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TEFL Courses FAQs - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ Frequently Asked Questions
What does TEFL mean?
The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language. It is commonly used to refer to training courses that almost anyone can take to learn the skills and knowledge required to teach English to non-native speakers in countries all over the world.
What is the difference between TESOL and TEFL?
TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. These descriptions are generally used interchangeably, however, TESOL is more common in the USA and TEFL is more common in the UK.
Do I need a TEFL certificate to teach abroad?
Although it is possible to teach abroad without a TEFL certificate, we recommended that you complete a TEFL... [Read more]
Can I get a B.A. in TEFL? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
If you want to meet the criteria laid out for most online or overseas TEFL jobs, then you will need to complete a standard 120-hour TEFL certification course as a minimum. Anyone who dreams of earning a higher salary or applying for management level positions will typically need an advanced qualification such as diploma. However, teachers who want to get to the very top of the EFL tree will probably need to think about completing a Bachelor's Degree in TESOL.
ITTT does not operate its own degree course, but we are able to recommend a good option. The Bachelor of Education in TESOL (B.Ed TESOL) from the Paris College of International Education offers a very convenient and affordable way to gain a high-end, internationally recognized teaching qualification. This is a 120-credit degree... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Classroom Management For Teaching English As A Foreign Language Giving Individual Attention - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Our next main issue is going to be that of giving students individual attention. Here many classroom management and leaving potential discipline problems can be avoided by applying some simple rules to giving your students attention. The first one is to think about the way in which you ask questions. Don't ask questions in a predictable order. If you just go around the class asking questions from one person to the next then the person at the end of the class will know that it's going to be some time before you actually get to them. So try to mix up the way in which you're asking questions. In terms of answers to questions don't allow individual students to dominate all of the answers. One of the things that we can do to help this particular issue is to use the students names as... [Read more]
TEFL, TESOL or CELTA - which is better? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
If you have done some research and made the decision to teach English abroad or online, you will probably have been confronted with a mound of perplexing letters: TEFL, tesol, and CELTA – what do they all mean, and which is better?
Don't worry. We are here to help you understand the differences and lead you into a world of education and international travel.
First, let's get the abbreviations out of the way. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, tesol stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, and CELTA is an acronym for Certificate in English Teaching to Speakers of Other Languages (until recently, it stood for Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults).
To put it another way, TEFL and tesol are generic terms for the field of teaching English... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - How To Pronounce Rationale - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In this episode, we cover the pronunciation of the word rationale. This word is used as a noun and describes the reasons or the logical explanation for an action or a certain belief. Some synonyms for rationale include reasoning, thinking and logic. The word rationale comes from the modern Latin word rationalis meaning ‘endowed with reason’.
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.
I learned that using concepts like "interrogative" and "negative"... [Read more]
What is the difference between TEFL, TESOL and CELTA? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
The world of English language teaching is well known for its love of acronyms and unfortunately this can lead to a large amount of confusion amongst potential teachers, as well as those with plenty of experience in the field. Websites for course providers, job boards, recruitment programs, and any other teaching related information you might look at are likely to be littered with acronyms, including TEFL, tesol, and CELTA. So what is the difference between these terms?
Short for Teaching English as a Foreign Language, TEFL is probably the most common acronym you will come across when conducting research for teaching English abroad. TEFL does not refer to a single training program, certification, or program provider but is simply a catch-all term for training courses and certification... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Lesson Planning Part 9 Correction - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
When our answers are not correct then, obviously, they need to be corrected but it is quite important that we go through a process of correction that will help students. Quite often they've made a mistake simply because of something like reading the incorrect answer out or misrepresenting what they've actually written down. So, always give the opportunity when a mistake has been made for the student to self-correct first. We can often do this in a nonverbal way to show them that they're not actually correct. We might repeat back what they've said to us in a questioning manner or we may just make a gesture to make sure that they understand that they're not correct. So, we allow for a process of self-correction. It may be that the student has actually got the answer wrong and so we... [Read more]
Effective Modern Syllabus Design Ryan Nerone - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The syllabus often represents the first tangible link between an instructor and students, and, therefore, it should be constructed with appropriate time and energy. It is the final product of your course planning, and offers a useful way to introduce yourself and the course itself to your students. Students will respond positively to a well planned and well crafted syllabus, and this will also serve as a positive reflection of yourself to your students. The contents within the syllabus are the foundation of your course. While it is not essential to have all aspects of the course set in stone, it is important to set forth the responsibilities, course of action, and expectations of the student because it is an item that is closely examined and revisited often. The basics of... [Read more]
How long does it take to get a TEFL job? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
This is one of the most frequently asked questions we receive from trainees before, during and after every TEFL certification course, it is also one of the hardest to answer. There are many factors that influence how long it takes to secure an English language teaching job, but the good news is that the vast majority of our graduates do land a teaching position after successfully completing their course.
