TEFL Articles
A selection of articles and essays related to teaching English as a second or foreign language. If you wish, you can submit an article for publication.
Tips for Integrating ESL Students
Emma Cowan
Advice for secondary-school teachers in English-speaking countries to help them integrate ESL students into their classes.
Emma Cowan
Advice for secondary-school teachers in English-speaking countries to help them integrate ESL students into their classes.
5 Communication Skills That Every Online English Teacher Must Have
51Talk
In this article, you will find the top communication skills that you must develop to keep your students engaged and be an effective online English teacher.
51Talk
In this article, you will find the top communication skills that you must develop to keep your students engaged and be an effective online English teacher.
How Does Learning a Language Affect the Brain, and How Can Teachers Harness the Benefits?
Jason Bakkum
Learning another language can boost brain plasticity and increase empathy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. How can teachers harness this?
Jason Bakkum
Learning another language can boost brain plasticity and increase empathy, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. How can teachers harness this?
10 Best Cities for Teaching English in Asia
Tate Nanje
When deciding to teach English abroad, the cities that you choose make all the difference in terms of experience and quality of life. Here are my ten best cities.
Tate Nanje
When deciding to teach English abroad, the cities that you choose make all the difference in terms of experience and quality of life. Here are my ten best cities.
How to Develop as a Teacher
Rachel Rowland
How you can improve and develop as a teacher, whatever stage of your career you’re at
Rachel Rowland
How you can improve and develop as a teacher, whatever stage of your career you’re at
Body language across cultures – a short etiquette guide for TEFL teachers
Rachel Rowland
A look at what you, as a TEFL teacher, might need to consider before communicating in some of the most popular destinations around the world.
Rachel Rowland
A look at what you, as a TEFL teacher, might need to consider before communicating in some of the most popular destinations around the world.
Individualization
Dariga Kenzhebayeva
Let this imaginary English teacher explain what you need to know about individualization
Dariga Kenzhebayeva
Let this imaginary English teacher explain what you need to know about individualization
Creating a Lesson Plan That Gets You to Your Destination Every Time
Renae Ghrist
Learn the five basic components of an effective language lesson.
Renae Ghrist
Learn the five basic components of an effective language lesson.
3 Things you can do right now to get yourself out of that ‘teaching rut’
Gabriel Clark
The article gives practical and immediately applicable advice about how to re-inspire yourself as a teacher and escape that rut.
Gabriel Clark
The article gives practical and immediately applicable advice about how to re-inspire yourself as a teacher and escape that rut.
Shaking up Language Learning with Technology
Wade Nichols
Reignite students’ passion for learning through game-based, and importantly, playful learning techniques aided by technology.
Wade Nichols
Reignite students’ passion for learning through game-based, and importantly, playful learning techniques aided by technology.
3 Ways to Teach English Online So You Can Earn More
Edwin Merino
This article is about three ways an English teacher can expand their teaching business online by applying to a company, freelancing, or creating a course.
Edwin Merino
This article is about three ways an English teacher can expand their teaching business online by applying to a company, freelancing, or creating a course.
5 Best Ways to Write a Great Personal Letter for English Teacher Job Applications
Hollie Carroll
English language skills are possibly one of the most important factors you should pay attention to–if you want this teaching job.
Hollie Carroll
English language skills are possibly one of the most important factors you should pay attention to–if you want this teaching job.
Move Forward. Ditch the Negativity
Todd Persaud
This is an article that I wrote about my teaching experience. It’s about moving forward and ditching the negativity.
Todd Persaud
This is an article that I wrote about my teaching experience. It’s about moving forward and ditching the negativity.
5 Ideas for Teaching English One-on-One
Raquel Thoesen
Individualized instruction provides a unique opportunity to truly engage a student in a lesson. Here are a few ideas to help you teach one-on-one!
Raquel Thoesen
Individualized instruction provides a unique opportunity to truly engage a student in a lesson. Here are a few ideas to help you teach one-on-one!
