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The Motivated Classroom

The Motivated Classroom

By Dr. Liam Printer

A weekly podcast for language teachers and learners hosted by Dr. Liam Printer talking all things education, languages, motivation and engagement; linking current educational research to your classroom practice and providing a few ideas for some easy to implement, zero-prep, motivational strategies you can try out right away! Join the conversation on social media using #MotivatedClassroom. I'd love to know what you think so please get in touch. Full programme notes available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast
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1 ¦ Motivation: What is it and how do we 'do' it?

The Motivated ClassroomJul 26, 2020

00:00
20:37
111 ¦ Q&A: Online teaching, AI and stories in class

111 ¦ Q&A: Online teaching, AI and stories in class

A special Q&A episode this week with some brilliant questions from the patrons of the podcast. We explore how to keep the motivation high when teaching online, making use of AI tools in the language acquisition class, how long a co-created story should take and how to get started with a free voluntary reading programme and library in class.

Please let me know what you think!

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Dec 01, 202327:05
110 ¦ Story Listening: Lessons from classroom practice with Cécile Lainé

110 ¦ Story Listening: Lessons from classroom practice with Cécile Lainé

For the third in the 3-part series on "Story Listening", I am joined by the wonderful and inspirational Cécile Lainé. After Episode 108 with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel, followed by a look at the research in Ep. 109, Cécile now provides the much needed perspective on Story Listening through the eyes of a classroom practitioner.

Cécile shares her insights and research on using Story Listening in the classroom. She also provides us with many easy-to-implement classroom tools to ensure Story Listening is a success in our classrooms. A fantastic conversation with so much food for thought! Merci, Cécile.

Please let me know what you think!

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Nov 17, 202356:49
109 ¦ Storytelling as pedagogy

109 ¦ Storytelling as pedagogy

Following on from the previous episode on Story Listening with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel, and as a preview to Episode 110 with Cécile Lainé on applying Story Listening in the classrom, this episode looks at the research around using storytelling and stories as a core pedagogical approach in our classes.

This episode provides an overview of some of the important studies that have been conducted showing us that storytelling is a highly effective and motivational pedagogical approach to use in our languages classrooms.

Please let me know what you think!

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Nov 03, 202322:30
108 ¦ The power of Story Listening for acquisition and motivation with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel

108 ¦ The power of Story Listening for acquisition and motivation with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel

This special, extended episode of The #MotivatedClassroom was recorded in 2023 as part of the CIReboot online language teaching conference.

Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel take us through the research and classroom techniques behind the 'Story Listening' approach in the language acquisition classroom.

This episode is full of a combination of research and practice with many tips and ideas from 'Story Listening' experts working in two very different contexts but both seeing the powerful results this approach can bring.

Please let me know what you think!

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Oct 21, 202344:11
107 ¦ Reading a class novel in 11 zero-prep steps

107 ¦ Reading a class novel in 11 zero-prep steps

After many emails and requests on the topic, this week's #MotivatedClassroom episode looks at the practicalities of how to go about teaching a class novel in the language acquisition classroom.

I go through my 11 step process for beginning and ending the reading of a novel as a class. I use these graded novels in almost every unit and they form the backbone of all of my units! How do you go about it?

... and stay tuned right to the end of the episode for a big announcement!!

Please let me know what you think!

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Oct 06, 202338:32
106 ¦ Connections and competence: The third week of the year and beyond

106 ¦ Connections and competence: The third week of the year and beyond

The third and final part in the three part mini series on how I start the year and work towards a motivated classroom: This episode focuses on how we start the first unit and particularly, how to introduce themes or topics that are potentially a little more serious.

I also discuss a variety of comprehensible input techniques and how I try to weave these into the core unit, as well as some strategies for using mini whiteboards for retrieval practice and recall.

Please let me know what you think!

