Podcasts by Category
Welcome to The ESL Teaching Podcast, a place for K-12 teachers of English learners who are looking for simple and easy-to-implement ways to engage their students and for inspiration and empowerment in their day-to-day teaching. Whether you need a boost of confidence in reaching ESL/ELL newcomers, students in mixed proficiency level classes, or clarity in how to help them access content in the mainstream classrooms, this podcast will quickly become your go-to spot for inspiration and support. Each week, you will hear actionable and easy-to-implement tips and strategies from me, your host, as well as interviews with amazing ESL teachers, and educational consultants around the country so you can leave inspired and ready to rock on. For more teaching tips, strategies and teaching resources, go to www.simplyieva.com. And to connect with other like-minded educators of English learners, join us over at our Facebook group Helping ESL/ELL Teachers K-12 where you can find support, ask questions, and share your expertise.I always say: teaching English learners is the best job in the world. And even though it’s sometimes hard, by staying open and learning together, we make it a path of discovery and adventure. I will see you inside the show!www.simplyieva.com/apple
- 114 - Episode 113 - How to Use AI to Help Your Students Access Content Plus My Favorite Tools
Technology has increasingly become an integral part of teaching, and honestly, I cannot imagine teaching a lesson without it. Of course, I would if I needed to and I would have to adapt, but it just makes things so much faster and easier. From pulling up an image to complement the topic, to checking the correct MLA format, to grabbing precise definitions for the vocabulary words you want your students to learn. And with the advent of AI last year, the technology game has become an even more i...
Tue, 14 May 2024 - 113 - Episode 112 - 5 Non-Negotiables for Integrating ELs in Regular Education Classroom
When it comes to teaching English learners, some things come naturally for EL teachers, while regular education teachers might be wondering how they can reach their multilingual students. I have several episodes about teaching all ELs, but I wanted to distill this information into even more practical and really actionable advice that all teachers can take whenever they have an English learner in their classroom. In today's episode, I will be talking about 5 non-negotiables for integrating ELs...
Tue, 30 Apr 2024 - 112 - Episode 111 - 5 End of the Year Hacks to Finish the School Year With Sanity
I don't know about you, but every year around April, I feel like my energy is drained. I can no longer focus, and the feeling of inadequacy begins to creep in. The students have absorbed as much as they could. We all are just counting the days until that summer break when we all can recharge and look at things from a different perspective. But we have to somehow get through those last weeks of school. I want to share some of the end of year hacks that I use to feel like I'm still making a dif...
Tue, 23 Apr 2024 - 111 - Episode 110 - The Two Most Important Soft Skills for Teachers of English Learners
In education, hard skills such as the academic knowledge of the subject and the know-how of teaching in general, the strategies, the methodology, the assessment are the focal point. But today, I wanted to talk about the soft skills that are much more difficult to define and quantify because they are less concrete, but have been proven time and time again just as important as the know-how. These skills involve interpersonal and interpersonal communication, being flexible, cultural awareness, a...
Tue, 16 Apr 2024 - 110 - Episode 109 - Rewriting the Script of Negative Self-Talk for Teachers
Welcome back to another episode of The ESL Teaching Podcast. Today we're tackling an issue that's close to the heart for so many of us educators: the challenge of negative self-talk. As teachers, we navigate not only academic pressures but also the emotional and mental weight of our personal lives. Recognizing our humanity is crucial to maintaining not just our performance in the classroom but our overall well-being. In this episode, we explore practical strategies and self-reflection tools d...
Tue, 09 Apr 2024 - 109 - Episode 108 - No Plan? No Problem! 5 Activities for those "I can't even" days
Welcome to Episode 108 of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In this episode, I share my go-to activities for those "I can't even" days, when exhaustion and lack of inspiration make lesson planning a struggle. I candidly discuss my own experiences with feeling tired and bored while teaching, and offer practical, low-prep activities to reignite the classroom's energy. From engaging listening and speaking activities like back-to-back drawing and interviewing, to creative writing prompts using social med...
Tue, 02 Apr 2024 - 108 - Episode 107 - The Heart and Art of Teaching ELs in Regular Education Classrooms with Zach Camenker
My guest Zach Camenker, and I explore the challenges and joys of teaching English learners in a regular classroom. Zach, an English Language Arts teacher, shares his struggle with the repetition of the curriculum and his passion for reading instruction. The importance of adaptability, feedback, and collaboration in setting up a successful classroom environment for diverse learners is stressed. We discuss the need for better preparation for teachers facing ELL students and Zach's personal reas...
Tue, 26 Mar 2024 - 107 - Episode 106 - 6 Most Common SEL Challenges ELs Face in the Classroom
We talk a lot about instruction of English learners, how we can accommodate our lessons, how we can scaffold, and what to teach them in general. But today, I wanted to bring to light another aspect of working with English learners that is just as important for all teachers to know as the instructional strategies. It is the social emotional aspect that is involved in moving to another country, learning a new language, making a new life, or for those students who have lived here all their life,...
Tue, 19 Mar 2024 - 106 - Episode 105 - 3 Misconceptions About Teaching Newcomers in Regular Classrooms (and how to reframe them)
Welcome to episode 105 of The ESL Teaching Podcast. In this episode, I address three common misconceptions about teaching English learners in regular classrooms and provide practical strategies to reframe them. I discuss the importance of understanding the language acquisition process, the role of subject area teachers in language instruction, and the need for differentiated strategies for students at different proficiency levels. I also share insights on how to include English learners in le...
Tue, 12 Mar 2024 - 105 - Episode 104 - Landing the Gig: 3 Secrets to a Successful Teacher Interview
Welcome to Episode 104 of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In this episode, I share valuable insights into how you can prepare for your ESL teacher interview. I delve into three essential tips to help you nail your interview: being prepared, being yourself, and asking questions. Through personal anecdotes and practical advice, I hope to provide guidance on how to approach the interview process with confidence and professionalism. Whether you're just starting your teaching career or seeking a new opp...