Enforcing English in Elementary EFL Games
Jason Sturgeon
A game-design method for keeping elementary students on task during game play
Jason Sturgeon
A game-design method for keeping elementary students on task during game play
Learning a foreign language will make you a better teacher
Andrew Forrester
Why a course on teaching English might include Japanese lessons—and what you can do even if it doesn’t^^
Andrew Forrester
Why a course on teaching English might include Japanese lessons—and what you can do even if it doesn’t^^
Separating teaching from your private life
Andrew Forrester
Andrew Forrester explores the perils of mixing business with pleasure
Andrew Forrester
Andrew Forrester explores the perils of mixing business with pleasure
Tips for Teaching Prepositions
Josef Essberger
The author of the ebook “English Prepositions List” summarizes some of the key points to understand when teaching prepositions and offers tips to make your teaching more effective
Josef Essberger
The author of the ebook “English Prepositions List” summarizes some of the key points to understand when teaching prepositions and offers tips to make your teaching more effective
9 Tips on Teaching Phrasal Verbs
Matt Errey
The author of the ebook “1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context” suggests practical ideas to make teaching phrasal verbs easier and more productive
Matt Errey
The author of the ebook “1000 Phrasal Verbs in Context” suggests practical ideas to make teaching phrasal verbs easier and more productive
10 Tips for Games in the ESL Classroom
Matt Errey
From the creator of the world’s best-selling ESL board game—ten practical ideas on using games when teaching English
Matt Errey
From the creator of the world’s best-selling ESL board game—ten practical ideas on using games when teaching English
On Using Games in the ESL Classroom
Matt Errey
Matt Errey looks at competitive versus co-operative games, and healthy versus unhealthy competition
Matt Errey
Matt Errey looks at competitive versus co-operative games, and healthy versus unhealthy competition
Teaching Pronunciation is Important
Denis Marchant
This article speaks about the importance of teaching pronunciation, or accent reduction, to all ESL students, and includes ideas for lesson plans.
Denis Marchant
This article speaks about the importance of teaching pronunciation, or accent reduction, to all ESL students, and includes ideas for lesson plans.
From Trainee Teacher to DoS and Beyond
Michael Foy
Teachers need career pathways because if they don’t know where they’re going how can they expect others to follow?
Michael Foy
Teachers need career pathways because if they don’t know where they’re going how can they expect others to follow?
Assessment and Evaluation Ideas
Yesica Galliano
A look at strategies for assessing and evaluating students considering a specific group
Yesica Galliano
A look at strategies for assessing and evaluating students considering a specific group
How to Teach Modals of Possibility/Probability/Deduction
Alex Case
Short but thorough guide to teaching “must have done”, “can’t be”, etc.
Alex Case
Short but thorough guide to teaching “must have done”, “can’t be”, etc.
Using Memory in EFL Classes
Alex Case
Using and expanding students’ memories while studying English as a foreign language.
Alex Case
Using and expanding students’ memories while studying English as a foreign language.
First Lessons for Academic English Classes
Alex Case
How to start English for Academic Purposes classes in a pleasant and useful way.
Alex Case
How to start English for Academic Purposes classes in a pleasant and useful way.
How to Teach Clothes Vocabulary to Young Learners
Alex Case
What clothes vocabulary to teach and how to do so, including introducing loads of fun.
Alex Case
What clothes vocabulary to teach and how to do so, including introducing loads of fun.
7 Word Formation Games
Alex Case
Fun classroom activities for prefixes and suffixes, especially useful for FCE, CAE and other exam classes.
Alex Case
Fun classroom activities for prefixes and suffixes, especially useful for FCE, CAE and other exam classes.
How to Teach the Language of Prohibition
Alex Case
Presentation and practice ideas for adults and young learners studying “You can’t…”, “… isn’t allowed”, etc.
Alex Case
Presentation and practice ideas for adults and young learners studying “You can’t…”, “… isn’t allowed”, etc.
EFL Lessons on Parks
Alex Case
All kinds of lessons on the vital topic of green spaces in our towns and cities.
Alex Case
All kinds of lessons on the vital topic of green spaces in our towns and cities.
How To Teach Want/Want To
Alex Case
How to present and practise a much neglected and badly taught verb for expressing desires.
Alex Case
How to present and practise a much neglected and badly taught verb for expressing desires.
