Shows
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEP 33 Dyslexia and ADHD Awareness in ESL with Boelo van der PoolBoelo van der Pool, an ESL Professional who focuses on raising Dyslexia awareness among language teachers joins us on today's show.
A native of the Netherlands, Van der Pool is no stranger to learning other languages himself, having lived in Asia, the UK, and now Spain since 1994. He is an active speaker, teacher trainer and former language school owner as well as a certified coach and a member of the board of the International Language Coaching Association.
Boelo opens up about Dyslexia and ADHD, and both their prevalence in and their impact on language learning. A...
2024-07-1935 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp 32 Media Training Tips that Transform Business English with Konstantin MikaberidzeJoin us for an eye-opening chat with Konstantin Mikaberidze, a Paris-based certified CELTA instructor with a background in media training, film, and photography.
In his role at the Pole Universitare Léonard de Vinci in Paris, Konstantin has developed a popular course called Media Training for Future CEOs.
Bringing together presentation and communication skills, he helps English learners put their best foot forward in any situation - from weekly meetings to facing journalists in the wake of a company crisis.
Mikaberidze generously shares his ideas and insights with our audience. L...
2024-06-2144 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.31 Creative Responses to AI in Language Training with Petra Blajić and Sanja ŽdralovićJoin us for an informative conversation with Sanja Ždralović and Petra Blajić, two passionate, Croatian-based ESL educators, who gave an energizing and reassuring talk on AI at the TESOL France Conference (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) last fall.
These seasoned ESL professionals bring a wealth of experience and creativity in their approaches to teaching English. Sanja Ždralović is a linguist and PhD candidate while Petra Blajić’s career has brought her in contact with a broad spectrum: from early learners to Business English professionals. Currently, they are each educators at the high sch...
2024-05-1738 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEpisode 30: Rachael Roberts on Busy Season Burnout - Take Better Care of Yourself in 2024December is a busy time of year as we all juggle more than usual on our plates. We may find ourselves exasperatedly making vows to “take better care” and “get more organized” in the ‘New Year.’
We thought it was the perfect time to revisit Rachael Roberts’ helpful conversation on burnout and how to avoid it. Spot Burnout Before it Starts, recorded in 2021, still holds true today, and even more so as post-Covid life has us returning to in-person gatherings, meetings and travel and all that that entails.
Rachael Roberts is an ESL expert, fo...
2023-12-2247 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 29 : Episode 29 - IATEFL Besig's Annual Conference - What You Missed with Daphne Chisholm-ElieWeren’t able to make it to last week’s IATEFL Besig’s annual conference for Business English trainers in Stuttgart, Germany? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Listen to Episode 29 to get the low-down.Business Class’s founder, Daphne Chisholm-Elie, was there presenting her latest CPD Program, Training as an Agile Project, and came by to fill us in on the hot topics and industry buzz at this year’s event.
Needless to say, the topic on everyone’s mind this year was AI and Daphne brings us some heartening news on that front.An...
2023-11-1407 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 28: Exploring a Mindful Approach to English Language Training with Tanya MeyerIn Episode 28 of the Business Class ESL Breakroom, we are joined by Tanya Meyer, the Founder of the Confident English Training program to talk about her unique, holistic approach to English language training rooted in mindfulness.
Tanya believes that the journey to effective communication goes far beyond the words we speak. After her own positive experience with stilling the mind, she has come to integrate mindfulness and contemplative practices into her teaching, fostering calmer, more open, and skillful communication. Her learners have responded enthusiastically! Join us as Tanya shares the insights from her own mindfulness journey...
2023-10-3137 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 27: Breaking Down Native Speakerism with Meri MaroutianIn this thought-provoking episode of the ESL Breakroom Podcast, we sit down with Meri Maroutian, an English language teacher and passionate equity advocate for the rights of non-native speaker ESL teachers. Together, we delve into the topic of "Native Speakerism," the perception that native English speakers are inherently better as language models or teachers, and its impact on the ESL industry.
Native Speakerism is a hot-button issue that has been sparking debate within the ESL community. Join us as we dissect what Native Speakerism really means and why it is a discriminatory practice. Meri, an accomplished...