One of the biggest factors is where you choose to work, as the demand for teachers varies greatly from region to region and country to country. China has such a huge demand that there are often not enough candidates to fill the available positions. This is particularly good news for newly qualified teachers as you will have little trouble securing a job at any time of the year. Other... [Read more]
Tefl article - TEFL Effective Modern Syllabus Design #286 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The syllabus often represents the first tangible link between an instructor and students, and, therefore, it should be constructed with appropriate time and energy. It is the final product of your course planning, and offers a useful way to introduce yourself and the course itself to your students. Students will respond positively to a well planned and well crafted syllabus, and this will also serve as a positive reflection of yourself to your students. The contents within the syllabus are the foundation of your course. While it is not essential to have all aspects of the course set in stone, it is important to set forth the responsibilities, course of action, and expectations of the student because it is an item that is closely examined and revisited often. ... [Read more]
What is a TEFL exam? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
First we need to define what TEFL means before looking at the various ways in which it can be examined to provide a teaching certificate. There are various locations in which a TEFL exam can be taken and different methods of instruction, these will also be considered.
The acronym TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and it can be used in any situation where the English language is being taught to non-native English speakers. Technically speaking, TEFL refers to teaching English in countries where English is not the native language. It is a term used mainly in the UK and is used interchangeably with the equivalent USA term TESOL.
As with any profession, teaching has a series of exams at different levels. Within the world of ESL the entry level examination for teachers is... [Read more]
What does TEFL and TESOL stand for? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
These acronyms are used when referring to training courses that English language teachers undertake, as well as the certification they receive upon completion. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and tesol stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As these terms are essentially the same, they are often used interchangeably, however, TEFL is most commonly used within the UK and tesol is usually preferred in the USA. Although some countries may favor one acronym over the other, it is important to remember that a TEFL certification and a tesol certification are exactly the same thing as the training involved is identical.
Although TEFL and tesol training courses are identical and the acronyms are generally used interchangeably, there is a technical... [Read more]
Tefl reviews - Productive Receptive Skills/speaking Activities - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
So speaking activities will come in many different forms but we can generalize them into three basic types. Control activities tend to be used in the study phase and here, the teacher will be helping the students in terms of what they need to say and how they go about saying it. So, there's a high level of structure within a controlled activity. A guided activity has slightly less structure than this and it can be used in either the study or the activate stages themselves. The final type of activity or class of activity is called creative activity and this one would be used in the activation phase. In a creative activity, we're giving a scenario or a very small amount of structure and we're asking the students to actually create their own answers to this particular question.... [Read more]
370-hr diploma course: (TEFL/TESOL Certificate & Diploma) - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Our online Diploma in TESOL is a good choice for anyone who wants to gain a higher level of study and a distinct advantage in the EFL job market. The course is open to complete novices, as well as those with some experience, as it begins with our standard 120-hour TEFL certification course that covers all the basic skills required by teachers before starting on the advanced diploma section of study. There are a number of very good reasons for undertaking the diploma course, including:
The course is divided into 11 separate modules as outlined below:
Each module requires about 21 hours of study which includes a multiple choice test. The summative task requires about 20 hours of study. The total study time is therefore about 250 hours. With the added 120-hour course the total study time is... [Read more]
What are TEFL acronyms? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
Acronyms are an essential tool used in all professions and technical writing. They are powerful tools to reduce word content. However without knowing what the acronym stands for, they can form a barrier to understanding. In the ESL (English as a Second Language) teaching world there is certainly no shortage of acronyms. Here we look at a few and one in particular, TEFL.
Some useful teaching acronyms are:
ELT: English Language Teaching. This is a general term for teaching English and applies to the teaching of English to both native and non-native English speakers.
ELL: English Language Learner. This is a general term for anyone learning English and applies to learners of English who are native or non-native English speakers.
ESL: English as a Second Language: This relates to the... [Read more]
What is the official TEFL website? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
The British Council estimates there are 1.55 billion English language learners around the world, and at least 10.2 million English teachers.
www.theguardian.com/education/2013/nov/07/tefl-for-british-language-learners
A fair proportion of these learners will be taught in language schools and through private lessons, including online teaching.
There do not appear to be any official figures as to the number of TEFL and TESOL training centers worldwide, but it would be a fair guess to say they number in the thousands.
