EVERYTHING EFL

Remember those intense, panic-filled, overwhelming days of your ESL teaching qualification? Those bloody assignments (I don't have time for this!), that nerve-wracking first teaching practice (I'm so nervous!) and spending 7 hours creating a one-hour lesson (where are my scissors?).

In this meaty episode, I reminisce briefly about those days with Shannon Felt of TEFL Horizons. Then, we get to the good stuff: what should be included on the 21st Century CELTA course and maybe what needs to be chucked in the bin?

Times change, people. So should the CELTA . Teaching has changed so much in the 20 years I've been doing it: the CELTA hasn't......much. Good or bad? You decide.

Do me a solid and fill out my survey – it only takes 2 minutes, I promise!: 

Do you have beginners? Do you struggle with what to prep and how to fill the time?

I had a beginner class for 2 weeks. Yes, I know it's not a long time but I managed to do quite a lot with them. Here is my story.

Get ready for practical tips, reflections, digressions and lots of takeaways.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie:

A Multi-Level Video Lesson Plan Based on the Short Film Oktapodi:

Happy Birthday me!

Did you know that a few years ago, in an empty classroom, two friends decided to try their hand at podcasting?

They didn't have a flippin' clue what they were doing.  The sound was awful, the theme music was generic, the delivery a little, shall we say, spicy....

One of the two amateur podcasters decided they couldn't commit so the other one carried on solo.  There were no hard feelings. In fact, Shane is back to celebrate 100 episodes. We chat about the good old days and also some super useful teachy stuff.

Teachy stuff: around the 13 minute mark.

Graphic facilitation isn't a complex idea - you're probably already doing it in some measure but if you want to know more, total legend Emily Bryson will fill you in.  Also she will give you some freebies – see Emily’s contact details below.

Emily Bryson supports ELT professionals to harness the superpower of graphic facilitation. She is a guest blogger for Ellii.com and has written for a number of ELT publishers, including the Voices series for National Geographic Learning, the A-Z of ESOL and 50 Ways to Teach Life Skills. Her courses have been described as 'the nicest corner of the internet'.

Connect with Emily:

Teachers are hard on themselves.  We are often exhausted.  Know why? We're too bloody nice to others and not to ourselves.

In this episode, I give you a jolly good talking to.  I don't have all the answers but I can give you a little advice and ask you some serious questions about how you are treating yourself and how others are treating you.

So grab a cup of herbal tea, sit in the lotus position, take a deep breath and ........or just press play and get ready to challenge yourself to change one bad habit.

Love ya!!

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🧡10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class: some really simple, engaging no-prep activities to get a warm, fuzzy feeling in your class!

It's everywhere.  What is it?  How can it benefit teachers and students?  What are the pitfalls? Will it replace us?

I discuss all the above questions concerning the ubiquitous (at the time of recording, anyway) Chat GPT with my wonderful guest, Gina Rodriguez.  We also throw in a few materials we've generated and how well Chat GPT did.  The jury's still out.....

I'd love to know what you think.  

Gina Rodriguez has over 25 years of experience in the language education industry, where she has held a variety of roles from teaching to sales and marketing of ELT publications. As an ELT marketing and educational consultant, she now specializes in social media marketing strategies that help language service providers increase brand awareness and attract more students.

Gina offers customized training, professional talks, and consultancy services to language education businesses, with a focus on helping her clients achieve their goals and provide high-quality education in ELT

Connect with Gina:

www.instagram.com/gina_eltconsultant

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gina-rodriguez-elt/

grschoolmarketing.com

If you liked this episode, try this freebie:

A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

Like, share, DM me and follow me:

www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

My happy place is.......well, you'll have to listen and find out!  You will also discover a series of lovely no-prep activities you can do in class, which incorporates my two favourite things: mindfulness and creativity.

Where's your happy place? 

Did you know that I have a bunch of freebies for you to help you in class?  Take your pick from the list below and keep your eyes peeled for new ones coming soon:

Love tech?  Hate it?  Somewhere in between?  This episode has something for everyone.  I'm joined by the very knowledgeable and lovely Laura Wilkes of TESOL Pop Podcast.  We discuss all the issues including tech overwhelm, the importance of a Plan B, what to consider when selecting technology for your classroom and the delights of Inner Mongolia.  Yes, you heard me right.

Enjoy!

Laura has been working in the TEFL industry as a teacher, trainer and manager since 2009.

She's passionate about using technology and media creatively to support learning and development.

When not working, Laura can be found interviewing guests on the TESOL Pop podcast: the mini podcast

for busy teachers.

