The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast
By The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast
E68 - Backpacks, Bandwidth & Burnout: The Realities of Being an ELT Digital Nomad (with Emily Bryson)
In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, we pull back the curtain on the increasingly popularāyet often misunderstoodālifestyle of digital nomadism in English Language Teaching (ELT). Our guest, teacher trainer, materials writer, and visual thinking advocate Emily Bryson, joins us from the road to talk about the real logistics, trade-offs, and intentional choices that come with taking your ELT career on the move.
We dig into everything from makeshift workstations and managing multiple income streams to travel-induced burnout, marketing myths around passive income, and the hidden labor of constant relocation. Emily also shares her evolving reflections on privilege and global mobility, climate impact, and what it means to work remotely in an ethical and grounded way.
Whether youāre considering life as a digital nomad or are simply curious about how other ELT professionals manage remote work and international living, this episode offers practical insights and heartfelt reflection on finding balance between purpose, place, and profession.
š” This episode is sponsored by Ellii ā one of the worldās leading content libraries for English language teachers. Use our exclusive code THINKALOUD to save 15% on your first membership, or reach out for a free trial if youāre buying for a full program. Visit ellii.com.
š Links & Resources:
Emily Brysonās website: emilybrysonelt.com
Emilyās blog post on becoming an ELT nomad (via Ellii)
Ellii resources and discount: ellii.com
š§ Related Episodes:
Episode 61 - Travel with Purpose: Teaching and volunteering around the world (with Aileen Hale)
Episode 44 - Global Citizenship: Opening the view to the possible (with Brantley Turner)
ā Buy us a coffee
š¬ Connect with Us:
LinkedIn | Bluesky | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok
teacherthinkaloudpod@gmail.com
E67 - TESOL 2025 Special
TESOL 2025 was a whirlwind! We interviewed educators from around the globe, discussing AI, advocacy, community, and more. Hear their insights and feel the energy of the convention. Watch or listen to our video episode now!
šø Photo & video credit: joevoigts.com
š§ Related Resources:
Episode 30 ā Drama in the classroom: beyond the role play (with Richard Silberg)
Episode 66 ā āBeing a native speaker isnāt a qualificationā (with Meri Maroutian)
š This episode is sponsored by Ellii
Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term.
Admins can also reach out for a two-month free trial!
š” Learn more:
#TESOL2025 #TeacherPodcast #ELT #ELT #ReflectiveTeaching #TeachEnglish #ReflectivePedagogy #ESL #EFL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning #ReflectivePractice #TESOL
E66 - "Being a native speaker isnāt a qualification" (with Meri Maroutian)
In this episode, we dive into the pervasive issue of native speakerism in English Language Teaching with educator and advocate Meri Maroutian.
Meri shares her journey into the profession, the biases sheās faced, and the reflective, practical tools she now offers to help others tackle this issueālike her three-part masterclass designed to dismantle accent bias and outdated teaching models.
We also hear from listeners about how native speakerism has impacted them, and reflect on how all of usāwhether classroom teachers, trainers, or administratorsācan work toward a more equitable profession.
š” Reflect with us:
How do your materials, practices, or hiring processes reinforce or challenge native speaker bias? What steps can you take to prioritize qualifications and intelligibility over perceived nativeness?
š§ Related Resources:
Episode 18 ā Book Review: Race, Empire, and English Language Teaching
E46 - Challenging inequities toward multilingual teachers (with Alex Tang & Carine Saucillo)
Connect with Meri:
š This episode is sponsored by Ellii
Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term.
Admins can also reach out for a two-month free trial!
#NativeSpeakerism #ELTEquity #MultilingualTeachers #GlobalEnglishes #PronunciationMatters #LanguageEducation #ReflectiveTeaching #TeacherThinkAloud
E65 - "The world comes to TESOL!" (with Dr. Debra Suarez)
E 65 - āThe world comes to TESOL!ā (with Dr. Debra Suarez)
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Debra Suarez, President of TESOL International Association, to explore whatās in store for TESOL 2025 and reflect on the evolving landscape of English language teaching.
From AI in ELT and translanguaging to teacher advocacy and building global communities of practice, this conversation is packed with insights for educators preparing for the convention and beyond. Dr. Suarez shares her inspiring career journey, discusses the importance of adaptingānot transplantingāteaching methodologies, and gives us a sneak peek at her keynote: The Joy of TESOL. š
Whether youāre a TESOL veteran or a first-time attendee, this episode offers practical advice on maximizing your conference experience and making meaningful professional connections.
š” Reflect with us! What are you most looking forward to at TESOL 2025? How do you cultivate joy in your teaching practice?
š¢ Are you attending TESOL 2025? Come say hi! Weāll be presenting āPause and Reflect: Building a Sustainable, Personalized PD Planā on March 19th at 10 AM in Bixby Ballroom 4 at the Marriott Long Beach Downtown Hotel.
Let us know what sessions youāre excited about! Tag us on social media and join the conversation.