Tue, 05 Mar 2024 - 104 - Episode 103 - Questions Answered - Developing Supportive Mindset for EL Success
Guess what? It's Q & A time. I receive many emails from teachers sharing their current biggest struggles, both EL teachers and classroom educators. I read every single email, and although I don't always have the time to respond to you personally, I want you to know that I see you and I hear you. And with that, I also know that if one person is asking the question, there have to be other people wondering about the same thing as well. So today, I took six of the most burning questions, and ...
Tue, 20 Feb 2024 - 103 - Episode 102 - 3 Essential Keys to Assessing English Learners
Testing season is upon us, and with it, changed schedules, test practice, and new questions about how we can help our students, especially ELs, navigate this time of quite a bit of stress. Any test, whether it's a check-in quiz, a unit test, or a serious state assessment, can be a challenge to an English learner, especially one that is at a newcomer, beginner, or low intermediate proficiency level. So how do we help those students who bring with them so much knowledge yet frequently do not ha...
Tue, 13 Feb 2024 - 102 - Episode 101 - Math is NOT a Universal Language and Here is Why with Odalis Amparo
How many times have you heard this phrase, math is math, it is a universal language. Well, let me tell you, it is not. And that is exactly what today's guest, Odalis Amparo from Illustrative Mathematics, and I talk about. Odalis is a skilled educator who is highly committed to elevating the voice and supporting the achievement of students and teachers in historically marginalized communities. She's fiercely passionate about the intersection between language learning, mathematics instruction a...
Tue, 06 Feb 2024 - 101 - Episode 100 - It's Our 100th Episode! Comments From Listeners and Hot Seat with Simply Ieva
You're listening to the 100th episode of the ESL Teaching Podcast. Can you believe the ESL teaching podcast has been around for 100 episodes? Me neither. This occasion certainly calls for celebration, and I wanted to make it a little different than usual. Instead of interviewing another wonderful educator or giving you teaching tips, today, you will hear an interview with me! That's right. I am in the hot seat, and I am answering your questions about Ieva, the person, and Ieva, the teacher!&n...
Tue, 30 Jan 2024 - 100 - Episode 99 - Why Less is More When Teaching EL Newcomers and Beginners
This is episode 3 of the 3-part series called, “You Can't Buy Language at Walmart: 3 Essential but Overlooked Details of Teaching Language to EL Newcomers and Beyond.” In the previous episodes, I talked about the time it takes to acquire a language and about proficiency levels and why they are essential for teachers to know when working with English learners. Today, I wanted to talk about the classwork and homework our ELLs have to do, and about how we can make it more manageable and effectiv...
Tue, 23 Jan 2024 - 99 - Episode 98 - EL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Proficiency Levels
Today's episode is episode 2 of the 3 part series, which I called, “You Can't Buy Language at Walmart: 3 Essential but Overlooked Details of Teaching Language to Young Newcomers and Beyond”. In the previous episode, I talked about the stages of language acquisition and the most important aspect of learning any language, which is time. If you haven't listened to it, I highly recommend going back and tuning in. Today, I wanted to take you a step further and talk about the language proficiency l...
Tue, 16 Jan 2024 - 98 - Episode 97 - How Teachers Can Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition Stages when working with ELs
Welcome to another episode of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In today's episode, I dive into the fascinating world of second language acquisition stages and how they impact teaching English learners. With a focus on the five stages of second language acquisition, I want to shed light on the importance of understanding this process for educators. From the cooing stage to advanced fluency, I outline the timeline and key milestones in language development, offering valuable insights for teachers work...
Tue, 09 Jan 2024 - 97 - Episode 96 - Lessons Learned, Impact Made and the Wisdom to Bring Into the New Year
In today's episode, I reflected on the wisdom gained and impact made in the past year, sharing valuable lessons for teachers of English learners. From the power of "less is more" in lesson planning to the importance of connecting with student families in a genuine way, I provide insights that can transform your teaching approach. Additionally, I emphasize the significance of prioritizing your well-being as a teacher and share my personal strategies for self-care. Join us as we delve into my r...
Tue, 02 Jan 2024 - 96 - Episode 95 - Empowering Adult English Learners with Leah Mitchell
Being an educational consultant is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have. Through my website and podcast, I hear from so many teachers from all around the world who teach a variety of ages in a variety of places with a variety of experiences and resources. And what's even more exciting is that I get to work with some of those wonderful teachers as their coach. In today's episode, I am chatting with my teacher client, Leah Mitchell, who is an adult ESL teacher in Manitoba, Canada....
Tue, 19 Dec 2023 - 95 - Episode 94 - From Vision to Reality: Intentional Goal Setting for the New Year and Beyond (re-air)
With the new year right around the corner, we tend to reflect on the things we accomplished and what we can do to improve on the quality of our lives, both personal and professional, in the next year. So setting goals is especially popular this time of year. The hopes are high that in the coming year, we for sure will exercise more, or read more books, or do more of this or less of that. Unfortunately, life continues flowing without much regard to the grand plans of our mind, and that's why w...
Tue, 12 Dec 2023 - 94 - Episode 93 - Cultivating Comprehension: The Art of Strategic Questioning for English Learners
In today's episode, I want to delve into the art of cultivating comprehension through strategic questioning for English learners.Every day, I am amazed at how language intense our students' classes are. Instructions are given in lengthy paragraphs and posted in Google Classroom or any other form your school uses. Students are required to show their reasoning in writing in complete sentences when responding to long and complex questions in all subjects. And while I am all for keeping the stand...
Tue, 05 Dec 2023 - 93 - Episode 92 - Embracing Diverse December Celebrations in ESL Classrooms
December is right around the corner, and we all know that everything seems to gain speed once Thanksgiving is over. With a few weeks left before the holiday break in December, we also want to make sure our lessons are meaningful and not just busy work. Have you ever wondered what December holidays are celebrated around the world? This question has come up for me personally and has been popping up in the schools I work in as well. So I took it upon myself to do a little research and to create ...