2023-09-2241 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.26: One To One: The Keys to Solo Student Success with Rob HowardOn today’s ESL Breakroom Podcast we’re joined by Rob Howard, one of the joint coordinators of IATEFL Besig, President of IATEFL Poland, and an incredibly experienced trainer, teacher trainer and speaker and author.
Today he’s joining us to talk about his newly released book, One To One: An Updated and Practical Guide to Teaching written with Andrzej Stęsik now available on Amazon.
Rob sheds light on the inspiration behind the book and his motivation to collaborate on this comprehensive guide to one-to-one sessions.
The set-up and dynamics of one-to-one training i...
2023-08-1829 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.25: Unpacking Dyslexia with Dr. Martin BloomfieldJoin us for an eye-opening look at Neurodiversity, and in particular dyslexia, with Dr Martin Bloomfield, a trainer and consultant in Neurodiversity from an international and intercultural perspective.
In this very enlightening conversation, Martin helps us better understand what Dyslexia is and isn’t and offers insights into how we can set the scene for an improved learning experience for our learners with dyslexia.
The podcast not only touches on the challenges that dyslexia presents but also refreshingly points out the strengths that are statistically associated with dyslexics.
The conversation will empower you to take a closer look at yo...
2023-07-2047 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.24: Keys to Motivation Success - Trainer as eLearning Coach with Deirdre CijffersAs technology continues to transform education, blended learning has become a significant component of ESL programs. As trainers, we must adapt our approach and become eLearning coaches, guiding and inspiring learners through digital resources that are often part and parcel of their learning package.
Join us for an enlightening talk with Deirdre Cijffers, formerly Head of Learning Design and Development for Cambridge University Press, and currently Director and Education Consultant for Learning Unfurled. Deirdre helps teachers and institutions build excellent online learning experiences via talks, workshops and webinars.
In this episode, she provides a much-appreciated exploration of the trainer's...
2023-06-1643 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 23: Investing for ELTers with Nicola Prentis: The Chilled InvestorToday’s ESL Breakroom Podcast takes us out of our ESL Business English training sessions and into our bank accounts!
Where’s the connection? These two seemingly divergent paths converge with our special guest, Nicola Prentis, former ESL trainer and materials writer who’s uncovered an exciting new use for her skill set: teaching newbies about passive, low-risk investing.
This episode is one where all the benefits are for you, trainer. We step away from our focus on improving our sessions to place it on improving our bottom lines. Why?
As Nicola points out, our...
2023-05-1932 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 22 - Building On-Camera Confidence for Language Trainers with Ashley GriffithsAre you a language trainer who wants to improve your on-camera presence and confidence?Today, we are thrilled to have Ashley Griffiths as our guest. Ashley is a Confidence On Video Coach who works with coaches and online service providers to improve their on-camera presence.
As a former ESL trainer, Ashley knows firsthand the challenges of teaching and communicating with learners online. In this episode, he shares his infectious enthusiasm and valuable insights on how we can improve our on-camera skills to better connect with our learners.
Ashley's...
2023-04-2134 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 21 Giving Back in ESL: The Benefits of Volunteering and Industry Involvement with Rob HowardIn this episode of the Business Class ESL Breakroom, we are joined by special guest Rob Howard, Joint Coordinator for the IATEFL Besig and a well-known figure in the ESL community. If you’ve attended any ESL conferences live or online in recent years, there’s a strong chance you’ve heard Rob present.
Both an active facilitator of Advanced Communication Skills, and an EFL trainer and teacher trainer with broad-ranging expertise in business, sales, language training and materials writing, Rob is a sought-after speaker who delivers his message with heart and a good dose of humor.
...
2023-03-1526 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 20 “How Dogme ELT Saved Me” with Language Coach and Passionate ELT Business Owner Nina HanákováEp. 20 “How Dogme ELT Saved Me” with Language Coach and Passionate ELT Business Owner Nina Hanáková
Join us for an energizing chat with the delightful Nina Hanáková, coach, language school owner, and champion of the freelance ELT professional, as we discuss her experiential-based learning approach, and the influence of the emergent-language focused, materials-light model known as Dogme ELT on her teaching.