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Sep 22, 202330:18
105 ¦ Relationships, relatedness and routines: The second week of the year

105 ¦ Relationships, relatedness and routines: The second week of the year

Part two in the three part mini series on starting the year strong and building a motivated classroom: In this episode we look at what happens in week two of the school year, once we have done the admin tasks in week one and set out some basic routines.

Specifically I discuss the first picture talk of the year, the first time we push all the chairs back and focus on intent listening, how we build our free reading library, how we reinforce routines daily and what (if any) tasks are given as home contact with the language.

Please let me know what you think!

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Sep 08, 202330:32
104 ¦ Starting strong: The first week back to school

104 ¦ Starting strong: The first week back to school

How do you start a new school year? What exactly do you do in the first week or so of classes? How do you set up your class and do the boring admin tasks but keep it motivating? How do you build motivation among new students?

These are some of the most commonly asked questions from patrons and listeners of the Motivated Classroom podcast so in this episode I attempt to answer some of them. I take you through, step by step, what exactly happens in my language acquisition classes during those critical first few days of lessons both with new and returning students... talking about seating plans, admin tasks, first CI activities, homework and more.

Please let me know what you think!

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Aug 25, 202336:42
103 ¦ Is Comprehensible Input enough?

103 ¦ Is Comprehensible Input enough?

A potentially controversial topic for some listeners but an important one nonetheless: Is Comprehensible Input enough on its own? What about output, grammar and practice? Is there a role in the language acquisition class for these too?

In this episode, I discuss my take on this argument and hopefully provide some thought-provoking questions for everyone to consider as we talk to colleagues who may teach in a very different to us. Teaching with a CI approach will only become more mainstream when rather than shouting from the corner, we discuss in the middle. Please let me know what you think!

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Aug 11, 202330:12
102 ¦ Maintaining motivation right until the end of the year

102 ¦ Maintaining motivation right until the end of the year

One of the most frequently asked questions in the month of May is "have you any tips for keeping up the motivation at the end of the year... I'm struggling!". I hear you loud and clear. This episode focuses on how to maintain motivation, for both the students and you as the teacher, right until the end of the school year. I give an overview of some of the activities I have found to keep the motivation up right into the last few weeks and provide my take on the important underlying principles to ensure an engaged and motivated classroom, even when the holidays are only a few days away.

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Jun 01, 202334:20
101 ¦ Respecting and amplifying all languages in our multilingual classrooms with Dr. Eowyn Crisfield

101 ¦ Respecting and amplifying all languages in our multilingual classrooms with Dr. Eowyn Crisfield

In this episode, we have the pleasure of listening to renowned expert on multilingualism, Dr. Eowyn Crisfield. Dr. Crisfield shares valuable insights from the research on supporting multilingualism and also helps us to dispel some of the myths around bilingual children. This episode is full of vitally important nuggets of important for all educators, not just language acquisition teachers. A core message is the takeaway that we must all ensure we do everything we can to support and celebrate the entire linguistic repertoire of our learners and not force them to leave those home languages at the door. This is a must listen for all teachers.

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May 05, 202331:52
100 ¦ Self-determination theory, motivation and language learning with Dr. Richard Ryan

100 ¦ Self-determination theory, motivation and language learning with Dr. Richard Ryan

In this episode 100, I am delighted and honoured to be joined by esteemed researcher, psychologist and co-founder of Self-Determination Theory, Dr. Richard Ryan. Dr. Ryan's work has been cited over 510,000 times and his work with Edward Deci on intrinsic motivation and Self-Determination Theory has changed the way educators understand raising motivation in the classroom. Dr. Ryan provides us with detailed, insightful perspectives on the current research around raising Self-Determination Theory as well as how it applies in the language acquisition classroom. An absolutely fantastic discussion with a researcher that has changed the world of education. This is a must listen for all teachers.