š Resources Mentioned
Episode 18 - Book Review: Race, Empire, and English Language Teaching
Episode 53 - Teachers as Advocates: You can do it too! (with Rosemary ColĆ³n)
Episode 54 - 2024 TESOL Special: Maximizing Your Conference Experience
Blog Post - Maximizing Your Conference Experience: From Uptake to Output
š” This episode is sponsored by Ellii (formerly ESL Library). Check out their offerings atellii.com.
#TESOL2025 #TESOLInternational #ELTCommunity #AIinELT #Translanguaging #TeacherAdvocacy #GlobalELT #ProfessionalDevelopment #EnglishTeaching #LanguageEducation #TeacherLife #ReflectiveTeaching #JoyofTESOL #ConferenceNetworking #TESOLConvention
E64 - Soft Skills, Strong Impact: Supporting Multilingual Healthcare Professionals (with Shweta Ramkumar)
E 64 - Soft Skills, Strong Impact: Supporting Multilingual Healthcare Professionals (with Shweta Rumkumar)
Happy 2025! In this episode, we dive into the essential intersection of soft skills and intercultural communicative competence (ICC) in English for Specific Purposes (ESP) contexts. Join ShƩ and Anna as they chat with special guest Shweta Ramkumar, an educator specializing in coaching multilingual healthcare professionals to navigate diverse workplace dynamics.
Whether you're an ESP teacher, a language professional, or someone curious about integrating soft skills into specialized training, this episode is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking discussions.
š Resources
ā Connect with Shweta on LinkedInā
Shweta's YouTube Channel: ā Healthy Dynamicsā
š” Reflect with us! What are your strategies for teaching soft skills in ESP?
We want to hear from you! Share your insights via email at ā ā teacherthinkaloud@gmail.comā ā or connect with us on social media.
š§ Like this episode? Share it, subscribe to the podcast, and stay tuned for more reflective discussions in ELT.
Until next time, happy teaching and happy reflecting!
š” This episode is sponsored by Ellii (formerly ESL Library). Check out their offerings at ellii.com.
E63 - 2024 End-of-Year Reflection
Shey and Anna wrap up 2024 by looking back on personal milestones, professional breakthroughs, and podcast highlightsāfrom raising multilingual children to using AI in the classroom. Join them for a candid chat about motherhood, teacher training abroad, balancing multiple roles, and where the podcast is headed next year. Get ready for reflections, lots of laughs, and a peek at future plans for 2025!
š¤ Reflect with us: What are you reflecting on as we come to the end of 2024? What would you like to focus your energy on in the new year?
š Mentioned in the episode:
TESOL Pop - From Teacher to Teacherpreneur with ShĆ©lynn Riel ā https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2w4frJzhz38
2024 Specialist Master Class "From Chalk to ChatGPT: Emerging Tech in ELT" ā https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL_IwQa0kU3YqEN9R_OCA7pKv-RdlGE22g&si=Zr06BiGl1algy1KN
#TeacherThinkAloudPodcast #YearInReview #ReflectiveTeaching #PodcastForTeachers #TeacherLife #EndOfYearReflections #ELT #ReflectiveTeaching #TeachEnglish #ReflectivePedagogy #ESL #EFL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning #ReflectivePractice
E62 - Raising Multilingual Children: From Myths to Reality (with Anna Burt)
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. š¶š»š¼ Whether you have or plan to have your own children, or simply whether you teach a language or love learning languages yourself, thereās bound to be a takeaway for you in this jam-packed episode! š”
š¤ Reflect with us: Whatās your approach to raising multilingual children?
š Resources:
Anyaās childrenās books: http://www.abburt.com
Contact her via email at info@abburt.com.
š£ļøBooks, Board Games and Toys from Russian-Speaking Cultures:
STP Goods Store: https://www.stpgoods.com/
Sunduchok Detskikh Knig Store: https://www.sunduchokknig.com/
Russian-Speaking Childrenās Shows on YouTube:
Malyshariki
Buryonka Dasha
Masha i Medvyedā
Mi-Mi-Mishki
Zhyla-Byla Tsarevna
Fiksiki
Tsarevny
E61 ā Travel with Purpose: Teaching and volunteering around the world (with Aileen Hale)
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.
š” Reflect with us:
Where have you taught around the world, or where would you like to go?
How will you ensure your experience is purposeful?
š Resources:
Learn more about service learning: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/what-heck-service-learning-heather-wolpert-gawron
Learn more about Aileen and her work supporting individuals interested in service learning: https://www.create-connections.net/
E60 - From teaching to materials writing: a chat with Ellii (with Ben Buckwold & Tara Benwell)
Join us for a fascinating conversation with Ben Buckwold, CEO and Founder of Ellii (formerly ESL Library) and Tara Benwell, Elliiās VP of Publishing, as we dive into the world of materials writing! š
āØ 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 packed with insights and inspiration.
Tune in and discover how teaching experience can shape and elevate the creation of high-quality learning resources.
Reflect with us:
Have you ever wondered what it might be like to transition into another area within education? What roles are you entertaining? Have you already done it? How have your teacher skills transferred into your new role?
