Part 2 - What Are the Best Toys for Your Young Learners to Play With?

Which Toys are Really “Best”?
In considering what toys to provide for their children, parents should allow for a variety of toy types and kinds. Modern toys as well as traditional toys need to be available to permit a full range of emotional and intellectual growth. Which toys are really “best”? This actually depends on several factors such as the culture, practicalities and the child himself or herself.

Traditional vs. Modern Toys
Traditional toys are still available in quantity because they not only provide vital outlets for child development, but have survived the test of time itself. Tops, Yo-yos, rag dolls, carved case and trucks, bicycles, skates, rubber and other balls of every size and material, and the classic, age-old wagon are examples of traditional toys. “homemade” noise-makers are also included as traditional toys. “Have you ever watched – and listened to a tot bang on pots, pans, bottles, furniture and even the floor for, gasp!, hours on end?” These need no batteries, sound effects or automatically-provided motions to be highly effective, absorbing to the maximum a child’s full attention span. They work on some of the best power imaginable – the child’s own mind. In Mexico, wooden traditional toys have been all the rage for decades. Better-made, less expensive and longer-lasting than most “electronic-based” and battery-operated toys, they will likely continue to be so.

Modern Toys Do Have a Place
This is not to say that modern toys have no place. They do, and can be highly effective as well – if judiciously selected based on the needs, temperament, personality, mental development and desires of the child. Games, dolls (with “active” elements) and scenarios like train or race car sets can be welcomed and effective developmental toys for children when combined with other types which stimulate play, imagination and aid in aspects of the child’s mental development. What are the best toys for your children to play with? Know the personality, character and developmental needs of your child and you’ll be much better prepared to make successful choices.

Please feel free to e-mail me at lynchlarrym@gmail.com with any questions, feedback or concerns you might have. For ideas on homemade toys for your children you might like to read my article, “Fun but Simple Creative Toys You or Your Kids Can Make”.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

What Are the Best Toys for Your Young Learners to Play With? Part 1

Flash back to a Christmas Morning
Eyes wide and beaming with ear-to-ear smiles, a two year old boy and his five year old sister ripped open their Christmas presents one by one. A battery-powered doll that ”sings”, a new bike complete with flashers, siren and lights, a battery-powered set of race cars that pits two vehicles against each other around a closed track. Battery-powered lights flash, wheels whirl and engines “roar” while an overhead banner counts laps with colored lights and finally, declares a winner. It was a scene of utter joy on the part of the children and parents alike. But wait. I was becoming a bit leery of the scene unfolding before me.

Does Everything Use Batteries?

“Does everything use batteries”, I asked.

Apparently getting my point, the father nodded sheepishly in the affirmative before laughing out loud. How much value are such toys in the education of children and in helping to mold young, eager minds?

The two year old began to illustrate my point. He didn’t want to simply watch the red and black cars race around the tiered track. He wanted to play with the cars. Snatching the red one up, he rolled it back and forth on the floor in front of him ignoring the flashing lights and sound effects behind him.

“R-r-r-r-r-r”, “R-r-r-r-r-r-r”, “R-r-r-r-r-r-r”, he trilled, imitating a car engine.

“No, no son”, father responded, showing the boy how to turn on the battery-powered car sounds. The child watched and listened, fascinated for a few moments. Then, he’d have none of it.

“R-r-r-r-r-r”, “R-r-r-r-r-r-r”, “R-r-r-r-r-r-r”, he sounded again, the car back in his hand whirring across the cool tile floor.

What is a Toy?
Webster’s New World Dictionary defines “toy” as “an article to play with; especially a plaything for children.” The key point I want to make is that children play with or use the toy. They are not passive observers. Toys should NOT be the kind that a child just sits and watches. They MUST be “interactive” tools for children to have any true development.

What Toys Do
Toys can provide numerous aspects and functions. Some of the more important of these include:

• Stimulate role play and modeling of cultural behaviors
• Help to develop critical perceptive skills
• Help to develop and fine tune motor skills
• Directly stimulate right brain development of visual-spatial aspects and color
• Aid in development of critical thinking
• Provide a channel for development of emotional intelligence
• Educate children in a variety of ways (which can be positive or negative)
• Entertain young, developing minds

We'll continue this theme in part two of this two-part article post. See you then.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Teaching English in Cali, There is Salsa in the air

Problems in Colombia
Even with all the changes and problems in Colombia, Cali retains a homey charm, a personality different from other cities, an atmosphere you might expect to find in the Caribbean at times. Kathleen Romoli, author of “Colombia: Gateway to South America”, describes it well:

“The most striking thing about Cali today is not the Plaza Caicedo with it imposing government buildings and rows of taxis, along the avenues of giant palms, nor the suburbs with their modem villas, and churches, whose bells chime melodies instead of clanging as it Bogotá, nor the busy factories. It is the pervasive air of cheerfulness almost of gaiety- not that it is a city of many amusements; Cali is not gay by virtue of commercial facilities for organized diversion but by the grace of god.”

Cali Attracts Travelers
Cali attracts travelers from all over; tourists, businessmen, back packers, scientists, and students; and of course, salsa fans and salsa artists. Recording studios, “rumberias”, ”discothèques” and “viejotecas” abound in many sections of the city.

What is Cali’s appeal? The city’s buoyant atmosphere? The spectacular sunsets? The natural beauty of the soaring Farallones mountains? The vaunted beauty of its women? Perhaps it’s the climate where it’s always “June”. Or could it be its remarkable cleanliness? Many Colombian towns are clean, but Cali is so clean it stands out. Or maybe it’s the trees, greenery and flowers—the billowing crimson and purple bougainvilla that tumbles in profusion from the walls, the cup-of-gold that drips from the eaves, the waxy bells of the trumpet flow, the poinsettia bushes, gorgeous gardenias, the trees with magenta leaves and carmine flowers or others with feathery green—white blossoms or pale clusters of pink—the wild extravagance of blooms among which iridescent green-bellied hummingbirds flit even in winter.

