Archive for June, 2009

Get a TEFL Certificate - Begin a New and Exciting Career!

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

Putting your dreams of becoming a teacher into practice is easier than you might think. Now you can travel the world, live overseas in an exciting city while studying to become a teacher of English. You can maintain your independence, create stability in a profession that is rewarding, and gain the personal life experience by going after your goal. Become a teacher of English as a Foreign Language.

You may have questions like these: Do I know enough about English to teach it? How would I find a job? Who would be my students? How on earth would I find time to get an advanced degree? These can be easily addressed in just a few words: Don’t worry, and don’t make it complicated!

Imagine, in only four weeks of intensive study or 12 Saturday classes you can earn you certificate that will open the door for you to teach English as a Foreign Language. The best pat is that this not only saves you time but the cost is significantly less than any other college based program offered for the same certificate. Check out TEFL Town at Boston Academy of English to see how you dreams can become a reality.

Prepare yourself well for your new career as a Teacher of English as a Foreign Language with BAE’s accredited, 120 hour, courses designed specifically to do that. Our focused instruction teaches you the methodologies and skills necessary to be a successful teacher. You will learn classroom management strategies, communication skills, technology integration methods, error correction, and the most effective methods for delivering the English language to your students. BAE also has a student teaching experience that allows our students to gain real world experience teaching ESL students with the guidance of their professor. This program will make sure you are ready to teach others.

Boston academy of English is known for its friendly, supportive learning environment. You will get to experience the exciting program while enjoying the many exciting opportunities for fun in Boston. Your certificate is earned through daily attendance to classes, participating fully in discussions, completing all assignments, and success in teaching your 6 practice experiences with real ESL students.

There are two formats offered for the TEFL course at Boston Academy of English. Format one is the intensive, meeting for four weeks Monday through Friday from 10am to 5pm. Format two is the part-time program, meeting for 12 consecutive Saturdays from 9am to 6pm.

Many career paths will open up for you once you have earned your certificate. Some TEFL certified teachers choose to teach at a high school or language school. Others may want to volunteer at a local library or church or offer classes to help immigrants in their adjustment to their new life in the US. Some TEFL teachers choose to teach abroad in another country to further their view of the world. The opportunities are endless once you have your TEFL certificate.

If the TEFL is a certificate you have been interested in pursuing, please jin us at BAE for a free half-day class to see first hand all we have to offer. Our Academic Director would love to meet with you to discuss your personal and professional goals.

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Why Should You Take the TOEFL Test?

Tuesday, June 30th, 2009

TOEFL, or the Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a test that measures your ability to speak, read, and write in English at a college or university level. This test is one of the best measures of whether or not you are ready to attend college at an English-speaking school. Even though you may think that you speak and write English well, doing so on the college level is entirely different, especially if you have learned it as a foreign language.

What Is Contained in the TOEFL?

The test is either Internet-based or paper-based. Both test the same things, but in a slightly different format. These assessments test your ability to read, listen to, speak, and write English. You will be asked to read passages and then answer questions on them. You will also be asked to listen to a lecture that is a college-level lecture, followed by more questions. A few tasks will require a verbal answer, and you will be asked to write two passages. The lectures, reading passages, and questions are all designed to reflect the types of tasks you would be asked to perform at the college level.

Who Needs the TOEFL?

Students who wish to attend an English speaking university or college but have learned English as a foreign language should take the TOEFL before applying to their chosen school. Many schools require the scores from this test for admission. Even if your school does not require it, having a good score can help you have an advantage over other applicants if there are limited openings available.

Outside of the admission requirements, the TOEFL will help you assess whether or not you have the skills necessary to deal with academic situations in your chosen school. You will need to be able to hear lectures, write papers, and communicate verbally with teachers and classmates. The TOEFL will show you whether or not you have attained this level of English fluency. If you need more practice, preparing for the test will give you that practice.

Benefits of the TOEFL

The TOEFL is the English language fluency assessment accepted by over 6,000 institutions. You might assume that all of these are in America or the United Kingdom, but they are actually spread across the world in 110 countries. Almost every university in the major English speaking countries, such as the U.S., U.K., Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, use TOEFL scores to determine whether or not non-English speakers can be admitted to their programs, receive scholarships, or enter graduate school to learn English.

Another benefit of the TOEFL over other English proficiency tests is the fact that there are over 4,000 test centers you can use. If you do have to travel, you will save time and money because the test can be completed in just one day.

Finally, this test gives you an unbiased measure of your English speaking ability. Tests are scored anonymously, and no interviews are included as part of the process. If you know English well, you will score well, plain and simple. The TOEFL is the best measure of your ability to succeed in an English speaking college program.