Connect with Laura:

www.tesolpop.com

www.instagram.com/tesolpop

Did you know that I have a bunch of freebies for you to help you in class?  Take your pick from the list below and keep your eyes peeled for new ones coming soon:

Do you get your students to reflect in class?  How about those students who tend to dominate the conversation?  Are they even aware of it?  I show you a simple way to starting a reflective conversation, where students consider the amount they (feel they can) participate in a conversation in class.  This can lead to a thoughtful discussion on future interaction and turn-taking.  Remember:  this won't change habits immediately - it's a process, but one that can be started if you try this simple, no-prep activity in class.  

Way back in Episodes 42A and 42B, I took you through the dreaded future forms.  It was, however, a little bit on the grammary (yes, that's a word) side.  In this episode, I reboot the future in a more lexical way.  So if you're still toying with idea of approaching grammar more lexically but you're not sure how, grab a pen and paper and I'll give you a lesson plan so you can dip your toe in the water..........and hopefully never look back.  You're welcome.

This is my final episode of the year and I'd like to thank each and every one of you gorgeous teachers for listening.  As it's the season of goodwill, how about recommending Everything EFL to a colleague and giving me a 5* review on Spotify or Apple.

Merry Christmas!  See you in the new year!

Did you know that I have a bunch of freebies for you to help you in class?  Take your pick from the list below and keep your eyes peeled for new ones coming soon:

What do you know about ADHD and Dyslexia?  How can you identify it?  How can you deal with neurodivergent students in your class?

This week I am joined by the fantastic Ania Karwowska of Polca Languages.  She gives us some ideas on how to start supporting our neurodivergent students in an ESL setting.   I can't promise to solve all your issues but I can promise that by the end of this episode, you will have a wealth of little tips and tricks to start implementing straightaway, as well as some other topicslike sequencing and structured word enquiry that you can dig a little deeper into.  

Ania is a self-described Anna, vegan jogger, bicycle lover. ESL teacher, literacy researcher & an OG tutor.

Connect with Ania:

Ah yes, the old Running Dictations. When was the last time you did it in class? How many different ways can you do it? Listen and find out!

In this episode, I give you variants of the this classic EFL game but also give you some solid advice to avoid some surprisingly easy pitfalls. Did I miss anything? Let me know!

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This week I'm joined by the amazing Jessica Guarnieri from Dedicated Design Consulting.  She lends us her expertise as to what trauma is and how it may present itself.  This episode is also useful for any teacher experiencing negative, worrying or disruptive behaviours in class.  Enjoy.

Sign up to English Teaching Unlimited Online Conference: https://englishteachingunlimited.com/

Jessica Guarnieri is a Senior Consultant for Dedicated Designs and Consulting and her focus is supporting new special education teachers as they transition from the campus to the classroom as well as special education teams needing support with challenging behaviours. Jessica has had 15+ years experience teaching in special education, training staff, as well as mentoring and coaching new teachers. She is certified by Cornell College to train Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, has been a lead teacher for her district and has been recognized as an Excellent Educator of Western New York.

Connect with Jessica:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/dedicated-designs-consulting/

https://www.facebook.com/dedicateddesignsconsulting

https://www.instagram.com/dedicateddesignsconsulting/

Email her at: jessica@dedicateddesignsconsulting

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Did you know that I have a bunch of freebies for you to help you in class?  Take your pick from the list below and keep your eyes peeled for new ones coming soon:

Okay, here it is: there are some harsh truths and realities we all have to face as teachers.  I think a lot of us have this idealized version of ourselves, where we provide inspiration in engaging, perfectly-executed, differentiated, multi-faceted lessons which .......okay, I'm gonna stop there. 

Let's be real - we have a lot to live up to but I think that pressure comes mostly from ourselves.  In this episode, I talk about some things we just have to accept but I try to give a few tips and questions to alleviate the pressure of our jobs. 

Watch my ELTed presentation on lexicalizing grammar here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CjcuK0FpYUT/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 

Did you know that I have a bunch of freebies for you to help you in class?  Take your pick from the list below and keep your eyes peeled for new ones coming soon:

Are you a freelance teacher or thinking about freelancing? This week I'm  joined by the delightful Miranda Crowhurst of Twinkl, who is an expert on how to grow your online audience on social media.  Are you a freelancer or thinking about freelancing?   

This episode will give you food for though if you're not happy working for someone else or if you're yearning to be your own boss.  You may be surprised at what she says.... 

Digressions include: are you being supported at work?, creativity, what it's like to get a million views on social media, the 'perfect teacher' (spoiler: doesn't exist!). 

Apologies for the sound quality at the end of the episode- Zoom is a fickle mistress... 