Tue, 28 Nov 2023 - 92 - Episode 91 - EL Curriculum Magic and Mastering Classroom Dynamics (Q and A)
As I was planning this episode out, I looked at all the things we talk about on this podcast. That is a lot! From EL newcomer teaching and all that is related to that, how to teach grammar and vocabulary, where to find materials, different teaching strategies and tips, teacher collaboration, ELs in regular education classrooms, and so many more topics. And since this podcast is for all of you involved in teaching multilingual learners, I wanted to make sure your voices are heard. On a daily b...
Tue, 21 Nov 2023 - 91 - Episode 90 - Teaching Thanksgiving with Accuracy and Empathy
A couple of years ago, I had a conversation with a student who had just arrived from Turkey that inspired a monthly newsletter to our staff about celebrations around the world for that month. In November, as we were going over the days that we will be in school and why we have a break at the end of the month, we talked about the celebration of Thanksgiving and what typically happens during that time. Many of our ELs, unless they are in elementary schools, don't have a clear concept of th...
Tue, 14 Nov 2023 - 90 - Episode 89 - The Three Cs of EL Family Engagement
Welcome to episode 89 of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In this episode, we dive into the three Cs of EL family engagement: connection, community, and continued support. I want to share my personal experience of creating a space for parents of EL students to come together and have coffee and conversation. Through this informal setting, my partner and I discovered valuable lessons about building an inclusive community in schools and districts. What you will hear about in this episode:The importance...
Tue, 07 Nov 2023 - 89 - Episode 88 - How to Use Novel Study to Enrich Vocabulary and Speaking
Reading is always a hot topic, and teaching reading to English learners presents its own set of challenges. It has to do with grade level, with English proficiency, and other factors. So today, I wanted to share with you how I have been implementing novel study this school year with my middle schoolers in particular, and that has allowed my students to be engaged in and motivated to read. What you will hear about in this episode:Implementing a novel study in the classroomChallenges of teachin...
Tue, 31 Oct 2023 - 88 - Episode 87 - What Does it Take to Acquire a Language and Why All Teachers Should Know This
What does it take to acquire another language? In my previous episode, I used a phrase that I have heard many times, “Oh, but there's another language spoken in the home.” The statement can mean so many things and nothing at all. I want to break down what it takes to acquire another language in today's episode. If we are to embrace the notion that teaching multilingual learners is not just a job and care of the English Language Development (ELD) specialist, but that all of us play a part...
Tue, 24 Oct 2023 - 87 - Episode 86 - Here Are Your 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in General Education Classroom
Last week, I was talking to my colleague who was so overwhelmed by all the questions and comments coming from the regular education teachers and frankly, the unwillingness of some to pause and take the situation in for what it was. We chatted a bit and calmed down, but a part of me was still dissatisfied. Sometimes, EL teachers are spread so thin or work in isolation that all of our knowledge is impossible to share in an effective way with those who could really benefit from it. So I wanted t...
Tue, 17 Oct 2023 - 86 - Episode 85 - EL Class Structure and Vocabulary Instruction: A Peek Into My Classroom
A while back, I recorded an episode about how I structured my middle school class, and since I work at 2 schools, middle and high school, I wanted to offer you a little glimpse into how I structure my high school classes. I have more students at the high school this year and more classes, so there's plenty of room for creativity. Lesson planning and vocabulary instruction is something that is always on top of every EL teacher's mind, and my goal for this episode is to share with you my t...
Tue, 10 Oct 2023 - 85 - Episode 84 - Every Teacher is a Language Teacher. Here is Why!
Teaching multilingual learners requires great knowledge of language acquisition theory, teaching strategies, and methodologies. At the same time, it requires empathy, cultural awareness and openness. And that said, multilingual learners are not only students of EL teachers. They are all of our students. Every teacher is a language teacher. Sometimes when we talk to our colleagues, we might hear a phrase, but I'm not a language teacher. I teach math, science, social studies, you name it, ...
Tue, 03 Oct 2023 - 84 - Episode 83 - 5 Ways AI Can Help Save Teachers Time and Help Multilingual Learners
Artificial intelligence, or AI as we call it, has taken over so many areas of our life, and teaching is no exception. I have been waiting to share my insights into what using artificial intelligence might mean for all teachers and especially those of us who work with multilingual learners, but now I think it is time. In this episode, I will share 5 specific and effective ways you can leverage the power of AI in your teaching. Some tips will be more geared towards EL teachers and others a...
Tue, 26 Sep 2023 - 83 - Episode 82 - How to Master Small Group Scheduling and Instruction with guest Kristen Vibas
Many teachers work with small groups of students and especially if you're in an elementary setting, making a schedule for those small groups can be one of the most challenging tasks of your entire school year. For today's episode, I have invited back my dear friend, Kristen Vibas, to chat about just that, the peculiarities of scheduling and grouping English learner students in elementary grades. Kristen Vibas is a K-6 elementary ESOL teacher living in Northern Virginia. She's ...
Tue, 19 Sep 2023 - 82 - Episode 81 - Unlocking ESL Success: The Top 5 Questions Every General Ed Teacher Asks
I frequently receive questions from my content area teachers about how to help English learners in the classroom. And those questions frankly are the same every year from how to help a newcomer to more specific activity and engagement ideas. And I was wondering if there are any different questions that EL teachers get asked. So I posted this on Instagram and inside my Facebook group, and it appears that general education teachers ask the same questions across the board. What can we do, t...
