TEFL & TESOL blog

How to Teach IELTS Speaking: Test Format & Lesson Ideas (Part 1)

08/02/2019

Quick answer: To teach IELTS speaking well you don’t need to be an examiner – you need to know...

Is a TEFL or TESOL Course Best? A Course Shopper's Guide

16/03/2015

Quick answer: Neither – employers treat TEFL and TESOL as the same thing, so no course is...

How to Teach English Grammar: Tips That Make It Stick

01/10/2014

Quick answer: Teach English grammar in a meaningful context, not as isolated rules. Present a new...

How to Book and Take the IELTS Test: A Complete Guide

22/07/2026

Quick answer: To book IELTS, first decide which version you need (Academic or General Training) and...

IELTS Writing Task 1 (Academic): Describing Charts and Graphs

22/07/2026

Quick answer: In IELTS Academic Writing Task 1 you summarise a chart, graph, table, map or process...

IELTS Writing Task 1 (General Training): Letter Writing Guide

22/07/2026

Quick answer: In IELTS General Training Task 1 you write a letter of at least 150 words in about 20...

My experience as a homestay English teacher

12/04/2016

Quick answer: Made redundant from her job as a school secretary, Lesley Vernon qualified with an...

Why Teach Business English? Demand, Rates & How to Start

01/04/2016

Quick answer: Teaching business English means helping working professionals use English for...

I teach English Online

01/10/2018

Quick answer: Made redundant from a career managing electrical contracts, Lea Hook took the Global...

Correcting spoken English in an EFL class

25/04/2019

Quick answer: Correct spoken English based on three questions: how serious is it (a slip or a...

Do I need to speak other languages to teach English?

29/05/2019

Quick answer: No – you do not need to speak your students' language to teach English. TEFL...

An Australian in Italy - my life teaching English

01/10/2014

Quick answer: Australian Alison David took the Global English 150-hour TESOL course with a Business...

Top 5 Best-Paying TEFL Destinations (2026 Salaries)

09/08/2019

Quick answer: The best-paying destinations for a newly qualified TEFL teacher in 2026 are China...

How to Write an IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay (Step by Step)

22/07/2026

Quick answer: To write an IELTS Writing Task 2 essay, spend about five minutes planning, then write...

Teaching English Online: How to Start, Freelance & Get Students

26/02/2019

Quick answer: To start teaching English online you need a reliable computer, a headset, decent...

Free IELTS Listening Practice: Test Yourself Online

22/07/2026

Quick answer: To practise IELTS Listening for free, sit realistic recordings and answer 40...

Is TEFL Worth It? An Honest Answer from a 29-Year-Old School

08/09/2026

For most people, yes - a TEFL certificate is worth it: it's the standard screening requirement for...

How Much Do English Teachers Make in Japan? (2026 Guide)

01/09/2026

English teachers in Japan typically earn ¥250,000–¥300,000 per month (£1,300–£1,600) in...

How to Find a TEFL Job Overseas: Where to Look & How to Apply

29/07/2011

Quick answer: Most TEFL jobs are found in three ways: on specialist job boards such as tefl.com,...

Is this the best free material site for English teaching?

26/11/2018

Quick answer: Breaking News English is the most comprehensive free ESL materials site we know:...

Can Americans Teach English in Europe? Visa Routes That Work

28/07/2011

Quick answer: Yes, North Americans can teach English in Europe – the obstacle is visas, not...

6 Steps to Effective Self-Marketing for TESOL Teachers

16/01/2024

Quick answer: To market yourself as a TESOL teacher, work through six steps: build a professional...

Teaching English to Beginners: Lesson Ideas & TEFL Techniques

08/09/2015

Quick answer: To teach English to beginners, grade your language carefully, use pictures, realia...

IELTS Writing: How to Structure Essays and Improve Your Band Score

22/07/2026

Quick answer: IELTS Writing has two tasks and both are scored on the same four criteria - Task...