Presently though, the city has temporarily lost some of its more charming aspects. Streets and thoroughfares lie muddy and broken as a new mass-transit system, the MIO, is being constructed. Nonetheless, residents hope that later this year, as the construction finally finishes, that the city will regain much of its beauty and friendliness.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Teaching English in Colombia: Welcome to Cali

Welcome to Chango’s
You step through the darkened entranceway, leaving the tropical night behind. Suddenly, waves of sound crash over you like ocean surf. Breaking out in a sweat, your heart pounds to the rhythm of bass, bongos, bells and brass. The walls seem to pulsate. The pungent smell of perspiration mixed with perfume assaults you. As your eyes adjust to the dark, broken by hypnotic flashes of the multi-colored strobes, you realize it’s not walls that enclose you, but dancers— scores of dancers gyrating, weaving and swirling, limbs flashing, hips thrusting in quarter—time beat. You fill your lungs with the spicy aroma, tighten your belt a notch and plunge in. Welcome to Chango’s in Cali, Colombia - one of Latin America's hottest Salsa night clubs.

Cali, a modern, festive city of two and a half million residents, lies in the heart of “the Valley.” when Colombians say “the Valley” they mean the Cauca valley, a not so little Garden of Eden a hundred-fifty miles long and some fifteen miles wide between the coastal mountain ranges and the Central Cordillera. Until the turn of the century, this valIey was little more than a rural outpost.

The Cauca Valley
Back then, with a population of some 15,000, the Cauca Valley was largely cattle country, parceled out in vast tracts among the “haciendados.” These were proud, almost haughty men who raised cattle for leather and beef. Some had plantations of sugar cane used to produce the sweetener “panela” and distill the crystal-clear but potent “aguardiente” still sipped today. Life was slow, measured, patriarchal and unchanging.

It has been said that the Cauca region is to Colombia what the South is to the United States. Indeed, there are similarities. In bygone days “hidalgos walked the unpaved “calles” in coats of velvet or scarlet broadcloth embroidered and buttoned with gold and silver, their waistcoats of flowered silk, and the ruffles of their shirts were of the finest batiste,” says Kathleen Romoli, author of “Colombia: Gateway to South America”. And like the Southern states in colonial rimes, large numbers of slaves were imported to work the fields and serve the gentry.

Sugar Cane Country
Time has brought many changes. Today vast sugar cane plantations still carpet the Valley. Mechanized production of cotton, rice and cattle has turned the Cauca Valley into Colombia’s most important agricultural area, after “King Coffee”. And with economic growth has come industry. A leisurely colonial town in 1900, Cali has grown into a large manufacturing center with more than a thousand industries at last count.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Living and Teaching English in Cali, Colombia – No Salsa, No Dates

No Salsa No Dates
Cali has all the amenities typically offered by most large, first-world cities. But undoubtedly for many, the principal attraction that lures them to this charming city is Salsa music. The sensuous, tropical rhythms of Salsa pervade the lives of the two million plus Caleños. On every bus you’ll hear Salsa. Go for a walk, to school or shopping there’s salsa in the air. And, of course there’s Salsa on almost all of the more than two dozen local radio stations. All over town, 24-hours a day, Salsa blasts from speakers on the streets, in parks, in stores, from cars, portable radios and private homes. Cali lives and breathes Salsa.


But why Salsa?
Many other musical traditions, styles and types of folk music flourish in Cali (including the traditional Cumbia, where machete wielding dancers stomp around full-busted women in ruffled skirts). What’s so special about Salsa? After all Vallenatos, a brand of folk music with roots back to the days of the Spanish conquistadors, is still hugely popular—especially as sung by the likes of Colombia’s Grammy award winner Carlos Vives(pictured). Boleros (check out Luis Miguel’s “Inolvidable”) and Merengue continue to have strong followings here.

Why has this one style ingrained itself so deeply into the culture? To aficionados the answer is simple: “I love salsa music.” Whatever the reason for it’s universal popularity in Cali, Salsa is more than just music, more than a dance. It’s an indispensable social skill explains my friend, Carmenza, “No salsa—no dates.” You can’t meet others if you can’t dance.” And that’s why there are salsa dance schools throughout the city. You pay for lessons by the hour. Prices range from $6 up to $10 per hour for more private, one-on-one instruction. Group classes fu up fast. Salsa classes are not just the place to go for learning, but to practice and perfect your moves or pick up some new ones. They’re a good “meeting place” for neighborhood residents. “It’s important to dance very well or you’re boring,” says Sofia, an avid Salsa fan.

The Salsa Capital of the World
Cali calls itself the “Salsa Capital, of the World,” a title wrenched from post-Fidel Cuba and often shared with New York City. But even those who might take exception to “World Capital” will agree that Cali is certainly the “Salsa Capital of South America.” The top Latin salsa performers, like New York’s Jerry “King of 54th Street” Gonzalez, regularly fly in to strut their stuff. At any given time you can see all the famous names in salsa, artists hike Cuba’s “Queen of Salsa,” Celia Cruz; guitarist, singer and songwriter Juan Luis Guerra from the Dominican Republic; Frank Raul Grillo, the Cuban American also known as Machito; Reuben Blades, the popular Panamanian singer, songwriter, actor and politician renowned for his musical innovations as well as traditional Salsa; Willie Colon; Oscar d’Leon, and many others.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Cali, Salsa Capitol of the World

Different Styles and Variations of Salsa
You don’t have to go far in this city of dancers to hear all the different styles and variations of Salsa. The suburb of Juanchito, with 120 of the hottest dance halls, is the throbbing rhythmic heart of Cali’s Salsa nightlife. Every week throughout the year, two hundred thousand locals pour into this eastern suburb to party. Cali teems with discos and “viejotecas” for the young and not so young. Latinos of younger generations typically favor a smoother, more sentimental music known as Salsa Romantica, popularized by bandleaders such as Eddie Santiago and Tito Nieves. Internationally popular salsa singers of the 1990s included Linda “India” Caballero and Mark Anthony. The Puerto Rico-based orchestra “Puerto Rican Power” is another hot group with ardent fans both in Cali and Puerto Rico.