šResources:
- Podcast episode: E15 - So youāve lost your zest for teaching
- Ellii Polls: https://ellii.com/gather/ellii-polls
E59 - Silence, SEL, and English language teaching (with Luis Javier PentĆ³n Herrera)
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 PentĆ³n Herrera shares his insights and practical tips for teachers looking to bring quiet into their classrooms.
Tune in now and learn how silence can be a powerful tool in your teaching toolkit!
Reflect with us:
What role does silence play in your language classroom?
šResources:
Website: Luis Javier PentĆ³n Herrera
Article: 2024 TESOL Teacher of the Year
Book: Social Emotional Learning In the English Language Classroom (Luis Javier PentĆ³n Herrera & Gilda Martinez-Alba, 2021)
Silence in English Language Pedagogy: From Research to Practice (Bao, 2023)
Article: Into the Void: Re-envisioning Silence Through an SEL Lens in Foreign Language Education (Forthcoming, December 2024)
Book: Social-Emotional Learning in English Language Teaching (Forthcoming, December 2024)
E58 - āTurning problems into opportunitiesā in community ESL programs (with Eric Trader)
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 Ericās optimism, creative problem-solving, and his lovely singing voice!
šResources:
Podcast episode: Jennifer Jenkins on Global Englishes (TEFLology, 2018)
Article: Teaching pronunciation for English as a Lingua Franca: A sociopolitical perspective (Jenkins, 2009).
Article: A Sociolinguistically Based, Empirically Researched Pronunciation Syllabus for English as an International Language (Jenkins, 2002)
Article: Which pronunciation norms and models for English as an International Language (Jenkins, 1998).
E57 - English for Networking: more than a transaction (with Angela Tribus Ramos)
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 Hofstedeās cultural dimensions and, yes, our passion for birding š¦š¦ š¦youāre sure to come away with oodles of practical takeaways.
š Resources:
Connect with Angela on LinkedIn!
X | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube
E56 - Building a sustainable PD practice (with Yulia Kharchenko)
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 professionā¦ š§
šResources:
Article: Reflective Practice for Language Teachers (Farrell, 2018)
Article: Reflective practice framework for TESOL teachers: one teacher's reflective journey (Farrell & Kennedy, 2019)
Article: Reed, M., Kharchenko, Y., & Bodis, A. (forthcoming). Sustainability in English language teacher education: Preparing teachers for an unknown future. In M. Riazi & N.A. Nazari (Eds.), Adaptable English Language Teaching: Reconsidering Established Practices and Frameworks. Routledge.
E55 - āMy pedagogy is my protestā: LGBTQIA+ inclusion in the language classroom (with Kim Carroll)
How do you create a welcoming atmosphere for all students? š In this episode, guest Kim Carroll shares insights on how to make our classrooms safe spaces for LGBTQIA+ individuals worldwide.
šResources:
Webinar: Making Space for All: LGBTQ+ Awareness and Engagement in the English Language Classroom (RELO Andes)
Article: Exploring LGBT Lives and Issues in Adult ESOL (British Council)
Article: Itās Not in the Curriculum: Adult English Language Teachers and LGBQ Topics (Rhodes & Coda, 2017)
Padlet: Making Space for LGBTQ+ Students (Kim Carroll)
E54 - 2024 TESOL Special: Maximizing Your Conference Experience (VIDEO EPISODE š„)
Weāre just recovering from our week in Tampa, Florida, for the TESOL 2024 Convention. And wow, what a week! š“ 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! š„
ā Check out our Reflective Practice Starter Kit!
š¤ Read our blog post: Maximizing Your Conference Experience.
š§ Further listening:
E53 - Teachers as Advocates: You can do it too! (with Rosemary ColĆ³n)
Have you engaged in advocacy efforts as a language teacher? ā In this episode, guest Rosemary ColĆ³n 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 #TESOL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning
Advocacy Tools & Resources:
X | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok | YouTube
E52 - The Power of Podcasting for Language Learning (with Anna Ayrapetyan)
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! š”Learn about her process, receive recommendations for implementing this project in your context, and hear a snippet from a few of her students!
#ProjectBasedLearning #PBL #Podcasting #PodcastingForLanguageLearning #PracticeSpeaking #ELT #TeachEnglish #ESL #EFL #TESOL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning
š§ On this episode:
- Episode 38: Incorporating music in ELT (with Heather and Ece of English as a Singing Language)
- Episode 52: Stop hovering! (with Miriam Plotinsky)
- Episode 27: Why we love project-based learning
Questions for reflection:
- Have you ever had students create podcasts to reach a learning objective?
- How have you integrated student-led podcasting into your teaching context?
E51 - Friends of the Podcast 2024: AI in ELT (VIDEO EPISODE š„)
Happy New Year, everyone! š Weāre kicking off 2024 with a special video episode: Friends of the Podcast - AI in ELT! Featuring voices from new and old friends. š„°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. š” Watch on YouTube or Spotify for the full effect. š½ļø
š§ On this episode: E48 - Bring your teaching alive with ChatGPT (with Jeff McIlvenna)
š¤ AI Tools & Resources:
š„° Old friends:
Alex Tang: E46 - Challenging inequities toward multilingual teachers
Anna Ayrapetyan: E40 - TESOL Special 2023!