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Learn To Speak Spanish Software Review

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Let’s face it, when it comes to learning how to speak Spanish, your best bet is to go to a Spanish speaking country and live there for 6 months to a year. Why ? Well, mainly because you will stay motivated to use the skills you learn. You will need to use them on a daily basis to get by. And you will progress much faster if you speak to real people. The words will stick and you will get more confidence in your overall abilities. However, it is not always practical for many people to live in a Spanish speaking country for 6 months. So an alternative is to use learn to speak Spanish software. This article will give a general overview of typical products or a learn to speak Spanish software review.

So what is the reason for learning Spanish Well, in the US, Spanish is effectively the second language. More people that view Spanish as their mother tongue are settling in the US than any other demographic. So speaking Spanish is a growth industry. Opportunities for people fluent in Spanish will open up as this trend looks to continue.

Learn to speak Spanish software is a popular choice to learn Spanish because it is flexible. you can use it when the time suits you rather than having to go to a regular class. This is a benefit for busy people but it has to be remembered that you still have to be disciplined in how you use the software. If you use it once every couple of weeks then the chances are you won’t have much success in your learning.

And possibly the most important reason why learn to speak Spanish software is popular is because it is as close to immersion Spanish as you can get if you use it properly.

It can use all the multimedia features that a computer can bring to educational tools. So you can watch videos, listen to audios, get culturally relevant lessons and have reading and writing lessons. You can cover all the core skills that are needed to learn a new language with a software package.

Some software can act as a good teacher too. It can motivate and keep the student interested in their topic. Two ways in which the software can do this is to use games as a teaching tool. I’d say the aim of learn Spanish games is to help you learn without you thinking that you are learning. Some games can do this and have an addictive quality that makes you play them over and over again.

The second way that a software program can motivate a student is to record and measure progress. Many people lose interest because they think they have a mountain to climb in terms of learning. If the program can show that they have moved forward and break their journey down into smaller chunks then the student is likely to stick with the course.

Learning to speak Spanish software can make attaining new language skills far more enjoyable and easier than you might imagine. A good package can cover all the basic skills needed and also motivate you to keep going. these are the key elements to any learn to speak Spanish software.

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Functional Practice When Learning English

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Anyone who is learning a new language can easily be overwhelmed. There are new words and new pronunciations to learn and none of it makes any sense at first. Learning English can be particularly difficult due to our word variations and spelling variations. Because of this, most English as a second language classes will include functional practice. This is putting the words learned into action.

Conversational English: This is used to practice words used in everyday conversations. It gives the students practical applications for the words and sentences they are learning. The benefit of using conversational English is that the student can both memorize the words and fit them into a conversation. This is most often done between two students who are trying to practice their English. Role Playing: Often, this is done between the instructor and the student. The instructor will play the part of a waiter or another person with whom the student may have to speak. The student hears the English spoken from the instructor and also responds in English. This also puts practical use to the words and phrases that have been learned and also gives the student the opportunity to recognize words in English being spoken.

Practical Applications: Once the students become more familiar with the language, the instructor may set up a field trip of sorts. The idea is to actually get the students in a public situation where they need to understand and be able to speak English. The instructor intervenes only when necessary.

Writing: There are many different applications used to practice writing English including essays and stories. Learning to spell the language is an entirely different experience than learning to speak it. Singing: Singing is another way to practice putting the language to use. The students learn to substitute the English words for their native language in familiar songs.

The more practical applications that can be used when teaching English the better the student learns. Totally absorbing the student in language application slowly builds up to a virtual sink or swim situation in which the student will either take part in and understand the exchange or be completely unaware of what is being said.

Of course, these immersion sessions are done after a buildup of learning and practicing the language. The more practical applications that can be used when learning English, the better understood the language will be. Functional practice ensures that the student will be able to express themselves in different situations and also be able to understand what is being said to them.

Over time, the English language becomes more familiar and begins to make more sense since they have used it in many different practical situations. This method of instruction has proven very successful and is used widely to teach English as a second language. While the student may not learn every nuance of the language, they have the opportunity to practice it and come to a point where they understand English and are able to make themselves understood when speaking it.

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Information on Being an English Teacher

Monday, June 29th, 2009

Teaching English overseas is a great way for people to experience the world. The job doesnt require many qualifications and positions are abundant in all parts of the world. Many of these jobs pay very well and are a great way to spend a year or two after university saving money and paying back the loans. Moreover, youll be able to learn a new culture and language and have an experience that few people experience.