Photo: Prof. Larry M. Lynch and his Colombian wife, Doris

It’s Worth a Trip to Cali to Hear …
While it’s thrilling to hear famous performers of Salsa music from abroad, don’t forget Cali’s many own outstanding world class groups and musicians of Salsa fame blending the old with the new, the classic and the innovative. It’s worth a trip to Cali just to hear the vibrant non-traditional sounds of Jairo Varela and the Grupo Niche. Or other artists like “Son de Cali,” the all—female “Orchestra Canela” and Lisandro Meza who also inject new blood into Cali´s Salsa scene. These and the intoxicating classic Salsa sounds of Kike Santander, Joe Arroyo and Eddy Martinez thunder through the air and flow in the veins of ”coca-colos” (late teens to early 20s adolescents) and “cuchos” alike in discos, salsatecas and even in viejotecas that draw the over-35 crowd.

When I Arrived in Cali
When I arrived in Cali in 1995, I thought my salsa was OK. After all, I’d picked up some smooth moves from a bevy of hot Puerto Rican beauties during a summer stint in San Juan. Even back in my home state of Pennsylvania, there were opportunities on Friday or Saturday nights to slip out and mix with Latinos at our local Hispanic watering holes. I’d perfected a double-quick step in a rectangular pattern, too, and added whirls and spins to the heavy beat. I had no trouble getting, and keeping, dance partners. Then in Miami, during a Labor Day weekend retreat, I met a Latin cutie. I invited her for dinner and dancing later that week at “La Cima,” one of the city’s top Salsa clubs, to show off my moves. She was impressed. A year later we married and after a couple more years we moved to her native Colombia.

Colombian salsa is a different beast. The style, rhythm and beat are similar in other places but it’s a different story on the dance floor. My feet recognized the beat, but behaved as if 1 were wearing Bozo shoes. For a while, 1 stuck to downtown places like “Cuarto Venina,” perched on the banks of the brownish, knee-deep Cali River. It’s listening only, no dancing here. The music is so subdued you can carry on a conversation over "empanadas" and cold “Costeña” beer. It can be just the right touch for a Sunday afternoon. Nowadays, my Latin cutie and 1 are considered “cuchos” (the over-45 set). It’s been many years now. We’re still here though, our 14th wedding anniversary is this month. We're still dancing Salsa.
… and I’m still showing off my moves.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

More Useful Websites for English as a Foreign Language Teachers

In a previous article post we began with some websites for English as a foreign language teachers who may be short on funds and TEFL resources. Here I’d like to continue with a few more personally-selected websites I think you might benefit from.


• www.tefl.com
One of THE premiere EFL teaching job sites online, it will take you a couple of days to input all your information into their database. Once you do however, you’re set and can apply for any ELT-related job anywhere in the world with just a few mouse clicks. You can create and save or update your information quickly and easily at any time too.

• ESL base
Another English as a second or foreign language site where I’ve posted articles and read informative ones on ELT for quite some time now. They have a forum, an interesting selection of features and are well worth a look while you’re browsing for ideas and information. There are jobs, English courses and EFL teaching and learning resources.

• Grammar Advisor
If you’re in the least bit shakey or flakey with your English language grammar, then you would do well to check out this site for English grammar. Not only is the site interactive, but has voice and sound as well so you get to hear spoken versions of grammar in context in addition to reading and grammar lessons.

• Daily Writing Tip
Not exactly a site for “newbies” or the faint of heart, grammarians post this site with in-depth explanations and examples of quite a number of lower-frequency, but interesting and informative English vocabulary points. Origins of words, definitions and contexts for use of lexical elements such as reduplicatives and homographs along with a “word of the day” like avatar, zeitgeist and conundrum, are trademarks of this site.

• http://www.teacherslessonplan.net/
This site has some interesting lesson plans for English teachers, videos, photos and exercises worth a look. You can copy and use the material as is, or adapt it for use with your learners as need be.

Billions of Websites Online

Certainly, as we’ve talked about before, with billions of websites online, there are a multitude of available, blogs, articles, posts, forums and other resources for English language teachers from which to choose. We’ve started a concise list here which will continue to grow on a weekly or monthly basis. Please remember that if you have a favorite site or online resource you’d like to share, please post it in the comments section to help your fellow EFL teachers no matter what country they surf the internet from.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Useful Websites for English as a Foreign Language Teachers

Few, Limited or No Resources for English Language Teaching
Where to go for up-to-date, relevant English as a foreign language information and resources is a constant concern for many ELT professionals around the world. Some countries may have few, limited or no resources for English language teaching. Budgets may be tight or even non-existent. So what’s the enterprising EFL teacher to do? Check into the internet, that’s what. But with billions of pages all vying for our attention, how can you choose the best, most informative places to go? Well, here’s a starter list of useful websites for English as a foreign language teachers.

Here are Some Useful Websites for English as a Foreign Language Teachers

• http://www.seriousteachers.com/
If you want to get an English as a foreign language teaching job abroad FAST – then register here and start packing. Once you have your CV, diplomas and certificates uploaded to their free site and submitted you’ll start getting offers as soon as the same day. You can search hundreds of jobs in dozens of countries and apply for positions with a single mouse click.

• www.quia.com
Looking for ideas for your English or other foreign language classes? How about more than 100 free activities online for your EFL learners? Want to host a web quest, class sessions or exam online? It’s all here at this premiere teaching website. There is a free section to try out. Full access is a nominal, affordable fee per year.

