure of learning. Very often, students drag themselves to school and find it a chore to study, worse still take on a second language ?C English. As a non native speaker myself, switching from characters into roman letters was an uphill battle. However, ?? want to dispel the myth that learning English is easy and fun for non-native speakers and the secret to it is pure motivation. According to the dictionary, motivation is defined as a reason or cause of action. It can be categorized into extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Extrinsic factors such as rewards and punishment are the common methods in motivating students. If a student does well, the individual is rewarded positively with gifts, money and...  [Read more]

The role of a teacher has changed more dramatically in the past half century then in anytime in previous history. Schools are changing from a period where information was held by few to dispense to many, to a period where the flow of information freely exchanges between all varieties of media, most noticeably TV and the Internet. Therefore teachers are no longer needed as the supreme dispenser of knowledge but rather as a guide to learning who understands their student?s unique needs and barriers to learning. Traditionally, teachers have had the responsibility to dispense historically relevant information to students sitting obediently in rows. Although this model has worked in the past it often creates a distant relationship between student and teacher and places...  [Read more]

Teaching English for a Specific Purpose (ESP) or Why not just teach?em Shakespeare? TEFL Teaching in the classroom has maninly been focused on leaning General English skills with more specific English, needed for a specific profession for example, being taught only as and when it is needed. Some people argue that specific English should be introduced earlier and this will help motivate pupils and also keep the English taught within a professional and cultural environment that is relevant to the people learning it. English for a specific purpose was developed to meet the needs of individual learners and their specific needs, and is designed for specific disciplines. It makes some, but not exclusive use of the underlying methodology and activities of the discipline it...  [Read more]

Teaching English for a Specific Purpose (ESP) or Why not just teach'em Shakespeare' TEFL teaching in the classroom has maninly been focused on leaning General English skills with more specific English, needed for a specific profession for example, being taught only as and when it is needed. Some people argue that specific English should be introduced earlier and this will help motivate pupils and also keep the English taught within a professional and cultural environment that is relevant to the people learning it.English for a specific purpose was developed to meet the needs of individual learners and their specific needs, and is designed for specific disciplines. It makes some, but not exclusive use of the underlying methodology and activities of the discipline it serves, ...  [Read more]

Wherever one travels in the world these days English quickly becomes the the common language of communication between different nationalities. This was a trend that began during the days of the British Empire with it??s global trade and political network. The process has accelerated dramatically since the end of the Second World War with the rise of the American world hegemony. ??A language becomes a world language for one reason only, the power of the people who speak it. Power means political, economic technological and cultural power of course.?? ( Crystall.D. 2001). More recently technology has made a huge impact in the form of satellite T.V. and the internet in particular, giving fresh impetus to the movement for English as the dominant second language of choice. ...  [Read more]

The role of a teacher has changed more dramatically in the past half century then in anytime in previous history. Schools are changing from a period where information was held by few to dispense to many, to a period where the flow of information freely exchanges between all varieties of media, most noticeably TV and the Internet. Therefore teachers are no longer needed as the supreme dispenser of knowledge but rather as a guide to learning who understands their student's unique needs and barriers to learning.Traditionally, teachers have had the responsibility to dispense historically relevant information to students sitting obediently in rows. Although this model has worked in the past it often creates a distant relationship between student and teacher and places the bulk of...  [Read more]

Savvidou - Understanding Chinese Names: Cross-Cultural Awareness ...Diversity and cultural sensitivity are important considerations in an EFL classroom. English is an international language and the numbers of English speakers are growing rapidly. It's important to understand how English translates in each culture and language. There is a growing body of literature addressing cultural differences and the importance of awareness. Our challenge is to meet the demand of student in a manner that incorporates linguistic and cultural competence. Language is primarily a communication tool. As language teachers it is paramount to help students take 'ownership' of the new language they are learning. H. G. Widdowson,, suggests taking 'ownership' of English as a way of shifting attitudes....  [Read more]

There is no simple answer to this question as the reasons for teaching English are different for different people. For some it is the chance to help people who need English to improve their job status and to provide for their families. For others it is the adventure of heading overseas that is the real draw. With a TEFL qualification you can realistically look for work in almost any country you can think of. Another major benefit of teaching English that is often overlooked is that it provides a huge boost to the confidence and future careers of thousands of people who see it as a major step on their work and study journey. Whatever your own reasons for wanting to teach English, you will get to travel, help other people, and gain valuable work and life experience, all while exploring your...  [Read more]