Tue, 12 Sep 2023 - 81 - Episode 80 - Empowering English Learners: An Asset-Based Approach
The start of the new school year is typically extremely busy. There are new families registering students, students coming to their new schools, meeting their teachers and classmates. There's lots of screening, placement, scheduling, action, action, action. Multilingual learners join our communities all the time. But somehow, the deficit mindset, which assumes they don't understand anything and therefore are capable of only doing very little, is still very pervasive. That's why in t...
Tue, 05 Sep 2023 - 80 - Episode 79 - The Power of Affirmations for English Learners and All Students
The new school year is here. And as I'm looking ahead, I reflect about what worked and hasn't worked before and how I can encourage and empower my students even more this year. I work with teenagers, and there are a lot of nuances in their English learning, including one very important aspect: negative self-talk. It is sad to hear when a bright student says they're not good enough or that their English is bad and they won't participate in a conversation. I recorded this episode arou...
Tue, 29 Aug 2023 - 79 - Episode 78 - Starting Strong: Easy and Fun Icebreaker Activities for all EL Levels
Many teachers either are starting their school year soon, or have already been at it for a couple of weeks. And this time of year, when everything is full of fresh new energy, is a good time to go back to icebreakers. Whether you have new students joining you or want to reconnect and have fun with the ones you already know, icebreaker activities will always make your classroom come alive. Today's episode was recorded a while ago, but I know it is going to be very useful to you. I wa...
Tue, 22 Aug 2023 - 78 - Episode 77 - How to Build EL Literacy From the Ground Up with Kyle Larson
How do you build students' literacy and confidence from the ground up? My guest, Kyle Larson, and I talk about just that on this episode.How to help EL students with literacy, especially as they enter the US educational system in upper elementary grades or later, is an eternal question for all of us. There are so many nuances in this. I am excited to share our conversation with you, and I know it will be super valuable. And if you'd like to see us, you can watch the recording of this int...
Tue, 08 Aug 2023 - 77 - Episode 76 - Three Major Components of Effective Professional Development for EL (and all) Teachers
Part of an EL teacher's job is to advocate for their students and educate and support their peers in language acquisition theories, teaching strategies and content delivery. This is where professional development comes into play. Frequently it is up to us to plan and deliver it in such a manner that it touches the most important aspects in a short amount of time. We've all sat in workshops that are irrelevant, or too long, or too complicated at one point or another in our teaching career...
Tue, 01 Aug 2023 - 76 - Episode 75 - How to Navigate Grade Transition and Collaboration with Colleagues
Navigating to a new grade level and collaborating with new colleagues can be quite a challenge when it comes to being an ESL teacher. In today's episode, I chat with Sarah, who is a member of the ESL Teaching Roadmap membership.It's been a while since I talked about ESL teacher coaching, and with summertime in full swing, I know a lot of teachers have more headspace and creative flow as they are preparing for the upcoming school year, regardless of whether it starts tomorrow or in a month.&nb...
Tue, 25 Jul 2023 - 75 - Episode 74 - Why Teachers Should Embrace Meditation As Part of Their Daily Routine
For some time now, I have been wanting to share a tool with you that has helped me navigate to the difficult times as an educator as well as to be even more empathetic in situations that seemed like they had no solution. I am talking about meditation. If you haven't tried it, I know there are a lot of assumptions about what meditation is and why it may not be for you. I also have learned that the benefits of sustained focus, inner calm, and sharper ability to problem solve are not just e...
Tue, 11 Jul 2023 - 74 - Episode 73 - The 3 ESSENTIAL Components of the Long Summer Break for Teachers
As I was planning my summer episodes for The ESL Teaching Podcast, I hit a wall. In the spring I was on a roll…sharing tips and resources for EL and regular education teachers. In June you heard episodes all about lesson planning.But then I thought to myself…I am on summer break and I would love to chat about other things that are a huge part of the teacher’s life. And that is the long and glorious summer break.It can be so open-ended that it can be dizzying, but there are some things that ar...
Tue, 04 Jul 2023 - 73 - Episode 72 - 4 Easy Ways to Differentiate the Same Lesson
In this episode, I will be sharing all about differentiating for varied proficiency levels in your classroom. You will hear about the four ways you can differentiate, as well as concrete examples of how it might look for you and your students. This episode is part of this month’s series where we are talking about lesson planning as part of our short and actionable summer professional development podcast episodes. In episode 70, I shared three mistakes many teachers make when it comes to ...
Tue, 27 Jun 2023 - 72 - Episode 71 - How to Write Content and Language Objectives for EL Lessons
Why is it important to have an objective in the lesson? Well, number one, it helps the students and you, the teacher, focus attention on what's most important in the lesson.In this week’s episode, I talk all about content and language objectives for your EL students.Last week, we kicked off our short and actionable summer professional development podcast episodes with an overview of mistakes many teachers make when it comes to lesson planning. We talked about time management or rather mismana...
Tue, 20 Jun 2023 - 71 - Episode 70 - 3 Lesson Planning Mistakes That Can Keep You in the Rut
There are two types of teachers. Those who close their computer for the summer and only open it to begin checking their work email a week or so before school starts. And there are teachers who combine their fun activities and relaxation with learning and catching up on professional development during the summer. If you are in the second category, this episode is for you.I know how important it is to take some time to disconnect and I sincerely hope you do that. I also know how fan...
Tue, 13 Jun 2023 - 70 - Episode 69 - How to Engage English Learners with TPR with guest Meeghan Carter
Let's talk about movement and engaging your whole body in language learning using TPR, or Total Physical Response. Meeghan Carter is an ESL teacher in Delaware and brings a vast experience from being a classroom teacher to even owning her own business. She has worked with students primarily in grades pre-K to 8th. Meeghan and I talk about topics that are so relevant to so many ESL teachers. What you will hear about in this episode:Planning lessons for multiple age groups and grade l...