• www.puzzlemaker.com
This is my favorite go-to site for creating my own games and puzzles online. It’s free (my favorite price for ELT materials) and you can copy and save puzzles to print out and use later or to make copies for the learners.

• One Stop English
A useful site for both EFL teachers and language learners alike, this is another good site from my list. There are activities, games and materials for English language teachers which will serve for learners of practically any level.

• Dave’s ESL Café
Dave Sperling’s site is another great site that’s been around for awhile now. Primarily known as a website for finding EFL teaching positions world wide with special posting boards for China, Korea and international EFL jobs, there are also some good activities, games and exercises for learners to work with too. The ELT forum is interesting and active too with feedback from your ELT peers from the “four corners of the earth”. (Yes, I know the earth is round, thank you.)

Billions of Websites Online

Certainly, with billions of websites online, there are a multitude of available, blogs, articles, posts, forums and other resources for English language teachers from which to choose. We’ve started a concise list here which will continue to grow. If you have a favorite site or online resource you’d like to share, please post it in the comments section to help your fellow EFL teachers. In the next article post we’ll continue with more useful websites for EFL teachers. See you then.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Make Your Own English Language Learning DVDs Using These Seven Simple Steps

Having Trouble Learning English?
When you find yourself having problems with learning English or some other foreign language, you can quickly and easily produce your very own language practice and study aids. How? By making your own videos and sound pronunciation practice files and putting them on a CD or DVD. Here’s what you’ll need to do.

Here are Seven simple Steps for Making Your Own English Language DVDs

• Choose a Grammar Point or Other English Language Element
What do you wish to work on? Is it grammar? To improve your English pronunciation? Do you have a vocabulary list? Do you want to learn some idioms, expressions or even slang in English? You could even just use a point from a text book, a reading passage or poem, for example.

• Find a Native or Near-native English Speaker
You’ll near someone with good pronunciation and speaking skills in English to videotape or record. The person should be a native or near-native English speaker, but they do NOT necessarily need to be an English or language teacher.

• Get Permission to Record
Talk to the person or persons explaining to them why you want to record them. You should be sure to make them feel comfortable about the process without placing any pressure on them. It’s important that they are relaxed and are willing to help you.

• Prepare Your Recording Device
Before you record, check your equipment carefully. Are the batteries fully charged? Is the memory empty and ready for your new recording file? Do you understand the steps to make a good sound or audio recording using this device? You and your recording device, i.e., video camera, digital voice recorder, camcorder, etc. should be ready for the session in advance.

• Upload to a Computer
After recording your materials or video, the file needs to be uploaded to a computer. If you don’t know how to do this perhaps you can take your device to an internet café, photo shop or electronics store and have the file uploaded to a computer. It’s also important to have your video or audio file edited if necessary for best quality. Make sure the file format is readable by your computer, CD or DVD player, MP3, MP4 or other device that you might have.

• Burn the File Onto a CD or DVD
Using software like NERO, you can then burn your audio r video files onto a CD or DVD. CDs are frequently used for data and sound files. DVDs are most often used for video image files which can be quite large or not fit onto a regular data CD. You can usually get this done at one of the businesses mentioned earlier. Many photocopy centers can also burn CD or DVD files onto a disk for you.

• Use Your DVD to Practice
Now, with your finished CD or DVD, you can play and practice whatever you need, whenever or wherever you like. It can also be copied and shared with your friends or classmates. If you have any other problem areas in English, you could repeat this process and record your models, examples or correct pronunciation forms for those too.

Make Your Own Study and Learning Aids
Using these seven simple steps make your own English language learning DVDs and CDs quickly and easily. These will be most helpful to you as English language leaning, pronunciation and study aids. Not only that, it will soon become quite a lot of fun for you too.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Where This EFL Teaching and Learning Blog is Read : The Final Top Ten Countries

Here is a Countdown of the Final Top Ten Countries by Number of Readers

6. Spain
Some of my post-graduate studies and research were done in Barcelona, so I’m not too surprised that there is a distinctive readership from there. EFL programs, the vast majority of which also follow the Common European Framework standard, are of very high quality too. Madrid and Barcelona lead a list of 29 cities reporting readers from Spain. Other cities include Pamplona, Leon, Malaga, Cordoba, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Coslada, Hopitalet de Llobrigat, Alicante and Seville.

5. Colombia
Since I live and teach EFL in Colombia, there’s no surprise that a relatively large number of readers are from here. In my Santiago de Cali University classes, both under-graduate and post-graduate, I promote reading my blog and articles online at other sites, such as ESLbase as well. Represented thus far are Cali, Bogota, Pereira, Cartagena, Bucaramanga, Manizales and Medellin.

4. Turkey
The high number of readers from Turkey, home of the Topkapi Dagger (pictured above) was somewhat of a surprise. EFL programs at all levels are held in high esteem there according to peers with whom I’ve had contact. Without a doubt, I’ll have to visit Turkey and Istanbul – and my former classmates Kees and Shebnem. Other of the twenty cities reporting readers from Turkey include Ankara, Samsun, Adana, Bursa, Icel, Canakkele, Gebze, Trabzon, Izmir and Izmit... We'd love to hear from you.

3. South Korea
A relatively high number of readers from South Korea however, took me completely by surprise. Some of my articles and published work has been translated into Japanese, Chinese, Portuguese and Spanish, but so far none exists in Korean that I know of. Perhaps a reader or two from Seoul, Kwanqui, Taejon, Wonju, Songnam, Anyang, Masan or Cheongqui in South Korea would care to enlighten me?

2. United Kingdom
No surprise either, as the UK now also boasts a heavy non-English-speaking immigrant status from Eastern Europe, Africa and South America. EFL programs, obviously featuring British English elements, the vast majority of which follow the Common European Framework standard, are of very high quality. Comments, questions and topic suggestions from EFL professionals based in the UK are also highly encouraged.