Most countries in the world control education through government regulation and oversight. This is also true of private education provision. This means that each country’s government tends to make the rules and regulations concerning the training standards required of ESL... [Read more]
How hard is the TEFL exam? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
We have made it our mission to provide you with the very best teacher training in the industry. This includes comprehensive pre- and post-course support so that all our course graduates can start their new journey as an English teacher in the best way possible. Due to this extensive support, we are proud to say that our pass rate is over 90%, which is one of the highest in the TEFL industry.
A high-level TEFL course is comparable to a university course as it involves a great amount of time and effort. However, if you put in the work, review all the course content thoroughly and do well on your assessment tests, chances of failing are very slim.
Depending on the TEFL course you choose, you will have between 6 months and a year to complete it. We also have tutor support available for all... [Read more]
Tefl article - TEFL Dyslexia #284 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Dyslexia causes difficulties in many specific areas of learning. It generally affects reading, writing and spelling and can also influence math skills. The problem with this condition is that it is hard to define. It often overlaps with other types of specific learning difficulties that can also affect spoken language and motor skills. The condition Dyslexia is a very prevalent all over the world. It is becoming more and more understood. What is agreed upon by the scientific community is that dyslexic people tend to process information in a different way than the rest of the population. Evaluating who is dyslexic is very difficult. Defining dyslexia is very tricky, the difficulties associated with the disability range from mild, to moderate, to severe. It is not... [Read more]
What is EFL? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
Anyone who is involved in English language teaching (ELT) is well aware of the industry’s love of acronyms. If you have researched training courses you will undoubtedly have come across several such as TEFL, tesol, ESOL, EFL, ESL, ELT, and many more. Here we will look at EFL and the first thing to clear up is that EFL stands for English as a Foreign Language. It is often used interchangeably with some of the other acronyms mentioned when referring to the teaching or studying of the English language by non-native English speakers.
Although these two acronyms are regularly used interchangeably within the teaching world, there are technical differences between the two. English as a Foreign Language (EFL) refers to situations where a student is learning English in a country (normally their... [Read more]
Is TEFL hard to pass? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
A student failing an ITTT TEFL certification course is extremely rare, as we have a 90% pass rate across our range of courses (one of the highest passing rates of any TEFL school worldwide).
Our mission is to train the greatest English teachers possible and to provide the best pre and post-course counseling to ensure that our students succeed in finding exciting and fulfilling opportunities to teach English abroad.
A high-level TEFL course is equivalent to a university course, so you should plan to devote the time necessary to finish your coursework. You are unlikely to fail your TEFL course if you review all the course content and meet class deadlines. Depending on the TEFL course you take, you have between 6 months and 1 year to complete your course. If you are not sure if online... [Read more]
Do qualified teachers need a TEFL certification? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
Many fully certified teachers decide to head overseas to teach rather than stay in their home country. For some newly qualified teachers it can be hard to find a suitable job so they go abroad to gain valuable classroom experience, while others might simply be looking for a change of direction. Whatever your reasons, teaching is one of the few professions that allow you to develop your skills and knowledge and increase your experience and employability, while travelling the world and exploring new countries and cultures. If you think this is the right path for you, the next step is to think about how your CV/resume will stand out when applying for the best jobs in the most exciting locations.