An unabashed fan of Luke Meddings’ and Scott Thornbury’s book on Dogme principles in ELT, Teaching Unplugged: Dogme in English Language Teaching, Nina shares with us how her own experiential learning-based approach infl...
2023-02-0726 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 19 - Materials That Make a Difference - Task Variety with Silvina MascittiMaterials That Make a Difference - Task Variety with Silvina Mascitti
In Episode 19, we are talking with Silvina Mascitti, both a passionate EFL teacher and materials writer and the very creative mind behind EFL Creative Ideas.com.
Silvina generously provides the ESL training community with a trove of dynamic ideas through her website and we at Business Class particularly enjoy collaborating with her on materials for our own online training platform.
Listen here as we delve into – task variety…a pillar of materials writing and a key ingredient in a great ESL session. We dive...
2022-12-1522 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 18 - Making Learning Stick with Agile Teaching with Daphne Elie and Gabriella BenkőJoin us for a sneak preview of Daphne Elie and Gabriella Benkő's upcoming TESOL France workshop on Making Learning Stick with Agile Teaching.
The creators of Training as an Agile Project (TAP), walk us through their upcoming workshop at the TESOL France conference on November 18th, 2022. Don't miss their hands-on workshop which will demonstrate how we as trainers can boost learning using the agile project management mindset.
TAP is an iterative teaching process inspired by agile project management leads to effective learning. It provides structure and flexibility and continuously adapts to learners’ needs, contexts and...
2022-11-1410 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEP. 17 - Bringing Words to Life: ESL Role Play for Online and In-Company Sessions with ESL Trainer and Actor Amanda CroftThere’s a new way to do ESL role plays! Business English coach and trained actor Amanda Croft shows us how to breathe new life into ESL role play activities both online and in-person.
Amanda, a sought-after trainer and Neurolanguage Coach®️, has created a career path that combines both passions: training ESL and acting, weaving what she has learned on stage into her language training sessions. She has found a way to translate her acting skills into language practice and has given multiple talks at IATEFL conferences on the topic. She has even written a dissertation on gestur...
2022-11-0319 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 16 Get Unstuck! Trainer Tools and Tips to Try This FallIt’s a new season and a great time to breathe new life into your ESL Business English training sessions by trying something new. Join Business Class ESL trainers and coaches Sue, Manuel, and Anthony for a chat about tools and resources they are currently experimenting with.
From super pronunciation resources and hands-on techniques for listening practice, to tools that increase learner engagement and topics that get learners talking, this episode has something for everyone.
Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by Greg McKeown
Essentialism on Verbal to Visual
Extempore
Jungle Listening (si...
2022-09-3019 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEP. 15 - Graphic Facilitation in ELT with Emily BrysonBreathe new life onto your whiteboards and capture learner attention in a distracted world with the help of a fun, easy-to-learn and easy-to-draw visual vocabulary known as sketchnoting, or graphic facilitation.
Well-known ELT materials writer, National Geographic Learning’s Voices series author, and graphic facilitation champion Emily Bryson shows us how. Before proclaiming, “I can’t draw,” see how Bryson transforms simple letters, and basic shapes into meaningful icons that YOU can replicate.
As Bryson states, “If you can draw a circle, a square, and a triangle, you can sketchnote.” While it may appear to be geared to...
2022-07-2635 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 14 - Training High Level Learners with Teacher Trainer and ESL Materials Writer Rachel ApplebyHigh level learners can keep trainers on their toes. With solid vocabulary and grammar skills in place, learners at the C1/C2 level require a trainer who can provide both language expansion and stimulating Business English topics along with advanced level activities.
Luckily, seasoned ESL teacher trainer and ESL materials writer Rachel Appleby joins us on Episode 14 with a host of useful ideas and resources to help us meet the challenge.
Rachel has (co) authored a number of Business English Publications from both Oxford University Press and MacMillan including the Business one:one, Business Result...
2022-05-0636 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 13 - Plan, Do, Thrive in ELT with Heather Johnston: A Thoughtful Pathway to Job SatisfactionOn Episode 13 of the ESL Breakroom we talk with Heather Johnston, the calming voice behind the Thrive in ELT Podcast and the impassioned instructor and coach behind the ELT Resource Room Website.