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Feb 24, 202334:18
99 ¦ Raising language learner motivation with Dr. Kimberly Noels

99 ¦ Raising language learner motivation with Dr. Kimberly Noels

This episode features the influential and renowned language learner motivation researcher, Dr. Kimberly Noels. Dr. Noels is a full professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Alberta, Canada where she focuses on motivation and second language acquisition. Dr. Noels provides us with insightful perspectives on the current research around raising intrinsic motivation in the language acquisition classroom as well as a host of practical tips for the languages teacher. A fantastic discussion with a researcher we can all learn from. One night to be missed!

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Feb 03, 202331:40
98 ¦ Three motivation-based case studies from the language classroom

98 ¦ Three motivation-based case studies from the language classroom

The second episode with a direct focus on the core premise of this podcast: language learner motivation. In this episode I look in detail at three case studies shared by the listeners on demotivation and how we can turn this into intrinsic motivation in the language acquisition classroom over the last two years. Thank you to all the podcast patrons and supporters for sharing their scenarios and case studies. I'd love to know what you think of my take on these three cases in particular.

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Jan 20, 202332:13
97 ¦ The motivation-engagement-acquisition cycle

97 ¦ The motivation-engagement-acquisition cycle

In this episode we are going back to the roots and core premise of this podcast: language learner motivation. This episode focuses on what we have learned together about raising intrinsic motivation in the language acquisition classroom over the last two years of this podcast. In particular, we look at the research around building motivation and my take on what I'm calling the 'motivation-engagement-acquisition cycle'. I'd love to know your thoughts on it!

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Jan 06, 202332:56
96 ¦ Interrupting misogyny and toxic masculinity with Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez

96 ¦ Interrupting misogyny and toxic masculinity with Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez

In this episode we are joined by the wonderful and inspiring educator, Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez. Abelardo shares with us his journey and testimony as a cisgender male who is actively trying to interrupt and take apart the toxic masculinity and misogyny we experience in schools. This episode is full of excellent tips, advice and experiences to help us to work towards a more equitable and inclusive educational environment. An absolute must listen for all of us!

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Dec 16, 202243:34
95 ¦ Trauma-informed teaching with illiterate students with Janique Vanderstocken

95 ¦ Trauma-informed teaching with illiterate students with Janique Vanderstocken

This episode features one of the most impactful & inspiring interviews I've ever done, by far! The inspirational educator, Janique Vanderstocken, tells us about how she goes about doing trauma-informed teaching with her groups of illiterate students. Janique gives us a host of concrete tips, techniques and approaches to help students with very low literacy levels as well as those who are totally illiterate. She shares her classroom strategies in particular around working with students who are coming from very traumatic situations or backgrounds. Every teacher needs to hear this. This is an absolute must listen for anyone and everyone working in education!

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Dec 02, 202245:06
94 ¦ Advanced students: Keeping the inputs comprehensible through increased autonomy

94 ¦ Advanced students: Keeping the inputs comprehensible through increased autonomy

Teachers frequently ask about how we can continue to use a compelling, comprehensible inputs, approach with advanced learners. The key is to relinquish some of our own power in the classroom and provide increased autonomy to students, allowing them to plan, design and deliver their own classes. This episode explores one such approach with a group of advanced students of Spanish and how this increased autonomy led to higher rates of intrinsic motivation.

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Nov 25, 202224:55
93 ¦ Why grammar instruction is impeding acquisition

93 ¦ Why grammar instruction is impeding acquisition

Following up on the extended episode 92 on maximising our target language use in class, this episode goes a little deeper and discusses how an over-emphasis on grammar instruction and accuracy is killing natural acquisition. Touching on key issues in our field, the goal of this episode is to open up professional debate about how we continue to emphasise grammar instruction, even in our beginner classes and what effect this is having on our students' natural acquisition.