Connect with Miranda: 

Actively improve work-life balance and results with Twinkl Membership for Schools Join our support communities @ twinkl.co.uk/support-communities 

Create your own resources @ twinkl.co.uk/create Made by teachers, perfect for parents. 

Visit our Parents' Hub 

Did you know that I have a bunch of freebies for you to help you in class?  Take your pick from the list below and keep your eyes peeled for new ones coming soon:

Less time prepping?  Is that a thing?  Oh yes.  I list 8 reasons why I've stopped spending hours upon hours prepping my lessons.  I really hope some, if not all of these points resonate with you and change the way you think about spending your free, often unpaid time planning and preparing lessons for our students.  Work smart, not hard my gorgeous teacher!

Sign up to my masterclass on Thursday of the 29th September 2022 at 6pm UK time: Less Prep, Less Stress: How to Exploit Materials in Multiple Ways here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/less-prep-less-stress-how-to-exploit-materials-in-multiple-ways-tickets-404168136777

Download my freebies!

How do you see reading as part of your students' language acquisition? Stephen Krashen certainly knows more than I do about this, so who better to turn to than the world-renowned linguist, educational researcher and activist?  In this episode, I delve into his ideas on the power of self-selected reading.  I'm not saying he's right or wrong: I'm just throwing it out there in a bite-sized, digestible chunk of podcasty goodness so you can decide for yourself.  I'd love to know what you think!

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Writing: a word that often strikes fear into the heart of the student. How do your students feel about writing?  How do YOU feel about teaching it? In this episode, not only do I offer 4 things to consider when doing a writing task with your students, but I also throw in a bonus writing activity at the end. Enjoy!

Download my freebies!

Fluency MC, AKA Jason Levine, is one of a kind: he’s a teacher, trainer and knowledge entertainer.

Firstly, he tells me about his unique use of hip-hop in French schools to promote repetition and rhythm in an engaging way and then we discuss the importance of learner autonomy and how to get your students hooked on English without forcing it on them.

Listen to the end to get a little taste of Jason’s irregular verbs rap!

One thing I've noticed that teachers do a lot is talk.  Newsflash: that's NOT your job!  In this quickie episode, I offer a few ways to lower your TTT so your students can breathe, process and think.  Enjoy.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

I am once again joined by the thoroughly lovely Hugh Dellar.  In episode 60, we took a deep dive into what the lexical approach is and in this episode, we take it in turns suggesting some simple ways to actually implement it into your classroom practice.

This episode is full of easy-to-use, low-to-no-prep ideas that you can start on straightaway.  Dive in!

Connect with Hugh via his website: https://www.lexicallab.com/

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

I'm so happy to have Csabi Berger join me.  He's a language coach.  A what, I hear you cry?  Don't worry - he'll explain the differences between teaching and coaching and how you can implement some simple strategies to promote learner autonomy. Because that's what we want, right?  We want our students to develop an interest in language outside the classroom and become better learners.  This episode has so much value.  Check it out and share with a colleague. Csabi Berger has been a fluency and learning coach for 10+ years and has recently become an English coach mentor, supporting English teachers with their transition into language coaching, creating a coaching business and effectively promoting it on social media. Connect with Csabi: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morethanjustteacher/?hl=en If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

I know, we don't have much time to cram everything in our lessons but some things are worth taking time over: checking your students' understanding of vocabulary and instructions.  I mean, how hard is it?

Not that hard, actually but I'm sure I'm not the only one who's guilty of neglecting a few concept-checking and instruction-checking questions from time to time......not sure what I'm on about?  This episode is for you.  Been teaching a long time?  Sure, dive in and refresh your memory.  I guarantee the last time you really looked at CCQs and ICQs in detail was your teaching course, was it not...?

Useful links:

Recorded in lockdown last year, I've been saving this one - Olly Richards is a linguistic powerhouse.  What better person to ask about language learning?  

Do your students read?  Do they dislike reading?  Why?  Olly gives you real food for thought on this fascinating episode.  We covered so much ground.  This episode may well change your approach to reading and you may want to give it more priority.  But Erin, isn't speaking and listening the best thing to do?  Possibly, but this episode will give you a valuable insight into learning through reading, what extensive reading is, and its benefits.

We also discuss the age-old question: do students really need teachers?

This episode is gold.  Dive in and be inspired!

Olly Richards is a teacher, author, speaker and language learner.  He promotes the use of reading to learn languages and has a podcast and regular blog on his website.  Check him out on his website:

https://storylearning.com/ (the name has changed since this episode was recorded)

https://www.youtube.com/c/OllyRichards for a literal donkeyload of useful content

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

A Multi-Level Video Lesson Plan Based on the Short Film Oktapodi:

Reflection.  It cannot be underestimated as part of your students' (and your) learning process.  In this lesson, I talk about the benefits of reflection and then dive into a lesson plan that you can copy, adapt and do with your students.  Best of all, click on the link below and you can have the lesson Powerpoint for your very own! Change it, add to it, do what you like with it: you know your students best.  Let me know how it goes! 

