Raising multilingual children takes some planning and intention. Join us as ESOL teacher and multilingual mama Anna (Anya) Burt walks us through what it takes to raise multilingual children, the myths surrounding bilingualism, and practical approaches to introducing languages to your children. 👶🏻🍼 Whether you have or plan to have your own children,…

In this episode, Anna and Shey chat with Aileen Hale, international teacher trainer, consultant, and creator of Travel with Purpose, a podcast about language and culture acquisition through service learning. Join us to reflect on what it means to teach in an international context and how to do so in a meaningful and respectful way. 💡 Reflect with u…

Join us for a fascinating conversation with Ben Buckwold, CEO and Founder of Ellii (formerly ESL Library) and Tara Benwell, Ellii’s VP of Publishing, as we dive into the world of materials writing! 📚 ✨ Whether you're a teacher curious about transitioning into content creation or looking to learn more about how Ellii got its start, this episode is p…

In this episode, we explore the often-overlooked role of silence in the language classroom. Discover how integrating moments of quiet can enhance learning, foster self-reflection, and support social-emotional learning (SEL). Luis Javier Pentón Herrera shares his insights and practical tips for teachers looking to bring quiet into their classrooms. …

On this episode, guest Eric Trader shares his experience as the director of a community-based learning center serving a multilingual population with diverse needs. Join us and be inspired by Eric’s optimism, creative problem-solving, and his lovely singing voice! 📚Resources: Podcast episode: Jennifer Jenkins on Global Englishes (TEFLology, 2018) Ar…

On this episode, guest Angela Tribus Ramos shares her perspective on teaching networking, considering all of the cultural nuances involved in this challenging skill. From reducing anxiety around small talk to Hofstede’s cultural dimensions and, yes, our passion for birding 🦆🦅🦉you’re sure to come away with oodles of practical takeaways. 📚 Resources:…

How do you sustain your professional development as an educator? In this episode, guest Yulia Kharchenko shares a framework she and her colleagues have developed to ensure future teachers are prepared for future challenges in the teaching profession… 🎧 📚Resources: Article: Reflective Practice for Language Teachers (Farrell, 2018) Article: Reflectiv…

How do you create a welcoming atmosphere for all students? 🌈 In this episode, guest Kim Carroll shares insights on how to make our classrooms safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide. 📚Resources: Webinar: Making Space for All: LGBTQ+ Awareness and Engagement in the English Language Classroom (RELO Andes) Article: Exploring LGBT Lives and Issu…

We’re just recovering from our week in Tampa, Florida, for the TESOL 2024 Convention. And wow, what a week! 🌴 In this episode, we reflect on our experience, share snippets from other conference attendees, and take the pulse of the field of TESOL. Watch on YouTube or Spotify for the full effect! 🎥 ⭐ Check out our Reflective Practice Starter Kit! 🤓 R…

Have you engaged in advocacy efforts as a language teacher? ✊ In this episode, guest Rosemary Colón talks about her experience at the 2023 TESOL Advocacy & Policy Summit and shares entry points for teachers to find their footing as advocates for English language learners. #advocacy #multilinguallearners #teacheradvocates#ELT #TeachEnglish #ESL #EFL…

In this episode, guest Anna Ayrapetyan, a university professor in Armenia, walks us through her innovative approach to get students practicing speaking outside of the classroom: podcasts! 💡Learn about her process, receive recommendations for implementing this project in your context, and hear a snippet from a few of her students! #ProjectBasedLearn…

Happy New Year, everyone! 🌟 We’re kicking off 2024 with a special video episode: Friends of the Podcast - AI in ELT! Featuring voices from new and old friends. 🥰Listen and join the conversation about #AI and English language teaching, from why teachers are wary of it to creative ideas on how to use it for teaching. 💡 Watch on YouTube or Spotify for…

Episode 50…can you believe it?! 🌟 We’ve nested some fun bloopers into this reflective episode, in which we think back on our personal developments and podcast highlights from 2023. Listen to the very end (after the theme music) for one last little surprise. 😜 Wishing happy holidays to all! ☃️ 🎧 On this episode: E46 - Challenging inequities toward m…

In this episode, guest Amy Joy Rovirosa, the creator of @your_fav_english_teacher, tells us about what it takes to get your English language teaching YouTube channel off the ground and how learners can leverage YouTube for greater language gains. Complete with excerpts from her fantastic videos! Watch the episode video on our YouTube channel or Spo…

In this episode, guest Jeff McIlvenna talks through his approach to using ChatGPT in the English language classroom, from amplifying teacher creativity to personalizing student learning. This is the first of many more episodes we hope to bring to you on this ever-evolving topic. 🎓 For further exploration: #ElliiCon2023 Playlist Chat GPT’s Bias Agai…

