There’s the saying, “There are two types of teachers with 20 years of teaching experience: the first are those with 20 years of experience and the second are those with one year’s experience repeated 20 times.”
Some believe most teachers want to be the first kind of teacher – constantly evolving throughout their careers – rather than repeating the same classes. Additionally, taking professional development courses can help us reach these new heights.
Doctors, engineers, lawyers and other professionals regularly have to seek training opportunities. This enables them to keep up to date with the latest technologies, innovations and changes in the wider world. It could be argued that teachers are no different.
There are several benefits to continued professional training for teachers. For instance, there’s always something new to learn as developments are happening regularly in the world of ELT. Whether it’s innovations in ed-tech, new research into how we learn languages or a new pedagogy, certain courses can help bring you up to speed with these!
Undertaking further training will help you to deepen your knowledge and widen your expertise. So rather than simply repeating the same method of teaching a grammar point over again, you’ll learn new approaches. In turn, you’ll be better equipped to find the tools that work to help your students reach their learning goals.
Another great thing about professional development is that it can lead to career progression and promotion. There are a number of courses that you can take to develop not only skills for teaching, but other roles in the ELT industry.
For example, you can train to become a director of studies, specialize in business or academic English, or enter ELT publishing or management. There are many options to explore through further education!
To be the best teachers we can be, it's important to be aware of new trends in the field of ELT. Some of the latest ones include:
Gaining popularity in recent years, hybrid learning is an approach to teaching. Specifically, it involves some students attending class in person, while others join the class virtually from home. This means that teachers must be prepared to simultaneously teach both students in person and online.
A flipped classroom means students are introduced to content at home. Often teachers introduce this via videos and then practice working through the new knowledge in class. This is the opposite of the more traditional method where they are given new content at school, and complete assignments independently at home.
One method of teaching that has become more common is bite-sized learning. For example, breaking down information into smaller chunks instead of having learners listen to long, uninterrupted sessions, and this helps students absorb information and keeps them engaged.
If you’re not already familiar with these, there are lots of professional development courses that teach you how to use them in your classroom.
So what courses can you take? Here are some of the most common courses you can take for English language teaching.
If you’re unable to take a formal course, sharing ideas with colleagues is a great way to create professional development opportunities. You could exchange lesson plans and ask for feedback or input. There are plenty of podcasts, webinars and social media groups for teachers where you can find great tips and ideas from fellow teachers worldwide.
Whichever route you decide, remember that learning is a lifelong journey – not only for your students but for yourself too! There are always new things to discover that will help you develop as a teacher.
Food is not just a means of nutrition; it can be a vibrant part of a culture's identity. English cuisine, influenced by its history, boasts a range of interesting and sometimes puzzling food names (some even puzzling native English speakers). Let's explore the stories behind some of the most well-known English food names.
Studying at a UK university can be an amazing experience, but it comes with financial obligations. If you're thinking about studying abroad, it's essential to thoroughly research the cost of living in the UK and create a budget that works for you.
We’ve created a simple guide to help you get an idea what to think about when it comes to researching the living expenses in the UK for international students. To make sure you're prepared before you head off to the UK.
As you prepare for your trip abroad, there are various expenses you'll have to pay for before leaving your country. These one-time expenses include fees for a UK student visa, university fees for international students, and course materials.
Although these costs can be significant, it's important to include them in your budgeting.
After moving to the UK, you will have regular expenses to take care of such as rent, transportation, household and phone bills. These expenses remain consistent throughout the year and can be easily planned for.
As an international student in the UK, you may face various living expenses that can vary based on your individual circumstances.
For example, If you often travel on weekends or spend a lot of time going out with your friends, it's best to overestimate those expenses.
It's important to consider your expenses for socializing, shopping for clothes, and pursuing hobbies. If you have a limited budget, it's crucial to monitor these expenses closely.
If you're planning to study in the UK, keep in mind that the cost of living will depend on your location. Living in a big city versus a small town can result in significantly different accommodation costs.
For instance, the average one-bedroom rental can range from £1100 in a smaller city like Oxford to £1,695 in metropolitan London.
If walking isn't an option for you, then you should consider budgeting for transportation. In Glasgow, a monthly pass for public transportation costs £63, while in Manchester, it will cost you £74.