1. United States of America
No surprise to me actually, with the huge number of immigrants annually from non-English speaking countries, ESL is now a vast industry in the USA. Still in its fledgling stages when I started teaching ESL nearly two decades ago, the growth and need for on-going research, investigation and forums for information and expression are continually on the rise. Comments, questions and topic suggestions from EFL professionals based in the USA are cheerfully encouraged. So far 45 states have checked in.

Questions, Ideas and Comments from Readers Always Welcome

Your questions, ideas and comments are always welcome, so please feel free to post comment or e-mil me with a question or topic of interest. The blog is now moderated to block spam, malicious and obscene content, but all constructive comments which reflect reader viewpoints and opinions are posted and made available for all. Suggestions for relevant websites, blogs and ELT products are also welcomed from all readers.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

A Countdown of the Top Ten Countries Where This EFL Teaching and Learning Blog is Read

Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico

While this English Language teaching and learning blog has actually been online for more than three years now, its popularity has dramatically risen within the past year or so. Although I originally intended to have a possible readership of a few hundred EFL teachers, mostly in Colombia, Ecuador and Mexico, the readership has now expanded to more than 120 countries and more than 2000 readers per month according to Google Analytics and data tracking software installations. It all started with articles posted online at www.ezinearticles.com when a reader e-mailed me with an article-based question. Then another came, then another and another until it became prudent for me to answer questions via detailed posts which led to the creation of this blog. And so it continues …

Here is a Countdown of the Top Ten Countries by Number of Readers

10. Mexico
As a former contributing writer for the “Teach English in Mexico” newsletter, I traveled the length and breadth of Mexico from Mexico City, Taxco, Tlaxcala and Acapulco to Hermosillo and Monterrey to Cancun, Merida, and San Cristobal de las Casas to Oaxaca, among many others. No I haven’t seen all of the country by far, but enough over several years to be well familiar with its language, culture and customs. In much of the country, English is held in very high regard. Indeed, there are English as a foreign language and/or computer technology “schools” on practically every corner in some towns. Readers come from 26 cities and towns in Mexico.

9. Indonesia
I simply had no idea of the contingent of readers from Indonesia. Principal cities of Indonesian readers include Jakarta, Malang, Surabaya, Tegal, Palembang, Yogyakarta, Gresik, Bogor, Cikarang, Pekanbaru, Bandung and seven others. Comments, opinions and input from readers in Indonesia are sincerely requested.

8. India
With English having “official language” status, it did come as a bit of a surprise that there is a contingent of readers from there. The more, the merrier, I say. Principal cities of readers from the 27 cities reported from India include New Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, Ghaziabad, Mahape, Calcutta, Chandigarh, Erode, Ahmedabad and 14 others. China is recruiting EFL teachers from India in increasing numbers.

7. Canada
From “North of the border” come a large cache of readers. Canada has long encouraged immigration of young professionals from around the globe, so the presence of ESL programs comes as no surprise. A whopping 34 cities reported in from RCMP country with Vancouver and Calgary leading the way.

* RCMP = Royal Canadian Mounted Police (I knew you’d ask!)

Questions and Comments from Readers Always Welcome

Your questions and comments are always welcome, so please feel free to post comment or e-mil me with a question or topic of interest. The blog is now moderated to block spam, malicious and obscene content, but all constructive comments which reflect reader viewpoints and opinions are posted and made available for all. Suggestions for relevant websites, blogs and ELT products are also welcomed from all readers.

In the next post we'll continue the countdown to include a country which may soon boast its first ever black President. See you then.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Seven Guaranteed Ways to Fail English as a Foreign Language Class

Learning English or Other Foreign Language?

If learning English or some other foreign language simply doesn’t interest you at all, but you find yourself having to take English classes, here are seven guaranteed ways to ensure that you will fail. Add all of these to a deliberate lack of any English language practice at all, and you will soon be collecting bad grades and poor English language skills in droves.

Here are Seven Almost Guaranteed Ways to Fail English Class

• Don’t Study for the Exams
In most formal English or other foreign language classes, you’ll be required to take periodical exams or evaluations of some type. Don’t bother to study or prepare for these in any way. Try to get a zero if you can.

• Miss English Classes Often
In addition to not preparing for your English as a foreign language classes, you can just skip the classes altogether. Often there is a limit to the number of classes that can be missed and still have the possibility of passing. Exceed this limit and there you are, failing English classes can be just that simple. So fail early and avoid the late semester rush.

• Don’t Ever Ask Any Questions
Okay, so you’re in English as a foreign language class. “Yadda, yadda, yadda”, the teacher is explaining grammar. You don’t really understand but don’t ever ask any questions in class and you won’t disturb the EFL teacher. This will really help you to fail.

• Try NOT to Participate in English Class
You don’t want to disturb the English teacher, do you? So don’t raise your hand or volunteer to answer any questions in English class. No only that, but you shouldn’t participate in English class activities at all. Dialogues, games, practice activities and other dynamics shouldn’t concern you.

• Never Read or Use the English Class Course Book

If your English as a foreign language classes require the use of a course book, you may have to buy one but you certainly don’t ever have to open, read or use it in any way. Maybe you can even sell it to some other learner for next semester.

• Forget About Doing Homework and Assignments
Look, your free time is yours to do with as you please, why use it studying and practicing English? Don’t worry about doing homework. Forget those English class assignments. If the EFL teacher is pushy about checking books and collecting assignments, you could just copy the work from one of your buddies.

• Disrupt the Other Learners in English Class as Much as Possible
If some “authority” like the school Principal or your parents absolutely insist on your being in English class, then the least you can do is to make your presence known by disrupting English class activities as much as possible. Laugh, joke, talk with other learners in your first language, whatever you might feel in the mood for. This will help you to fail as quickly as possible.

In All Probability You Will Fail English
If you strictly follow these seven ways of approaching English classes, you can rest assured that in all probability you will fail English as a foreign language this term and every term. Encourage your classmates to do the same and you can help them to fail English classes too. Guaranteed.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book, “If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

The Seven Best Places in Your Town to Learn English

Why Travel Abroad?

