Top 19 Free Apps For TEFL Teachers in – 2024 [Updated]

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The new age standards have modified the teaching pedagogy, demanding the TEFL teachers to become acquainted with the most up-to-date professional teaching procedures. 

Educational apps enhance the educational system by making it easier for students to learn and retain information. A well-designed app is much faster than a website at performing tasks.

TEFL teachers have to deal with challenging situations as they have to come up with  innovative and captivating ideas to keep the students involved and ensure that the students register the concepts. These range of educational apps assist teachers in simplifying their tasks.

Scope of TEFL Certified Teacher / TEFL Teachers:

In today’s age, people across the globe are recognizing the significance of English language in their everyday life. With globalization, the new work milieu is no more bounded and demands high interaction and business travel to different countries across the world. This is implicated in having a universal language.

The need and desire to learn English language is notably increasing among the people and thus the need for qualified English teachers is further growing considerably year-on-year.

If you know English and have a desire for teaching, here is an opportunity to change your fondness (for English language) and passion (for teaching) into an esteemed career with TEFL certification.

Adding more, TEFL certification helps you secure a highly paid teaching position world-wide.

TEFL teachers have a wide scope in the job market internationally.

• TEFL teachers are the first choice  and highly recruited teachers at public and private schools and institutes.
• TEFL teachers can find themselves a secured job at language academies.
• TEFL Teachers are recruited by non-profit organizations as private tutors.
• TEFL teachers can conduct online sessions for training the students in English language.
• TEFL teachers can take up freelancer jobs for teaching English.

Job profile of a TEFL Teacher:

Teaching english has exceptionally gone beyond the traditional methods of  language teaching. it is no more about presenting only grammar topics in front of a group of students. 

The modern approach of teaching:

TEFL teachers’ largely focus on teaching students ‘how to efficiently communicate in English?’. They help the students enhance their skills in listening, speaking, writing and reading in english language. The job of a TEFL teacher is highly dependent on the needs of their students. They need to adopt different techniques to cater the needs of each student.

Some adult students, who are non-native english speakers, might be hesitant or poor in communicating in english though they may have learned the fundamental artistry of english. In such cases,  the teachers focus on improvising the speaking skills by rigorous practise on conversation-based sessions. TEFL Teachers are trained to psychologically understand their students and are taught to use a range of methods to efficiently handle students of various ages. Sometimes, the teachers with a classroom of children might playfully take up their lessons. On the other side, they can teach adult students taking some real-time examples and english jargons associated with professional industries which helps the students understand better.  

Responsive Tactics:

Depending on the level and age of the students, the teachers adopt different methods and follow the syllabus proportionately which is correlated that inturn helps the students better understand the teachings. Generally, the students are taught grammar, vocabulary and accent in their lessons. They also enlighten their  students with the history of english language and the evolution of the language as part of  advanced syllabus. 

The practices that they adopt for teaching highly depend on the students themselves. The age and the understanding level of the students are the primary criteria that teachers take into consideration. For instance, they choose play and game-based techniques to teach the young children and they opt for more analytical and colloquial teaching methodology for older and advanced learners.

TEFL teachers are no excuse. Like conventional teachers, TEFL teachers must also do their homework. They have to  follow a methodological approach by creating and customizing the lesson plans, implementing  new creative ways to captivate the students, constantly monitor the progress of the students by conducting presentations, administering assessments and also reviewing their grades.

Technology-based strategies:

Classroom attention spans are becoming increasingly limited as technology becomes more widely used. TEFL teachers must get on board before their training is completed because times are rapidly changing. It can be difficult to keep a student’s focus when you’re teaching, but don’t worry! There will be assistance on the way!

Technology has come up with a variety of applications for almost everything. These apps support the teachers in effectively organising their teaching practices and writing curriculum. TEFL teachers can make use of these apps which fall into one of two categories:

• There are applications that can assist with aspects of language teaching, such as organisation and development of lesson plans.
• It will also provide a break from the conventional classroom while also reinforcing the skills being taught. 

Many of these famous apps are also available for free. If used correctly, these applications are excellent for students to use during school activities or unstructured classroom time. Also, students can use these applications in practising their lessons at home.

Let’s take a look at a few widely used

Technical apps that can help TEFL teachers navigate their classrooms.

1: Google Translate

App: Google Translate

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost: Free App

Anyone studying or teaching English should certainly have Google Translate on their computer. This software can translate a variety of languages into English and can be used for a variety of purposes. Encourage the students to download the software for help while they’re working on a project independently or outside of the classroom.

This version of augmented reality that has been modified for educational purposes can be used in an online learning environment by instructional designers. One of the most difficult aspects of instructional design is deciding which resources to use to create learning environments. This application can be used to build a course in their own language and customise their lessons. Instructional designers may use this application to build a course in their own language and make their lesson available to learners by recommending Google Translate. Teachers can use this in combination with their online lessons and videos to reach out to more students with various abilities and primary languages.

This app’s primary objective of translating text entered by the user is very transparent. Since the app is also from Google, it has a lot of aspirational features, and each update seems to carry new ones that may or may not be useful. As far as a free translation app goes, this is by far the finest.

