• Teacher Certification

Recently, one of my students asked me a surprising question: “Can I just buy an IELTS certificate instead of preparing for the exam?” 😊 As an English teacher, I almost fell off my chair! Of course, many people look for shortcuts, but the truth is different. That conversation inspired me to share my own experience. Let’s talk about what an IELTS certificate is, how to get an IELTS certificate the right way, and why it can be so valuable for English teachers. Let’s dive in!

• Teacher Certification

How do you prove you’re a strong English teacher—especially if you don’t yet have decades of experience? One great answer is the TKT certificate. A few years ago a colleague asked me, “Do you have a TKT certificate?” I hesitated. I didn’t really know what the TKT is or why I might need it. Having gone through the whole process since then, I’m ready to share what I learned 😊. Spoiler: earning this certificate was easier than I expected—and it opened far more doors than just another line on my CV.

Hello, colleagues! My name is York Fern, and I’m an English teacher with many years of classroom experience. Today I’d like to share a personal story and some practical advice about one of the more challenging—yet deeply rewarding—aspects of our job: teaching students with dyslexia. I still remember the first time I worked with a dyslexic learner. Honestly, I felt a little nervous and unsure where to begin. But over time, I realized something crucial: dyslexia is not a barrier to learning, but simply a different way of processing information. And with the right approach, students with dyslexia can thrive. 😊

During my TEFL/TESOL training I learned just how important it is to adapt to the needs of different learners. But even an international teaching certificate can’t prepare you 100% for working with dyslexic students—you learn most of it in practice. In this article, I’ll share how I adapt my English lessons for students with dyslexia. We’ll explore which dyslexia teaching strategies really work in the ESL classroom, and what kinds of adapted materials make lessons more effective and less stressful. Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned educator, I hope you’ll find something here that inspires you. Let’s dive in! 🚀

Have you ever wondered how the brain learns a foreign language? Early in my ESL career I kept asking myself: why do some learners absorb new vocabulary effortlessly while others struggle to remember even ten words? Why does speech flow naturally for some, while others fear saying more than a sentence? The answers are closer than we think—enter the neuropsychology of language learning.

Imagine this: an evening adult ESL class. Many learners have just finished a long workday—energy is low and eyelids are heavy. Then you say, “Let’s play a game!” What do you think happens in the classroom? 😊 You might picture awkward silence or surprised looks. I thought the same at first. Have you ever tried offering a game to adult learners in an English lesson? I’ll admit, I was initially skeptical: gamification in adult English classes sounded like something from kindergarten.