Tue, 06 Jun 2023 - 69 - Episode 68 - 5 Things to Do BEFORE Leaving for Summer Break
As the summer is nearing, I want to talk about planning and time management. Not for the students, but about what we, as teachers, should do before we leave on summer break. You may be tired, and the desire to put things off until next year might be very strong. But over my years of teaching, I have learned that there are some small, but very important things that are so much better completed before you leave for the summer. The school year is such a whirlwind that we don’t have tim...
Tue, 30 May 2023 - 68 - Episode 67 - 3 Ways to Finish the School Year Meaningfully
May is one of those months that is long and fast at the same time. Somehow everything falls into this month as a teacher and in our personal life.As the school year is nearing its end, there are a lot of moving parts for us teachers to consider. From grading, to paperwork, to somehow engaging the students who are seeming to get a bit antsy.It is easy to get lost in all of it, so in this episode I want to share a few ways that can make those last few weeks of school meaningful. All of them inv...
Tue, 23 May 2023 - 67 - Episode 66 - 3 Activities For a Mixed-Proficiency EL Class (re-air)
A lot of teachers work with mixed-proficiency classes where they have newcomers and higher level students all at the same time. This makes for challenging planning, classroom management, and everything in between. With the school year winding down, it gets even trickier.In today’s episode, I wanted to revisit an episode I shared quite a while ago where I talk about three types of activities that work really well in a mixed-proficiency classroom. I will also share how to implement these activi...
Tue, 16 May 2023 - 66 - Episode 65 - 3 Tech Tools that Work Wonderfully in the EL Classroom
This episode is for you to learn, find out, and get excited about the possibilities of technology in your classroom. I will not be talking about ChatGPT or AI tools, simply because I am still exploring how they can be used ethically by both teachers and students in the classroom. However, I will be giving you tips and tricks on how to use my top three technology tools.What you will hear about in this episode:Website and platforms that I use frequently and used to teach all language domains to...
Tue, 09 May 2023 - 65 - Episode 64 - How to Pre-teach Vocabulary to ELs in the Mainstream Classroom (re-air)
As we continue talking about English Learners in the mainstream classroom this month, I wanted to bring back a previous episode from last year that is very relevant to our topic.With vocabulary being the main component of learning a language, this episode is all about how to pre-teach vocabulary when you are a regular education teacher. Pre-teaching vocabulary is very important to an English learner student. If the student does not understand the word, they will not be able to understand...
Tue, 25 Apr 2023 - 64 - Episode 63 - How to Grade EL Students in the Mainstream Classroom
Today’s episode is sharing thoughts and tips on how to grade English learners. You will hear the difference between grading and assessing, what makes teaching English learners equitable, and the differences between equality and fairness.Grading an English learner can be an adjustment. It should be flexible and not a rigid formula. It is also essential your assessments match the learning to help provide more accurate measurement of the student’s learning. Some key points are: content must...
Tue, 18 Apr 2023 - 63 - Episode 62 - 4 Strategies for Teaching Math to ESL Students
Math teachers often express that they teach math…not language or how to read. Or even that math is universal. If this sounds familiar, then this episode is going to be for you. Students learn each subject through language.This episode will cover teaching math to ESL students. I will be sharing 4 math specific tips that can be easily implemented and will allow you to understand how to help your English learners. Your newcomer could be a math wiz, but without the basic language skills, you migh...
Tue, 11 Apr 2023 - 62 - Episode 61 - Three Tips for Classroom Teachers with ESL Newcomers
We all know that new students start school not only in August or September, but anytime of year. Often I get asked by general education teachers how to help a new English learner, so I have decided to record a series of episodes specifically for general education teachers. They will help you make meaningful connections with your multilingual students, as well as give you some simple steps to help them be successful, even when it seems like they don’t understand.I’ll help you feel prepare...
Tue, 04 Apr 2023 - 61 - Episode 60 - How To Love Teaching Again With Jamie Sears
This month we have been talking about how Spring can be a difficult season for teachers energy wise, and changes that teachers either need or want to implement. Today’s guest, Jamie Sears, will help inspire and reinvigorate your love for teaching.Jamie and I have a heart-to-heart conversation about building relationships, having fun, setting boundaries, lesson planning and really simple, practical and actionable tips of how to work less, be happier, and make an impact you were born to make.&n...
Tue, 28 Mar 2023 - 60 - Episode 59 - How Tutoring Can Be the Secret Sauce You Need with Molly Wheatley
In this episode I was able to talk to Molly Wheatly about starting a tutoring business, and how she went from being a teacher to now coaching teachers on how to grow their own tutoring business.Sometimes when we need a drastic change, we can benefit from taking a step back and look at the parts of our current situation that are missing. Just asking ourselves a few questions such as: what we love about our job, what we wish we could change, what would make me feel like I’m making a difference,...
Tue, 21 Mar 2023 - 59 - Episode 58 - 3 Teacher Interview Tips To Help You Get The Job (Part 2)
Sometimes we find ourselves desperate for a teacher contract in a new district, but facing unknown territory as an ESL teacher, you must navigate the stressful interview process and bet on yourself to achieve your goal of finding the perfect job.After many attempts at trying to find a new position for myself, years ago, I picked up some tips along the way. I learned about preparing for an ESL teacher interview. This is part two of an interview series. If you missed part one on the resume...
Tue, 14 Mar 2023 - 58 - Episode 57 - How to Nail Your ESL Teacher Interview Part 1
It seems like every year there are only two speeds within a school year: rushing to get everything covered up to the ACCESS testing, and trying to catch up and make it to the end of the school year. Sometimes it feels like we have no control over what is going on.To change the pace, I want to do a series of episodes that will allow you to take a look at how you can invigorate your life and career. That might mean taking up a hobby, starting a side passion, and other times you might be ready f...
Tue, 07 Mar 2023 - 57 - Episode 56: Inclusion and Advocacy for ELs and Teachers with Valentina Gonzalez
Valentina Gonzalez is a former teacher who has served 20 plus years in her own classroom, a district facilitator for English Learners, a professional development leader, and an educational consultant. Her work has been focused on literacy, culture, and language. She still delivers professional development for EL education and is an accomplished author.She explains how many schools send the wrong message to EL students when they put their classrooms in outdoor portables, storage closets,...
