Blog

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 outcomes.  This could be as simple as a teacher approaching a group of students and asking them a series of questions to encourage deeper thought,… 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 taught in all possible teaching contexts in Hong Kong. Depending on your forté, be it young learners, very young learners, adults, business English or… 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, to make the decision to apply, how they achieved success on their course and their top advice for what to expect on the CertTESOL. Before joining… All categories, How to..., Certificate courses, Diploma courses

How to succeed on your CertTESOL

Looking at taking a CertTESOL in Hong Kong as an entry point into the ESL industry? Perhaps you’re already an experienced teacher looking for a formal English language teaching qualification. Or maybe you’re interested in registering as a primary NET teacher in Hong Kong? The CertTESOL is one of two internationally recognized and independently accredited courses (the other being CELTA) recognized and accepted by the British Council, and is recognized by the Hong Kong… All categories, Certificate courses

Top books for new teachers

Following on from last week’s post about online resources for new teachers, this week we look at our top suggestions for our favourite print materials for new and developing teachers. I remember when I first finished my Certificate course, and was offered my first full-time teaching position: one of the biggest issues I had wasn’t lesson planning (although it still took me more than 2 hours to plan each lesson) but rather finding materials and ESL resources in order to lift… All categories, ESL activities, Five ways to

Five Useful Online Resources for New Teachers

The internet is full of amazing sites and tools for English teachers, but it can be overwhelming having to sift through so many sites, especially if you've graduated from a CertTESOL course very recently recently.  Whether you’re looking for resources from the BBC, grammar games, improving speaking or vocabulary, or ideas for working with younger learners or adults - I’ve included a few of my go-to sites that I regularly use for classes. 1. ELT Pics – A great site full… All categories, ESL activities, Five ways to

Career pathways in TESOL: What’s next for me after my CELTA/CertTESOL

So, you’re finally tired of teaching adults general English; one too many present perfect lessons? Well, it might be time to make a change, but to what or where?  As TEFL is a pretty diverse industry there are plenty of opportunities to transition into other roles. With the right qualifications and a little direction there is a bounty of ESL jobs that would suit even the pickiest of teachers. This post will discuss some typical jobs that teachers do when they change career… All categories, Careers in TESOL, Certificate courses, Diploma courses

Should I take an online TESOL or a Face-to-Face course?

If you're interested in learning more about the CertTESOL, join one of our CPD taster sessions! You may see online TEFL or TESOL courses that offer 100-130 hours of online, guided or self-access study and which offer certificates in English Language teaching.  In terms of the number of hours, this is the same as a CELTA or CertTESOL course (both require 130 hours of study). The key difference, however, is observed and assessed teaching practice. On the CELTA or … All categories, Certificate courses

What’s the difference between ESL, TEFL, TESOL, TESL certifications?

So you’re interested in becoming an English language teacher, but confused by the number of acronyms? You may be currently considering your choices in terms of TESOL study certifications, courses or future teaching goals – but is there a difference between TEFL and TESL? And what about TESOL certifications? And which one applies to the teaching you want to do in the places you want to go? Which certification do I need: CELTA, ESL, TEFL, TESL or TESOL? The world of… All categories, Certificate courses

I finished my CELTA/CertTESOL - Should I take a Diploma or MA in TESOL?

Given the range of options available to teachers who want to develop their experience in TESOL, it can be difficult to decide which pathway to follow after you’ve obtained your initial TESOL certificate. The most common next steps for teachers with a couple of years of experience are to go on to do either a Trinity DipTESOL or a Cambridge DELTA diploma, or to go into a more academic TESOL Masters: either MA TESOL or MA in Applied Linguistics. What's the difference… All categories, TESOL Masters, Careers in TESOL, Certificate courses, Diploma courses