Halloween Day Means

  Our 5-day combined TESOL course is a convenient short-format option that might be a good choice if you are currently in North America and are looking to teach English at home or abroad. The course kicks off with an online study section that covers all of the theory side of ESL teaching. Once the online part of the course is complete you then attend one of our training centers for an additional five days of in-class study. The big attraction of this particular course option is it includes additional face to face instruction from a professional teacher trainer that will build on all the things you learned during the initial online study phase. The in-class study section of the 5-day combined TESOL course can be completed at one of our 15 great locations spread across 13 different US...  [Read more]

  ‘End of course exam’ is a phrase that can strike fear into the hearts of many people and this can often translate into results that fail to live up to our true potential. At ITTT we try to remove any exam anxiety from our online TESOL courses by using a system of ongoing assessments as you work through the course materials, rather than a final exam. Our courses are divided into individual units and each unit concludes with a multiple choice assessment that you need to complete before you move onto the following unit. Also, you do not need to hit a specific score for each individual unit assessment. In order to pass the course you need to reach an overall score of 75% across all of the assessments in your chosen course. As long as you achieve an average of 75% across all the...  [Read more]

First, let's unpack the TESOL acronym. TESOL means Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. It refers to the act of teaching English to non-native speakers. While TESOL is technically meant for teaching scenarios in English-speaking countries, it has been universally adopted to describe English language instruction in any setting. Additionally, TESOL is a term that encapsulates the teacher training programs and the certifications that aspiring teachers pursue. This certification is designed to meet the requirements set by most global employers seeking qualified English teachers. However, when applying for English teaching positions, many applicants might present a TEFL certificate instead of a TESOL. It is essential to understand that TESOL and TEFL, while having different...  [Read more]

ESL stands for English as a Second Language and refers to non-native English speakers who live in countries where English is not widely spoken. It refers to people who study English as a second language in addition to their native tongue. From Japan to Spain, students all over the world study English as a second language. Teachers from English-speaking countries frequently head abroad to teach English. Popular destinations for ESL teachers include Vietnam, Spain, China, South Korea, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates - but pretty much anywhere around the world is an option! Many schools offer ESL as a subject to students who speak a language other than English. ESL teachers will assist students with their speaking, reading, writing, and listening skills. ESL teachers can be native...  [Read more]

Put simply, TESOL stands for Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. You will also see the TESOL acronym used to refer to training courses that people take, and the certification they receive, that allows them to teach English in almost any country worldwide. ITTT has been providing these courses for many years and is known as the market leader in high-quality TESOL certification courses. Wherever you plan to work as an ESL teacher, you will most likely require a qualification known as a TESOL certificate in order to be taken seriously by employers. Unfortunately, there is no global standard when it comes to these courses which can make it difficult to know which course is right for you. By entering TESOL certification into a search engine you will quickly find many...  [Read more]

In terms of validity, it is not the method of delivery that is most important about an individual course but rather the overall quality of the content. Whether the course is taken online or in-class does not typically tell you how good or bad that particular course might be. There are several fundamental areas of ESL teaching theory that should be included in a good quality TESOL training course such as teaching methodologies, classroom management techniques, and a range of grammar subjects. However, it is virtually impossible to judge an individual course by its stated syllabus, so how do you decide which course is the best? One thing you can do to gauge the quality of an online TESOL course is to check if it is accredited. This simply means that an independent body has evaluated...  [Read more]

As the UK is an English speaking country it does supply a large number of TESOL qualified teachers to work in countries all over the world. However, due to the high cost of living, many of these complete their training through an online TESOL course or at a training center located overseas where the overheads are less and the demand for qualified teachers is particularly high. The truth is that the vast majority of first-time teachers from the UK head abroad to find teaching jobs initially as positions within the UK itself will normally be snapped up by experienced teachers who are returning from teaching overseas. Due to economic factors there are less in-class TESOL courses available within the UK as there were a few years ago. However, there are still plenty of different options...  [Read more]

Costa Rica has much to offer those who choose to teach ESL in this part of Central America. A tropical climate, picturesque beaches, exotic wildlife and pristine rainforest are just some of its many attractions. But what visa do you need to live and work in the country? Unlike many other popular teaching destinations, it is technically legal for foreign teachers to work in Costa Rica on a standard tourist visa. Most nationalities, including Americans, Canadians and Western European citizens, are given a 90 day visa on arrival at the airport. Once the visa expires you can simply cross into a neighboring country and then get a new one on your way back into the country. When you first arrive in Costa Rica you are not legally allowed to work until you have registered for a tax number...  [Read more]

Spain attracts a large number of ESL teachers from all over the world due to the culture and healthy job market. The type of visa you require varies depending on your nationality, so we recommend that you check with the Spanish embassy website before making any plans to ensure you have the most up-to-date information. Spain is a long-standing member of the European Union so anyone with an EU passport can live and work freely in the country without a visa. However, EU citizens still need to apply for a residency permit and a tax number as soon as they arrive. The application process for this is generally very straightforward and your employer will normally help you with it. The most common route for non-EU citizens is to enter Spain on a 90-day tourist visa that is issued on arrival...  [Read more]