How To Teach Requests
Alex Case
Presentation and practice of polite requests in communication inside and outside the classroom, including typical student problems.
Alex Case
Presentation and practice of polite requests in communication inside and outside the classroom, including typical student problems.
EFL lessons on gardens and gardening
Alex Case
All kinds of lessons on a pleasant and surprisingly popular topic, also suitable for ESP students such as landscape architects.
Alex Case
All kinds of lessons on a pleasant and surprisingly popular topic, also suitable for ESP students such as landscape architects.
TPR Games – Can/Can’t For Ability
Alex Case
Games with miming and other movement for the pronunciation and meaning of can and can’t.
Alex Case
Games with miming and other movement for the pronunciation and meaning of can and can’t.
9 Fun Activities for Can/Can’t for Ability
Alex Case
Ways of adding fun and loads of other useful language to what is usually your students’ introduction to modal verbs.
Alex Case
Ways of adding fun and loads of other useful language to what is usually your students’ introduction to modal verbs.
How To Teach Prepositions Of Position To Young Learners
Alex Case
A quick summary of what prepositions to teach kids and how to do so.
Alex Case
A quick summary of what prepositions to teach kids and how to do so.
Video tasks for prepositions of position
Alex Case
The unusual but surprisingly fun and effective combination of televisual images and words like “above” and “between”.
Alex Case
The unusual but surprisingly fun and effective combination of televisual images and words like “above” and “between”.
Drawing and crafts activities for prepositions of position
Alex Case
The great combination of artistic activities and words like “on”, “in” and “under”.
Alex Case
The great combination of artistic activities and words like “on”, “in” and “under”.
TPR Activities For Prepositions Of Position
Alex Case
Total Physical Response activities to practise on, under, next to etc with young learners.
Alex Case
Total Physical Response activities to practise on, under, next to etc with young learners.
Realia And Flashcard Activities For Prepositions Of Position
Alex Case
Ways of revising vocabulary as you present prepositions like “on” and “above”, or revising prepositions like these as you present new vocabulary.
Alex Case
Ways of revising vocabulary as you present prepositions like “on” and “above”, or revising prepositions like these as you present new vocabulary.
How To Teach The Language Of Opinions
Alex Case
Teaching the language that students need in order to give and ask for opinions, rather than just asking them to do so.
Alex Case
Teaching the language that students need in order to give and ask for opinions, rather than just asking them to do so.
Classroom Activities For The Language Of Opinions
Alex Case
Much more intensive language of agreeing and disagreeing etc than just the usual discussion questions.
Alex Case
Much more intensive language of agreeing and disagreeing etc than just the usual discussion questions.
Adding Language To Crafts
Alex Case
Ways to make sure craft activities develop students’ English ability as much as their artistic skills.
Alex Case
Ways to make sure craft activities develop students’ English ability as much as their artistic skills.
How To Teach Shapes To Young Learners
Alex Case
How to teach the CLILtastic topic of shapes, also vital for cutting down on L1 in classroom instructions.
Alex Case
How to teach the CLILtastic topic of shapes, also vital for cutting down on L1 in classroom instructions.
Create Your Own Teaching English Job
Connor Davies
Connor Davies offers tips for TEFL teachers who dream of self-employment.
Connor Davies
Connor Davies offers tips for TEFL teachers who dream of self-employment.
How To Deal With Difficult Questions From One-To-One Students
Alex Case
Students often use the freedom of one-to-one classes to ask too many unimportant questions or questions the teacher can’t answer off the top of their head. This article offers some solutions.
Alex Case
Students often use the freedom of one-to-one classes to ask too many unimportant questions or questions the teacher can’t answer off the top of their head. This article offers some solutions.
How To Teach Kids Numbers 1 to 10
Alex Case
Stimulating and efficient ways of teaching the basics of numbers to young learners.
Alex Case
Stimulating and efficient ways of teaching the basics of numbers to young learners.
Native Speaker Myth: Death, Burial and Funeral of a Fallacy
Editor
A video about the native speaker myth.
Editor
A video about the native speaker myth.