Google Translate has been adapted for educational purposes and is now a form of augmented reality. Users may take a picture of a sign, piece of paper, or other kind of written text and obtain a translation in the language of their choice. Since this is the first time virtual reality has been used, it is revolutionary.

2: FluentU

App: FluentU   

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost: Monthly subscription (free trial available)

FluentU, unlike other applications, takes a natural approach to easing the students into the English language and culture over time. They will learn English as it is spoken in everyday situations. You’ll enjoy using FluentU in your classroom if you’re looking for new ways to teach English. FluentU transforms real-world videos into tailored language learning lessons, such as music videos, movie trailers, news, and inspiring talks.

What is the mechanism behind this? FluentU has a large selection of authentic English videos that people all over the world watch on a regular basis. This material is well-known for its high quality and entertainment value around the world. Students become ecstatic, when their favorite videos appear in their English classroom.

When you’re searching for songs for in-class events, there are a lot of great options there. You can find music videos, film and theatre musical numbers, kids’ singalongs, advertising jingles, and much more.

All of the videos on FluentU are categorised by ability level and annotated for students.

Words are accompanied by meanings and sample sentences. Students would be able to link them to their own vocabulary lists and watch them in action in other episodes. Furthermore, all of these fantastic videos come with interactive features and active learning opportunities for students, such as multimedia flashcards and fun games like “fill in the blank.”

Teachers who have a lot of audio-visual learners or want to teach English with enjoyable material should use FluentU.

3: LearnEnglish Grammar

App: LearnEnglish

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost: Monthly subscription (free trial available)

Learn English Grammar with a straightforward, user-friendly app for learning English that aims to help you develop your grammar. If you want to develop your English grammar in depth, this is an excellent English learning app that helps English learners of all levels cover 12 grammar topics with 20 activities per subject. Grammarly, on the other hand, is your best bet if you’re looking for grammar errors.

LearnEnglish Grammar is a high-quality digital grammar practise software that will help you improve your English grammar accuracy. Thousands of questions are available in the app to help you practise and improve your English grammar skills.

One of the best places to learn English is the British Council. Even if you already speak English, their grammar app will help you improve your nuances. The best-rated learning app guides you through 25 grammar subjects, 600 immersive exercises, and thousands of fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice, and word-matching questions. LearnEnglish provides a more realistic approach to English learning. 

This app is suitable for all levels of learners. So, whether you’re a beginner, elementary, intermediate, or advanced student, this software would be very useful.

4: Kahoot

App: kahoot!

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost: Monthly subscription (free trial available)

Kahoot! is revolutionizing how students learn. This is a customizable game-based learning software for language learning. This software can be used to create games based on material discussed in class in previous lessons. The game is played in a multiple-choice style. Teachers have control of both the number of questions and the content of the questions. They may use videos, photographs, or diagrams in your presentation.

Students might play a game of Kahoot! after a unit on the future tense, for example. Teachers can assess your students’ awareness by developing questions based on the texts they’ve read, such as questions about the proper use of the future tense or maybe after an ESL literature unit. Students will compete to see who can answer the questions first in teams or individually.

You can project the game onto the front of the room’s wall or board in the classroom. Students will then pick their answers using their own mobile devices as game controllers. This app will undoubtedly have hours of entertainment and learning!

5: Memrise

App: Memrise

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost: Free app

This software is excellent for learning new words and phrases. This software can be used in the classroom or students can be instructed to use it at home to study content discussed in class. Choose from a variety of free courses with phrases and vocabulary lists on various subjects.

You may make a set of cards after a lesson on English idioms to help students learn and memorise the new phrases and their meanings. Alternatively, you might make a verb or noun list in English and your students’ native language. Students may operate at their own speed or according to the tasks you assign.

6: Italki

App: italki        

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost:Free to download, students pay for services

This app is designed for teachers who want to improve their teaching abilities.This app is particularly useful for freelancing teachers.

Italki is a communication medium for teachers and students in all languages. Learners should look for a mentor that meets their requirements. You should have personalised lessons as an instructor and can set your own hours and hourly rates. Most teachers have several years of classroom or online teaching experience and some degree of certification. If you’re looking for a fun way to spend your time, this might be a good option.

7: Duolingo

App: duolingo        

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost:Free to download, students pay for services

Duolingo is used by many people all over the world for independent language learning, and you can use it to teach TEFL and other foreign language courses as well. Lessons in Duolingo’s English learning edition combine conversation, vocabulary, speaking, and listening skills. The user is checked on their skills at the end of each segment, and the results show what areas the user excels in and where they need to improve.

Teachers can find this app useful as a fun additional method of evaluating students in the classroom. It’s also extremely useful in classrooms with a variety of students of different ability levels. When the more advanced students finish their work early, they will remain active by focusing on improving their skills to the next level.

8: Speak English Like an American

App: Speak English Like an American

Compatibility: iOS       

Cost:Free trial service

One of the most difficult aspects of learning English is achieving the ability to sound like a native speaker. Different idioms and phrases abound in the English language, many of which do not translate well from other languages. The Speak English Like an American app employs a variety of techniques to teach users popular figures of speech and phrases used in everyday language in the United States.