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Nov 11, 202234:15
92 ¦ Maximising your target language use with Alina Filipescu and Jason Fritze

92 ¦ Maximising your target language use with Alina Filipescu and Jason Fritze

A special, extended, episode focusing on the why and how of target language use in the language acquisition classroom with the brilliant Alina Filipescu and Jason Fritze. This episode was first aired as a livestream for the #CIReboot conference in summer 2022. Alina and Jason share lots of fantastic practical examples from their primary and secondary classrooms in order to help us all to use the target language as much as possible in the classroom. They also explain in detail why maximising our target language use is so critical. A real must listen episode for all languages teachers around the world.

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Oct 28, 202256:27
91 ¦ Error correction, motivation and examination

91 ¦ Error correction, motivation and examination

Error correction in the language acquisition classroom is one of those topics that always results in divided opinion. So what can the research tell us about it? In this episode we explore the role of error correction in writing, speaking and most importantly on learner motivation. How much is too much? When should we correct students and when should we say nothing? The answers, as always with language acquisition, are not straightforward but are worth looking into.

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Oct 14, 202225:32
90 ¦ Differentiation in the language acquisition classroom

90 ¦ Differentiation in the language acquisition classroom

The second in a two-part series focusing on equity and access to learning for all. Following up on Episode 89 on 'Universal Design for Learning' (UDL), this episodes looks more at differentiation; what we can and should be doing inside our language acquisition classrooms in order to support all learners and ensure they all have the tools needed to access the learning. I provide a list of some of the ways I try to differentiate the learning in my own language acquisition classroom and discuss how these approaches work in practice. 

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Oct 07, 202231:01
89 ¦ UDL: Access for all through a Universal Design for Learning

89 ¦ UDL: Access for all through a Universal Design for Learning

In this first of a two-part series focusing on differentiation, equity and how to ensure all learners have access to the learning, we look at the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and its applications in the language acquisition classroom. This episode goes over the 3 main priorities of UDL and their 9 principles, using an example from the world languages classroom to show how we can apply some of these principles to ensure all of our learners have access to the learning and not just some of them.

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Sep 23, 202231:50
88 ¦ Q&A: New students entering a CI class, adult learners & difficult classes

88 ¦ Q&A: New students entering a CI class, adult learners & difficult classes

This question and answer episode features some great questions from listeners about: What we do when new students come into our CI or acquisition focused classes when they're coming from what may be considered a much more 'traditional' learning environment? How do we adapt our lessons for adult learners and what about those 'difficult' classes, what suggestions are there to make them run smoothly? I try to give my take on these great questions in this episode but I'm sure many of you have much better ideas than I have. Please get in touch and let us know!

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Sep 09, 202226:29
87 ¦ Back to school: Eight strategies for a motivated year

87 ¦ Back to school: Eight strategies for a motivated year

This episode of The Motivated Classroom podcast focuses on going back to school. I go through eight of my top strategies or goals to ensure both we, the teachers, and our students have a motivated year. Most importantly, there is a particular focus in these strategies on teacher and student well-being. Let me know what you think of them and what your goals are for a motivated year in school!

  1. Build relationships, not powerpoints
  2. More autonomy, less monotony
  3. Share passions, not problems
  4. Look at students, not at a screen
  5. Talk more, photocopy less
  6. Be good to yourself, not hard on yourself
  7. Co-create, don't coerce
  8. Think motivation, not examination

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Aug 26, 202218:36
86 ¦ Eight zero-prep classroom activities to instil a love of reading

86 ¦ Eight zero-prep classroom activities to instil a love of reading

This episode focuses on eight of my favourite activities designed to instil a love of reading among your language acquisition students, including a particular emphasis on the much requested "reading diary". Reading is the central and key element in language acquisition, yet many teachers are unsure about strategies to use in order to motivate our students into eager readers. Hopefully these eight, low-prep, activities will be of help!