Dustin Steichman: E43 - Culture through stories (with Dustin Steichmann of Sandman Stories Presents)
Ekaterine Pipia: E47 - CLIL & team teaching: sweetening the pill
Heather McNaught & Ece Ulus: E38 - Incorporating music in ELT (with Heather and Ece of English as a Singing Language)
š± New friends:
Anne Haggerson
Kim Carroll
Kyla McMillan
Johanna Gleason
E50 - State of the Podcast: a reflection, with 2023 bloopers!
Episode 50ā¦can you believe it?! š Weāve 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. š Wishing happy holidays to all! āļø
š§ On this episode:
E46 - Challenging inequities toward multilingual teachers (with Carine Saucillo and Alex Tang)
E44 - Global citizenship: Opening the view to the possible (with Brantley Turner)
E48 - Bring your teaching alive with ChatGPT (with Jeff McIlvenna)
E38 - Incorporating music in ELT (with Heather and Ece of English as a Singing Language)
E43 - Culture through stories (with Dustin Steichmann of Sandman Stories Presents)
Friends of the Podcast: AI in ELT š¤
We need you! We want to know how you have started to use AI in your classroom. Tell us, and get featured on our annual Friends of the Podcast episode, where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world, to be released in early 2024. How to contribute:
Step 1: Reflect on the following questions and how you would answer them:
Tell us your name, pronouns, and country.
Whatās your teaching context? Whatās your role? Who are your students?
Have you used AI? If not, why not? Whatās your hesitation?
If you answered yes above, what have been your favorite 1-2 tools so far? What are the pros and cons?
Describe an activity youāve tried in your classroom using this/these tool/s. How did it go? What tips do you have for implementing it?
Step 2: Access our WhatsApp group and record your answer as an audio memo. Alternatively, you can email us an audio file of your answers at teacherthinkaloud@gmail.com.
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E49 - YouTube for English language teaching (with Amy Joy Rovirosa)
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 Spotify for the full effect. š½ļø
āļø Follow Your Favorite English Teacher:
š½ļø On this episode:
How to Hedge in English | Useful Vocabulary to Improve your Academic English
English Vocabulary about Social Issues: 20 words you need to know
What are American Weddings like? | Attend an American Wedding with Me!
ā Check out Amy Joyās E-Book!
Questions for reflection:
Do you have a favorite YouTube teacher?
Have you ever tried starting your own YouTube channel?
Friends of the Podcast: AI in ELT š¤
We need you! Episode 48 is just the beginning of our exploration of AI on the podcast. We want to know how you have started to use AI in your classroom. Tell us, and get featured on our annual Friends of the Podcast episode, where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world, to be released in early 2024. How to contribute:
Step 1: Reflect on the following questions and how you would answer them:
- Tell us your name, pronouns, and country.
- Whatās your teaching context? Whatās your role? Who are your students?
- Have you used AI? If not, why not? Whatās your hesitation?
- If you answered yes above, what have been your favorite 1-2 tools so far? What are the pros and cons?
- Describe an activity youāve tried in your classroom using this/these tool/s. How did it go? What tips do you have for implementing it?
Step 2: Access our WhatsApp group and record your answer as an audio memo. Alternatively, you can email us an audio file of your answers at teacherthinkaloud@gmail.com.
X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
E48 - Bring your teaching alive with ChatGPT (with Jeff McIlvenna)
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.
š For further exploration:
Friends of the Podcast: AI in ELT š¤
We need you! Episode 48 is just the beginning of our exploration of AI on the podcast. We want to know how you have started to use AI in your classroom. Tell us, and get featured on our annual Friends of the Podcast episode, where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world, to be released in early 2024. How to contribute:
Step 1: Reflect on the following questions and how you would answer them:
- Tell us your name, pronouns, and country.
- Whatās your teaching context? Whatās your role? Who are your students?
- Have you used AI? If not, why not? Whatās your hesitation?
- If you answered yes above, what have been your favorite 1-2 tools so far? What are the pros and cons?
- Describe an activity youāve tried in your classroom using this/these tool/s. How did it go? What tips do you have for implementing it?
Step 2: Access our WhatsApp group and record your answer as an audio memo. Alternatively, you can email us an audio file of your answers at teacherthinkaloud@gmail.com.
E47 - CLIL and team teaching: sweetening the pill (with Ekaterina Pipia)
Donāt 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 concoctionā¦ š
š§ Further listening: Episode 2 - Shut up and let them talk!
šFurther reading: What is CLIL? Bridge Education Group.
Questions for reflection:
Whatās your experience with CLIL?
Have you ever taught on a team? What was it like?
What challenges did you run into and how did you overcome them?
E46 - Challenging inequities toward multilingual teachers (with Alex Tang & Carine Saucillo)
Weāre back! Just a light little topic for our first episode after our summer breakā¦ šDon 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 super-ELT-stars Alex Tang and Carine Saucillo. šListen now!