It can be difficult to sort through the various TESOL certification possibilities. Fortunately, we are here to explain the various levels of TESOL courses available on the market. The general characteristics of the frameworks are frequently tied to a variety of elements, including the total amount of hours spent studying, the certification type, if the program contains a practical component, and the method of study (full-time or part-time). A level 5 TESOL course is at the top of the framework, making it one of the most advanced TESOL credentials available. A CELTA or Foundation Degree is equivalent to a level 5 TESOL degree. High-paying TESOL jobs will be simpler to come by, whether online or abroad, with this type of TESOL certification. A level 5 qualification will also allow you...  [Read more]

We understand that sorting through the various TESOL certification options available today can be difficult, but don't worry, we are here to explain the various levels of TESOL courses to you. The general characteristics of the framework are frequently linked to a variety of factors, such as the total number of hours spent studying, the type of certification, whether the program includes a practical component, and the type of study (full-time or part-time). A level 4 TESOL course meets the requirement of at least 100 hours of coursework, which is highly valued by most employers in the EFL field worldwide. A level 4 TESOL certificate is equivalent to a first-year university course. This level is ideal for finding long-term TESOL positions, whether online or in classrooms around the...  [Read more]

We understand how difficult it can be to sort through the various TESOL certification courses on the market. That is why we are here to explain the various TESOL course levels. The general characteristics of the frameworks are frequently linked to a variety of elements, such as the total number of study hours, the type of certification, whether or not the program includes a practical component, and the study technique used (full-time or part-time study). A level 6 TESOL course is near the pinnacle of the framework, making it one of the most advanced TESOL credentials available. An undergraduate or bachelor's degree is equivalent to a level 6 TESOL qualification. Better-paying teaching jobs, whether online or abroad, are easier to find with this level of TESOL certification. A level 6...  [Read more]

Although it is common for some ESL job interviews to take place over the internet or phone from within the teacher’s home country, many employers still prefer to interview in person on the school premises. Each job interview you have is likely to be a little different from the last, but there are a few simple guidelines you can follow to ensure you give yourself the very best chance of success. It is a well known idea that we form a first impression of someone within seven seconds of the first meeting. Because of this it is crucial that you are aware of some basic interview techniques to avoid blowing your chances before the interview has really begun. The first thing you should always do for every interview is turn up in plenty of time. Once the interview begins don’t forget to...  [Read more]

If you plan to head overseas to teach English, one important factor to consider is the amount of cash you will need to cover your initial start-up costs. Depending on where you end up teaching, your are certain to have some unavoidable expenses that might include the cost of a TESOL certification course, travel to your chosen destination, and funds to support yourself until you get your first paycheck. The cost of your initial TESOL training will depend on which type of course you choose to take. At ITTT our popular online courses start at less than $200, while an intensive in-class TESOL course costs in the region of $1500 to $2000, without flights, accommodation, and other daily expenses. However, your choice of course should not be based entirely on its cost as there are several...  [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]

Teaching English abroad is a job much like any other and if you are not happy with your employer or things just haven?t worked out as you hoped they would, you are free to head back home or look elsewhere for employment at any time. Although the vast majority of ESL teachers see out the entire length of their contracts, there will always be some who are not able to complete it for a variety of reasons. A family emergency back home, difficulties with work colleagues, and unsatisfactory working conditions are all common reasons why teachers feel they have to terminate their contract. If your job is based on an hourly pay rate there are unlikely to be any repercussions if you decide to leave. This scenario will apply to a large percentage of people teaching in Latin America and Europe...  [Read more]

In the world of English language teaching you will come across a number of abbreviations, some of which are very similar and easily confused. One common confusion is between the terms ESL and ELL. The simple answer is that ESL is an abbreviation for English as a Second Language, and ELL is an abbreviation for English Language Learner. The term ESL refers to the course or class, whereas ELL refers to the English student. ESL stands for "English as a Second Language." This term refers to programs designed specifically for ELL students. For example, many schools have an ESL class for ELL students. These classes frequently make use of ESL-specific programs and curricula. ESL is a broad term that refers to the tools and methods used to teach ELL students. ELL stands for "English Language...  [Read more]

  This video is part of our series on the past tenses in English. We start off the series with the past simple tense. In this video, we focus on useful teaching ideas for this tense. A great idea to practice this tense is a picture story. Here, the teacher provides the students with various photos or images and the students are asked to piece them together to make a story in the past. 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. The Present Tense can be...  [Read more]

Once the capital of the Incan empire, Cusco is rich in the history of the Incas and the Spanish colonialists and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city serves as the gateway to Machu Picchu, one of the new Seven Wonders of the World and is a great base from which to explore the wider region. A number of day and weekend trips can be planned from the city as well as treks and adventure tours to surrounding sites such as Sacsaywaman, Q’oricancha, and the Sacred Valley and local villages. In the city itself you can visit the many fascinating museums and historical sites as well shop at the numerous local markets. Our training centre in Cusco, peru has modern facilities and well-equipped classrooms. Teaching practice is done with real Spanish-speaking students to give...  [Read more]

Due to the stunning natural beauty of costa Rica, and the comparative ease of being able to find teaching jobs here and in the surrounding area, Manuel Antonio is a fantastic place to take your tesol course and begin your teaching career. For a number of reasons, Costa Rica is becoming a hugely popular location for tourists and travelers. The low cost of living, a stable democratic political situation, friendly locals and all year round warm climate, combine to create this attraction. On top of this is a stunning, natural landscape that includes tropical rainforests, beautiful beaches, an array of flora and fauna and amazing volcanoes. Visitors from far and wide are testament to the many things that make Cost Rica what it is. Located on the awe inspiring Pacific coast, Manuel Antonio can...  [Read more]