Tue, 28 Feb 2023 - 56 - Episode 55 - How To Get Back On Track After Testing? Here Are 4 Ideas
We spend so long preparing for testing and getting testing completed, but what do we do once the testing season is over? Getting back into the swing of things after weeks and weeks of testing can be really tough. In today’s episode, I share some tips with you for how to get back on track after ACCESS testing. Do a classroom reset. You can do a classroom reset anytime, not just at the beginning of the new year or after testing. Try class routine rehearsals, classroom expectations Kahoot, ...
Tue, 21 Feb 2023 - 55 - Episode 54: Coaching Session Part 2 - How to Teach Reading, Writing, and Phonics to Older EL Students
In today’s episode, we continue our coaching session from last week and discuss reading, writing, and phonics with ELs. For teaching literature, like Romeo and Juliet, it can be helpful to let students read in their native language first to let them access the content. You can also pre-teach vocabulary, or summarize chunks of the story and focus on key parts of the story, the balcony scene in Romeo and Juliet, for example.We also discuss using novel studies to keep kids interested and engaged...
Tue, 14 Feb 2023 - 54 - Episode 53: Coaching Session Part 1- How to Teach Research to ELs
In today’s episode, I share a coaching session I had with a ESL Teaching Roadmap member. She teaches 9th grade ELA and ELD in a district that is just getting their ESL program off the ground. She explains that there is no curriculum for her to work from, so she feels like she is making everything up as she goes. We begin by discussing one student, in particular, who is a newcomer in one of her mixed proficiency support classes. She also asks how to assess this new student to see what he ...
Tue, 07 Feb 2023 - 53 - Episode 52 - How to Use Your Teacher Burnout As An Opportunity for Growth with Amber Harper
In today’s episode, I speak with my friend, Amber Harper about teacher burnout. Amber is a full time kindergarten teacher and teacher burnout coach. After struggling with burnout for most of her teaching career, in 2016 she created Burned In Teacher. Now she uses her podcast, book, and online course and community to coach teachers through her 8 step burned in process to help them use burnout for an opportunity for growth so they can live a more fulfilled career and life.She shares about her o...
Tue, 31 Jan 2023 - 52 - Episode 51 - Teaching English Content - Here are 3 Ideas How To Make it Accessible to ELs
In today’s episode, I discuss academic connections in response to a question from one of my listeners about teaching English Content.Why is traditional English Language Arts content inferencing, finding metaphors and similes, and identifying literary elements, so difficult for English Learners? It is a higher order thinking skill that requires a deep understanding of the language and having background in it. The first thing to consider is that English Learners need to understand. I...
Wed, 25 Jan 2023 - 51 - Episode 50 - Fun and Effective Test Prep Strategies with Laura Kebart
In today’s episode, I discuss test prep with a dear friend and business bestie of mine, Laura Kebart. Laura serves busy middle school English Language Arts teachers who actively choose family time over prepping for class. Through her website, lesson plan resources, and annual virtual conferences, she helps teachers go home earlier each day so they can teach with confidence and enjoy life outside the classroom. She wanted to be a teacher since she was a second grader and spent 17 years in the ...
Tue, 17 Jan 2023 - 50 - Episode 49: 5 Ways to Build Background Knowledge for your ESL Students
In order for students to reach an optimal level of learning, they need to know what we’re talking about and that involves not only language, but background knowledge of the subject area concepts. In today’s episode, I will share 5 ways to build background knowledge for your ESL students.Being immersed in the language is so important, but this can’t be completely effective without background knowledge. A warm up or background building activity is pretty standard in most lessons, but are essent...
Tue, 10 Jan 2023 - 49 - Episode 48 - 8 reasons why ESL instructional coaching is an integral part in teacher success
Happy New Year, 2023! I quite enjoy having a routine but I am also a huge fan of the energy of new beginnings.And speaking about new beginnings and embracing what works, in today’s episode, I want to share with you something that I have not talked about yet! And that is ESL instructional coaching, educational coaching especially for teachers who work with English learners. I have come to realize that frequently as teachers we need someone to talk to, someone to bounce ideas off and realize th...
Tue, 03 Jan 2023 - 48 - Episode 47 - 5 Ways to Reset Your ESL Classroom Management
In today’s episode, I will share with you 5 ways you can reset your classroom anytime of year.The first one is to revisit classroom expectations. It is okay, when the classroom starts to feel out of control, you can stop and ask yourself and your students questions like these to make sure expectations are present and clear.How do we begin a class. Show me what the students do and what the teacher does.When do we talk in class?When do we go to the bathroom?How to we ask for help?What is ...
Tue, 27 Dec 2022 - 47 - Episode 46 - How to Set Intentional Goals with your EL Students
With the new year right around the corner, we tend to reflect on the things we accomplished and what we can do to improve on the quality of our lives, both personally and professionally in the next year. So setting goals is especially popular this time of year, and often, as life keeps going, those goals fall by the wayside. It has been proven that the small, consistent habits are what will actually make the biggest difference in your life. So in this episode I wanted to share my thoughts on ...
Tue, 20 Dec 2022 - 46 - Episode 45 - You asked - We answer! December 2022 Q and A
In this episode, I do another ESL question and answer session with my dear friend Susan Patterson, aka My MLL Mentor.Our first ESL question was from a teacher who was advised to work with elementary students more than older students in middle and high school. She doesn't feel right about this recommendation and asked us to weigh in. ESL Question 2 was, “How do you create an inclusive holiday environment for your students?”The choices seem to be to not celebrate any holidays or to celebra...