Get your reflection lesson plan here:

https://www.subscribepage.com/k7g8u5

Links on reflection:

We all have them: those students who finish a task before everyone else.  How can you keep them engaged and occupied?  If you think the answer is doing an extra worksheet, you've come to the right place because that is DEFINITELY NOT on this list!  We can do better than that: give your students challenges; make them think; get them moving; give them room to breathe; all of the above. My challenge to you this week is to choose a couple of things from this list and try them out in your class.  Let me know how it goes. If you're wondering what happened to my next episode on reflection, it's coming soon, I promise! 

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

In an ideal world, our students would spend all their spare time working on their English skills and be highly motivated to do so.  But in reality buuuuut................we all know that for some students, learning English is a mountain.  How do you help your students take those first steps?

In this episode, I give you tips on how to approach learning goals with your class and also how to keep on top of them with regular check-ups, cunningly disguised as reflection.  Remember, it's about those small victories.......

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Grammar stress?   Not sure how to teach it effectively?   Not enough time for meaningful practice because you've just spent half the lesson teaching ALL the rules?

This week, I chat with the ever-so-lovely ELT powerhouse Jo Gakonga.  We talk about the issues surrounding teaching and learning grammar, how you can teach it more effectively and with less stress, and more importantly, how your students can learn it in more meaningful way.  And as a bonus, grab your pen because we indulge in a game of lexical tennis, exchanging our ideas for fixed, useful and common phrases with everyone's favourite, the Present Perfect.  I also succeed in changing Jo's long-standing acronym for teaching grammar from CAMP to CAMPR.  Result!

Jo Gakonga is a freelance teacher educator, CELTA tutor and assessor and the founder of ELT-Training.com, a website with useful material for trainee, novice and more experienced English language teachers.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

Connect with Jo at:

www.elt-training.com

 https://www.facebook.com/jo.gakonga

https://www.instagram.com/elttraining/

https://www.youtube.com/c/elttraining

Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

@https://www.facebook.com/groups/everythingeflteacherdevelopment

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

Positivity is everything when learning.  It can open up so many doors: confidence-building, community building, promoting a healthy self-esteem........here are 10 super-easy, no-to-low prep ways for adding some positivity into your class.

Click below for your free pdf:

https://www.subscribepage.com/p5j4r6?fbclid=IwAR29a4TH6hgAz8G1OlFOCjt1m3-_1xghnfnm2oRqUh2TL_sr3-KfQ92f-aI

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class:

I can't believe it's been almost two, count 'em, two years, since I've taught in an actual classroom with actual students just (an officially designated number of) metres away.  Yes, things are a bit different: social distancing, no handouts, no mingling......but the principles of the first lesson (regardless of how you're teaching) are always the same: get to know your students.  Here's how I did it.  

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Presentations.  A word that often strikes fear into the heart of the most capable student.  I take you through the things I've learnt from experts and stuff I do when prepping my students for a presentation.  Do you really need to be this thorough?  I say yes.  Have a listen and see whether you agree with me.  I approach presentations from 3 angles: psychologically, visually and linguistically.

Credit and honourable mentions go to Ian Brownlee, Expert in Neuroscience-based Persuasive & influential Comm. skills / Lecturer in Practical Negotiation Skills and Christine Mullaney, Presentation, Voice & Mindful Communication Coach.  Find them both on Linked In.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Ho Ho Ho!  I'm rereleasing my fabulous Christmas episode from 2021.  I'm joined by my lovely friend and teacher Sinead McMorrow, and we hope you can use some of these fun activities, some of them sent in by our lovely followers.   These activities are suitable for different levels, nationalities and mainstream schools. Dive in and have some festive fun in your classroom!  

Watch this episode on Youtube for subtitles: https://youtu.be/zHv9PhluzAA or IGTV: www.instagram.com/everything_efl_pod Sinead Morrow has been an EFL teacher for almost 15 years and a teacher trainer for about 10 years. She has recently made a foray into CLIL teaching and she likes it! 

Sign up to my twice-monthly newsletter!: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/l5f8v6

Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram). 

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

@www.facebook.com/groups/eflteachersupport/

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

Ever wondered why your projects with students fall a little flat? I give you some quick, practical advice on how to structure you projects and presentations with 4 easy steps to follow: pre-project tasks, delivering instructions, the project itself and the presentation, should you choose to follow up with one. Did I miss anything?