Who said that the only way to learn English or other foreign language was to travel abroad? True, this is an excellent way to acquire a second or foreign language, but it’s hardly the only way. You can delve into and deepen your English or foreign language knowledge and skills right there in your city or town. Where? How? Read on …


Here are Seven of the Best Places in Your Town:

• The Public Library
This can be one of the best places to learn English and a lot of other things too, for that matter. You can not only read, but listen to tapes and cassettes, as well as watch videos and DVDs. Ask what materials are available in your local public library and you just might be surprised at how much they have.

• A Language Institute
If there is a branch of a foreign language teaching institute in your town, it might be a great place to broaden and deepen your foreign language skills. They would also know of stores, shops, restaurants and grocers familiar with the language you’d like to learn, whether it’s English or some other language.

• A Community College
Is there a community college or other higher-learning facility in your town? Check into whether or not they have English language learning, foreign language or writing courses. Many continuing education type courses are offered after working hours or on weekends for the convenience of working adult learners.

• Restaurants and Diners
While you’re learning English, Chinese, Thai, Korean, Japanese, German, French, Arabic or other foreign languages, regular meals at related ethnic restaurants or diners can be a great boost to your vocabulary. Especially if any of the staff speak the foreign language you’re interested in.

• Bookstore or News Stands
Depending on where you live, the local bookstores and news stands may well offer foreign language newspapers, magazines and other publications in English or other foreign language that you may be interested in. Even comic books and publications for children can be useful, so don’t rule them out.

• EFL Classes
Naturally, wherever they are, you’re going to root out any available English as a foreign language or other foreign language courses in your area. Look for classifieds for language tutors too. Then call to arrange for more personalized private lessons.

• Local TV and Radio Broadcasts
While this isn’t exactly a place, you can in fact, lean quite a lot from regularly scheduled broadcasts in English or whatever other foreign language you’d like to learn. Check newspaper and TV guide listings for foreign language broadcasts or call local stations and ask about their English or foreign language programming. Also, be ready to record broadcasts from the radio or television so you can repeat them as you need to help you to practice and learn.

Before You Travel Abroad

So again, who said that the only way to learn English or other foreign language was to travel abroad? You can delve into and deepen your English or foreign language knowledge and skills right there in your city or town using the seven places and methods just mentioned. Check around to see what’s available. Then take advantage of every option that you can.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Seven English Language Literary Writers You Should Know

English Language Learners Welcome

Whether your learners come from a reading-based culture or not, you should have them become familiar with written English. There are a number of authors whose works your English language learners would welcome, believe it or not. The first in some cases though, is to have the EFL teacher become familiar with English language authors and with how their works might be utilized in class.

Here are Seven English language Writers to Start You Off

• William Shakespeare
The second most-quoted works in the English language are those of this English-born playwright from the 16th century. Use a scene from one of the better-known plays like “Romeo and Juliet”, “Hamlet” or the perennial favorite of many, “MacBeth”. Either of the two scenes with the three witches can be easily dramatized for even greater impact.

• Theodore Seuss Geisel
More commonly known as “Dr. Seuss”, his works for children are still growing in popularity. Several are animated films and a couple of others, like “Horton Hears a Who”, "The Cat in the Hat" and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” are full length feature films.

• The Holy Bible
No matter what region of the world you might be from, your first language or religious beliefs, the Holy Bible is recognized as a historic, prophetic work and book of Supreme wisdom. It is the world’s most-quoted book by far. Almost every knows at least a few passages from the Bible and perhaps parents could input their favorites to your EFL learners.

• Edgar Allen Poe
If your learners like horror and suspense stories, then this is the author for them. Considered to be the “inventor” of the short story writing format, Poe’s works, wholly or in part, have also been made into plays, dramas and movies many times over. Which one of his chilling tales is your favorite?

• Ernest Hemingway
If you haven’t heard of Hemingway then you’ve obviously been living on the moon.
“The Old Man and the Sea” is but one perennial favorite. When American English speakers talk about writing, he is their prime shining example.

• Louis L’Amour
One genre particular to America is the Western. One of this genre’s most popular and prolific authors is Louis L’Amour with his detailed stories of the Old West and frontier. If you want to convey a true sense of what the Old West must have been like, then you can’t do any better than to read a few of his highly entertaining stories.

• Robert Frost
A Poet-Laureate of the United States, (pictured above) Robert Frost’s poems cover a range of topics and situations. He read his works before presidents of the U.S. and are required reading in schools across the country. Try “Fire and Ice” or “Stopping By Woods on a Snowy Evening” to introduce him to your EFL learners.

Whatever Your Preferences

Whatever the preferences of you and your EFL learners might be, there are a plethora of authors, writers and poets to intrigue and delight you. Take a little time to search the internet for some of its treasure troves of English literature and poetry to use with your EFL learners. They’ll enjoy it and be introduced into yet another of the many wonders and pleasures of the English language.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Cna Yuo Raed Tihs?

Cna Yuo Raed Tihs?

Recently, while opening my email I came across this very interesting message. It was basically a message where the letters of each word were all scrambled. The first and the last letters were kept intact, but between them they were all mixed. Surprisingly enough I could read it perfectly. The message is below. Can you read it?

fi yuo cna raed tihs, yuo hvae a sgtrane mnid too. Cna yuo raed tihs? Olny 55 plepoe out of 100 can.

i cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it dseno’t mtaetr in waht oerdr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iproamtnt tihng is taht the frsit and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it whotuit a pboerlm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Azanmig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt!

More than 55 out of 100
They say that only 55 people out of 100 can read that way. I would believe this number to be higher considering that I haven’t found anyone yet who couldn’t read it.

What do you think?


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

English Language Teaching: How Many Ways Can You Use Music?