Tue, 13 Dec 2022 - 45 - Episode 44 - How to Teach Your Students (and Colleagues) about December Holidays Around the World
In this episode, I discuss different December holidays that are celebrated around the world and by many English Learners. Last year I started sharing cultural tidbits with my colleagues about different holidays our students celebrate and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. All of this started with a staff email about how to know what foods are kosher and Halal approved. This came up originally because we had a considerable population of Muslim students and my school who were going ...
Tue, 06 Dec 2022 - 44 - Episode 43 - Three Books for Perspective Shift and Aha Moments
In this episode, I attempt to explain my perspective on the immigrant experience. I have struggled with how to explain this all my life. I share the complex feelings that come up when I visit my home in Lithuania. It feels impossible to explain my life as an immigrant in the United States to people in Lithuania and it feels impossible to explain life in Lithuania to people in the US. There are so many cultural differences that it is difficult for people to understand.My experience helps...
Wed, 30 Nov 2022 - 43 - Episode 42: Q&A with Ieva and Susan Patterson
In this episode, I talk with Susan Patterson to answer five of the most popular questions I get from my awesome community about multilingual learners. Susan is a district multilingual ELD teacher on special assignment. She develops professional learning for best practices in multilingual classrooms and supports ELD coaches. She also has her own blog and creates materials for High School Multilingual teachers.We start by discussing a question about learning materials for multilingual lea...
Tue, 01 Nov 2022 - 42 - Episode 41 - Language, Inclusion, and Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners
In this episode, I talk with Carly Spina about her experience as a teacher and her book Moving Beyond for Multilingual Learners. I have followed Carly for years and have used her resources in my classes, so I know you’ll love them too.Carly shares about her experiences growing up in a linguistically diverse neighborhood in Chicago. She went on to learn Spanish, but is quick to acknowledge that she learned a new language out of privilege, not out of necessity to learn. While she has a passion ...
Tue, 25 Oct 2022 - 41 - Episode 40 - Authentic, Engaging, and Motivating Speaking Activities for Your English Learners
In this episode, I build upon the tips I shared in episode 39 on how to set up your speaking lesson by sharing several speaking activities my students love. I share all about picture prompts for speaking, projects that will help your students take ownership of their learning, and of course, games! These are also great for mixed proficiency classes.Speaking is so connected with listening and writing. While listening is a receptive skill, which is absolutely necessary in order to navigate schoo...
Tue, 18 Oct 2022 - 40 - Episode 39 - How to Teach Speaking to English Learners - Essential Lesson Components For Best Results
In this episode, I share what I have learned about how to teach speaking to English Learners. Speaking is part of our students’ everyday lives because they are learning in an English Speaking Environment. Because of this, it is easy to overlook the importance of more structured speaking opportunities. Speaking is also a very personal thing and is intimidating even for native speakers.There are six components of teaching speaking that I like to incorporate into my lessons.Set the rules. Studen...
Tue, 11 Oct 2022 - 39 - Episode 38: Responsive Classroom and Planning with ELs in Mind - An Interview with Hilary Woods
In this episode, I interview my friend and colleague, Hillary Woods. She shares her perspective on the responsive classroom method and teaching with English Learners in mind after 16 years of experience teaching 4th - 8th grade students.Hilary discusses the value of connecting with students and getting to know them whether they are English Learners or not. This process starts at the beginning of the school year in her classroom, and continues in various ways throughout the year. Through ...
Tue, 27 Sep 2022 - 38 - Episode 37: 3 Activities That Work Fantastically Well In A Mixed Proficiency Class
In episode 37, we continue with the topic of mixed proficiency classrooms. Last week I talked about setting up your mixed proficiency class for success. Today i will discuss some of the activities that have worked well in these types of classes for me.All students need to work on vocabulary development and all four language domains. So, what activities work well for Mixed Proficiency classes? I will share 3 of my favorites. First is choice boards. Choice boards ask students to answer que...
Tue, 20 Sep 2022 - 37 - Episode 36 - How To Set Up Your Mixed Proficiency Class For Success
In this episode, we talk about a very popular topic - setting up a mixed proficiency class. Mixed proficiency or mixed level classes are challenging to take on, so today I will share some of the strategies I use and some that I am planning to implement for the first time. First, I take a look at what my students need by looking at their WIDA access scores and some some informal data that I gather using a basic checklist I describe in further detail in the episode. I think about how those...
Tue, 13 Sep 2022 - 36 - Episode 35 - What ILPs Are And What To Include In Them
What are ILPs? The letters ILP stand for Individualized Learner Plan, I like to think of them as Personalized Learner Profiles and in today’s episode I share what I include in ILPs for my English Learners and how I have adapted them to fit the needs of the teachers and students in my school. The point of these documents is to support communication between a general educator and an ELL specialist and to create a plan that outlines a success path for our English LearnersIn special e...
Tue, 06 Sep 2022 - 35 - 34.Why we should use affirmations with our English learners
Affirmations are a great way for anyone to combat negative self talk and our English learners are no exception. The teenagers I work with often struggle with thoughts that their English is not good enough and are hesitant to participate in conversations because of their low confidence. This is why the topic of today’s episode is affirmations to use with our English learners. Young people feel pressure to do well in school and fall into the trap of comparing themselves to others. I like t...
Tue, 23 Aug 2022 - 34 - 33. 4 icebreaker activities for a great start of the school year
Icebreaker activities can help you build rapport and a sense of community in your classroom. However, it is important to know that not all ice breakers are suitable for English Learners. In this episode, I share a few of my tried and true ice breaker activities and things you want to keep in mind before planning your own icebreaker activities. When planning icebreaker activities for English Learners, you want to make sure the activity does not require too much personal information that s...
Tue, 16 Aug 2022 - 33 - 32. From new student to future doctor - an English learner's perspective with Maja Pastuszka
As summer comes to an end, I thought it would be nice to hear an English learners' perspective on what it is like to be a new student in high school. In today's episode, I interview a former student of mine, Maja Pastuszka, about her experience coming to the United States from Poland and what it was like for her to be a new student and English learner simultaneously.She explains some of the challenges she had to overcome while learning English, the things her teachers did to support her, and ...