In order to be a teacher overseas, you need three things: be a native speaker, have a university degree, and have a TEFL certificate. If you want to teach business or at an international school, youll need a higher level degree too. A TEFL certificate or the British counterpart, the CELTA, is a certificate course that potential English teachers take that teaching them how to teach English. The course lasts 120 hours and usually takes about a month. If you are a licensed teacher, you dont really need to take this course. However, if you dont have a teaching degree, most places want you to have a TEFL.

One of the biggest advantages of being an English teacher in a foreign country is that you can make a lot of money doing it. Teaching isnt that hard and the pay is very good. For recent graduates, the best place to go is Asia. In the part of the world, you will find that you can earn a few thousand dollars a month in countries that only cost a few hundred to live in. It is realistically possible to save around 15,000 USD in one year. If you have more experience, you can teach in the middle east where your earnings are tax free.

do all the functions of a normal teacher. You will have to lesson plan, grade papers, hold office hours, and attend events. While these tasks are not overtly challenging, they are time consuming. Be prepared to spend extra time beyond just classroom hours doing work. Moreover, remember as a teacher you need to be energetic so that your students are not bored. Teaching is easy compared to many other fields but very tiring.

A lot of information about teaching English can be found online. Online youll be able to research visa rules, find jobs, and use forums to ask other people questions and get advice. There are plethora of websites that deal with regions and countries that provide a wide depth of knowledge. You can also contact recruiters who will help you find a job.

Being an English teacher overseas is a very rewarding experience. Youll get to live in a new culture, learn a new language, and make international friends. Teaching English is a wonderful way to earn a lot of money too as English teachers are very well paid. These jobs are paid and perfect for people with an adventurous spirit looking to do something new and exciting with their life.

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Listening Comprehension Skills in English

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

Whether you live in an English speaking country or not you can become an active listener of the English language. Practice makes perfect and there is no better way to practice listening skills than in a classroom program. Teachers of English understand the confusing terms and can explain and introduce content and grammar in context of real world examples making it more useful, more realistic, and more clear. Taking advantage of the many resource available to you is a great start to improving your listening comprehension skills.

An amazing opportunity awaits you if you already live in an English speaking country because you get to interact with native English speakers everyday if you take the initiative. For students, living in a dormitory can present you with unique opportunities to interact with native speakers daily in a variety of situations. If the dorm life is not for you, you could look into a home stay situation with an English speaking family. Request at your school to see if there is help for finding a language partner who wants to practice speaking your language and then you can help each other out!

Set goal to talk to several native English speakers everyday! Don’t limit your interactions to people speaking the same language as you. Create something to achieve each day using your new English skills. Some ideas for ways to initiate real life conversations are visiting local businesses to ask questions, make phone calls to seek information about an upcoming show, ask the waiter many questions at your favorite restaurant. The more you create the better your English will become ans the more confident you will become in speaking more.

Additional strategies for improving you English are many. Think of some interview questions as an assignment for your English class and ask people on the street as you walk in a familiar area. When native speakers are talking concentrate on what they are saying and think to yourself if you understand it.If you find you are confused ask them to speak more slowly and try repeating the information back to see if you understood it clearly. Always ask more questions not only to gain knowledge but to also engage the speaker in more conversation. Joining a club, sports team, or volunteering are all excellent ways to surround yourself with native speakers. Even television can help you in your English skills. Try out close captioning if you TV has this option. It will show you the written text along with you hearing it spoken aloud. Perfect combination!

If you live in a country where English is not the native or official language, you will have more of a challenge. If you live in a large city you may be able to find native speakers to practice with, such as in a language exchange agreement described above. There may be an American Library where you can borrow books on tape. Read along as you listen, and pay attention to places where words sound different than how they look - we shorten or lengthen a lot of words for convenience or to change the meaning.

We are lucky to have technology at our fingertips no matter where you live. A great resource is satellite television which allows you to view television programs that are broadcast around the world such as CNN International or the BBC which are English language stations covering world news. Even without satellite television the English programming is right here on your computer if you have internet access. Interested in international affairs, you can access President Obama’s speeches. Love to cook? Watch any number of cooking shows right from your computer. Find yourself a pen-pal in an English speaking country to write and speak to using Skype and videoconferences. Just practice speaking and listening and have fun!

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The TEFL Certificate Program- Your New Life Awaits!

Saturday, June 27th, 2009

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a teacher but you are not quite sure how to put your teaching dream in practice; if you imagine yourself traveling the world, or living overseas in an exotic city but don’t know how you would pay for that lifestyle; if you want a second, third or retirement career, but want to maintain your independence, here is an idea: Just do it! Become a teacher of English!