š§ Further listening:
References & resources
Lin, A. & Motha, S. (2020). Curses in TESOL: Postcolonial desires for colonial English. In R. Arber, M. Weinmaan & J. Blackmore (Eds.), Rethinking Languages Education: Directions, Challenges and Innovations. London: Routledge.
World Englishes: An Introduction. Purdue Online Writing Lab.
Kirkpatrick, A. (2014). World Englishes. In C. Leung & B.V. Street (Eds.), The Routledge Companion to English Studies. London: Routledge.
Ma, L.P.F. (2012). Strengths and weaknesses of NESTs and NNESTs: Perceptions of NNESTs in Hong Kong. Linguistics and Education, 23, 1-15.
Questions for reflection:
How have you seen bias against multilingual teachers play out in your teaching context?
If English is your first language, how will you use your privilege to stand up for multilingual teachers worldwide?
E45 - PD in a post-pandemic world
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 āforced habitsā post-pandemicā¦ Listen now!
A huge thank you to our contributors for this episode! We love reflecting with our listeners!
Reflect on your PD with our tool:
SAMR and Bloomās Taxonomy: Assembling the Puzzle, Puentedura for Common Sense Media, 2014.
#PostPandemic #ProfessionalDevelopment #CPD #CPL #ESL #EFL #ELT #ReflectiveTeaching #TeachEnglish #ReflectivePedagogy #ESL #EFL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning #ReflectivePractice
Questions for reflection:
How has your approach to PD evolved since the pandemic?
What āforced habitsā have altered your PD for the better?
What ideas in the episode podcast resonated most with your experience?
E44 - Global citizenship: Opening the view to the possible (with Brantley Turner)
āGlobal citizenship can happen in our back yard.ā š š In this episode, Shey and Anna plunge head-first with guest Brantley TurnerāEast Asia Education Director for Dwight Schoolsāinto 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 moreā¦ Listen now!
Questions for reflection:
What does global citizenship mean to you?
How do you infuse global citizenship into your curriculum?
E43 - Culture through stories (with Dustin Steichmann from Sandman Stories Presents)
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! šÆļø
š§ Listen to Sandman Stories Presents on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.
š On this episode: Episode 133: GhanaāMorning Sunrise, Honourable Minu, Why The Moon and The Stars Receive Their Light From The Sun (W.H. Barker 1917).
š Follow @StoriesSandman on Twitter for more storytelling ideas!
Stories for kids:
Piggie and Elephant Stories, Mo Willems
Bud, Not Buddy, Christopher Paul Curtis
The Riverside Anthology, Douglas Hunt
Dan Santat (Illustrator)
Lane Smith (Illustrator)
Stories for adults:
Beneath the Moon, Yoshi Yoshitani
Modern Love, The New York Times
May Newsletter and June Newsletter | Subscribe to The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcastās newsletter for more book ideas!
Free literature online:
Questions for reflection:
How do you use stories in your classroom?
How can you support learnersā intercultural communicative competence through stories in your learning context?
E42 - Stop hovering! (with Miriam Plotinsky)
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 listening:
Explore strategies for augmenting student talk time: E2 - Shut up and let them talk!
For an exploration of efficient lesson planning: E8 - Sometimes you plan, sometimes you donāt
For a discussion around increasing collaboration and learner accountability with peer review activities: E19 - The why and how of peer review
For a discussion about project-based learning and its use in increasing learner autonomy: E27 - Why we <3 project-based learning
To see how you can better support students dealing with trauma: E34 - Trauma-sensitive teaching (with Sherry MacKay)
Mentioned in the episode:
Funds of Knowledge, L. Moll (2015)
Teach more, hover less: How to Stop Micromanaging Your Secondary Classroom, M. Plotinsky (2022).
Lead like a Teacher: How to Elevate Expertise in Your School, M. Plotinsky (2023).
Reflection Questions:
What have you done to ensure your classroom is driven by student engagement and choice?
How do you avoid being a helicopter teacher to your students?
Share your thoughts and get featured on a future episode! Email us at teacherthinkaloud@gmail.com, or connect with us via social media.
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E41- Media Literacy 102: Disinformation, propaganda, and conspiracies... oh my!
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! šÆ In this episode, Anna and Shey discuss some of the greatest challenges our students face in the digital era, including discerning the reliability of a source, noticing propaganda techniques, and contending with trolls and bots!
Further listening:
E39- Media Literacy 101: Bias and perspective-taking
Resources:
ā 10 Activities to Boost Media Literacy (downloadable resource) ā
Above the Noise, PBS
Fact-checking websites:
On social media bubbles:
TED Talk: Beware online āfilter bubblesā (Eli Pariser)
TED Talk: Free yourself from your filter bubbles (Joan Blades and John Gable)
Mentioned in the episode:
ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Ad. 2008.
Moon landing conspiracy theories, debunked. Royal Museums Greenwich.
Twitter bots surfaced during Chinese protests. Whoās behind them remains a mystery. NPR, 2022.
What are your favorite strategies for introducing media literacy in your classroom?
Share your thoughts and get featured on our follow-up episode! Email us at teacherthinkaloud@gmail.com, or connect with us via social media.