If you found this episode useful, hit that subscribe button and I’ll see you next week.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

So much vocabulary, so little time!  How can you mix it up and keep it interesting for your students when it's time to review all that stuff they've learnt?  And lets not forget about all that emergent language you've been taking note of.  Here are my top ten ways to review, reuse and recycle that language in subsequent lessons. Grab your pen and get ready for some old classics!

We should definitely review as much as possible.  Which one of these tips haven't you done in a while or ever?  Choose one, do it, tell me about it. 

Sign up to my twice-monthly newsletter!: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/l5f8v6

Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

@www.facebook.com/groups/eflteachersupport/

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

My guest this week is the wonderful Ola Kowalska.  Teacher, school owner, CELTA Trainer, mentor, business coach, mum and all-round superwoman, Ola gives you her top tips for breaking out and starting your own business. Whether you want to teach students or other teachers, her invaluable advice is a great starting point.

We chatted about pandemic-perspective changes, headspace, wanky business buzz phrases and those all-important tips. If you’re looking for a change, this episode is gold!

Connect with Ola:

Instagram: ola_kowalska_elt

This week I am joined once again by the inspirational Anjalee Beverly (check out Episode 36 if you haven't already). She is all about building community in the class room before reallygetting down the nitty-gritty of teaching. Anjalee is a mainstream school teacher: how many of these ideas can you steal and adapt from this episode for your class?

1. Class Agreements

2. Affirmations

3. Community Circle

4. Surveys

5. Collective Breath

Episode Shownotes:

Anjalee Beverly is a twelfth year elementary education teacher who has recently moved to an International school in Cartajena, Colombia. Anjalees’ motto is trust before standards and she seeks to bring joy and rigor to every class session. She believes relationship building with students and their families is a crucial part of the learning process. Her ultimate goal as an educator is to teach her students to love themselves as they are and to find liberation through academic excellence. You can find her on instagram as Ms.Cleverly.Beverly or at www.mrscleverlybeverly.com

Recommended reading: Pushout: the Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, Monique W Morris, The New Press

Don’t forget to engage on Insta or Facebook after the episode.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

In the second of the 'I'm on holiday so I've decided to give you a couple of different episodes' series, I delve into the infamous and sweeping romance that is New English File's Rob and Jenny.  I give you a run-down of the story told throughout the course book series and attempt to critically analyze their relationship. Warning: it ain't pretty. 

Don’t forget to engage on Insta or Facebook after the episode. 

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

@www.facebook.com/groups/eflteachersupport/

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

I'm on holiday!

I decided to give you a couple of episodes that aren't teachy but are very much from the mind of Erin.

This episode is my thoughts on the fabulous Rupaul Charles and his groundbreaking reality TV show, Rupaul's Drag Race.  I tell you what I think drag is, how the show and Rupaul constantly inspires me and hopefully give you a dose of sequin-covered joy, positivity and inspiration.

Featuring extracts of:

Drag Race theme song and Born Naked, written by Rupaul Charles and produced by Lucian Piane.

Don’t forget to engage on Insta or Facebook after the episode.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class:

In the third episode of my teaching lexically series, I throw a bunch of ideas at you, showing how you can tweak your listening and reading tasks to be more lexical and introduce more meaningful language, directly connected to your students needs and wants.

I challenge you to try some of these out – the good thing is that they’re not hard to implement. Bit by bit, my gorgeous teachers, bit by bit.....

Stuff covered:

- Pre-reading and listening tasks

- Incorporation pronunciation

- Helping your students recognize language within a text/transcript

- Focusing on whole phrases and sentences

- Follow-up tasks

Episode Shownotes:

Reference Source for this episode:

Teaching Lexically, Dellar & Walkley, Delta Publishing, 2016

Don’t forget to engage on Insta or Facebook after the episode.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

@www.facebook.com/groups/eflteachersupport/

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

In the second episode of my teaching lexically series, I tackle grammar. How can we get away from the dreaded rules + exercises + sentence-level production and get students using real-world phrases?

Fear not! I give you the briefest of backgrounds to’ grammaticalizing’ lexis, and then I dive into a few simple activities and ways you can incorporate this directly into your teaching.

It takes time and more than a little courage to change your teaching style but I think this series will help you and I’d LOVE you to take one of my suggestions and try it out in your next lesson.

Go on, you know you want to.

Activities and suggestions:

1. Don’t make a big deal of it

2. Layer upon layer of lexis

3. Focus on patterns in discourse

4. Record and use emergent language

5. Single words not wanted!

6. Teach fixed expression with the same grammar

7. Keep real-world situations in mind

8. Use the stuff around you for inspo

Oh and make sure your students write EVERYTHING down!

Don’t forget to engage on Insta or Facebook after the episode.