This degree is less complicated than you might think. You will quickly find answers to all of your questions such as; Do I know enough English to teach others? Where could I teach? How long will it take to gain this knowledge? Where will I find the time? Just don’t worry, you have taken the first step by seeking more information.

First of all, if you are a native- or near-native speaker of English you are already halfway there; and second, if your time and finances are limited you should check out TEFL Town at BAE. It’s the best place for teacher wannabes to become professional teachers of English as a Second or Foreign language at a fraction of the cost and time of a college-based program. In just four weeks of the intensive weekday program, or 12 Saturdays, and for a cost of about $2,500, you can earn your certificate and be ready to start your new career!

Our accredited courses consist of 120 hours of instruction. This instruction focuses on methodologies of teaching, and skills specific to teaching English as a Foreign Language. You will learn effective communication methods, classroom management, error correction, delivery methods of instruction, and teaching with technology. You also get 6 hours of authentic practice teaching experience with ESL students. You get to put your new skills into practice, make a difference right away, and have the guidance of the BAE teaching staff through the entire process. You will be prepared well for your new career.

BAE offers a friendly and supportive setting in which to experience this rigorous but enjoyable and exciting program. You will earn your certificate through daily attendance, full participation in class discussions, successful completion of reading and writing assignments, and demonstration of your new teaching skills in the ESL classroom during your six practice teaching classes.

BAE offers two alternative programs for the Teacher of English as a Foreign Language certificate. The first is the intensive program that runs for four weeks, Mon-Fri 10:00am to 5:00pm. The second option is part-time study that runs for 12 weeks on Saturdays from 9:00am to 6:00pm.

Once you have your certificate there will be many career paths open to you. You may simply want to volunteer at a local library or at your church. You may want to teach at a high school or language school that helps immigrants adjust to life in the US, or a school that helps foreign students prepare for entrance to a US college or university. Maybe you want to teach in another country - for the adventure, the opportunity to master another culture and language or for a unique professional experience. Your certificate will permit you to do any or all of these things

Please come visit Boston Academy of English to see if this course fits your personal and professional goals. We invite you to come meet with our Academic Director personally and even participate in a free half-day class at your convenience.

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Discover New Languages through Language Courses on LMS

Friday, June 26th, 2009

According to a report by the U.S. Department of Education, only 8.6 out of every 100 college credits achieved by U.S. students are for foreign language acquisition, despite the growing use of LMS online language programs. Contrast this figure to the 56% of Europeans at ease with at least one other language, according to a recent Eurobarometer survey. It’s a sad but true stereotype about Americans–most of us are more or less limited to our mastery of English.

The U.S. is one of the most materially privileged countries across the globe, with access to the best and newest technology. Taking that into consideration, it’s baffling that more Americans aren’t challenging themselves to acquire a second language, taking advantage of the spectrum of language resources such as face-to-face and online tutors, and university and LMS online language courses.

Of course, LMS online language courses are in a category of their own. Unlike many other topics which survive on paper, language needs to come off the page, into the student’s head, and out of the mouth–often.

In order to gain full mastery over a language, a whole lot of word and sound repetition is required. Sure, an online course can require students to listen to and repeat words, without someone there to provide feedback a student’s pronunciation may be completely off. For this reason, blended language learning is best. And truly, most e-learning works best with complemented by face-to-face education.

When cared for and supplemented by face-to-face training, an LMS online language course can work wonders. In high schools especially, online language is part of the solution to many challenges that schools face, including limited language course offerings, shortages of language instructors, a lack of interest in language acquisition, the rise in home-schooling, and the lack of AP classes, physical space, and funding. During a heightening concern over the nation’s school system, schools are prompted to think more creatively about how to maintain the quality of their education.

Additionally, LMS online language courses can help foster the confidence of shy students when interaction with other students is online and required. Online tools like LMSs, VoIP providers, instant messaging, screen and audio recordings, and podcasts provide endless opportunities for applying and sharpening language knowledge.

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Improving Listening Comprehension in English Through ESL

Friday, June 26th, 2009

In order to best understand spoken English you need to first have realistic practice. This can be done best in the classroom environment because teachers of English know how to carefully pronounce and utilize familiar grammar and words. Outside of the classroom English is often spoken rapidly and with many accents and slang terms that can be unfamiliar and confusing to new English speakers. Practice in a guided environment is very beneficial. Take advantage of the wealth of resources available to help you practice your listening skills.