Tying Functional Language In With Your Syllabus
Alex Case
Making sure that all classes get lots of functional language and that those lessons are useful for everyone.
Alex Case
Making sure that all classes get lots of functional language and that those lessons are useful for everyone.
Alternatives To Spoken Error Correction
Alex Case
Other ways to improve accuracy for the many times when simple correction of oral errors isn’t the best way.
Alex Case
Other ways to improve accuracy for the many times when simple correction of oral errors isn’t the best way.
Linking Cultural Training And Grammar
Alex Case
Fitting cultural information in with a grammatical syllabus without taking up extra time.
Alex Case
Fitting cultural information in with a grammatical syllabus without taking up extra time.
How To Teach Formal And Informal Language
Alex Case
Practical ideas for teaching polite language and friendly language.
Alex Case
Practical ideas for teaching polite language and friendly language.
Tying In IELTS Speaking Part Two
Alex Case
Tying the extended speaking task in with the rest of the IELTS exam.
Alex Case
Tying the extended speaking task in with the rest of the IELTS exam.
Teaching Ideas On The Topic Of Cities
Alex Case
Practical suggestions for the popular topic of urban areas.
Alex Case
Practical suggestions for the popular topic of urban areas.
12 Reasons Not To Be Afraid Of An Interactive Whiteboard
Alex Case
Reassuring tips and messages for people new to IWBs.
Alex Case
Reassuring tips and messages for people new to IWBs.
Functional Language For IELTS Speaking
Alex Case
The most important language for all parts of the IELTS Speaking exam.
Alex Case
The most important language for all parts of the IELTS Speaking exam.
Activities For Ordinal Numbers
Alex Case
Stimulating practice for “first”, “second”, “twenty third” etc.
Alex Case
Stimulating practice for “first”, “second”, “twenty third” etc.
Teaching Grammar In Business English Classes
Alex Case
Looking at the practicalities of bringing grammar into classes that are mainly about business communication.
Alex Case
Looking at the practicalities of bringing grammar into classes that are mainly about business communication.
Practice for modals of possibility/probability
Alex Case
Stimulating ways of practising must/may/might/could/can’t for speculation.
Alex Case
Stimulating ways of practising must/may/might/could/can’t for speculation.
Classroom Activities For IELTS Reading
Alex Case
Easier, more fun, more challenging and more useful classroom tasks for IELTS Reading.
Alex Case
Easier, more fun, more challenging and more useful classroom tasks for IELTS Reading.
How To Teach Teleconferencing In English
Alex Case
A practical guide to helping students cope with this most challenging and most modern of skills.
Alex Case
A practical guide to helping students cope with this most challenging and most modern of skills.
What Your Students Need To Know About Thanking In English
Alex Case
Things to teach to students of all levels about the most important kind of politeness.
Alex Case
Things to teach to students of all levels about the most important kind of politeness.
Planning And Paragraphing Activities
Alex Case
Stimulating ways of quickly improving your students’ vital writing skills of planning and paragraphing.
Alex Case
Stimulating ways of quickly improving your students’ vital writing skills of planning and paragraphing.
What Your Students Need To Know About BULATS Writing Part One
Alex Case
How students can boost their score in the first part of the BULATS Writing exam.
Alex Case
How students can boost their score in the first part of the BULATS Writing exam.
Guessing Games For Third Person S
Alex Case
Fun practice for one of the most common mistakes in English, including ideas useable with levels from False Beginner.
Alex Case
Fun practice for one of the most common mistakes in English, including ideas useable with levels from False Beginner.
What Your Students Need To Know About Emailing
Alex Case
Things you need to cover to really teach the vital skill of emailing in English.
Alex Case
Things you need to cover to really teach the vital skill of emailing in English.
Fun Adverbs Of Frequency Activities
Alex Case
Entertaining speaking activities for “always”, “sometimes”, “never” etc, as well as similar expressions like “once every two months” and “three times a day”.
Alex Case
Entertaining speaking activities for “always”, “sometimes”, “never” etc, as well as similar expressions like “once every two months” and “three times a day”.
Names In The English Language Classroom
Alex Case
Issues associated with the use of student and teacher names in class.
Alex Case
Issues associated with the use of student and teacher names in class.
