Location…….location…….location

Completed your Trinity CertTesol at ELA??? Here are some fabulous TEFL destinations where there are no shortage of jobs (check out tefl.com for an exhaustive list)

Czech Republic

Yes, Prague is still beautiful and still cheap! Go on, name another European capital city that is so affordable, liveable and has so many job opps. That’s right, you probably can’t.

Good for:

* money; you can probably earn the average Czech monthly wage very soon in your career.

* architecture, choose from one of Prague’s painfully cool but beautiful inner city areas or go for communist chic in one of the outer neighbourhoods

Will it be Žižkov or ….

Jižní Město (south city) ???

* Sport, there are teams galore for football and ice hockey fans. Kick off times range from 1800 Friday to 1000 (yes AM) Sunday. Don’t worry, good beer is always available.

* Film, the vast majority of cinemas use Czech subtitles so gorge on the city’s independent cinema scene

* Gigs, most bands feel obliged to add a central European leg to a tour. Tickets are normally very easy to come by.

*public transport, highly efficient and highly subsidized. You’ve really no excuse not to explore the capital and the rest of the country

* Language, the locals know it’s difficult and appreciate any sort of effort you make in murdering it

But hold on:

* Czechs think nothing of having lessons at 0720 before work! Few teachers can afford to turn down these pre-morning

Winter commute- tram style

classes so get your beauty sleep

* You will travel a lot, from company to school to private home. In the winter this can be tiring

* it’s an employers’ market and many schools want self-employed teachers. Plus, as most TEFL managerial

roles are occupied by Czechs you may need to look elsewhere for career progression

* Whisper it to your students but Czech food can be a tad monotonous. And stodgy.

Spain

Boasting a thriving TEFL market, a dizzying selection of beautiful places to live and noticeably more money than Italy (the other major European destination).

¡Olé!

* if you want a relaxed lifestyle with good public services look no further

* the Spanish know how to party, keep up with them if you can

In Spain even your grandparents stay up all hours

* Village or city? Mountains or beaches? Andalusia or Asturias? The range of destinations can be daunting, in a good way

* Contracts, most academies in Spain offer proper 10 month contracts with paid holidays. The work tends to dry up in the summer.

*Tapas, go to the right part of the country and you will effectively eat for free

As tasty as it looks

* Spanish and English share a number of Latin based words. Save time by asking ‘Is it the same in Spanish?’

* Region rules. You may have dined on Galician sea food but you haven’t tasted paella if you haven’t had it in Valencia. Which region is most        Spanish? Visit them all to decide!

* Quite simply: the people. Your classroom will never be dull. Your town center will never be quiet.

It’s not all tinto de varano :

* The climate is not all it’s cracked up to be. Madrid and Granada can be cold in winter and stifling in summer. Many rental flats in the south don’t have any heating at all!

White Madrid, a more common sight than you might expect

* Be aware that not all private academies are of the same quality. Do your research before you commit to a school!

* Learn the lingo to 1) make local friends and 2) enhance your promotion chances. Academies tend to want managers who can speak with parents and clients

* Remember the locals’ language skills may not be up to much, especially in more regional towns and smaller cities

* Fix a smile on your face, grab a strong a coffee and be prepared to teach kids!

China

Always an attractive option for the more adventurous TEFLer; teachers who go normally come back with tales of an unforgettable experience.

Get going for:

* the high salaries Westerners, especially those with relevant degrees, are often offered in big cities

* the buzz of International cities like Beijing and Shanghai with the thriving expat scenes

Enjoy the buzz of Beijing

* Shenzhen in the tropical SE, a booming city close to some of China’s best beaches

Dameisha Beach, Shezhen

* the challenge of a different script. Remember you can get by without speaking the language initially and there are lots of handy apps to help!

* the typically warm Chinese welcome

* a truly different society and a different world view

Remember:

* The air quality in some of the bigger cities famously leaves a lot to be desired

* There’s a big difference between teaching in private academies and public schools, make sure you know what you’re letting yourself in for

* Chinese work places tend to have a different mentality to their Western counter parts. Bosses are rarely questioned and saving face can be all important

* to carefully consider the reputation and location of the school/academy. Finding yourself as one of a handful of foreigners in a provincial city working for a poorly run organization….is best avoided

Have you got what it takes to be a TEFLER???

If you’re looking for a way to live abroad and enjoy helping people, keep reading: ELA’s Trinity certTESOL courses could be for you.

