How To...

How to Teach Grammar Creatively: moving beyond the basics

A few weeks ago we introduced you to the basic principles of how to teach grammar. The key idea behind the basics of teaching grammar relies setting a clear context, introducing the target form and then providing practice and production opportunities for your students.  This week we look at some alternative ways to deliver grammar… All categories, How to..., Five ways to, Certificate courses, Diploma courses, Teaching skills

Teaching jobs in Hong Kong: so you think you want to teach in a local HK school...?

Many of you will be gearing up for the new academic year, or looking for your first English teaching job in Hong Kong.  Aaron joined the CertTESOL at English for Asia course in 2016 after working extensively in various teaching contexts throughout the city. Here he gives us his honest insight into the ups and downs of working in the… All categories, Certificate courses, How to..., ESL activities, Careers in TESOL

Teaching Listening: How to make the most of your lessons

Teaching listening comprehension is challenging for ESL learners, especially in the East Asian context. This is due to a range of factors: firstly, reading and writing skills are typically given greater importance in language learning at school as compared to oral/aural skills. In addition, Chinese, Japanese and Korean learners are typically more… All categories, Teaching skills, How to..., Certificate courses, ESL activities

How to teach grammar clearly: an introduction to the basics

*Final revision by Bryan Holmes, James Pengelley and Tom Garside Hear from some new teachers talking about their CertTESOL experience. Often new teachers are filled with anxiety when teaching grammar. Here we outline the basic approach to clearly staged grammar lessons with a communicative, student-focused outcome. This approach is… All categories, Certificate courses, How to..., Teaching skills, ESL activities

TEFL work in Hong Kong: finding your first job

Oftentimes, coming off a TEFL course can be jarring. The intensity of the course is finally over, leaving you feeling discombobulated and out of sorts. You know you have to look for a job, but just feel overwhelmed by the idea of job-hunting. What to do? Where to begin? This post looks at different entry routes in the TESOL industry… All categories, Certificate courses, Diploma courses, How to...

5 Ways to take feedback and correct mistakes

Post-task feedback is the stage of an ESOL class where much of the real learning happens; it is during feedback that students reflect on their ideas, correct their mistakes and apply the language that we teach in a restricted, experimental and discursive setting. However, feedback stages are all too often focused on the product of the task (the… All categories, Five ways to, Certificate courses, Teaching skills, How to..., ESL activities

ICT: Using technology in the classroom

Whether you like it or not, the use of IT, technology, edTech, ICT….whatever you want to call it….in the classroom is here to stay.  Many schools nowadays actively expect teachers to incorporate elements of technology in their classes on a regular basis.  Many institutions such as the British Council even assess their current… All categories, How to..., Certificate courses, TESOL Masters, Five ways to

English pronunciation: variation or error?

Following on from last week's post on using the IPA with your classes, this week we ask: does your accent matter? Teachers often get asked who speaks better English; the British, Irish, Australians, New Zealanders or North Americans?  Actually, the question itself is meaningless as currently, English has many variations (grammatically… All categories, Certificate courses, How to..., Teaching skills, Diploma courses

Differentiation: what is it and how do I do it?

Off the back of a stimulating PD session at the English for Asia centre in Sheung Wan, we thought we would take a closer look at making the most of differentiation in language learning. What is differentiation? Differentiation is what happens when teachers try to respond to the individuals in their classrooms in order to enhance learning… All categories, How to..., ESL activities, Certificate courses, Diploma courses

What’s it like to work in EFL in Hong Kong?

I often get asked what it’s like to work in TEFL in Hong Kong and having had over 10 years working in a variety of TEFL academic contexts here, including one-to-one tuition, as a NET teacher in local schools, kindergartens, learning centres and reputable (and disreputable!) language training organisations, it’s probably safe to say I’ve… All categories, How to..., Careers in TESOL, Certificate courses, Diploma courses, TESOL Masters

Tips from our trainees: How to pass the CertTESOL

Last week our teacher trainers shared their top tips for succeeding on the CertTESOL course. Although, even with many years of experience, they are not the ultimate experts on what it's like to get through the CertTESOL course. In this series of articles, we interview some of our previous graduates, and ask them what it was like, first hand… All categories, How to..., Certificate courses, Diploma courses