Shows
The ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 154 - Smarter Planning for ELs: AI Prompting & Differentiation Made Easy (Part 1)In this episode, we’re exploring a topic that’s generating a lot of buzz in the world of education - AI. Whether you’re excited, skeptical, or simply overwhelmed by all things AI, I want to break down exactly how tools like ChatGPT can be a game-changer for EL teachers and classroom educators working with multilingual students. Planning, differentiating, and scaffolding for English learners takes a ton of work, but what if AI could save you time and help you create more meaningful, engaging content without losing your unique teaching touch? In this first part of this special two-pa...2025-05-1324 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 153 - 5 Must-Know Tips for New EL TeachersOne of my favorite things about connecting with teachers is hearing your questions. Whether it's navigating a tricky teaching moment or figuring out where to start with English learners. And while each situation is unique, so many of your questions echo the same themes, especially from those of you who are new EL teachers. If you are stepping into the EL world for the first time, transitioning from a general education role or newly certified in figuring out what this all looks like in real life, this episode is for you. And since spring is often a time when...2025-05-0621 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 152 - 5 Simple Wins for the Days You’re Just DoneLet’s get real about those exhausting days when lesson planning feels impossible and burnout lurks around every corner…especially as the end of the school year approaches. In this episode, I open up about my own struggles with low energy and share my solution: an “emergency lesson folder” packed with simple, engaging activities that spark student energy and make teaching easier when you’re running on empty. From creative listening and speaking tasks to easy yet effective writing prompts (including clever uses of social media) these activities are low-prep, fun, and work across all four language domains. Whether your stude...2025-04-2919 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 151 - The Big 5: Key Pillars of EL Inclusion in Mainstream ClassroomsWhen it comes to teaching English learners, there's no question that EL specialists are trained to meet their unique language and learning needs. But what about regular classroom teachers, the ones juggling 25 different needs in one room and suddenly faced with students who speak little or no English? It can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even a little bit lonely at times. That's why I wanted to share this episode with you, the key pillars of EL inclusion. Whether you are an EL teacher looking to support your colleagues or a general educator who wants to do right by the...2025-04-2218 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 150 - Rooted in Success: 5 Reasons to Teach Greek & Latin Roots in Any ClassroomToday's episode is all about building vocabulary in a powerful and lasting way. We're diving into something that often gets overlooked, Greek and Latin root words. I am so excited because we have a special guest joining us who's incredibly passionate about this topic. My dear friend, Laura Kebart from Language Arts Teachers is on the podcast today again and sharing with us five compelling reasons why it's absolutely worth your time and energy to teach root words and how this one strategy can open up a world of understanding for your students no matter their language background. 2025-04-1533 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 149 - Why Social-Emotional Learning Matters Just as Much as AcademicsThe world needs emotional intelligence. We need emotional intelligence. Our students need emotional intelligence. Intellectual knowledge is great, but by itself, it wreaks havoc, as without emotional depth and experiences, we're not able to engage in meaningful conversations, discussions, learning, and problem solving. In today's episode, I'm going to talk about why social-emotional learning matters just as much as academics. The intellectual intelligence and emotional intelligence, EQ and IQ, and how the two of them work together to help students learn and become well rounded adults who are able to communicate productively in any situation....2025-04-0818 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 148 - How to Teach ELs When You Don't Speak Their LanguageYou just found out you have English learners in your classroom, but you don't speak their language. Now what? Should you Google translate your entire lesson? Mime your way through the day? Don't worry. You don't have to speak their language to be an effective and impactful teacher. In today's episode, we're going to talk about the mindset shift that will take some pressure off your shoulders, practical strategies that make your teaching more accessible, and even a few stories from my own classroom to prove that you really don't need to speak another language to be an amazing...2025-04-0120 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 147 - Hooked on Books! How Novels Can Supercharge EL Vocabulary and ThinkingReading is always a hot topic for good reason, and it's something every teacher thinks about no matter the grade level. But when it comes to teaching reading to English learners, there are extra layers to consider, especially around language proficiency and age. I'm excited to share something I've been trying out with my middle schoolers, something that has truly sparked their interest and motivation to read. I decided to take a different approach and launch a novel study with them. In this episode, I'll tell you about the way novels can supercharge EL vocabulary and thinking and the...2025-03-2519 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 146 - Digging Deeper: How the 5 Whys Can Transform Your Teaching and LifeHave you ever felt like you're constantly putting out fires in your classroom? Redirecting behavior, reteaching concepts, or dealing with burnout without really solving the root problem? Sometimes it feels like we are running around in circles and nothing changes our lives, in our classrooms, in our professional development even though we seem to do our best. Now, why is that? Well, we will ask why five times today. In this episode, we're going to talk about the “five whys method” and how it can be a powerful tool for you in teaching, creating work life balance, and professional grow...2025-03-1819 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 145 - It’s Not Just About Language! The 2 Soft Skills Every EL Teacher Should HaveIn education, we often focus on the hard skills, the academic knowledge of our subject, the instructional strategies, the assessment methods, and the pedagogy that shape effective teaching. These are the measurable, tangible aspects of our profession, and they are absolutely essential. But today, I want to shift the focus to something just as important yet often overlooked, soft skills. So in today’s episode, I will explore two key aspects of these soft skills, communications and cultural awareness, and unpack why they are essential when working with English learners.Show Notes: Episode 145 - It...2025-03-1114 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 144 - 3 Myths About Teaching Newcomers - And What Actually WorksLet’s talk about three common myths about teaching newcomers. Teaching English learners is really not as complicated as many think, yet I hear from so many overwhelmed teachers who have lost sight of the forest for the trees. Schools are notorious for grasping onto the newest programs and ideas for teaching English learners, which sometimes work out but frequently puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on all teachers. There are so many misconceptions about teaching ELs, and I'm going to address three of them in this episode. Plus, share a way on how you can begin including ELs in...2025-03-0413 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 143 - How to Beat the Mid-Year Slump in the EL Classroom for Both Students and TeachersWelcome to the mid-year slump. Whether you live in a colder climate like I do or anywhere else, the middle of the school year can get hard for so many reasons. February and March in particular can be especially tough months in the school year. Students and teachers are tired, motivation is dipping, and standardized testing is looming. If you are feeling dragged down and your ELs seem disengaged, you're not alone. In today's episode, I will share fun interactive engagement strategies along with mindfulness and social emotional techniques to support both you and your students.2025-02-2521 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 141 - A Look Behind the Scenes of The ESL Teaching PodcastI don't know about you, but I love a good behind the scenes moment. In the world where we always see the final product, whether it's a great lesson plan, an engaging activity, or heck, someone simply looking amazing and put together, it is good to remind ourselves that the road to that result is not always very linear. Have you ever wondered what it takes to create a podcast episode? Well, today, I am taking you behind the microphone. From brainstorming topics to publishing the final product, I'll walk you through every step of my process. And trust...2025-02-1122 minThe ESL Teaching PodcastEpisode 138: Preparing Your English Learners for State and Language Proficiency Tests. Part 1 - Listening and Speaking PracticeThe testing season is upon us. I wanted to talk about a topic that every teacher working with English learners faces each year, preparing your English learners for state testing and language proficiency tests like ACCESS, TELPAS, and others. These tests play a crucial role in measuring student progress and shaping future instruction. However, preparing for them doesn't have to be overwhelming or tedious. Many students dislike taking the tests and sometimes even dread them. So in the next two episodes, we'll explore practical tips for practicing each language domain. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing with actionable strategies you...2025-01-2115 min