TEFL can take you anywhere in the world but you have to be up for the challenge.

Where will you TEFL?

Moving abroad into the unknown is sure to get the heart pumping. Most expats vividly remember their first few days abroad and it takes some time for that initial buzz to wear off, if it ever does. As you rise to the challenges of finding our way around your new city, shopping in strange surroundings or figuring out how to get wifi, you will feel a sense of accomplishment out of all proportion to such mundane tasks.

Added to the undeniable thrill of living abroad is the sense of satisfaction that you are there to contribute to local skills and education. Whether it’s in public schools, language academies,

companies or even private homesyou have a unique chance to get to know, understand and help local people. Along the way you will meet characters you would never otherwise have been exposed to, some of these will become good friends.

If these benefits appeal to you then perhaps it’s time to consider if you’re ready for, or content with, your 9-5 office world. Flexibility is certainly a key attribute TEFL teachers must have in bucket loads. Always remember: it’s the students’ lesson not the teachers’! You don’t have to be the expert but you do have to exploit different parts of your personalities with different groups.

Mind your Teacher Talk Time

Flexibility doesn’t just extend to personalities or lesson types. The green TEFLer must also be culturally adaptable. If you expect a mini super-market open from 1000-2200 on every Italian street corner, stay in Blighty. If you have to have your tapas before 9, stay home. ‘Normal’ and ‘right’ are truly subjective matters.

Can you learn to adapt? 

Embrace the strangeness of your new home and learn more about your own as you go!

IELTS at ELA

Hello, fellow lovers of language!

This week, we've asked one of our talented teachers here at ELA to speak about the IELTS Exam, a topic that we have frequent questions about. If you have more questions about this popular exam, you can visit the ELA website. You can also find great practice materials on the British Council's  page. And, of course, if you have more in depth questions, or would like to know how to enrol, visit us here.

And now we bring you Jonny's introduction to IELTS:

What is IELTS?  Do I need it?

Well, there are two ‘parts’ to this English Examination, and students choose the exam based on whether they are doing Academic IELTS  or General IELTS.

Most students choose Academic IELTS, as they are preparing for an undergraduate or Postgraduate University course, either in Britain or abroad. Students choosing General IELTS usually require it as a VISA requirement or as a quick (but very appreciated) test of their English for an employer, or perhaps because they simply want to test themselves. In reality, the Speaking and Listening exams are exactly the same, while Writing and Reading are slightly different, but we’ll talk about that if you join the course.

You might ask what we do to prepare for these exams. The truth is that it isn’t all Exams Exams Exams.  To do well, you need to have a good appreciation of grammar and a wide vocabulary, while also possessing other skills and abilities, such as comprehension, written and fluency skills, with clear pronunciation, for example.  You also need to be able to understand the nature of Academic English.  So, yes, everyone does practice exams but it is much more than just exams.

At Edinburgh Language Academy, our classes take place from 13.30 to 15.30 every day, although we do intensive courses too – and, if you prefer 1-1 classes, we can be arrange this at a time to suit you.

Thank you for your interest in ELA! We look forward to welcoming you soon!

Edinburgh is calling

Edinburgh is calling 

Get 20% off our social program

Edinburgh is an astonishing place, where you will find a perfect contrast between the old medieval town and Georgian town. It is a place, on the streets of which you will come across exceptionally beautiful architecture that organically coordinates with the magnificent traces of volcanoes, which are located in the heart of the city. 

Edinburgh is home to world know philosophers, writers, academics, scientists, doctors, artists and many more famous people, like Alexander Graham Bell, Arthur Conan Doyle, Charles Darwin, David Hume, Peter Higgs and J.K. Rowling. 

Here it seems like a long time ago the clouds from heaven have occupied the skies above the city, creating ever wonderful sunsets that cannot be compared to anything else. Here, every street is filled with rich history and possess a unique story, which is waiting to be revealed. Here, (spoiler alert) you will not find a lot of sunshine, but this place is famous for dramatic landscapes, mysterious legends, beautiful greenery and wonderful people who will make your visit to Scotland unforgettable.

ELA has gathered some of the most iconic places of this wonderful city, where you can immerse yourself in a fairy tale of this magical land. I can guarantee, that by looking at these photographs you will set off on an adventure to Edinburgh and there is no better place than ELA, who will help you find suitable English courses and comfortable accommodation, as well as organise tours and excursions. 

The Scott Monument is a Victorian Gothic monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. It is the largest monument to a writer in the world.