Don’t forget to take your vitamins! In this episode, Shey and Anna speak with friend of the podcast Ekaterina Pipia about her experience facilitating an exciting project with @PH_Int at @ibsu1995 in Tbilisi, Georgia, in which civics, technology, and English language came together into a harmonious, healthy concoction… 💊 🎧 Further listening: Episode…

We’re back! Just a light little topic for our first episode after our summer break… 😜Don your social justice caps, kick into your critical lens, and prepare to reflect as Shey and Anna explore the challenges and strengths of multilingual teachers, commonly referred to as non-native English-speaking teachers (NNESTs), with research collaborators and…

In this episode, Anna and Shey look at how the landscape for professional development evolved over the course of the pandemic and learn how international colleagues continue to reap the benefits of increased hybridity and other “forced habits” post-pandemic… Listen now! A huge thank you to our contributors for this episode! We love reflecting with …

“Global citizenship can happen in our back yard.” 🏠🌏 In this episode, Shey and Anna plunge head-first with guest Brantley Turner—East Asia Education Director for Dwight Schools—into what it means to cultivate a global mindset, how to teach it in a culturally responsive way, how to navigate the discomforts of a globally-minded worldview, and much mo…

Not much represents a culture better than its stories. In this episode, Anna and Shey chat with Dustin from Sandman Stories Presents about storytelling, teaching, and cross-cultural understanding. Listen and travel the world through folklore! 🕯️ 🎧 Listen to Sandman Stories Presents on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. 🌍 On…

E42 - Stop hovering! (with Miriam Plotinsky) Are you a helicopter teacher or a hover-free teacher? In this episode, Shey and Anna chat with author Miriam Plotinsky about her book Teach more, hover less: How to Stop Micromanaging Your Secondary Classroom, and explore ways to implement an approach to teaching that is truly student-centered. Further l…

E 41- Media Literacy 102: Disinformation, propaganda, and conspiracies... oh my! Media literacy is an essential skill in our world today and one that needs to be addressed in the English language classroom! 🎯 In this episode, Anna and Shey discuss some of the greatest challenges our students face in the digital era, including discerning the reliabi…

We had such a wonderful time at TESOL 2023 in Portland and enjoyed meeting new and old friends there. Like last year, we wanted to bring a small piece of the conference to you. In this video episode, Anna and Shey share their reactions to the 2023 TESOL Convention, integrating ideas from a variety of other conference attendees and friends they enco…

Media literacy is an essential skill in our world today. 📰 But how can we tackle it in the English language classroom? 🎯In this episode, Anna and Shey chat about strategies they’ve used to develop learners’ critical thinking about the media—from an exploration of self-identity and personal lenses to perspective-taking exercises, role play, and anal…

E 38 - Incorporating music in ELT (with Heather and Ece of English as a Singing Language) In this episode, Anna and Shey speak with Heather McNaught and Ece Ulus (of the podcast English as a Singing Language) about why teachers should consider incorporating music into language instruction. 🤗 Further listening: English as a Singing Language Referenc…

We’re back!!! In this special episode, Anna and Shey discuss and react to contributions from some of our Friends of the Podcast. Listen and join the conversation about teaching contexts around the world. 🌎🌍🌏 Many thanks to all of our friends who contributed to this episode. 🙏 On the episode: English as a Singing Language: https://singinglanguages.w…

We are still (blooper) reeling from 2022... See what we did there?! 😆 Have a laugh at our expense as you ring in the New Year with our 2022 Bloopies! (Warning: This episode contains explicit language.) 💌 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/. 💞 Share an episode with a friend. 👋 Reach out with episode requests or id…

We’ve talking about assessment design and rubrics…but what about equity in assessment? In this episode, Anna and Shey speak with Albert Shaheen about his dive into equitable assessment and grading practices. 🤗 Further listening: Listen to the first two episodes in this mini-series: E31 – The beauty of assessment E33 - Long live the rubric! Referenc…

The pandemic was a challenging time not just for teachers, but also for administrators. In this episode, Shey and Anna speak with Lina Jurkunas about the challenges she faced in taking on her new role as IEP director during the pandemic and the lessons she’s learned about leadership along the way. 🦸🏼‍♀️ 💜 Friends of the Podcast! 💜 We’re working on …

It’s not always easy to recognize #trauma in our students, since everyone responds to trauma differently. In this episode, Shey and Anna speak with guest Sherry MacKay about how to define trauma, how it might appear in our classrooms, and how teachers can be sensitive to students experiencing trauma. 💜 Friends of the Podcast! 💜We’re working on a ne…

How do you feel about #rubrics? 🧐 In this episode, Shey and Anna dive into why teachers should be using rubrics for objective assessment, how different kinds of rubrics serve distinct purposes, and ideas for making rubric design and implementation feel less daunting. 💜 Friends of the Podcast! 💜We’re working on a new, exciting episode format where w…

Teaching grammar: You either love it or you hate it... 😍😡 In this episode, Shey and Anna speak with friend of the podcast, Amir Houssein Khoobru, about his relationship to grammar and geek out about communicative approaches to grammar teaching. 💜 Friends of the Podcast! 💜We’re working on a new, exciting episode format where we integrate the voices …