If you liked this episode, try this freebie.

A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

Episode Show Notes:

References sources for this episode:

It’s a long one but it’s TOTALLY worth the listen. My guest is the mighty Hugh Dellar, co-author of Teaching Lexically. The lexical approach is something we should all be working towards to some degree. Here are Hugh’s thoughts on this approach (it’s better than traditional PPP), his opinion on teaching grammar in a traditional way (don’t do it), and some advice for teachers who would like to start incorporating this into their teaching practice (yes you can).

If you enjoyed this episode, I’ll be giving more ideas on how to incorporate the lexical approach into your lessons in a practical way in the next episode.

Recorded in January of this year, I talked to Jose-Luis and Daniel of ELT in Chile Podcast. If you are interested in living and working in Chile, this episode will let you know which Chilean wine to buy, the subtle nuances of Chilean social exchanges and dispelling or confirming the common myths surrounding Chilean culture. Oh, we talk about teaching in Chile too: the working conditions, linguistic issues, and things you should know about Chilean students. And most importantly, food.

Enjoy!

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Do you and your students groan when you reach the ‘environment’ unit in your course book? Well, this cracker of an episode is for you. I spoke to the thoroughly lovely Harry Waters of Renewable English about his career, his passion for the environment and how teachers can approach this topic in a different way to the boring old course book approach of ‘Here’s Our Unit on the Environment’.

Forgive us for not always staying on topic. Digressions include: our love of teacher training, mindfulness, our failed attempts at veganism, a shared affinity for charity shops and leopard-print, the lexical chunk and our mutual hatred of ironing....

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A Multi-Level Video Lesson Plan Based on the Short Film Oktapodi:

Summer’s here: cue the insanity. I can’t promise I’ll solve all your summer issues, but I what I can do is share a little advice and some activities to get you through, especially if you’re a first time teacher in a summer school. If you are more experienced, you might recognise some of the things that went awry during my first summer school way back in the early 2000s. I’d also love to know what your go-to summer activities are. You know the ones: you repeat them every couple of weeks as you are given a new class of tired and distracted students. Have a great summer!

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Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Whatever your class demographic, I’m sure you can use your adaptive teacher skills and take something from this episode. My guest this week is the wonderful Wanda Atkins from Wanda’s #saywhat Podcast. She loves to get her students to teach something or to lead. She has some really nice ideas and advice to give students more autonomy and to flex their creative muscles, including what to do with a Mr Potato Head! Digressions include different ways students learn, our responsibilities as teachers, taking risks in lessons and generally setting the world to rights. 

Connect with Wanda @waworkshops on Insta 

Check out her podcast Wanda’s #saywhat Podcast at https://www.buzzsprout.com/1010788or any podcast platform. 

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Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Self doubt: it creeps in and tells you you’re not doing a good job. Fear not!  I give you now only my, but some lovely people from LinkedIn’s tips to dispel the doubt and celebrate your fabulousness. I finish with a cheesy floor stomper of a tune that always lifts me up when I’m in need of some self-love. What’s your favourite pick-me-up song? Enjoy!

Thanks to the following lovelies on LinkedIn:  Elizabeth Mackie, Ellen Baker Dubois, Rasha Awad, Harry Waters, Silvina Mascitti, Ian Brownlee. 

Episode Shownotes:

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10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class:

This a short but real sweet one. Let's get away from presenting your students with a song of your choice.  Let's do it a different way and get them to let go and lip-synch as a grand finale!  This is what I did with my class:  steal, adapt and tweak according to your students' needs.   

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10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class:

Board gamer, much?

This week I’m joined by English teacher and board games fanatic Zdenek Lukas of teacherzdenek.com

We talk about why board games are such a positive addition to a class and then Zdenek recommends 5 games for you to try.

Find Zdenek and all his social media links at www.teacherzdenek.com

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10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class:

My guest this week is ELT Trainer, author, vlogger, presenter and all-round wonderful John Hughes. We chat about what kinds of authentic materials to use on lower levels. If you’re fed up with using just menus and maps, you will find a wealth of great resources and ideas here. Topics include photos, videos, social media and simplifying more complex text, with a small digression into how to deliver instructions. Enjoy!

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Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Every wonder why your students forget everything the day after your amazing, impactful lesson?  As a teacher, I’m constantly trying new things and changing things up. This idea of doing more bite-sized learning is still in its trial phase but I think it suits the way that information is communicated and received. What do you think?