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Aug 12, 202229:03
85 ¦ Motivating beginners through easy-to-read novels with Margarita Pérez García

85 ¦ Motivating beginners through easy-to-read novels with Margarita Pérez García

The wonderfully talent teacher, presenter and author of easy-to-read literature, Margarita Pérez García, joins us in the episode of The Motivated Classroom to talk us through how she uses novels in her classroom to motivate and engage beginner language students. As we know from decades of research, reading is a crucial and central element to language acquisition, yet teachers are often unsure how to use reading with beginners. Margarita goes through her favourite low-prep strategies in detail in this episode! A must listen for all #language #teachers!

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Jul 29, 202235:15
84 ¦ Comprehensible Input (CI) teaching with intermediate & advanced learners

84 ¦ Comprehensible Input (CI) teaching with intermediate & advanced learners

As a follow-up to the interview with Dr. Stephen Krashen, in this episode we look at a very common question among language teachers: Can we use a Comprehensible Input approach or with 'Acquisition Driven Instruction (ADI)' when it comes to intermediate or more advanced learners? This episode takes a slightly different angle as I demonstrate what CI would look like in my classroom for both beginners and intermediate or advanced students. I hope you find it useful!

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Jul 15, 202232:15
83 ¦ Language acquisition through compelling, comprehensible input with Dr. Stephen Krashen

83 ¦ Language acquisition through compelling, comprehensible input with Dr. Stephen Krashen

Professor Emeritus Dr. Stephen Krashen is one of the most important and influential language acquisition researchers in history. His research over 40 years has completely revolutionised our understanding of how languages are acquired. Dr. Krashen has been cited in over 23,000 peer reviewed research journals and has authored more than 560 publications. The 'Input Hypothesis', which showed us how languages are acquired naturally through comprehensible inputs has had a huge impact on how languages are taught in classrooms across the globe. The episode includes a variety of references to insightful research and of course, also has many of Dr. Krashen's famously entertaining, language acquisition anecdotes and stories! An absolute must listen for all #language #teachers! 

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Jul 01, 202246:18
82 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI) Q&A: Inclusion, parents and missing class

82 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI) Q&A: Inclusion, parents and missing class

The third episode in the mini-series on "Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI)" is a Q&A episode with some great questions from you wonderful listeners on CI being more inclusive than grammar teaching, what we talk to parents about when we teach with CI and what do we do when students miss lots of inputs through absence.

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Jun 17, 202230:17
81 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI): Is it more inclusive but less authentic?

81 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI): Is it more inclusive but less authentic?

In this second episode in the mini-series on "Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI)", we discuss the big debates around CI teaching: Whether it is inherently more inclusive but often perceived as less authentic? What do we even mean by 'authentic' and 'inclusive' in the language classroom in the first place? Join me to find out my take on all this!

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Jun 10, 202228:18
80 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI): Overcoming the obstacles

80 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI): Overcoming the obstacles

The first in a five-part series on "Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI)", focuses on the obstacles and resistance many of us face in our journey to become more acquisition centred educators. I discuss six of the obstacles I've had in my practice and those I've seen and heard about from other language teachers. 

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Jun 03, 202231:24
79 ¦ Motivation and Extensive Processing Instruction (EPI) with Dr. Gianfranco Conti

79 ¦ Motivation and Extensive Processing Instruction (EPI) with Dr. Gianfranco Conti

In this episode of The Motivated Classroom podcast, Dr. Gianfranco Conti joins us to discuss acquiring languages through 'Extensive Processing Instruction' (EPI) and how it links to motivation and engagement. Gianfranco shares his expertise, experience and the research around the approach as well as many practical classroom activities. An absolute must-listen for languages teachers!

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

May 27, 202236:19
78 ¦ Setting, streaming and separating by ability

78 ¦ Setting, streaming and separating by ability

Should we separate our learners by ability? Setting, streaming or separating by ability is common practice in most schools in some way or form. But is it really best practice? Is there an evidence base to support doing this in our school? In this episode we discuss the research behind separating students by ability or setting and streaming as it is known in the UK. Does it work? Should we keep doing it? 