We explore Heather’s “Plan. Do. Thrive.” philosophy for ESL instructors and see how elevating our attention to planning and inserting self-reflection into our planning stages can bring about positive change in your ELT life.
We also look at Heather’s reflective approach to continuing professional development and discover fresh and unexpected ways of finding CPD opportunities in our busy lives.
Heather...
2022-03-2432 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.12 - Practical, Brain-Calming Techniques to Maximize Learning with Mindfulness Educator Dave DelaneyDon’t miss this part-two podcast with popular ESL Breakroom guest Dave Delaney.
Listeners raved about visually-impaired mindfulness educator Dave Delaney’s inspiring story.
In part one, Episode 11: Handling Learning Blocks, we explored blocks to learner engagement and how awareness powerfully contends with learning stress of all stripes.
He’s back this month with practical, applicable techniques to calm the brain and body simply and easily in an ESL training session.
This time, we go deeper into simple physiological techniques that set the stage for optimal learning.
2022-02-2828 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 11 - Handling Learning Blocks with Mindfulness Educator Dave DelaneyToday, we are all experiencing stress and distraction in one form or another for a variety of reasons: Covid, work, past traumas…. Your learners are no different. Stress, be it chronic stress or periodic stress may be causing blocks in their ability to learn effectively. The impact of stress on learning is becoming a subject of great interest in our culture.
On this episode of the ESL Breakroom we’ll be looking at handling learning-stress, no matter what the origin, and how to handle it through mindfulness with author and mindfulness coach Dave Delaney.
In this...
2022-01-1734 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 10 How to Liven Up Your Lessons with Games both Online and Off with Maxine KinzettDon’t be fooled into thinking that training people in Business English always has to be “serious business.”
Games are a great way to relax and energize your learners, and studies have shown that we learn better when we are relaxed and enjoying ourselves. There’s no reason not to try a few in your next session.
Join us on the next episode of the ESL Breakroom as we talk with experienced trainer Maxine Kinzett, who will be sharing some of her favorite game ideas for ESL sessions. She’ll be talking about her own struggle w...
2021-10-2013 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 9 - Anthony Schoch tells us all about Task-Based LearningJoin us for an enlightening chat with Business Class trainer Anthony Schoch !
Anthony is not only a linguist with four languages under his belt, but also a passionate trainer and avid study of learning processes. He shares with us his motivation for recently re-certifying, and takes us on a surface dive into a concept he’s currently experimenting with as a result of his recent TESOL: Task-Based Learning.
We look at how this communicative learning strategy enlivens a training session and ignites learner enthusiasm. Anthony shares his experience with Task-Based Learning and provides concrete examples fo...
2021-09-2739 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp. 8 - with Patrick Hain : Grammar Rocks !!! A Conversation on Music and Fun in ESL LearningIn this episode we’ll be talking with talented musician / ESL teacher Patrick HAIN who brings together English grammar with infectious beats to keep his high school students progressing in English.
His popular video “Irregular Verbs” has found great success on YouTube with over 190,000 views.
We look at how music and fun raise the vibration for learning for all ages as studies have shown that both music and positive emotion help foster brain connections.
We’ll hear Patrick’s story of how a rainy Friday morning class led to a phenomenon that is reaching t...
2021-07-2029 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.8 - Qualiopi: What You Need to Know / Refresh. Renew. Reconnect. Uplevel Your Training with BLOOM !Not only will you find out what you NEED to know about Qualiopi* (if you are a trainer in France)
We’ll also unveil a brand new professional development program, BLOOM, designed to uplevel your training and satisfy important Qualiopi requirements.
Pedagogical and Quality Manager, Shiona Kerr, will break down Qualiopi and what trainers need to do to comply, while Business Class founder Daphne Elie and independent Coach, Facilitator, and Trainer Gabriella Benko will unpack BLOOM, the Business Language Objective-Oriented Mastery Program, a brand new program in alignment with the Qualiopi initiative, for all trainers se...
2021-06-0824 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.7 - Self-Care with Rachael Roberts. Spotting Burnout Before it Starts, Best Practices for Balance in Your Business and Healthy Habits in Your ESL Training WorkflowJoin us for Episode 7 of the Business Class ESL Breakroom with ESL expert, former trainer’s trainer and materials writer turned life/business coach for ELT professionals, Rachael Roberts.