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10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class:

If you’ve never used Jamboard with your online learners, fear not! This episode is just a snapshot of what I’ve been doing with it. If you’re a seasoned veteran of Jamboard, let me know what I’ve missed. I know you have hundreds of great ideas. Comment on the following posts:

@https://www.instagram.com/p/CO98a_2AYSE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

@https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55_jamboard-onlinelearning-activity-6799979896698355712-W5iJ

@https://twitter.com/Everything_EFL

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I love this episode! I chatted with the wonderful Melinda Thomas from newteachersconnect in a long-form version of last week’s quickie about advice for new teachers.

She approaches this from a more global, state school perspective and I say a lot of stuff from last week as well as also chiming in on Melinda’s ideas. We don’t know what each other is going to say – how far do we meet in the middle simply, as teachers?

It’s a long one but worth it. I got all the feels chatting to Melinda. She’s a gem.

Follow her on Instagram @newteachersconnect_ig

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A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

Shownotes:

Episode 19 & 20: Teacher Types

Episode 23: Owner and Manager Types

700 activities – Maria Popova, David Seymour, Macmillan

Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

@www.facebook.com/groups/eflteachersupport/

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

Need a few tips? These are my top tips on being a new teacher. If you’re not new to teaching, what did I miss?

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A worksheet using common present perfect phrases so students can review this difficult grammar point in terms of institutionalized phrases, building their own context around them.

https://www.subscribepage.com/presentperfectlexicallesson

Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

@www.facebook.com/groups/eflteachersupport/

Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

Need some inspo this week? Are you teaching or really TEACHING? Do you see students in your class or do you see people? Do you tick off the contents of your syllabus or allow your students to learn?

This my philosophical look at how teaching should be rather than what our schools expect us to do in terms of a syllabus and structure. Damn rules and regulations. Always cramping our style....

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Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

It’s hard enough in a physical classroom to get shy students to talk, but when you’re online and there are outgoing students in the class, it’s even harder. As I continue my journey teaching online and learning as I go, here’s what I’ve been doing to overcome this problem: not just to make my life easier, but to build different communication skills for my lovely B2 students.

What would you do differently?

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Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Not too sure if you’re doing enough critical thinking in class? Even if you teach in a non-EFL environment, there are plenty ideas to steal in this week’s episode. I’m excited about this one!

In January 2021,  I was joined once again by the fabulous Radhika Iyer (see episode 34).

We start by having a good natter about the concept of critical thinking in the classroom and then Radhika gives you loads of fab activities to try out with your students, mainly B1 and up. I throw in a few ideas of my own and then focus on the lower levels.

What ideas will you try?

Radhika Iyer has nearly 30 years' teaching experience in ESL, ESL, EAP, teacher training and in Malaysian secondary schools.  She has worked in Malaysia, Dubai and she is now living in Ireland and working with the local county education authority serving ESOL students.

Connect with Radhika on Twitter @radhikaiyer307

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Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

What a rollercoaster it’s been. I asked for your advice and boy, did you give it! Did I follow it? You bet I did! I also had a bunch of unanticipated feelings and experiences. Join me as I talk about the journey of my first week teaching online after a year’s unemployment and how I tried to navigate this alongside a personal event that affected my mental health. Can you relate?

Language warning: I use a couple of naughty words.

Language references:

CCQs – Concept checking questions and ICQs = instruction checking questions. If you’re not sure what these are, there’s an episode in the pipeline!

Thank you to my following Insta followers, friends and legends:

Have you ever felt like spicing things up a bit but not sure how?   I'm talking about drama - the good kind.  

The lovely Aoife Maguire gives you some simple, doable tips to try out in your class.  These activities can be adapted for online teaching too!  

Still with me? Thirsty for more? Let's talk about the dreaded moment when you have to try and explain the real difference between present continuous and be going to. Also, a bonus idea for won’t or wouldn’t...

I’ve also added in a little bonus idea for using won’t or wouldn’t – not really connected to the future but I just like throwing stuff out there.

Again, a pen and paper may be handy..

Materials Referenced:

700 Activities, Seymour and Popova, MacMillan

Cutting Edge Pre-Intermediate Teacher's Book, Activity 4B Helen Barker, Longman

Where to begin? Will? Going to? Actually, that's exactly right.

In this 2-parter about future forms (easing you in gently), I'm covering the basics - clearing up any confusion between form and meaning and throwing some activities your way.

You may need a pen and paper for this one.

Materials referenced:

Intermediate Grammar Games, Jill Hadfield, Longman

Games for Grammar Practice, Maria Lucia Zaorob, CUP

This week I’m joined by the delightful Laia del Barrio.  She presents 5 gorgeous activities to use in your classroom to bring some reflection and well-being to your students in any kind of classroom.  Grab a cup of herbal tea, sit back and breath it in!