E40 - TESOL Special 2023! (VIDEO EPISODE š„)
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 encountered at the conference. Listen and (re)live the experience! ā
We want to hear from you! For our upcoming episode on professional development in the post-pandemic world, weāre looking for your ideas on how PD has changed for you. Where are you on your professional development journey? How has your PD evolved since the pandemic started? šļøTo be featured, submit your responses via voice memo or written text at bit.ly/pod_friends, or by commenting on social media.
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Further listening:
E39 - Media Literacy 101: Bias and perspective-taking
Media literacy is an essential skill in our world today. š° But how can we tackle it in the English language classroom? šÆIn this episode, Anna and Shey chat about strategies theyāve used to develop learnersā critical thinking about the mediaāfrom an exploration of self-identity and personal lenses to perspective-taking exercises, role play, and analyzing biased language in headlines and on TikTok. š
What are your favorite strategies for introducing media literacy in your classroom? Share your thoughts and get featured on our follow-up episode! Email us at teacherthinkaloud@gmail.com, or connect with us via social media.
Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube
Further listening:
E25 - Handling conflict in the classroom (with Joe Voigts)
ā See you at TESOL 2023! Weāre super psyched to go to TESOL in Portland, Oregon this year! As usual, weāll have a strong presence there, and weād love to connect with you at one of our sessions or for an informal chat. We hope youāll join for one or both of our sessions:
- Thursday, March 23, 3-3:45 PM ā PD in the Post(?)Pandemic World ā Hyatt Regency Portland, Willamette 8
- Friday, March 24, 9-10:45 AM ā Strategies for Cultivating Media Literacy in the EL Classroom ā Oregon Convention Center, E 146
E38 - Incorporating music in ELT (with Heather and Ece of English as a Singing Language)
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. š¤
Further listening:
References & resources
Sing Out Loud Word Play, American English
Temperley, David (2022). āMusic and Language.ā Annual Review of Linguistics 8, 153ā70.
Questions for Reflection:
- How have you integrated music into your English language classroom?
- What is your favorite song to teach and why?
E37 - Friends of the Podcast! (VIDEO EPISODE š„)
Weāre 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. ššš Many thanks to all of our friends who contributed to this episode. š
On the episode:
- English as a Singing Language: https://singinglanguages.wixsite.com/home
- Sandman Stories Presents: https://sandmanstoriespresents.wordpress.com/
- Glocally Connected: https://glocallyconnected.org/
- ESL with TLC: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ESLwithTLC
Further listening:
- Episode 35 - Be brave enough to say āI donāt knowā (with Lina Jurkunas)
- Episode 18 - Book Review: Race, Empire & English Language Teaching
- Episode 13 - The Delicate Dance of English
Questions for Reflection:
- Which Friend of the Podcast resonated most with you?
- Whatās your teaching context like? Tell us in the YouTube comments or on social media!
Blooper Reel 2022
We are still (blooper) reeling from 2022... See what we did there?! š Have a laugh at our expense as you ring in the New Year with our 2022 Bloopies! (Warning: This episode contains explicit language.)
š Subscribe to our monthly newsletter: https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/.
š Share an episode with a friend.
š Reach out with episode requests or ideas.
š Donate or purchase resources or merchandise.
We are thankful for all of the wonderful support weāve received from listeners this year, and wish you the best in 2023!
E36 - Equity in assessment: A human approach (with Albert Shaheen)
Weāve talking about assessment design and rubricsā¦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. š¤
Further listening:
Listen to the first two episodes in this mini-series:
References & resources
Blum, Sarah (2020). āUngrading in a Pandemic - And the Rest of the Time Too.ā Podcast Episode.
Blum, Sarah (2020). Ungrading: Why rating students undermines learning (and what to do instead). West Virginia University Press.
Feldman, Joe (2018). Grading for Equity: What It Is, Why It Matters, and How It Can Transform Schools and Classrooms. Corwin.
Hammond, Zaretta (2014). Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain: Promoting Authentic Engagement and Rigor Among Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Students. Corwin.
Stommel, Jesse. https://www.jessestommel.com/
Questions for Reflection:
- What equitable forms of assessment have you introduced in your classroom?
- Has our conversation with Albert inspired you to try anything new?
- How can you find creative ways to bring this spirit of equity to your classroom assessment?
E35 - Be brave enough to say āI donāt knowā (with Lina Jurkunas)
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 sheās learned about leadership along the way. š¦øš¼āāļø
š Friends of the Podcast! š Weāre working on a new, exciting episode format where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world! šļøWould you like to be featured? Check out our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages to learn how, and submit your responses at bit.ly/pod_friends.
Further listening:
For our conversation focused on teachersā pandemic experiences, listen to Episode 6 - Teaching & PD through the pandemic.
Questions for Reflection:
- What lessons have you taken out of the pandemic?
- What kind of support and mentorship has been most helpful?
- What do you think is the future of English language teaching?
E34 - Trauma-sensitive teaching (with Sherry MacKay)
Itās 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.
š Friends of the Podcast! šWeāre working on a new, exciting episode format where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world! šļøWould you like to be featured? Check out our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages to learn how, and submit your responses at bit.ly/pod_friends.