If you're someone who likes to stay active and exercise, you may also need to account for workout costs. Even with student discounts, joining the university gym in Cambridge will cost students about £35 per month, compared to £22 at the on-campus facilities in Leeds.
Before deciding where to study, it's important to research the cost of living in different cities and regions to ensure it fits within your budget due to the variation in costs.
Do you know any international students who have studied at the university you plan to attend? Or is there a student organization you can contact for information?
Reaching out to current students can provide insight into their daily expenses and they might even offer great tips on where to find good deals or places to avoid.
The cost of student housing varies based on the type of accommodation you prefer. Are you interested in living on campus, renting your own place, or sharing with fellow students off campus? Most schools provide comprehensive details about housing options, including contact information for potential roommates, landlords, or homestay families.
To help with budgeting as a student in the UK, you can use a budget calculator like the one provided by the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).
The calculator also offers the convenience of selecting your school from a list for accurate local costs.
With all these expenses, a bit of extra income would be helpful for any student. One possible way to supplement your finances during your studies is through tutoring. You can consider tutoring children or your fellow students at the university. It's important to note that international students are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week during the school year while on a student visa.
Your university's career center can assist you in finding part-time work opportunities, especially if you are looking to gain experience in your field of study. Maybe you're looking to work in a pub or restaurant to improve your English skills and experience the local culture.
Scholarships are available for both undergraduate and postgraduate studies, either directly from universities or through government initiatives. Non-EU nationals seeking postgraduate studies can apply for specific scholarship programs.
Although it may seem overwhelming, estimating your cost of living only requires a few calculations. Simply add up your fixed and variable expenses, as you would if you were living in your home country.
As a helpful reference, we have provided an example of a monthly budget for a student living in Nottingham. The budget is calculated using average spending data obtained from a UK student budget calculator.
Item |
Cost |
Rental apartment |
£385 |
Transportation (monthly pass with student discount) |
£49 |
Utility bills (electricity, gas, water, etc) |
£46 |
Gym membership (university gym) |
£23 |
Phone and internet |
£27 |
Grocery shopping |
£73 |
Bank fees |
£30 |
Clothes and personal items |
£50 |
Takeaway and eating out |
£70 |
Total |
£753 |
It's common to come across discounts for students, like deals on food at campus eateries, special phone plans, or lower prices at certain shops and restaurants.
Don't miss out on these opportunities and make sure to ask about them. Keep in mind that this budget doesn't cover expenses for shopping or hobbies, so take those into account based on your individual situation.
If you're able to work while studying abroad, it can help ease some of the financial strain.
There are lots of resources online regarding financing and budgeting whilst abroad so make sure to do your research and check them out.
Thinking of studying abroad? Trying to find the best way to study in Canada? There are so many options/pathways that it can feel overwhelming and complicated.
Thankfully, there is a simple and efficient way, called the Student Direct Stream (SDS). It is well-known that studying in Canada is a popular option among overseas students.
The latest figures from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2022 show that Canada has achieved an all-time high in terms of the number of international students. By the end of October 2022, they had processed over 750,300 study permit applications.
SDS was introduced by the Canadian Government to help students from eligible countries get their study permits quickly.
Since its introduction, it has been a popular pathway for students looking to follow their dreams of living in Canada to study. This is because it has a streamlined application process, which requires less documentation and boasts a success rate of 70%.
If you meet the criteria, you can use this express study permit processing route, which can be quick as 20 days.
We are proud to announce that the Canadian Government (IRCC) now accepts our top-rated English proficiency test, PTE Academic, for SDS applications. Results are delivered in only two days, making the process of applying to study abroad in Canada even faster.
Did you know that PTE Academic is accepted by 91% of universities and over 60% of colleges in Canada? Whether you're applying for the SDS or Non-SDS route, PTE Academic is the perfect test for you.
You don’t have to just take our word for it, try our free English taster test and see how you get on.
To apply for a study permit through SDS, you must submit your application online and meet certain requirements. You must be migrating to study from one of these countries.
What you need to qualify:
If you meet all the above criteria, then you will need to submit the following for your online application:
The SDS is an excellent option for those looking for a speedy and easy way to learn in Canada. With streamlined application processes, high success rates, and the acceptance of PTE Academic, it's a brilliant pathway to consider.
If you want to learn more about PTE Academic and sign up for our updates about SDS, you can visit the PTE website.
For further information about the SDS program, you can visit the IRCC website.