Perhaps the title of this episode doesn’t fully correspond to your feelings about assessment; regardless, classroom assessment is something we need to face up to! 💯 In this episode, Shey and Anna unpack their relationship to assessment. Listen and learn what teachers are saying about summative and formative assessment and to review some of the key …

E30 - Drama in the classroom: beyond the role play (with Richard Silberg) We’ve all used role plays in class, but have we truly explored what drama can unlock for language learners? 🔓 In this episode, Shey and Anna chat with Richard Silberg about how drama has become a central part of his practice as an English language teacher and how teachers can…

What are your favorite TED Talks for teaching? In in this episode, Shey and Anna go through their list of top 10 TED Talks for teaching. Listen for ideas on which talks to use and how to use them. Intercultural Competence and Identity The Danger of a Single Story, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (19 mins) Don’t ask where I’m from, ask where I’m a local, T…

Professional development can feel overwhelming! In this episode, Shey and Anna interview Ramin Yazdanpanah on his approach to PD, teacher well-being, and life. Find your center with us in this episode. 🌼 Recommended Reading: Dweck, C. S. (2022). Mindset: New Psychology Of Success. Ballantine Books. James, C. (2021). Atomic Habits. PENGUIN UK. Merce…

We're back from our summer break! Gear up for the new school year and consider weaving project-based learning into your curriculum. In this episode, Anna and Shey discuss why they love project-based learning and provide some examples of projects they and other listeners have implemented in the past. 💕 Download Shey's E-Newspaper Curriculum ⭐ ready …

Teachers are amazing, carrying with them a plethora of transferable skills that others can learn from or that they can apply to different facets of life and work. In this episode, Shey and Anna share some of the takeaways their non-educator listeners have taken from the show and celebrate the incredible skills educators bring to the table. Question…

At some point, we've all handled conflict in our classroom---among students, between a student and the teacher... In this episode, Shey and Anna speak with guest Joe Voigts about his approach to conflict in the classroom, from handling disagreements among his Israeli and Palestinian students in Jerusalem to butting heads with his high-schoolers on …

In a world overrun by social media, why not use them to make learning engaging? In this episode, Shey and Anna discuss the pros and cons of social media in the classroom and present an objectives-based framework and examples for unleashing their potential as tools for learning. Check out our episode-related resources, our blog post on the topic, an…

Performance reviews and observations by supervisors are a common practice in the world of education, but whether they contribute to our growth as teachers depends on a multitude of factors. In this episode, Shey and Anna discuss some of their best and worst experiences with observations, and they shed light on what makes observations successful, fr…

Questionable title choice...but reviewing should be fun! And, more importantly, effective. In this episode, Shey and Anna discuss some of their strategies for making reviewing engaging and beneficial. How to you make reviewing a success? Check out our episode-related resources and Anna's fun sentence combining review activity. --- Support this podc…

Should English language teachers take it upon themselves to discuss current events in the classroom? TL;DR - Yes! But how? In this episode, Shey and Anna explore the different considerations to take into account when breaching news topics, from students' proximity to news events to media literacy to language proficiency. Check out our episode-relat…

We're exhilarated and exhausted after TESOL 2022! In this episode, Shey and Anna recount their key takeaways from the conference and share the thoughts and voices of other conference participants they interviewed in Pittsburgh. What ideas did you come away with? Check out our slide deck from our presentation, "The Power of Podcasting: How to Launch…

Why is peer feedback important, and how can we use it to facilitate learning? In this episode, Shey and Anna discuss their experience with peer feedback and recommendations for implementing it effectively in the classroom. Check out our episode-related resources, and our easily adaptable peer review packet on Teachers Pay Teachers. --- Support this…

In this episode, Shey and Anna review Dr. Suhanthie Motha's 2014 book, Race, Empire, and English Language Teaching: Creating Responsible and Ethical Anti-racist Practice, and discuss some of their top takeaways from the book. Click here for more episode-related resources. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teacherthin…

In this episode, Shey and Anna chat about the benefits of their own TESOL training and the intersection of formal training and experience. Click here for episode-related resources. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teacherthinkaloud/support

Are you as wrapped up in toxic productivity as we are? Listen in and reflect on how you can set goals to lead a happy, healthy life of work and play as we head deeper into the new year. We want YOU to be our accountability partners. Click here for episode-related resources. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teacherth…

Holy cow, we've come a long way in 2021... Enjoy some ridiculousness and revel in our blunders at the end of this crazy year. We'll be back in 2022! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/teacherthinkaloud/support

How do you keep your passion for teaching alive despite everyday challenges and points of frustration? How can you tell if your disenchantment with the craft is temporary and burnout inspired, or an indicator of a lack of fulfillment or misalignment with your future goals? Beat the end-of-term slump with us as we discuss how to reclaim our zest for…