Living in an English speaking country provides you an amazing experience of interacting wth native English speakers everyday in a variety of situations. If you are visiting and attending school in an English speaking country request that you reside in a dormitory or home stay residence with an English speaking family. Finding a language partner with whom you can share languages and practice opportunities is also an excellent option for you to get the practice you need.

It is important to take the initiative to speak to native speakers of English everyday. Many non-native speakers hesitate to initiate authentic conversations. It is important that you do not limit your interactions with people to only include those who speak the same language as you. By creating reasons to initiate conversations it will force you to practice and apply the English you are learning. Each day set one goal of starting a conversation, whether you make a phone call to find out about a flight, ask a waiter for the ingredients of your meal, stop into local businesses to ask questions or directions, each opportunity to practice is ging to improve your English.

There are many other strategies that you can use to improve your English. Create an interview that you could ask anyone on the street. Pretend it is an assignment for your English class. Listen closely when a native speaker is answering you and concentrate on what is being said. If you find you are lost in the conversation ask the speaker to repreat it slowly and you can repeat it back to check. Ask a lot of questions. There is no wrong question when you are trying to learn. You may find that you want to join a sports team or club or even volunteer. Television watching with teh use of close captioning can be an asset to your English skills as it shows the written text in English while you hear it spoken. What is better than that?

If you live in a country where English is not the native or official language, you will have more of a challenge. If you live in a large city you may be able to find native speakers to practice with, such as in a language exchange agreement described above. There may be an American Library where you can borrow books on tape. Read along as you listen, and pay attention to places where words sound different than how they look - we shorten or lengthen a lot of words for convenience or to change the meaning.

Technology can help you no matter where you live. If you have satellite television you may be able to receive either CNN International or the BBC. Watching will help you a lot. If you don’t have access to an English-language station, you can still watch broadcasts and all kinds of interesting presentations on intenet sites such as YouTube or daily motion. Like cooking - Watch a cooking lesson. Interested in international affairs? Watch a speech by President Obama. Love music? Watch a song while you read the words just below the video. Do you have an English-speaking friend far away? Maybe you can get together occasionally on Skype! Do something every day to improve your listening - just keep practicing and having fun!

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Reading: A Great Way to Learn English

Friday, June 26th, 2009

Learning the English language can be a difficult task. There many methods of learning English to help you overcome the various problems associated with grammar, spelling, pronunciation, and even English slang. One method is actively reading. The more that you read, the more you broaden your understanding of the language, and as a result, the faster you will learn to read and speak English. Doing so can consequently help you to tackle tough job interview questions, improve your conversational skills, and improve your writing as well.

Textbooks are a very helpful learning tool, but newspapers, magazines, and novels are great ways to help your goal of learning English language. You will learn the various English expressions, phrases, sentence structures, and words, which will help improve your vocabulary. Make sure that you keep a dictionary close by when you start reading because some words and phrases can be tricky.

Reading on your own is not just effective, but it is also extremely motivating. When you read on your own, you will be reading something that you have chosen. It will be interesting because it is what you chose, rather than something your teacher told you to read. As a result, you read much more willingly. Learning words naturally is both fun and educational. You will also learn how to use the correct words at the appropriate time. Generally, you should read at least a few pages per day. If you believe that you do not have time to read, take a book or magazine with you everywhere that you go. This will allow you to read in a variety of places such as when you are waiting in a long line at a bank or traveling on a bus.

Students who read a lot will actually learn to think in English. When students read every day, they will first learn slowly, but then they eventually start to learn faster and more easily. Reading helps the brain concentrate on English. Your brain will be repeating the words and phrases that it has seen many times. By reading a book in English, you have given your brain thousands of English sentences. Soon, you will begin speaking the language with confidence.

Reading is a great way to review and remember English words. By reading newspapers and magazines, students will remember what they learned long after they have completed an English learning class. As well, reading is an activity that can be enjoyed by all ages.

Reading maps is also a helpful tool. It will expand your knowledge of the geographic areas. If you are in business, you will most likely be required to write in English. Reading will help your writing because it will provide you with more expressions that you were not previously familiar with.

When reading English, phrases will eventually come easy to you when you are writing or speaking the language. Things like verb tense and how to use words such as “however will become part of your understanding of the language. You will start to use them correctly without thinking. Correct phrases will just appear in your head. Also, when you read something that matters to you, you will remember it more. For example, if you read the lyrics of a new song by your favorite band, you are much more likely to repeat them and keep the words and phrases in your memory.

Reading and listening are both great ways to learn English, but reading is usually much easier than listening. With the aid of a good dictionary, you can understand English texts much more easily. The more you read, the easier it will become. It is not always easy, but it is worth the effort.

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