References & resources
Dana, Deb (2020). Polyvagal exercises for safety and connection. W.W. Norton & Company.
Mate, D.G. (2018). In the realm of hungry ghosts. Vermilion.
Porges, S. W., Porges, S. W., & Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. First Edition; the pocket guide to the polyvagal theory: The transformative power of feeling safe. first edition. W.W. Norton & Company.
The Polyvagal Theory, Nerd Nite.
The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit, Office for Victims of Crime
Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.
Further listening:
For a discussion about supporting your students through challenging moments, listen to Episode 6 - āTeaching and PD through the pandemicā and Episode 21 - āAddressing current events in the classroomā
Questions for Reflection:
- How has trauma manifested itself in your classroom?
- How do you address trauma in the classroom?
- What recommendations or resources would you suggest for a new teacher?
E33 - "Long live the rubric!"
How do you feel about #rubrics? š§ 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.
š Friends of the Podcast! šWeāre working on a new, exciting episode format where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world! šļøWould you like to be featured? Check out our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages to learn how, and submit your responses at bit.ly/pod_friends.
References & resources
Can Do Descriptors. WIDA
Types of Rubrics. University of Minnesota, Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition.
Further listening:
For a discussion about assessment, listen to Episode 31 - āThe beauty of assessmentā
Questions for Reflection:
- What is your experience with using rubrics?
- What kinds of rubrics do you gravitate to?
- Whatās your longest-living rubric?
- Do you have any tips for teachers looking to use them more often, or integrate them for the first time?
#Rubrics #Assessment #ESL #EFL #ELT #ReflectiveTeaching #TeachEnglish #ReflectivePedagogy #ESL #EFL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning #ReflectivePractice
E32 - āWeāre nearly in 2023ā - communicative approaches to grammar teaching (with Amir Houssein Khoobru)
Teaching grammar: You either love it or you hate it... šš” 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.
š Friends of the Podcast! šWeāre working on a new, exciting episode format where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world! šļøWould you like to be featured? Check out our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages to learn how, and submit your responses at bit.ly/pod_friends.
References & resources
Teacherās Corner: Teaching Grammar for Communicative Competence. American English.
Schmidt, R. (2010). Attention, awareness, and individual differences in language learning. Singapore: National University of Singapore, Centre for Language Studies.
Controlled Practice and Free Practice. ITTT Glossary.
Further listening:
For a discussion about errors and error correction, listen to Episode 4 - To err is human.
For our discussion of the importance of function over form, listen to Episode 30 - Drama in the classroom.
Questions for Reflection:
- What are your thoughts on teaching grammar?
- Do you love it or hate it?
- What kinds of communicative grammar activities have you used?
#grammar #teachgrammar #grammarteaching #ESL #EFL #ELT #ReflectiveTeaching #TeachEnglish #ReflectivePedagogy #ESL #EFL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning #ReflectivePractice
E31 - "The beauty of assessment"
Perhaps the title of this episode doesnāt fully correspond to your feelings about assessment; regardless, classroom assessment is something we need to face up to! šÆ 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 concepts of assessment.
š Friends of the Podcast! š Weāre working on a new, exciting episode format where we integrate the voices of our listeners from around the world! šļøWould you like to be featured? Check out our Twitter, Instagram and Facebook pages to learn how, and submit your responses at bit.ly/pod_friends.
References & resources
- Carr, N. (2011). Designing and Analyzing Language Tests. Oxford University Press.
- āMaking Meaningful Assessments.ā AmericanEnglish.org.
- āA Brief History of the SAT, Americaās Most Popular College Entrance Exam.ā BestColleges.com.
- āThe History of the SAT.ā Manhattan Review.
- Rosalis, J. & Walker, T. (2021) āThe Racist Beginnings of Standardized Testing.ā National Education Association.
Further listening:
- For an alternative form of assessment, listen to Episode 27 ā Why we ā„ project-based learning.
- For our discussion of flexible deadlines, listen to Episode 7 - Building Rapport on Day 1.
Questions for Reflection:
- What is your relationship to assessment?
- How do you balance validity, authenticity, reliability and practicality as a teacher?
- How do you make formative assessment truly valuable for your students?
E30 - Drama in the classroom: beyond the role play (with Richard Silberg)
E30 - Drama in the classroom: beyond the role play (with Richard Silberg)
Weāve all used role plays in class, but have we truly explored what drama can unlock for language learners? š 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 get started using simple drama techniques.
š Fall Donation Drive šIf you like our episodes and can spare a little change this season, we hope youāll support us through one of our options at teacherthinkaloud.com/support-us. A little love goes a long way. š¤š
References & resources
Silberg, R. English Language Teaching and Drama. (Richardās website!)
Flynn, R. (2017). Tableau Classroom Drama Activities.
Kelan, D. (2009). In Their Own Words: Drama With Young ELLs.
Dr. Ian Andrew McDonaldās LinkedIn Page
Questions for Reflection:
- How have you used movement and drama techniques in your classrooms?