What can be said about incredible New York City that hasn’t already been said? Immerse yourself in New York City for five minutes, and you’ll see why it’s like no other place on earth. Only here will you find all of America’s attributes - the diversity, the culture, and the style - intensified in such an intriguing way. And only here will you experience those sublime moments that New York City is famous for. If you're a first-time visitor, come and see the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings, the Statue of Liberty, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, the Bronx Zoo, Staten Island Ferry, Brooklyn Bridge and all our other world-famous attractions. If you've been here before, there's always another neighborhood to explore, another restaurant to try, another Broadway show or museum to...  [Read more]

Understanding diversity in the classroom is of high importance for teachers. In society, educational institutions represent a rare opportunity for developing friendly relations among the worlds many ethnic groups. The open exchange in classrooms can contribute to a type of exchange found nowhere else in society. So teachers must not ignore multiethnic relations. The potential challenges a teacher faces for acknowledging the differences in students will be well rewarded if done with respect. Unfortunately, no matter the age or background, ethnicity perceptions are commonly found in individuals. Children are no exception. A study of Dutch and Turkish children conducted in the Netherlands showed that biases about ethnicity are widespread. Boys showed more ethnic bias...  [Read more]

Understanding diversity in the classroom is of high importance for teachers. In society, educational institutions represent a rare opportunity for developing friendly relations among the worlds many ethnic groups. The open exchange in classrooms can contribute to a type of exchange found nowhere else in society. So teachers must not ignore multiethnic relations. The potential challenges a teacher faces for acknowledging the differences in students will be well rewarded if done with respect. Unfortunately, no matter the age or background, ethnicity perceptions are commonly found in individuals. Children are no exception. A study of Dutch and Turkish children conducted in the Netherlands showed that biases about ethnicity are widespread. Boys showed more ethnic bias than girls,...  [Read more]

Introduction As a former British colony, English is widely used in Hong Kong. Students here generally start learning English at the age of 3. As the first language of most students in Hong Kong is Cantonese, the problems for learners of English here mostly relate to the differences between Chinese and English. Since the two languages belong to two different linguistic families, there are a lot of differences in terms of syntax and word formation, which give rise to a lot of common errors produced by the students here. A) Agreement and word form This is one of the biggest problems for learners in Hong Kong due to the fact that modern English involves a lot of inflections, conjugation and declension, which are basically absent in Chinese. Thus learners in Hong Kong...  [Read more]

IntroductionAs a former British colony, English is widely used in Hong Kong. Students here generally start learning English at the age of 3. As the first language of most students in Hong Kong is Cantonese, the problems for learners of English here mostly relate to the differences between Chinese and English. Since the two languages belong to two different linguistic families, there are a lot of differences in terms of syntax and word formation, which give rise to a lot of common errors produced by the students here.A) Agreement and word formThis is one of the biggest problems for learners in Hong Kong due to the fact that modern English involves a lot of inflections, conjugation and declension, which are basically absent in Chinese. Thus learners in Hong Kong always have...  [Read more]

There are many employment options for individuals who obtain the TEFL Certificate. One need only look on the numerous internet websites (1) that post such positions and see the variety of offers available around the world. By far, the most advertised jobs are teaching in elementary and secondary schools. (2) Careers are even available at the University level in many countries. Private language schools and private businesses also are looking for teachers. Tutoring, either privately, through a school or an agency is yet another option. Many who work at teaching jobs will take private tutoring jobs as a way to enhance their income (3). Future teachers who lack either experience or perhaps a college degree may want to look into volunteer work. Many TEFL students...  [Read more]

There are many employment options for individuals who obtain the TEFL Certificate. One need only look on the numerous internet websites (1) that post such positions and see the variety of offers available around the world. By far, the most advertised jobs are teaching in elementary and secondary schools. (2) Careers are even available at the University level in many countries. Private language schools and private businesses also are looking for teachers. Tutoring, either privately, through a school or an agency is yet another option. Many who work at teaching jobs will take private tutoring jobs as a way to enhance their income (3). Future teachers who lack either experience or perhaps a college degree may want to look into volunteer work. Many TEFL students come to the...  [Read more]