Rachael is the founder of Life Resourceful (www.life-resourceful.com) and the popular Facebook Group Lightbulb Moments: Helping ELT Professional Manage Stress and Gain Balance.We’ll be talking about Self Care for ESL trainers and why taking care of yourself is smart business.
Rachael addresses topics such as burnout (Are you missing the early warning signs ?), why Zoom training feels more intense, ( and how to handle...
2021-05-1847 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.6 - Presentation Pointers from a Pro with Gerry GrahamThis episode focuses on pro-tips for training PRESENTATIONS. Whether you are an inexperienced public speaker or a skilled presenter, you’re guaranteed to hear nuggets that will improve your very next Business English presentations training. Join us for an informative session with experienced Business Class ESL trainer Gerry Graham.
From big corporations to little startups, Gerry has trained countless non-native professionals faced with presenting in English.He offers some of his best take-aways, go-to tricks, and sure-fire suggestions for efficient and effective sessions on presentations. Learn the secrets that most trainers and textbooks miss, along with Gerr...
2021-04-0932 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.5 - Up Your Virtual Presence with Tracey GreyIf you are communicating online these days, (and who isn’t? ), don’t miss Episode 5 of the Business Class ESL Breakroom with Virtual Communication Coach, Tracey Grey.
A professional performer (actor, singer, voice-over artist) and seasoned “Trainer’s Trainer”, Frankfurt, Germany-based Grey draws on her wealth of experience to bring us invaluable insights into optimizing our online presence.
Currently in high demand for her Virtual Presence Workshops among European corporations, Tracey breaks down key elements to getting your message across in today’s Zoom-dominated business environment. Her in-depth knowledge of human communication tools: voice, expression, and movement...
2021-03-1255 min
The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.4 - Learners Success with Peer Learning Partnerships with Michael ShannonThe concept of peer learning is gaining traction and is being talked about more and more in a variety of contexts and disciplines, from academia to corporate training and of course, language learning.
Join us for an enlightening chat as Michael Shannon, Angers-based Trainer and Peer-Learning Facilitator, offers a how-to on creating semi-independent, peer-learning partnerships to strengthen the work they’ve started with you.
We’ll explore the benefits and set-up of this collaborative methodology that fosters learner independence, boosts confidence, and helps instill mutual motivation and accountability on your learners’ language journey.
Michael...
2021-02-1254 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.3 - Energize Your Business English Session with Jim PhetterplaceJoin us for an energizing and insightful conversation with classically trained theatrical actor/director and seasoned linguist/ESL language trainer, Jim Phetterplace.
Based in Germany, and an active member of the vibrant Frankfurt theater community, American-born Jim Phetterplace brings a wealth of business, education, theater and ESL training experience to the table. In this podcast, he explains the remarkable parallels between the theater arts and ESL Business English training.
Jim offers some eye-opening insights, including the role of empathy in training for the ESL trainer and some practical ideas for bringing more life and authenticity t...
2021-02-1259 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.2 - Negotiation Pro Tips with Gerry GrahamIn this episode, the Business Class ESL Breakroom invites seasoned ESL Business English trainer Gerry Graham to reveal his top tips for that daunting task: training negotiations for ESL Business English learners.
A veteran trainer, Gerry has worked extensively in top European corporations and has a wealth of experience, plus a true gift for sharing his knowledge.
You’re sure to come away reassured with insights and practical strategies to take to your next negotiations session.
2021-02-1226 minThe ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language SolutionsEp.1 - Why the Term Trainer Counts with Daphne ElieDaphne Elie, the founder of Business Class Language Solutions, explains why using the term trainer is important.
We’ll be looking at how language training differs from classroom setting teaching and why it matters that YOU, as a trainer, insist on marking the difference with your clients.
After this conversation, we hope you’ll think twice before allowing casual references by clients to “English Teacher.”
We’ll look at how words that hark back to learners’ school days (“homework” and “class” ) may be inhibiting their progress and your career!
Is it just semantics? Join u...
2021-02-1227 min