- What drama-related activities have you tried? How did they go?
- How has drama enriched your studentsā learning experience?
- What would you add to Richardās ideas and resources?
Bonus! šø
Richardās Spanish Negroni Cocktail
2 parts Mezcal (or Gin)
1 part Campari
Ā½ part Amontillado Sherry
Ā½ part White Vermouth
A few dashes of Orange Bitters
Stir with ice and pour into cocktail glass
Garnish with fresh orange peel š
Yummmā¦
E29 - Top 10 TED Talks for Teaching
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)
- Donāt ask where Iām from, ask where Iām a local, Taiye Selasi (16 mins)
- How language shapes the way we think, Lera Boroditsky (14 mins)
- Weird or just different, Derek Sivers (3 mins)
- On being wrong, Kathryn Schulz (18 mins)
Kathryn Schulzās book, Being Wrong
Recipes for Success
- 10 ways to have a better conversation, Celeste Headlee (11 mins)
- Grit: The power of passion and perseverance, Angela Lee Duckworth (6 mins)
- Try something new for 30 days, Matt Cutts (3 mins)
- Inside the mind of a master procrastinator, Tim Urban (14 mins)
- Every kid needs a champion, Rita Pierson (8 mins)
āWhy Procrastinators Procrastinateā on Tim Urbanās blog, Wait but why?
Additional Resources
Questions for Reflection
- How do you use TED talks in your language classroom?
- Whatās your favorite TED talk and why does it resonate with you?
E28 - A holistic approach to PD (with Ramin Yazdanpanah)
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. š¼
Recommended Reading:
Dweck, C. S. (2022). Mindset: New Psychology Of Success. Ballantine Books.
James, C. (2021). Atomic Habits. PENGUIN UK.
Mercer, S., & Gregersen, T. (2020). Teacher Wellbeing. Oxford University Press.
Resources & Communities:
American English Teacherās Corner: Website
American English Teacherās Corner: Facebook page
Institute for the Professional Development of Adult Educators (IPDAE)
Questions for Reflection:
- How do you approach your own professional development?
- What kinds of PD opportunities do you participate in?
- How do you cultivate your practice in a way that honors all parts of you?
- How do you avoid the overwhelm that comes with this profession?
- How do you integrate mindfulness into your life and classroom?
- What communities of practice are you a part of?
E27 - Why we ā„ project-based learning
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. š
Download Shey's E-Newspaper Curriculum ā ready to be used in your classroom!
References & Resources:
Buck Institute for Education (n.d.). What is PBL? PBLWorks.
Riel, S. (2020). Cultivating Advanced Integrated Skills with PBI. TESOL Connections, TESOL International Association.
Valenzuela, J. (2022). A Simple, Effective Framework for PBL. Edutopia.
Questions for reflection:
- How have you integrated project-based learning in your work?
- What challenges or successes have you encountered?
- What fresh ideas do you want to try out for the upcoming school year?
Join us for our upcoming Teacher Think-Aloud PLN events! Every month weāll facilitate a conversation around best teaching practices and the topics that matter most to you. š Register here: https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/pln.
E26 - What can we learn from teachers?
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.
Questions for reflection:
- What can people learn from educators?
- What are some skills that teachers have that you think would transfer well into other disciplines?
Join us for our Teacher Think-Aloud PLN launch event, July 25, 2022, 8 AM Pacific on Zoom! š Every month weāll facilitate a conversation around best teaching practices and the topics that matter most to you. Register here: https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/pln.
E25 - Handling conflict in the classroom (with guest Joe Voigts!)
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 the South Side of Chicago.
Listener quote:
"There were times that students treated me disrespectfully. I knew that they were teenagers and if I had reacted harshly, the situation would have been so much worse. What I did was to pretend I hadn't heard what had been said. I continued the lesson and when the class ended, I asked that student to stay for a couple of minutes. I talked to him and he felt sorry for what had happened. The consequence of this reaction of mine was so positive. That student was so happy that I didn't say anything to him in front of the eyes of his friends and he turned to the most active student in the class." - Amir
References & Resources:
High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out, Amanda Ripley
The Power of Storytelling to Build Cross-Cultural Connections Joe Voigts, TESOL
The Restorative Practices Handbook: For Teachers, Disciplinarians and Administrators, Bob Costello & Ted Wachtel
Questions for reflection:
- How do you feel when conflict comes up in the classroom?
- What general advice would you give to teachers for handling conflict when it arises?
- What strategies can you suggest for handling conflict in a positive and productive way?
E24 - Like. Share. Post.
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, and Anna's handy-dandy resource for integrating social media into your classroom, on Teachers Pay Teachers.
E23 - The good, the bad, and the ugly of performance reviews
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, from both the observer's and the teacher's side. What have your best and worst experiences been? What makes observations effective in your view? Check out our episode-related resources.
Also, take a look at our Twitter poll to see our audience's responses to the question of whether they enjoy performance reviews.
E22 - Make reviewing fun again!
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.
E21 - Addressing current events in the classroom
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-related resources.
E20 - TESOL Special 2022!
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 an ELT Podcast." Power to the people!