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May 13, 202227:48
77 ¦ Increasing uptake and decreasing dropout in our language programmes

77 ¦ Increasing uptake and decreasing dropout in our language programmes

Sadly, more and more language students around the world are dropping their world language courses as soon as they get the chance. Retaining students in our language programmes is proving more and more challenging. So what can we do about it? How can we increase uptake in our language classes. Many aspects are out of the control of the language teacher. However, what is in our control is our classroom and what strategies, approaches and practices we choose to employ. 

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May 06, 202230:10
76 ¦ Q&A: Assessing writing, use of English & not overwhelming beginners

76 ¦ Q&A: Assessing writing, use of English & not overwhelming beginners

Another question and answer episode, and another set of brilliant questions from the listeners. Should we assess writing or just do formative tasks with no corrections? When should grammatical accuracy take a role in assessment? How much English should we use when students don’t understand the target language? How do we ensure we don't overwhelm beginners? A huge thank you to all the listeners for the wonderful questions! 

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Apr 22, 202227:24
75 ¦ Centring our language class around Black & Brown identities with Ben Tinsley

75 ¦ Centring our language class around Black & Brown identities with Ben Tinsley

Following up on the social justice focus in episodes 73 and 74, in this episode the wonderful Ben Tinsley joins The Motivated Classroom podcast to discuss how he centres his entire languages curriculum and classroom around Black, Brown and other marginalised identities and voices. A brilliant episode where Ben explains how he uses a technique called 'Map-Talk' to amplify and uphold diverse regions and peoples from around the world in his classroom. An absolute must-listen for all world languages teachers!

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!


Apr 08, 202234:04
74 ¦ The languages classroom as a vehicle for social justice

74 ¦ The languages classroom as a vehicle for social justice

This episode follows up on the previous episode with Françoise Thenoux about bringing a diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice lens to our languages curriculum and classroom. We begin to unpack the big questions like "What is education for?" and "What is your languages class for?" in this episode and I provide a few practical ideas for how you can bring a more anti-bias and anti-stereotype lens to your languages classroom.

As always, please keep in touch and share widely!

Apr 01, 202228:14
73 ¦ Language, identity and inclusion with Françoise Thenoux

73 ¦ Language, identity and inclusion with Françoise Thenoux

In this episode, the brilliant Françoise Thenoux speaks to us about the inextricable links between language, identity and inclusion. Françoise shares how we can make everyone in our language classroom feel included by ensuring everyone's identity and history is represented. She shares tips and advice about how language teachers can get started on the route to a more diverse and inclusive classroom. A must listen!

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Mar 25, 202243:14
72 ¦ Using the target language: When, why and how

72 ¦ Using the target language: When, why and how

The target language: How much should we use as teachers? When should we use it? How should we use it? The debate around target language use, translation and use of the common language is one that many language acquisition teachers continue to grapple with. In this episode we unpack how and when to use the target language in class!

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Mar 11, 202223:27
71 ¦ Q&A: Starting class, taking notes and building on class stories

71 ¦ Q&A: Starting class, taking notes and building on class stories

Mar 04, 202229:06
70 ¦ Six easy steps for an effective parent-teacher meeting

70 ¦ Six easy steps for an effective parent-teacher meeting

Parent-teacher meetings: A part of every teacher's year but often one that causes anxiety, stress and worry. In this episode I present six, easy, date-focused, steps to apply to your parent-teacher meetings to ensure they are effective and focus on student learning. While this episode highlights strategies that will be of particular use for language acquisition teachers, the steps can easily be applied across all subject areas. 

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Feb 18, 202224:18
69 ¦ Towards an evidence-informed school with Jade Pearce

69 ¦ Towards an evidence-informed school with Jade Pearce

The last in the three part mini series on professional development and the importance of being an evidence-informed teacher. In this episode I am joined by the inspirational, Jade Pearce. Jade shares the journey her school has been on towards becoming an evidence-informed school and gives us all tips to get started on this path in our own contexts. Jade is a fountain of educational and pedagogical knowledge. You don't want to miss this one!