Here's just a glimpse of some of the country’s top architectural feats.

During the last lunar eclipse, the Earth's main shadow didn't cover the Moon. As the Earth's shadow (umbra) missed the Moon during a lunar eclipse, there were no other locations on Earth, apart from Edinburgh where the Moon appeared partially or totally eclipsed during this event. 

Edinburgh's sunsets are simply the best.

 Edinburgh Castle is a historic fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of      Edinburgh.

The panoramic views from Calton Hill have astonished and inspired visitors for centuries. 

We are not lying when we say that the region bursts with historical attractions.

Come and see for yourself!

Get  20% off our social program, when you book a minimum of 2 weeks of English classes with ELA. 

What you have to do is, share this post on your wall, get as many likes as possible and write a very short story- 'I would like to visit this wonderful place, because...'

(The story has to be no more than 150 words)

• The offer is valid until the 20th of June 2016*
• The winner will be announced on the 22nd of June. 

*Terms and conditions apply

Please contact ELA for more information.

• website: http://www.elacademy.co.uk/
• email: info@elacademy.co.uk
• facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdinburghLanguageAcademy
• twitter: https://twitter.com/E_L_ACADEMY

Top 5 reasons for downloading an audiobbok

AUDIOBOOKS

You might have heard this term, which started circling the web over 5 years ago, but didn't know what the fuss was all about. Well, let us introduce you to this modern way of ‘reading’ or learning a language.

Please meet audiobooks, professionally narrated recordings of different kinds of literature, ranging from classical novels to modern sci-fi, including biographies and even recipe books. They are usually the exact version of a book, but sometimes they are shortened to further simplify the reader’s or in this case the listener’s life.

Now that we know what audiobooks are, we will find out why they are so popular and where to download free audiobooks in English.

Here are top 5 reasons why you should listen to an audiobook.

1. Audiobooks are great for those who do not like reading. We all have different learning techniques, some prefer reading while others prefer listening, so if you are one of the latter team, then audiobooks are your perfect match. Also, they are amazing for when you are feeling too lazy to read or just too busy to spare some of your time to reading.

2. You can take your audiobook wherever you want. It will substitute your boring date on your walks in the park, sunbathing sessions by the pool and many other activities like going to the gym, travelling and so on. Whether you are on the move or lying in your cosy bed, they can be downloaded straight to your phone or other smart device and be available within minutes.

3. When learning a new language, for example English, audiobooks will help you improve your pronunciation and boost your vocabulary. Furthermore, listening is proved to be an efficient way of memorising important facts, so stack up on books and get learning.

4. If you haven’t seen yet, there is a huge list of audiobooks available to suit everyone’s taste. And since they do not take up any space in your bag you can download several books at a time and enjoy listening to different stories and scenarios.

5. Another advantage of audiobooks is that you can set your own pace and regulate the speed of the recording. You can set it on low speed, to allow your brain to consume and process new information, or you could speed it up and learn more in an hour.

And if you are still not convinced, I suggest you give it a go and let us know what you think. 

Big fans of audiobooks, who I am sure are members of Audible, will most definitely recommend to sign up and explore the rich collection of books that Audible has to offer. 

At last, all I have to say is, audiobooks are wonderful! Even if you prefer reading books, you should at least once, try listening to your favourite novel.

As promised, here are a few websites where you can download free audiobooks in English:

http://esl-bits.net/

http://www.openculture.com/freeaudiobooks

 http://www.allyoucanbooks.com/browse-audiobooks-ebooks

The Mysterious Underwater World

1.       Fill in the gaps with the correct word from the box below.

animals   attract   bioluminescent   blue   burglar   chemicals   cloud   defence   empty   energetically   escape   feet   fighting   horn   hypnotize   impact   life   light   ocean   organs   Prize   substrate   swimming   tentacles   tropical   world

A.      Today we have only explored about 3 percent of what's out there in the (1)______________. Already we've found the (2)______________'s highest mountains, the deepest valleys, underwater lakes and  waterfalls. And in a place where we thought no (3)______________ at all, we find more life and diversity and density than the (4)______________ rainforest, which tells us that we do not know much about this planet at all. There is still 97 percent, and either that 97 percent is (5)______________ or just full of surprises. There's fish with glowing, pulsating eyes. It is just fascinating how cephalopods can, with their incredible eyes, sense their surroundings, look at light, look at patterns. When backing into a crevice, they pull their (6)______________ in to make them look just like algae, and disappears right into the background. Sometimes they don't want to be seen when they move, because predators can see them. They can actually slide across the bottom, using the waves and the shadows so as not to be seen.