Alphabet Pronunciation Activities For Adults
Alex Case
Ways to teach pronunciation and recognition of the English alphabet, including in fast connected speech
Alex Case
Ways to teach pronunciation and recognition of the English alphabet, including in fast connected speech
Typical Problems Pronouncing the Alphabet
Alex Case
A summary of problems different students have with saying and recognising the English alphabet, including in connected speech
Alex Case
A summary of problems different students have with saying and recognising the English alphabet, including in connected speech
Minimal Pairs
Alex Case
Minimal pairs are underexploited. This article looks at how teachers can teach pronunciation with minimal pairs, with some specific ideas for classroom use.
Alex Case
Minimal pairs are underexploited. This article looks at how teachers can teach pronunciation with minimal pairs, with some specific ideas for classroom use.
Minimal Pairs Games
Alex Case
Fun pronunciation games using pairs of words that vary by one sound only
Alex Case
Fun pronunciation games using pairs of words that vary by one sound only
Fun Homophones Activities
Alex Case
Games to introduce and practise the important point of words that sound the same but are spelt differently
Alex Case
Games to introduce and practise the important point of words that sound the same but are spelt differently
Homophones in the EFL Class
Alex Case
Reasons to use homophones in teaching English and lots of ways to do so
Alex Case
Reasons to use homophones in teaching English and lots of ways to do so
Fun Activities For Weather Vocabulary
Alex Case
Making the clichéd topic of weather interesting, relevant and linked to other useful language
Alex Case
Making the clichéd topic of weather interesting, relevant and linked to other useful language
Dealing with dominating students
Alex Case
Activities and classroom dynamic techniques for coping with students who take over
Alex Case
Activities and classroom dynamic techniques for coping with students who take over
10 Fun Activities For Adjectives Of Personality
Alex Case
Stimulating activities to teach and practise the difficult but fascinating topic of words that describe people’s character
Alex Case
Stimulating activities to teach and practise the difficult but fascinating topic of words that describe people’s character
Politically correct language in the EFL classroom
Alex Case
Suggestions for bringing the topic of political correctness into class in interesting ways, and for dealing with PC issues when they come up naturally
Alex Case
Suggestions for bringing the topic of political correctness into class in interesting ways, and for dealing with PC issues when they come up naturally
10 Fun Activities For Teaching Clothes Vocabulary
Alex Case
Ten entertaining ways to present and practise the names of clothes and ways of describing them, with activities for all ages and levels
Alex Case
Ten entertaining ways to present and practise the names of clothes and ways of describing them, with activities for all ages and levels
Gender in the language classroom
Alex Case
Classroom issues connected to gender and interesting ways of using that topic in classes of various ages
Alex Case
Classroom issues connected to gender and interesting ways of using that topic in classes of various ages
Fun Activities For Clothes Vocabulary 2
Alex Case
More fun activities based on the names of clothes and how to describe them. For all ages and levels.
Alex Case
More fun activities based on the names of clothes and how to describe them. For all ages and levels.
Noises in the English classroom
Alex Case
How to use real and pretend noises to liven up the class, make the language memorable, and teach a useful emergency communication technique
Alex Case
How to use real and pretend noises to liven up the class, make the language memorable, and teach a useful emergency communication technique
Fun Activities For Language Of Emotions
Alex Case
Using TPR, drawings, stories and games to make feelings vocabulary memorable and fun
Alex Case
Using TPR, drawings, stories and games to make feelings vocabulary memorable and fun
Online Professional Development for ELT
Tara Benwell
Upgrade your TEFL skills for free in your own time.
Tara Benwell
Upgrade your TEFL skills for free in your own time.
Questions about TEFL Training
Tara Benwell
Are you thinking about taking a TEFL training course? Are you a recent TEFL graduate? Please participate in this Q and A. There’s a treat at the end!
Tara Benwell
Are you thinking about taking a TEFL training course? Are you a recent TEFL graduate? Please participate in this Q and A. There’s a treat at the end!