In many cases, qualified teachers do need a TEFL certificate. While searching for jobs online you... [Read more]
Tefl article - TEFL Productive skills. #347 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This paper is concerned with teaching the productive skill of writing for students of non-native English speaking countries. This is an area that has all but been ignored in the past and somewhat over looked in the field of TESOL, as administrators, teachers and students seem to be more concerned and more focused on the speaking side of the productive skills. As more and more ESL students are seeking writing help at the college and university levels, the need becomes clear for better writing instruction in the ESL classroom. The ability to write well is not a naturally acquired skill, nor is it a linear process easily fit into some pre-taught format. Writing must be taught as a set of practices in a formal instructional setting and must be practiced. Good writing ... [Read more]
Productive skills. Michael Zimmer - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
This paper is concerned with teaching the productive skill of writing for students of non-native English speaking countries. This is an area that has all but been ignored in the past and somewhat over looked in the field of TESOL, as administrators, teachers and students seem to be more concerned and more focused on the speaking side of the productive skills.As more and more ESL students are seeking writing help at the college and university levels, the need becomes clear for better writing instruction in the ESL classroom. The ability to write well is not a naturally acquired skill, nor is it a linear process easily fit into some pre-taught format. Writing must be taught as a set of practices in a formal instructional setting and must be practiced. Good writing involves composing... [Read more]
EFL vs ESL Kendall Thomas - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
When I first decided that traveling and perhaps teaching abroad, were things that I would be interested in; I came across my first real challenge that came in the form of a decision- ' [w]hich is better, EFL or ESL''. After reading through the various websites, I came to the conclusion that there was in fact, no difference between the two. I arrived at this conclusion, impart, because whenever I saw them listed on the web, let's say for jobs for instance, that they would invariably be shown together, e.g. 'EFL/ESL Teachers needed.' So, I've decided to write my essay on the difference between the two, not only because I have to, but to also answer the question whose true answer has eluded me up until this point. According to James W. Porcaro, the author of Functional grammar... [Read more]
Tefl article - TEFL EFL vs ESL #367 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
When I first decided that traveling and perhaps teaching abroad, were things that I would be interested in; I came across my first real challenge that came in the form of a decision- ? [w]hich is better, EFL or ESL??. After reading through the various websites, I came to the conclusion that there was in fact, no difference between the two. I arrived at this conclusion, impart, because whenever I saw them listed on the web, let?s say for jobs for instance, that they would invariably be shown together, e.g. ?EFL/ESL Teachers needed.? So, I?ve decided to write my essay on the difference between the two, not only because I have to, but to also answer the question whose true answer has eluded me up until this point. According to James W. Porcaro, the author of Functional ... [Read more]
Tefl article - TEFL Syllabus design #285 - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here? That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.? ?Alice in Wonderland, Chapter VI, page 64, L. Carroll 1960 The quote above comes from an old childhood favorite but clearly makes a case for the use and reasoning behind a syllabus. But, first and foremost we must define what a syllabus is. The American Heritage Dictionary tells us that a syllabus is an outline of a course of study. Other sources explain what a syllabus is as a student?s introduction to the subject as well as you the teacher. Also, as a document that communicates your goals and expectations to the students. It can also be an official notice of policies and requirements, as well as a learning tool. But most importantly, it is an agreement... [Read more]
Syllabus design Keith Murphy - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
'Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to.' 'Alice in Wonderland, Chapter VI, page 64, L. Carroll 1960The quote above comes from an old childhood favorite but clearly makes a case for the use and reasoning behind a syllabus. But, first and foremost we must define what a syllabus is. The American Heritage Dictionary tells us that a syllabus is an outline of a course of study. Other sources explain what a syllabus is as a student's introduction to the subject as well as you the teacher. Also, as a document that communicates your goals and expectations to the students. It can also be an official notice of policies and requirements, as well as a learning tool. But most importantly, it is an agreement between the... [Read more]
What is TEFL teaching? - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT TEFL & TESOL
Teaching English abroad is a great way to see the world and get paid while doing it, but what does it actually involve? Before you buy a plane ticket and jet off across the world it is a good idea to research as much as possible about TEFL qualifications, the possible restrictions you might encounter when applying for jobs, and the long term prospects this path might lead to. Here we look at the answers to all these questions and more.
These acronyms are used when referring to training courses that English language teachers undertake, as well as the certification they receive upon completion. TEFL stands for Teaching English as a Foreign Language and TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. As these terms are essentially the same, they are often used... [Read more]
English as a Global Language Jarryd Brostrom - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
In today's world the term 'global' takes on an entirely new meaning. Initially termed to mean in reference to the world as a whole, as opposed to individual countries, but today, while still holding true, it also means something more. The internet, modern media, email, and even to a lesser extend telephones, have made it possible to communicate with almost every person on the planet, a thought not even considered possible one hundred years ago. People separated by thousands of miles have never been closer and it takes nothing more than a touch of a button. The French can talk to the United States of America, the Brazilian to the United Kingdom, Africa to Asia; you could probably even speak to someone studying in the Antarctic if you tried hard enough. Or at least these people ... [Read more]
Establishing rapport in the classroom Neil Farquhar - ✔️ ✔️ ✔️ ITTT
The rapport between a teacher and their students plays a very important role in determining if the class will be successful and enjoyable. Students are often very hesitant to speak out in class for a variety of reasons. Questions go unasked and unanswered; students remain silent because they are afraid to lose their self- esteem by being put down in front of their classmates and peers. Rapport is a tricky subject to understand and this is probably the reason that the majority of literature on teaching ignores it. 'Rapport has been avoided in favour of other variables, such as teaching, modes of testing, and techniques of assessing teaching effectiveness, which can be more readily conceptualised and manipulated' (W.Buskist and B.K Saville). Tickle-Degnen and Rosenthal (1990)... [Read more]