In a classroom environment, few commonly used phrases can sometimes be difficult to completely describe, so this app comes in handy. Speaking English Like an American is ideal for making students relaxed enough outside of the classroom to have casual conversations with Americans.

It has a large selection of genuine English videos that English-speaking people watch on a regular basis.

9: TEFL Handbook  

App: TEFLHandbook

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost:Free app

For busy and under-resourced teachers, a well-organized set of English teaching materials. By methodically specifying the teaching areas for each level, this app aids in preparing lessons.

With trust and consistency, plan and present dynamic language points on the board. 

Have the ability to join any class without any supplies, course books, or photocopies. Our set of activities requires little or no planning and often just a whiteboard and a few students.

10: Class Dojo

App: ClassDojo

Compatibility: iOS and Android

Cost:Free app

ClassDojo has made it possible to make a smooth transition to online learning. For several years, it has served as the command centre for art instruction, uniting the entire school. It is more necessary than ever to remain linked.

This app allows you to stack everything under one tab.

Timer, random, group generator, noise metre, directions, think-pair-share, today, music; keep track of attendance and tardies; group students in seconds; set standing “don’t group together” groupings; keep track of attendance.;

This app also allows teachers to share their favourite memories, lessons, and more. A private feed for students and families to share pictures from field trips, video lessons, and files (and to see who has actually seen your post!)

Create events for assemblies and video meetings with automated reminders.

Consistent learning is the key. Both at home and at school, lessons and events are available at all times.

Teachers can complete administrative tasks by using tools for attendance and check-ins with students. Students can share their Portfolios from anywhere! Various ways to promote such habits that can be customised.

There are a few

 

11. Lingo Deer

LingoDeer is an immersive English language learning app that lets you interact with it in a structured and contextualised manner. Users will go at their own speed and at their own level of skill. These lessons and the analysis exercises that follow concentrate on reading, listening, and writing skills to gradually uncover key words, linguistic structures, and rules through self-study.

12. Culips

Teachers who wish to include any listening-based lessons in their curriculum or integrate listening into homework assignments will find Culips to be a valuable resource. Culips has a number of podcasts or episodes that feature popular English. Culips has topics that are fascinating and intelligent for students of all ages.

13. Cambly

Cambly matches English students with private, native-English-speaking tutors from all over the world. Teachers may set their own hours and specify their specialisation in their profile, such as “IELTS practise” or “Intermediate Level Tutoring.” Cambly is simple and convenient to use. You don’t need any prior teaching experience, and the software is completely free to download.

14. English Podcasts

Students can listen to over 130 different podcasts via this app. The app covers a wide range of subjects and also has a search filter for finding podcasts on particular topics. Since the podcasts are played directly from the app, neither the teacher nor the student need to be concerned about downloading files that will take up space on their phone or tablet.

Podcasts may be used in a variety of novel organised exercises by students. When students have finished listening, one entertaining idea is to ask comprehension questions and then have them act out the podcast in front of the class. It’s extremely useful, as well as a lot of fun!

15. Kidioms

For third through fifth graders, an immersive notebook with idiom lessons.

Use this app to access ready-made lessons that will help you gain a better understanding of word nuances and figurative language.

16. Teachmint

Teachmint is the most comprehensive app for students, tutors, and coaching institutes in India. It has features such as live online lectures, lecture recordings, and real-time chat.

17. Simplex Spelling Phonics 1

A method that teaches spelling rules, grouping principles, pronunciation, and use in addition to memorization.

Build on what students already know about spelling several common terms with the increasingly sequenced lessons.

18. TenseBuilder

Allow students to use the method to construct sentences in the proper tense. Students may, for example, write a storey that moves from “will happen” to “happening” to “happened.” Teachers will read words aloud to students to help them pronounce them correctly.

This app provides 48 separate lessons on the intent and use of tenses using animated images.

19. Animoto

Students can choose a theme, music, photographs or videos, add captions and/or two lines of text, and a slick video is produced in minutes. The final product can be posted on social media, uploaded to YouTube, or included in a student’s electronic portfolio.

20. Evernote

Teachers adore Evernote for good reason: Evernote has helped them to eliminate handouts.

All projects are shared with students through shared notebooks, and all assignments are posted on the Assignment shared notebook on the website, which is accessible to parents. Students used to look at these handouts and then throw them away. They can also  access them from Evernote.

Conclusion

Effective TEFL teachers, like all teachers, should be well-organized and cozy with speechmaking .They ought to have a native or near-native command of English language and be ready to explain correct usage and grammatical rules to a spread of scholars . Creativity is another helpful trait for teaching both children and adults. 

TEFL teachers must be well-prepared, adaptable, and communicate effectively. TEFL teachers should be well-versed in grammar, classroom management, and lesson planning, as well as responsive to their students’ needs and cultural backgrounds.

Make use of all modern aids and work to develop your teaching abilities. Have a fruitful career as a TEFL instructor. 

Also Check this Video

Happy teaching!

 

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