How to be a Tech Mentor
Tara Benwell
If tech is your thing, you likely know about the weekly #edchat on #Teacher Tuesday that takes place on Twitter. This week’s #edchat focused on technology. While the topic was whether or not it is possible for teachers to make the wrong choices when using tech in the classroom, many of the contributors focused on […]
Tara Benwell
If tech is your thing, you likely know about the weekly #edchat on #Teacher Tuesday that takes place on Twitter. This week’s #edchat focused on technology. While the topic was whether or not it is possible for teachers to make the wrong choices when using tech in the classroom, many of the contributors focused on […]
Teacher Challenge 2010
Tara Benwell
EnglishClub learners are challenged every day. Here is a challenge for the English teachers!
Tara Benwell
EnglishClub learners are challenged every day. Here is a challenge for the English teachers!
Respect in the Classroom
Shelley Vernon
You know from your own time at school that there were some teachers who you just did not mess around with.
Shelley Vernon
You know from your own time at school that there were some teachers who you just did not mess around with.
ESL Channels on YouTube
Tara Benwell
EnglishClub.com now has a YouTube channel. Here are some other popular ones for ESL learners.
Tara Benwell
EnglishClub.com now has a YouTube channel. Here are some other popular ones for ESL learners.
Treat your Students to a Quote-of-the-Day
Tara Benwell
Use quotes as icebreakers, warmers, discussion topics, vocabulary lessons, and more…
Tara Benwell
Use quotes as icebreakers, warmers, discussion topics, vocabulary lessons, and more…
Clean Up your Computer Week
Tara Benwell
Have you cleaned your computer lately? Spend a week getting your computer in top shape for a new school year.
Tara Benwell
Have you cleaned your computer lately? Spend a week getting your computer in top shape for a new school year.
Help Students Water their Own Plants
Tara Benwell
Teach students to survive language learning by being active participants.
Tara Benwell
Teach students to survive language learning by being active participants.
Top 10 things English teachers do on Twitter
Tara Benwell
How teachers of English are using twitter professionally and personally
Tara Benwell
How teachers of English are using twitter professionally and personally
Presenting Vocabulary in YL Classes
Be creative. Be appealing. Be quick. To make sure your students will remember all the new words you taught them, be fun and have fun as well!
Ideas on Classroom Management in YL Classes
Tips to make your Young Learner classes work like magic
Cool Corporate English Consciousness
Giving your corporate classes the best approach
Two Gateways for Teachers of English
Review of EnglishClub and TEFL.net
Word Up Review by Alex Case
The biggest hit in our school this year
Guide to Teaching EFL in France
An EFL teacher shares her experience of teaching in central France
Hands off that e-dictionary!
The (few) merits and (many) disadvantages of e-dictionaries from the author's point of view
Lexis - the new grammar?
How new materials are finally challenging established course book conventions
Marketing Your Language Program 101
The basics to successful promotion of your courses
A Student Like Me
Suggestions for those who aspire to re-enter the classroom to get a degree
Motivation and Motivating in EFL
Coursebook: Take it or leave it
We do not have to dispense with the textbook. We only have to disabuse ourselves of the tendency to take a coursebook as gospel.
Intellect or Affect?
Intellect or affect? one may ask. Certainly both. We should not view them as two forces vying with each other, but as the ends of a continuum that is called self-awareness and spiritual elevation.
Speaking Practice through Presentations
Are You Netting the World's best ESL Resource?
Classroom: Forum or Arena?
A look at some of the factors that play an important role in the teaching-learning situation.
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Language Learning
SAC Shock!!
Tips for self access centres
Should ESL Instructors Speak Other Languages in the Classroom?
20 Presentation Tips for Your Students
Cutting Out Cutting Up
Tips for lesson plans
How Was the Dip?
A personal reflection on the DELTA
Notes on Using Video in the Language Classroom
The Cultural Dynamics of Teaching
The changing winds and shifting sands of the history of English Language Teaching
Ingredients for Successful Communicative Tasks
Taking off the Training Wheels
Language and Sex
Why can't a woman be more like a man?
Accommodation Theory
Each one of us is aware that our style of speech changes in the twinkling of an eye, as it were, depending on a wide range of variables...
An Introduction to "Befogging" Idioms
Do idioms really call the shots?