This episode uses Laia’s slideshow on Zoom so it’s best to watch on one of the following:

What can make you more creative and in turn, a happier person? I can’t promise I have all the answers but I hope something I say will resonate with you and give you some warm feels. You don’t have to be a teacher to listen to this one. Share the love, guys.

Honorable Mentions:

Follow Erin Myres @ erin.myres on Instagram and check out The Educator’s Mindset Podcast

Follow Anjalee Beverly @mrs.cleverly.beverly on Instagram

Follow Melinda Thomas @newteachersconnect_ig on Instagram or @new teachers connect on Facebook

Check out Jonathan Brookins’ podcast @https://www.buzzsprout.com/970804 or wherever your preferred platform is.

Follow him @jonathanxbrookins on Instagram

Watch the Creative Brain on Netflix. Here’s a trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gSmcL1CJMQ

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A Multi-Level Video Lesson Plan Based on the Short Film Oktapodi:

I asked some of my Instagram followers to, quite literally, ask me anything. So they did. I did a bit of research and here we go. Feel free to add your own ideas on social media!

Svetlana from edsvets_english:what strategies are there to teach non-verbal conventions to students?

Sabby from High Street English: should young learners be asked to focus on grammar mistakes?

Sarah from elamodelteacher: do you have a simplistic way of teaching students a method to capitalize the I pronoun?

Erin from erin.myres from the Educator’s Mindset Podcast: random stuff about me.

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A Multi-Level Video Lesson Plan Based on the Short Film Oktapodi:

It's good be back!  Happy new year.  Just easing you in with something short and sweet.

Shane has left the building.  On with the show!

Have you ever received a complaint?  Most teachers have.  Here are my thoughts on why this isn't the end of the world (even though it feels like it) and how we can use the opportunity to improve ourselves.

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10 Easy Ways to Add Positivity to your Class:

mentor, Anjalee Beverly, who shares culturally responsible teaching strategies, inclusion tips and ways to teach multiple narratives for every classroom. 

Watch the episode on Youtube: https://youtu.be/38-6vxNNMCw. 

Watch on IGTV: instagram.com/everything_efl_pod.  

Shownotes:

Anjalee Beverly is a twelfth year elementary education teacher. She currently teaches fourth grade but has also taught 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 11th, and 12th grades in California. In addition to teaching. Anjalee is also the Project Based Learning Coordinator, Lead Teacher, Founder and teacher liaison of the African American Parent Advisory Council and happily hosts a weekly yoga club. Anjalees’ motto is trust before standards and she seeks to bring joy and rigor to every class session. She believes relationship building with students and their families is a crucial part of the learning process. Her ultimate goal as an educator is to teach her students to love themselves as they are and to find liberation through academic excellence. You can find her on instagram as Ms.Cleverly.Beverly. 

Recommended reading: Pushout: the Criminalization of Black Girls in Schools, Monique W Morris, The New Press

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Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

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Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

Need some ideas for individual sound pronunciation? Here goes! My friend Sinead McMorrow shares her online ideas for my in-class pronunciation activities for minimal pairs.

This episode is on IGTV and  Youtube.com/watch?v=fWeTRefsyIE. It's much better seen than heard as we do some demos! 

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Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Pronunciation Journey Game PDF Online: http://hancockmcdonald.com/sites/hancockmcdonald.com/files/file-downloads/Pronunciation%20Journey%20Game.JPG 

To see all other materials used on the screen, go to instagram.com/tv/CH-Pf7iBqpu/?utm_medium=copy_link

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

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Do all EFL teachers look and sound the same?  I am joined by Radhika Iyer, who shares her experiences of native speakerism when encountering students who decide this is an issue and how managers do, or don't deal with this in a supportive way. 

You can connect with Radhika on Twitter at @Radhikaiyer307. 

Also mentioned: @hughdellar

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Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

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Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.

Once again Erin Myres joins me to give some really lovely, practical tips. If you are struggling to connect with students online, this episode is for you. Erin also gives tips about reducing stress and reminds us that we're only human! Enjoy. 

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Video and Discussion Lesson Plan Based on a YouTube Short, Take a Seat, Make a Friend:

Need some Halloween activities?  Are you teaching in class?  Are you online?  We've got you covered.  The lovely Erin Myres from An Educator's Mindset podcast joins me to adapt my in-class Halloween activities to the online platform.   

Links mentioned: 

https://jamboard.google.com/ https://nearpod.com/ 

https://quickdraw.withgoogle.com/ 

http://www.tuneintoenglish.com/thriller.pdf - Thriller gap-fill and instructions 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHQZErtwA3E - Bet you didn't know about Halloween https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x7ewDWR6NQ - In a dark, dark wood poem

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Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram).

Like, share, DM me and follow me on Instagram @https://www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher/ and on Facebook

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Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.