The Motivated Classroom

Almost a year after our first conversation for episode 127, Jonathan is back in the studio for Part Two of his 2-part series focusing on what he learned from six weeks of observing teachers in three countries using a CI and acquisition approach. In this episode, Jonny hones in how he translated all the things he learned about CI into his classroom practice in his school in Scotland.

Another absolutely fascinating and insightful conversation with lots of really practical tips and ideas for teachers.

In this episode I am joined by the wonderful, Jonathan McBride, for Part one of a two-part special series. Jonny and I met at The Agen Workshop in 2023. He teaches German and French in a state school in Scotland and he secured funding to go and spend six weeks watching three different CI teachers in three different countries in 2024: Me (Liam Printer) in Switzerland, Adriana Ramirez in Canada and finally, Tina Abour in Germany.

The goal was to learn from what other CI teachers are doing in three very different schools in three very different systems, and to then report back to the Scottish government and education department about what he saw and learned.

In this first part of our two-part series, Jonny had just spent two weeks with me in Switzerland after already doing two weeks with Adriana in Canada. He shares what he say, what he learned and most importantly, what he hopes to take back to his classroom in Scotland. Part two of this series follows up with Jonny approximately 9 months later, after coming back from Germany and spending almost a year implementing the ideas he had observed.

A truly fascinating journey and a must listen for language teachers all over the world!

Episode 126 is all about Turn and Talk: A classic activity we all do in our classrooms to encourage student discussion, participation and idea generation... but, it can sometimes fall flat, or kids end up speaking about something else entirely or we don't get that engagement we are looking for.

In this episode I take youe through a few tiny tweaks and ideas for this strategy to make it more motivating, engaging and impactful for everyone. Even in a language acquisition class where the focus has to be on compelling, comprehensible inputs, Turn and Talk can play a vital role in language development, confidence and fluency as it provides time for rehearsal... but only if we set it up right! As always, this is just my take on it and you need to adapt it to your context of course.

I had the pleasure of being joined on this episode by esteemed Åsta Haukås, a professor of language education at the University of Bergen, Norway. Her research focuses on improving students' ability to learn multiple languages and supporting language teachers' motivation and professional development.

It was great to learn from Prof. Haukås about language teacher motivation and how we can support it until retirement. This is a key element that is often overlooked in the research but we know it is vital for sustaining student motivation in our classes.

A fascinating discussion I am sure you will all enjoy and learn from!

Please let me know what you think! I'd love to hear from you.

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Full programme notes are available at:

In this special, extended, episode I am joined by the wonderful Tina Abour and Grant Boulanger to discuss how a CI approach can boost motivation, acquisition and inclusion in our classrooms.

Tina and Grant provide us with their perspective on teaching with a CI approach in the US and Europe whilst also sharing lots of excellent practical strategies you can use in your classroom right away. A truly fantastic, must-listen, conversation with so many practical takeaways. Get that notebook ready!

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This episode on behaviour comes with a big caveat. I realise completely that behaviour and classroom management looks very different in each of our different contexts. This episode centres around the educational psychology of behaviour, motivation and social norms. I am fortunate to work in a fantastic school with great students and in this episode I share some of the strategies that have worked best for me over the years based on the research.. but as always, this is just my take on it. I know your context may be very different to mine but hopefully you will still get something from it.

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It is August, so that must mean The Motivated Classroom is back with it's start of the school year special. In this episode I give my Top Nine low-prep ideas and strategies for a motivated year. It could easily have been 29 and not nine, but these are the absolute essentials in order to allow both motivation and acquisition to flourish in your languages classroom this year! As always, this is just my take on it but I would to know what you think!

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Much of professional development is useful, thought-provoking, interesting and even impactful.. but does it actually result in any changes in our practice or indeed on student's learning? Research suggests that most of it, sadly, does not. In this episode we explore an alternative type of practice-focused professional development called Instructional Coaching. As I start my role as an instructional coach next year, I provide an overview of its potential for pedagogical development here.

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After many questions about what the dreaded oral exams look like in my classroom and in my context, I've decided to do an entire episode on just that topic! Most of us work in systems where they are a mandatory part of student assessment. So how can we make them more motivating and less scary whilst also ensuring they take the least amount of learning time possible. As always, this is just my take on it, having learned over the years from some brilliant teachers.

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Part Two of the series focusing on my recent research on how using co-created stories in the language acquisition class can foster happiness, joy and other positive emotions in the classroom. In this second part of the study, we look in detail at the methodology and findings.

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This first in a mini-series on the importance of positive emotions in the language acquisition classroom. This episode introduces my recent research study on how using co-created stories in the class can help to foster happiness, joy and interest in the language classroom. Next week's episode looks more at the methodology and findings of the study.

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This episode focuses on classroom practice and, in particular, how we can use questions in order to both build connections and to maximise language acquisition. I take you through my favourite strategies in the classroom and those from the research about how to employ questions in the language classroom for maximum gain.

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This third and final episode in the mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research and theory. This one looks at Chomsky's concept of Universal Grammar; the idea that we all possess an innate mechanism that allows us to decipher and encode language with ease.

In this episode I try to look at both sides of the research on this and also at where the common ground lies. There is, always, lots of valuable practical implications for teachers too!

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This second in a special mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) explores the Critical Period Hypothesis and language learning. Is there a critical age period for natural, easy, and effortless language acquisition or can anyone achieve success regardless of age?

We take a look at various research studies and what the evidence has to say about this key question. Of course, this has major implications for language teachers and their practice so I hope you all enjoy it!

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This first episode in a special mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) focuses on what approach we should use with students who are preparing for a high-stakes test such as entry to university. Is CI enough on its own?

We take a look at various aspects and theories of SLA research including the output hypothesis, the interaction hypothesis, the noticing hypothesis and the Input-Interaction-Output model of instruction.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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!!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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!

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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.

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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!

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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. 

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