TEFL Lemon ELT Articles
In this section, you'll find a number of ELT articles about classroom approaches, methodologies, professional development, life in schools, teaching practice and other TESOL related areas.
Being an English teacher is an important job with the need for learning English in a shrinking globe, with English as the lingua franca, more important than ever. We hope that these ELT articles provide teachers with a different viewpoint and will create thought-provoking discussion out there. Our English teaching articles may also provide some decent quiet time and reflection on your own English teaching.
If you’d like to write some English language teaching articles for TEFL Lemon, then please do fire me over a message. Whatever you gave to say about language learning or English language teaching, then we invite you to pen a good ELT article to let your voice be heard! Please do get in touch on our contact page to tell us your idea for your ELT article. We’ll always credit you for your writing.
Make a coffee, sit back and enjoy the reading!
Differences between 120-hour TEFL and 180-hour TESOL courses
It can be confusing to know the differences between 120-hour TEFL and 180-hour TESOL courses. There is so much conflicting information about which one is the best choice for those looking to teach English at home or abroad. TEFL Lemon looks at the differences between TEFL and TESOL courses and give you our verdict.
The many varieties of English around the world and how they evolved
The many varieties of English around the world and how they evolved has an interesting and dark history. Stuart Allen takes a look at how English spread from one island all over the world, and how varieties of English began to diversify and evolve into the World Englishes we have today.
Advice for English teachers looking for work
Charlie Cramner gives advice to English teachers looking for work. He is a good person to learn from, because he has been Director of Studies at a large language centre in Spain for over six years. He shares some excellent do’s and dont’s for English teachers out there looking for work, which should help you avoid any pitfalls of looking for teaching jobs.
Using flashcards to teach children
Flashcards are a fantastic resource and can be used for teaching vocabulary, grammar, phonetics, speaking, writing, or listening. There are endless ways to use these utensils in the classroom to practice, learn, or revise vocabulary. This article by Irina Sumarokova will help you the best ways of using flashcards to teach children.
Managing teacher talking time (TTT)
Language teachers always need to talk during classes. But one of the big factors teachers need to consider is managing teacher talking time, commonly known as TTT. Here are some ideas to limit our teacher talking time and increase student talking time.
Kids vs Adults
Teaching English to kids vs teaching English to adults takes two different skillsets. TEFL teachers need to be able to change their teaching style depending on the age of the student.
What makes a good language school?
Emmanuel Hemelsoet left New York to try a set up a language school in China. He talks about the trials and tribulations of setting up a TEFL school in another country and what, he feels, makes a good language school.
A day in the life of a TEFL teacher
What is the average day in the life of a TEFL teacher like? Maxine Johnson talks about her average day as a TEFL teacher in China, from her dog doing her business in the morning, to iced teas in the sweltering heat of the afternoon to teaching children in the evening. A window into the average day of a TEFL teacher.
Learner Styles: fact or myth?
The idea that certain learners learn more effectively with certain types of input have been a force in education for years. However, the jury is very much out on whether ‘learner styles’ are actually fact or a myth. Sebastian Triebel delves deeper to discover whether learner styles are fact or myth.
Error Correction Techniques in Language Learning
Error correction is very important in language learning. There are many techniques that teachers can correct errors in the classroom, and knowing WHEN to use these error correction techniques in language learning is also important. Vojtech Fiser looks at ways for TEFL teachers to error correct.
Brighton and Eastbourne webquest
This is a webquest on Brighton and Eastbourne for overseas students to learn more about the history of Brighton and Eastbourne and what it’s like to live there. Search the internet to find the answers to the webquest questions.
Lesson Reflections
To develop skills as a better teacher, it is important to reflect on our own teaching and to make lesson reflections regularly. Yolande Deane discusses how lesson reflection has helped her to improve her own teaching and shares tips on how to successfully conduct lesson reflections.
How to Manage your TEFL Classes and See Them Improve
Solid classroom and student management is one of the most important skills which TEFL teachers need to develop and hone. Learning how to manage TEFL classes and see them improve is certainly something which teachers can work on and better. Simba Kapembeza looks at ways teachers can manage TEFL classes and students.
The ownership theory put into practice
Tom Lake compares the Authoritarian Approach, and all of its shortcomings, with what he refers to as 'The Ownership Approach', where emphasis is put on trust between student and teacher, a strong work ethic and allowing students to express themselves and use their language.
Dealing with Chinese parents in schools in China
Many ESL teachers in China don't like Chinese parents constantly staring in through the window of their classroom. In this article, we try to explain why parents do this and why it's only natural. We also look at how developing better relationships with parents can help both you, your students and the school.
Five common grammar mistakes all teachers can make
Many ESL teachers begin their career by being able to speak perfect English, but not actually knowing the rules of grammar, let alone being able to explain these rules to a class of students learning English. Here are some common mistakes which English teachers can make in class when teaching grammar.
