ITTO Blog | TEFL TESOL Certificate Courses Blog.

Teachers’ Resources

www.mes-english.com
www.handoutsonline.com
www.esl4kids.net
http://esl-teaching resources.blogspot.com

Travel Abroad

Protect Yourself and Your Money
At this juncture, we want you to be aware of how to handle your credit card/ debit cards while you travel (or even at home). This URL has an article about how to avoid scams, identity theft, and other problems while traveling. Learn.

http://finance.yahoo.com/banking-budgeting/article/111759/secrets-of-a-former-credit-card-thief?mod=t

On the upside, if you are a lucky person who has the funds and want to enjoy yourself before you hit the teaching gig, we have good news. This URL can show you how to save a lot of money on a cruise. Right now is the perfect time to do this, and you will find you can have a great time. Many of our trainees have come to Mexico to do some sightseeing, so this is a perfect opportunity before you sign a contract where you are in one spot for some time.

http://www.howlifeworks.com/a/a/?cid=8088vy2_news_z&AG_ID=166

Remember, that Guadalajara is hosting the Pan American Games this summer, so be prepared if you plan on coming at that time as things will be in fiesta mode, but might get a little crowded.

Teching Abroad

Once again, we are going to focus on safety in Mexico due to all the media coverage. We decided to give you a URL to follow where you can get information if you have a safety concern. After all, if you are planning to teach here, you also want to be safe, right? Obviously, we do not recommend going to Tunisia or Haiti at the moment, but we do know where it is safe in Mexico. Enjoy.

http://www.peoplesguide.com/1pages/chapts/safe/pgsafe/safeeasy.html

We also have a URL for you to read regarding living in Guadalajara. It might allay some of your concerns if you are planning to take your ITTO course here.

http://www.solutionsabroad.com/en/cities/guadalajara/living-in-guadalajara.html

TEFL Article

Here is a URL for you to check out some articles on TEFL: www.tefl.net

What’s New at ITTO

ITTO hit the ground running and we are still going strong for 2011. Be sure to check the specials at the bottom of the blog to see how you can save a bundle on your trip to Gaudalajara and other spots where ITTO has partner schools.
The latest news at ITTO is that we have a new teacher trainer, Sarah Wilson. She is from the UK, has a master´s degree in TESOL and tons of experience. She has taught in the US and Turkey. Now, she is here at ITTO, and we are sure that she will bring a lot of fun and experience to our trainees! We have a big hello and welcome for Sarah.

Greetings and Salutations

Hello Everyone. Happy New Year to all!
Hope you are happy and well, not to mention working at a job you like. If not, then check on a location that is beneficial to you for your TEFL Certificate and get to work. For those who do not know, you get a guaranteed employment in Mexico when you finish your TEFL Certificate course at ITTO in Guadalajara, Mexico. Cool, huh? You also have other options to boost your resume. Check it out at www.teflcertificatecourses.com

Teacher´s Resources

Check out the standbys of Dave´s esl café and ESL Teacher´s Board for new information. You can get updates, avoid scams, and find ideas for classes.

Teaching Abroad

A Great Resume

If you are seeking employment as a teacher abroad, you still need to do a knock-out resume. Employers are intelligent and alert for the most part, at least in places you would prefer to work. We found this URL on eHow.com to help you realize what employers are looking for, and why. Before you put together your resume please read this, as different countries require different things. Moreover, employers in different countries will have different interviewing styles, but they will look for key words in your resume. Take a look!

http://www.ehow.com/way_5192317_tips-tefl-teacher_s-resume.html

TEFL Articles

Why is Teaching English Important?
If you have read the latest, you will find that Shanghai is # 1 in the world in education. The rest of us have to catch up. Finland dropped to # 3. Asians take education seriously, and so do your English students, at least most of them. As much of the world now does business with China, and as most of the world does not speak Chinese, then English is the next best thing. Not only is most of the Internet written in English, most of the business carried on with China is done in English, regardless of the native tongue of various countries. Thus, your job as an English teacher is far more important than you think.
Many of your students have ambitions more than just working in a call-center or a hotel filled with tourists. Some are studying in a university or planning on how to upgrade their businesses. Others might even want to go into the diplomatic field, or have ambitions of becoming an international CEO. True, many will forget these ambitions as they fall in love, get married, or listen to friends and relatives telling them why it won´t work. Sad. However, a few, like good cream, will rise to the top, and you do not know which student that will be. Age is not always a factor.
In case you did not know, English, as well as French and Spanish, are now taught in Europe in order to get an MBA. In China, English teachers are wanted left and right because the people want to do business with foreigners. China now has a middle class, and they like the idea.
So, it is up to you to do the best you can as an EFL/ESL teacher. Dress like a professional. Act like a professional. Teach like a professional. There is plenty of advice on the Internet as well as on forums. There are all kinds of resources for teachers, most of which are free. And nearly all schools have Internet access, even if you did not bring your laptop. Make friends with native teachers you know are really good. Ask. Improve. Learn.
For all you know, you could have Albert Einstein the second as one of your students, and he got rejected as a teacher in New York. (On the other hand, Adolf Hitler got rejected by an Art Academy). Your decisions CAN change the world, and your teaching ability can change students.

Travel Abroad

Etiquette
Obviously, when you visit a foreign country, you should do your homework about etiquette and customs of the country. One thing that is very important is whether or not you should give a tip. (Beware of this word since in Australia, for example, it means “garbage dump”) We researched some countries that are popular for TEFL teaching so you would not be surprised or insult someone without realizing it.

According to Trip Advisor, tipping in China is not allowed. In fact, they frown on it, whether it is a taxi or a restaurant. No tipping. Hong Kong, however, is just the opposite. You are expected to tip everyone. After all, they were controlled by the British for 100 years. They are used to it. No surprise there.

In Mexico, you need to tip the person who bags your groceries since they receive no salary. If they help you with your groceries to the car, please give at least $1.00 USD tip. In most cases, think American and tip appropriately. 10 to 15% at restaurants is fine. For great service, you could leave 20%.

Peru, restaurants include a 10% tip, but most people leave another 10%. Also, it is considered polite to leave a tip at the mom and pop restaurants that do not add a tip to the bill. The same is true for Ecuador (except they add 12% tax onto the restaurant bill in finer establishments).

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Travel-g294307-s606/Ecuador:Tipping.And.Etiquette.html