B.      Usually if people are familiar with bioluminescence at all, it is through fireflies. And there are a few other land-dwellers that can make light -- some insects, earthworms, fungi -- but in general, on land, it is really rare. In the ocean, it is the rule rather than the exception. If you go out in the open ocean environment, virtually anywhere in the world, and you drag a net from 3,000 (7)______________ to the surface, most of the animals -- in fact, in many places, 80 to 90 percent of the (8)______________ that you would bring up in that net -- make light. Some of the colors and patterns are designed to (9)______________.

C.      In the 19th century, the French physiologist Raphael Dubois ground a clam up and he managed to get out a couple of chemicals; one, the enzyme, he called luciferase; the (10)______________, he called luciferin after Lucifer. That terminology has stuck, but it does not actually refer to specific (11)______________ because these chemicals come in a lot of different shapes and forms. In fact, most of the people studying bioluminescence today are focused on the chemistry, because these chemicals have proved so incredibly valuable for developing antibacterial agents, cancer (12)______________ drugs, testing for the presence of life on Mars, detecting pollutants in our waters, etc. In 2008, the Nobel (13)______________ in Chemistry was awarded for work done on a molecule called green fluorescent protein that was isolated from the (14)______________ chemistry of a jellyfish, and it has been equated to the invention of the microscope, in terms of the (15)______________ that it has had on cell biology and genetic engineering. Another thing all these molecules are telling us that, apparently, bioluminescence has evolved at least 40 times, maybe as many as 50 separate times in evolutionary history, which is a clear indication of how spectacularly important this trait is for survival.

D.      For animals that are trying to avoid predators by staying in the darkness, light can still be very useful for the three basic things that animals have to do to survive: and that is find food, (16)______________ a mate and avoid being eaten. Some fish have three headlights on each side of their heads. (17)______________ is the color of most bioluminescence in the ocean because evolution has selected for the color that travels farthest through seawater in order to optimize communication. So, most animals make blue light, and most animals can only see blue (18)______________. Blue luminescence can also be used to attract prey from a long way off. Some fish have two red light organs. So they use the red bioluminescence like a sniper's scope to be able to sneak up on animals that are blind to red light and be able to see them without being seen. A lot of them can release their luciferin or luferase in the water just the way a squid or an octopus will release an ink (19)______________. There are a lot of different animals that can do this: jellyfish, squid, and different crustaceans. Another form of (20)______________ is something called a burglar alarm -- same reason you have a burglar alarm on your car: the honking (21)______________ and flashing lights are meant to attract the attention of, hopefully, the police that will come and take the (22)______________ away. When an animal is caught in the clutches of a predator, its only hope for escape may be to attract the attention of something bigger and nastier that will attack their attacker, thereby affording them a chance for (23)______________.

E.       The viperfish is an extraordinary specimen. It has got a lure on the end of a long fishing rod that it arches in front of the toothy jaw that gives the viperfish its name. The teeth on this fish are so long that if they closed inside the mouth of the fish, it would actually impale its own brain. So instead, it slides in grooves on the outside of the head. It has got a built-in flashlight, jewel-like light (24)______________ on its belly that it uses for a type of camouflage that obliterates its shadow, so when it is (25)______________ around and there is a predator looking up from below, it makes itself disappear. It has got light organs in the mouth, it has got light organs in every single scale, in the fins, in a mucus layer on the back and the belly, all used for different things -- some of which we know about, some of which are still a mystery. Another example is the shining tubeshoulder because it actually has a tube on its shoulder that can squirt out light. What is shocking is not just the amount of light that it can produce, but the fact that it is not just luciferin and luciferase. It is actually whole cells with nuclei and membranes. It is (26)______________ very costly for this fish to do this, and we have no idea why it does it -- another one of these great mysteries that needs to be solved.

2.       Match each heading with the correct paragraph

I.                    Astonishing examples of underwater creatures

II.                  How a living creature makes light

III.                Bioluminescence is essential to many animals

IV.                More common that you would expect

V.                  An unexplored part of the world

3.       Answer the following questions using no more than 3 words from the text.

a)      What do cephalopods use to evade being seen by predators on the bottom of the sea?

b)      Where is bioluminescence not rare?

c)       What does most modern research of bioluminescence concentrate on?

d)      What other underwater creatures use luciferin in the same way that bioluminescent fish do?