Choosing the right TEFL training school
Choosing to do a TEFL course is a life-changing step for most people, opening up doors to travel and work anywhere in the world. However, a perhaps even more important step is choosing the right TEFL centre for you. Not all training schools are of the same quality and you should certainly 'look before you leap!' Here are some things to consider before choosing your course.
So you're a TEFL teacher...what next for you?
Many TEFL teachers end up teaching English overseas and feel they are stuck in a dead-end job, but there are very easy avenues for TEFL teachers to move into better jobs with a higher salary. This article looks at options for teachers hoping to move up in their career.
EVERYTHING Americans need to know for their work visa application to China
A full and comprehensive list for U.S Citizens of what documents you need to apply for a work visa to go to China to teach English, where to get your documents checked and where to submit them at the end. If you’re an American going to teach English in China, then you’ll want to read this full and easy-to-follow guide to getting your documents authenticated and your background check done.
The TEFL Lemon Halloween Games for English Schools PDF Pack
TEFL Lemon has made a full Halloween Games and Activities Pack for English Schools. Our free Halloween Games PDF contains over twenty games for you to play in your school or Halloween party. The kids in your school will go mad for these very special Halloween themed activities.
The best websites for printable ESL worksheets
Using ESL printable worksheets is by far the most common supplementary material, as they are easy to print and bring to class, require little preparation and there are a wide array of choices for TEFL teachers to find printable ESL worksheets online, which fit the topic or grammar point of their English class perfectly. Here are a pick of some of the Best Websites for Printable ESL worksheets for you to use with your students in English classes.
Winning kindergarten flashcard games and how to get the most out of your flashcards
As kindergarten children are very young, some ESL flashcard games aren’t always suitable. Here are our choice picks for the best ESL flashcard games for kindergarten and some winning ways to get the most out of your flashcards. In addition to the 11 flashcard games for kindergarten, there is also advice about how to take care of your kindy flashcards and organising them more effectively to prepare for kindergarten classes better.
Where did my lesson plan go wrong?
You had the perfect lesson plan, how did it all go wrong? Kris Waters looks at taking your lesson plan to the next level. She used a simple method of using A’s, O’s and R’s to evaluate and improve her ESL lesson plans.
IELTS for beginning teachers: where do I even start?
We’ve all been there. During the TEFL interview you’re told “Oh, you’ll teach a speaking class.” Great, you think! I’ve had a lot of exposure to that in previous work with high school students and so I can easily utilize the strategies I did with them with an older group. In fact, it’ll probably even be easier, because its teaching English at university, the students will WANT to talk with me. But then you’ll hear that you’ll actually be teaching IELTS. How should new and beginning teachers deal with teaching a new IELTS class with no experience?
ESL Classroom Management: The Helper Method
Giving out stars and stickers to children is a classic way to motivate children and to assist you with keeping good classroom management, but what happens when you are teaching older children and they don’t care about stars and stickers? Asking students to help you do small tasks in the classroom can give your children an amazing boost in motivation and improving behaviour in your battle to get excellent classroom management in place.
Teaching Drama in the ESL Classroom
Kris Waters gives some excellent ideas about how to implement drama activities and prepare your students for a drama play. Teaching drama in the ESL context is a fantastic method to develop childrens’ confidence and language production. Here you can learn how to prepare your ESL kids to learn their lines and how to perform better on the night!
Reverse Culture Shock: Returning Home After Years of TEFL Teaching Abroad
Many TEFL teachers plan to teach abroad for just a year or two, but end up teaching abroad for years. Some teachers can feel stuck abroad and not know how to return home easily and face reverse culture shock and difficulty in adjusting. This article by Scott Keane looks at how to transition back home easier after teaching abroad and how to beat reverse culture shock.
Using Apps to Teach English
Integrating technology and using apps to teach English is more important than ever. With so many apps out there to English teachers, there is now no excuse why we shouldn’t use apps to teach English. Artificial intelligence is also here to stay and we look at AI within English learning apps and how you can use these apps to teach.
How to Be a Successful ESL Teacher?
The answer of ‘How to be a successful ESL teacher?’ is one that all teachers have asked themselves. A lot of people have come up to me and told me that I'm a good teacher because I have a lot of energy. This is a misconception; being energetic is a bonus, the most important aspect of becoming a successful ESL teacher is passion.
Don’t Waste Time in your TEFL Classes
Many inexperienced ESL teachers waste time in their TEFL class. Wasting time in your TEFL class must be avoided and for good reason. If you waste time in your class by playing too many games for too long, you will cause yourself a great many problems.
How to teach children using flashcards
Flashcards are one of the most useful tools a TEFL teacher can use to teach language. Children especially are attracted to flashcards, with their bright designs and colourful pictures. But what are the best ways to use and present language with flashcards? Aksana Kerava looks at how to teach children using flashcards.