How Many Ways Can You Use Music in Teaching English as a foreign or second language?

Do you like music? Do your learners like music too?

How about using music and songs to teach English as a foreign language? In upcoming posts we'll discuss the particular use of music, songs and melody in the teaching of English and other foreign languages. But first, I'd like to share a little music with you. You don't have to know Spanish to enjoy this musical clip of a student jazz singer and band performing during a Teacher's Day celebration in Cali, Colombia at the Santiago de Cali University.

I hope you enjoy it.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

If You’re NOT a Native English-Speaking EFL Teacher, Please Read This

A Non-Native ESOL English Teacher Asks

Among the hundreds of monthly visitors and readers of this EFL teaching blog, I sometimes get e-mails from non-native EFL teachers who’d like to parlay their English language communicative skills into a teaching position outside their native country. While I certainly agree it can be a challenge to do so, it is in fact possible. Many of the e-mails I receive are similar in content to this one in which I have omitted or altered names and specifics to protect the person(s) involved.


Dear Prof. Lynch,

“I am a non-native English-speaking teacher. I hold a Bachelor's degree in English from a state university in my country. I have been teaching English for five years. Currently I am teaching English to speakers of other languages (Spanish speaking students) I would like to teach English abroad, but I have noticed that it is difficult for non-native English speaking teachers to work abroad.

Recently, I requested information from hundreds of schools in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America without having success because when most of them replied to me they told me that they only hire native speakers of English and that those interested in working as English teachers must be from countries like UK, USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, etc.

Besides this, most of the employers ask for certificates like TEFL, TESOL or CELTA. Unfortunately, here in my country there aren't any institutions that offer the courses or programs mentioned above.

I feel deeply discouraged. Aren't there any opportunities in any countries where they take candidates from non-English speaking countries for teaching English?

I want to teach English abroad for two reasons. The first is to get a lot of experience working with students from different cultures and to improve my English and my teaching.”


No TESOL Certification, No ELT Job Offers

The first and main problem here is actually NOT having a CELTA, TEFL or other TESOL certification. You'll need to contact the nearest British Council office for locations where you might take an intensive CELTA course. Other options include Oxford TEFL training centers, Cambridge TEFL centers or TESOL centers in the country or region where you live. If there are none available locally or regionally, as is the case with this teacher, you might want to consider an online TEFL certificate course. Note that, without a TEFL certificate virtually NO school abroad would consider you at all. Also, the institution where you take your TEFL certificate course will help you get an overseas position. A search on Google or Yahoo for online CELTA courses or online TEFL certificate programs should yield you dozens of possibilities.

Check, Double and Triple Check ALL Correspondence

Another problem with this teacher was a number of English language spelling, punctuation and grammar errors in his e-mail. If you send an inquiry or cover letter to a school, institution or university by snail mail or e-mail and it contains ANY errors in English at all, you’ve just ruined your own chances of any further dealings with them. It is absolutely paramount that you spell check, grammar check, review and judiciously proof read and edit any correspondence you send out by mail in any form. Perhaps you’ll let an error or two slip by in spoken conversation or oral discourse, but there’s absolutely, positively NO EXCUSE for doing so with a written communication. Find a native or near-native speaker to proof read your correspondence before you send it out. No native English speakers handy? Okay, then e-mail ME and I’ll be happy to check it for you if need be – quickly and at no charge, of course.

Varieties of English

Another problem which might crop up is the variety of English you may use or speak. Alas, this is not a perfect world we live in and certain forms of English are preferred in certain regions and countries of the world. Your age, nationality and background also may factor in, they really shouldn’t most of the time, but unfortunately they often do. Don’t despair though, if you’re experienced, dynamic and certified, you will get ELT job offers from broad if you keep trying. Try applying at different times of the year, to different regions of the world, to different types of schools and institutions that have different English language learner profiles. Persistence can be a crucial key. Just don’t give up and you’ll get there.

Good Luck.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

English Language Error Correction: A Key Language Skills Development Tool

A Lot of English Language Mistakes

English as a foreign language learners make a lot of mistakes in class, don’t they? Speaking, writing, grammar and spelling errors are practically way of life with teachers and learners alike. It’s a “healthy” problem though because with errors come corrections. And with correction comes learning. (J. D. Brown, 1988) The more errors learners make the more correction is done. The more correction is done, the more leaning that takes place. We most often learn much more from our mistakes than our successes. True or False?

Why Use Error Correction?

When learners are producing language I class, whether speaking or writing, they usually want to know when they make any serious mistakes in their production. Do your learners ever ask, “Teacher, is that okay?” Certainly, they most probably do. In that case then, some form or forms of error correction techniques should prove to be useful. While it’s not typically recommended to correct learner errors while they are speaking, some speech or pronunciation correction should be done immediately after their discourse. If many of the learners produce similar speech or pronunciation mistakes on a consistent basis, a lesson on that particular aspect may well be called for. English or other foreign language learners might also self or peer correct written work and reading in class. (M. Spratt, 2003)

Peer Correction vs. Self-Correction

There are essentially three basic forms of error correction:

• Self-correction
• Peer correction
• Teacher correction

Of these the most effective in English or foreign language skills acquisition is self-correction. When learners realize and correct their own mistakes, they are more effectively internalizing the language. The next most desirable and effective form is peer correction. When learners are able to recognize and correct their mistakes collectively, they actually help each other to develop English language skills with less interference of their respective Affective Filters. (Krashen–Terrell, 1983) Finally, there is correction of errors by the teacher. An effective means, but one that should be last and the least frequently used form of English or other foreign language correction. In cases where the EFL teacher may not be a native or near-native speaker, has grammar or pronunciation problems, heavy accent or speech traits or may otherwise desire to do so, recorded audio or video materials could be used to provide corrective modeling. (B. Kashru, 1983)

Identify the Errors and Correct

Just for fun, let’s try a few interesting examples. Can you identify and correct the tag question, modal and other errors in the following sentences? Also, the corrected sentences should be true.