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Feb 04, 202236:41
68 ¦ Developing evidence-informed pedagogy through internal professional development

68 ¦ Developing evidence-informed pedagogy through internal professional development

This episodes builds upon and follows on from Ep. 67 with Darren Leslie of Becoming Educated podcast focusing on our roles as 'teaching and learning research leads'. In this episode I discuss the internal, research based, professional development we have started here at The International School of Lausanne in our drive to becoming an evidence-informed school using evidence-informed pedagogy. I explain the rational and research behind how our internal PD structure works at our school and how we actively encourage everyone to be part of our reading research groups.

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Jan 28, 202230:29
67 ¦ Collaboration podcast: Motivating, school based professional development with Darren Leslie

67 ¦ Collaboration podcast: Motivating, school based professional development with Darren Leslie

In this first podcast collaboration, I chat with Darren Leslie of the wonderful Becoming Educated podcast. We talk about our roles as 'teaching and learning research leads' at our respective schools, how we got into these positions, why we feel its important to have internal, evidence based, professional development on-going throughout the year and how we got started on this podcast journey! A brilliant conversation that we could have continued all day!

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Jan 21, 202250:09
66 ¦ Q&A: Sharing classrooms, minimum contact time & creating a class motto

66 ¦ Q&A: Sharing classrooms, minimum contact time & creating a class motto

This question and answer episode looks at how to overcome the difficulties of moving classrooms, what we can and should teach when we only see students for less than 1 hour per week and finally how we can go about creating a class slogan or motto based on our co-created values from the class constitution. Thank you to Sophie Harrison, Sophie Miller and Amanda Miller for the great questions!

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Jan 14, 202226:25
65 ¦ Motivational lessons from the elementary classroom

65 ¦ Motivational lessons from the elementary classroom

The final episode in the three-part series on motivating young language learners following up on the interviews with researcher Dr. Quint Oga-Baldwin in episode 63 and with primary school Dutch teacher, Marianne de Best, in episode 64. In this episode we discuss what secondary or high school teachers can learn from our elementary colleagues teaching languages to very young learners.

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Jan 07, 202228:29
64 ¦ Practical strategies to both reach & teach young language learners with Marianne de Best

64 ¦ Practical strategies to both reach & teach young language learners with Marianne de Best

In this second episode in the 3-part series on motivating young language learners, Dutch teacher and author, Marianne de Best, tells us all about practical, zero-prep, strategies we can put in place right away in our classrooms to reach our young learners. Marianne provides listeners with excellent and fun tips to both reach and teach our young learners whilst staying in the target language and providing them with compelling, comprehensible inputs so as to acquire the language with ease! A must-listen for all language teachers! 

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Dec 31, 202132:32
63 ¦ Classroom approaches for motivating young language learners with Dr. Quint Oga-Baldwin

63 ¦ Classroom approaches for motivating young language learners with Dr. Quint Oga-Baldwin

In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure to be joined by eminent Self-Determination Theory researcher, Dr. Quint Oga-Baldwin. Professor Oga-Baldwin has conducted years of research into motivation of young learners of English in Japan and has published extensively. We discuss what classroom teachers can learn from the research on young learners and how we can apply these findings to build a more motivated classroom. Second and Third level language teachers also have so much to gain from the work done with younger learners!

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Dec 17, 202131:17
62 ¦ Motivation and culture through music in the classroom

62 ¦ Motivation and culture through music in the classroom

Music! A key component in every language acquisition classroom but what are the most effective ways to implement it! In this episode I discuss how I bring music into the classroom, ensuring it is understandable and engaging for the students! Most importantly, music allows us a direct door into the target language culture by learning about the lyrics, the background and the artists! I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. 

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Dec 10, 202129:18