Today is Wednesday, aren’t they?

It’s raining today, isn’t we?

She doesn’t have a book, do he?

He like coffee, do you?

Students should be allowed to fail exams.

Teachers must to study everyday.

Students can fail all their exams and pass the course, does he?

You don’t must to pay the university registration fee, can’t you?

Yesterday was Monday, isn’t they?


So, how well do you think you did? If you have any doubts or questions, feel free to contact me. Remember, the more errors learners make the more correction is done. The more correction is done, the more leaning that takes place. Let your learners know that making mistakes in English class is okay. Errors can be highly effective learning tools. We often learn much more from our mistakes than our successes, now don’t we?


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 100 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

English Language Teachers: Do You Know These ELT Industry - Related Acronyms?

English Language Teaching Professionals Need to Understand

ELT, EAP, EGP, L1, MT, NNL, TESOL, TBE, LEP, and SLAM- Do you know what these commonly-used English language teaching and learning acronyms happen to stand for? In order to be able to read and comprehend many articles, publications and presentations relating to the teaching of English as a foreign or second language, you need to be aware of these and other frequently-used industry acronyms.


Photo: A cruise ship passing through the Panamal Canal using seaspeak for all ship-to-shore communications

ELT – English Language Teacher/ing
EAP – English for Academic Purposes (such as in a trade school or university)
EFL – English as a Foreign Language (in locations where English has no official status)
EGP - English for General Purposes (also known as conversational English in some areas)
EIL – English as an International Language (Includes PoliceSpeak, Seaspeak, techno-speak and Airspeak)
EOP – English for Occupational / Other Purposes (English for work or non-academic use)
ESP – English for Special / Specific Purposes (specialized English and vocabulary)
EST – English as a Second Tongue (in locations where English has official status and use)
LEP – Limited English Proficiency (low-level English speakers who may have extensive English class study time with little improvement)
SLAM – Second Language Acquisition Methodology (refers to the teaching and learning of foreign languages other than English, i.e. non-TESOL applications)

And How About THESE ELT Acronyms?

L1 – first language (or Mother Tongue)
L2 – Second language
L3 – third language
MT – Mother Tongue (or First language)
NNL – Non-Native language
TEFL – Teaching of English as a Foreign Language
TEIL – Teaching of English as an International Language
TESL – Teaching English as a Second Language
TESOL – Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages
TBE – Teaching of Business English (to companies and executives or employees)

There Are Some Others

On occasion additional ELT industry-related acronyms are used. These presented here are some of the most frequently-encountered ones. Familiarity with these will aid your comprehension of a variety of English-teaching and foreign language teaching related texts.
Next time you need to decipher a trade or technical journal article on an English language teaching and learning topic, knowing these acronyms can help to save you from a headache due to incomprehensible input.

Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-book, "If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business? How about an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.

Part 2 of Teaching English Abroad: Three More Important Things You Didn’t Know About

Letters to the Author
According to many of the letters to the author that I regularly receive, there are more than a few misconceptions about what life is or is not supposed to be like when living abroad. In keeping with the increasing trend towards people moving abroad to retire, change their lifestyle, experience new cultures, get closer to their “roots”, and in general to improve their overall living conditions. As mentioned previously, such a move, while having a number of benefits, can be the proverbial double-edged sword. These are more of a few “Caveat Emptors” to be reckoned with.

5. Don’t Expect a Perfect World Abroad
Don’t expect a perfect world abroad because we don’t live in one. You shouldn’t need me to tell you that, but just in case, there it is in black and white. In many countries you would expect to have well-provided services, you’re in for a surprise. Power fails and stays off for days. Water outages can occur. Water that is available may not always be potable with additional steps on your part. Phone service may be sporadic or unavailable. Also expect it to be more expensive than you’re accustomed to. Traffic as illustrated in the video of Panama City in Panama below, may be a nightmare most of the day with transit and vehicle insurance laws usually being unenforceable.

6. If You’re a Minority, You WILL Be Discriminated Against
As I mentioned earlier, as if you didn’t already know, we don’t live in a perfect world.
Blacks, women, nationalities from certain countries, religious and ethnic group members and “senior citizens can all experience discrimination in some form or other. You can however, prepare for it and take steps to circumvent or avoid it. It’s much harder (but not impossible) to get an EFL teaching position if you’re over 50 or so, are black or of certain religious groups. The importance of having good, well-recognized credentials cannot be over-emphasized in this regard.

7. Start Learning the Local Language
Start learning the local language NOW, even before you get any further along towards your prospective destination or new home. Use dictionaries, language guides, a community college or language institute short course. Try video and audio tape series and whatever else you can dig up. Practice something in the language everyday from now on. Listen to local radio stations from your target country on the internet if need be. Get a private tutor for a short intensive series of practical language lessons. Make no mistake, you WILL need it. If you need to learn a foreign language really quickly and easily, check out my eBook HERE.

This is Not to Discourage You
This is not to discourage you from considering, then acting upon a deep-seated desire to live, work or travel abroad. You should be as well-informed as possible before the move. Take a short “pilot trip” if you can. Sniff around, meet people, check out the local and regional newspapers and telephone directories for leads and information. Get a local cell phone number. Don’t give up, just don’t be anymore of a “victim” than you might have to be otherwise. Have fun, enjoy and good luck in your new destination, wherever that might be.


Prof. Larry M. Lynch is an EFL Teacher Trainer, Intellectual Development Specialist, author and speaker. He has written ESP, foreign language learning, English language teaching texts and hundreds of articles used in more than 80 countries. Get your FREE E-book,"If you Want to Teach English Abroad, Here's What You Need to Know" by requesting the title you want at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com Need a blogger or copywriter to promote your school, institution, service or business or an experienced writer and vibrant SEO content for your website, blog or newsletter? Then E-mail me for further information.