Tue, 09 Aug 2022 - 32 - 31. 3 mistakes I made when I was a newer EL teacher
In today’s episode, I share some of the mistakes I made when I was a newer EL teacher. We all make mistakes when we are first starting out, and honestly, I don’t think that is a bad thing. After all, every mistake is an opportunity for growth. Even now, I regularly reflect on how my lesson or unit went and make plans to do it better next time. This is one of my favorite parts of teaching, the fact that we are always learning and growing as educators.I want to share a few of the mistakes I mad...
Tue, 02 Aug 2022 - 31 - 30. The First and Most Important Step in Teaching English Learners
When you are teaching English Learners, making connections with students and families is one of the most important things you can do. When you are teaching English Learners, they need to know that they are seen and valued, that they are in the right place, and that there are people they can trust. In this episode, I share activities I use at the beginning and throughout the year to make sure my students know these things. I share beginning of the year activities I use to get to know students ...
Tue, 26 Jul 2022 - 30 - 29. How can having a newcomer curriculum guide save you time
I have gotten so many questions about curriculum guides and the resources included in them and I have decided to address those issues in this episode. The resources I found online when I searched for ESL Curriculum Guides lacked the specificity that I wanted. So, I created a newcomer curriculum guide myself. This is a done-for-you newcomer curriculum guide that you can purchase and download with the click of a button below. I also share the process I took to create it in case you would like t...
Tue, 12 Jul 2022 - 29 - 28. What to include in a scope and sequence for newcomers
In this episode we discuss the importance of creating a scope and sequence for your EL students and how to get it done over the summer. I have a ton of flexibility in being an ESL teacher. This is great, but it can also be difficult to know that you are on track throughout the year. I have found that a scope and sequence can really help in making sure you have a plan to anchor your instruction and scaffold your teaching toward your goals. It can be as general or specific as you would like. It...
Wed, 06 Jul 2022 - 28 - 27. 5 things every EL teacher needs to prepare for a successful school year
In this episode I share 5 things you need to do to get ready for a successful school year. Summer is a time to rest and not think about anything school related. In fact, one of today’s tips is all about rest and relaxation. It is important for a number of reasons! But, there are a few things EL teachers can do over the summer that will make their lives so much easier come fall. Listen to today’s episode to hear my tips for preparing yourself for the school year during the summer months, witho...
Tue, 28 Jun 2022 - 27 - 26. 5 professional development books for EL teachers
I love books, especially historical fiction, but in this episode I focus on a different type of book, professional development books for EL teachers. There are plenty of great books out there for EL teachers. I have read many of them and have several more on my list to read next. I am excited to share some of them with you in this episode. During the school year, it can be hard to find the time or headspace to read a good professional development book, which is why summer break is a great tim...
Tue, 21 Jun 2022 - 26 - 25. 5 fantastic virtual events for EL teachers
I enjoy taking a break and recharging my batteries over the summer, but I also love to take some time to work on lesson ideas that I don’t have as much time to think about during the school year and take advantage of some professional development. In this episode, I share my suggestions for quality virtual professional development opportunities that you can participate in this summer. If you are anything like me, I know they will inspire you, boost your confidence, and help you get ready...
Tue, 14 Jun 2022 - 25 - 24. 6 Elements of an Effective EL Lesson Plan
In this episode, I share 6 elements of an effective EL lesson plan that I have learned in my years as a teacher. Planning for English Learners is not the same as planning for other contents because many EL teachers do not have a set curriculum and will need to plan for different proficiency levels and different sized groups of students. I go into the essential components of an EL lesson plans - an objective, background building, presentation, practice, assessment, and extension. I discus...
Tue, 07 Jun 2022 - 24 - 23. Lesson planning for ELs with Molly Badrawy
In today’s episode, I am chatting with Molly Badrawy all about lesson planning for ELs and the realities of working in a low incidence district. Molly Badrawy is a full-time ESOL teacher in New Hampshire, and a freelance consultant at FaCES, Fair Culture and English Services, providing customized cultural guidance and language instruction for and individual adult language learners and organizations, alike. A national and international career that spans public, private, higher educ...
Tue, 31 May 2022 - 23 - 22. How to teach reading to ELLs with Kristen Vibas
In today’s episode, I speak with Kristen Vibas, an ELL teacher from Virginia who I met on Instagram. Kristen has been teaching since 2005.She shares how she went from aspiring actress to ELL teacher, and shares peeks into her classroom. You will love the tips and strategies she has developed on how to support multilingual students and how to teach reading to ELLs as much as I did.Both content teachers and ELL teachers will find this episode valuable as reading is such a critical part of learn...
Tue, 24 May 2022 - 22 - 21.How to pre-teach vocabulary in the mainstream classroom
To us EL teachers, vocabulary pre-teaching is our daily bread, but I received a question from one of the content area teachers that made me think…what comes naturally to us, does not necessarily make immediate sense to our colleagues.I recently saw a post from a science teacher tasked with teaching English Newcomers and suggested a list of ideas, one being pre-teaching vocabulary. But, how do you pre-teach vocabulary in a mainstream classroom? Today’s episode addresses this question and more....
Tue, 17 May 2022 - 21 - 20. 5 end of the year activities for your EL students
Today’s episode is the answer to the question from one of my readers/listeners. What do I do with my newcomers the last three weeks of school? They are so frustrated and will speak no English this summer. How can I help them without frustration? I wanted to share some activities that will take the frustration away because they all involve creativity, flow and connection. The rules for the end of the year are really no different than those for the beginning of the year - there just might ...
Tue, 10 May 2022 - 20 - 19. 5 self-management techniques for the EL classroom
I have been a big believer in the importance of social emotional learning for a long time. But, teaching amidst the pandemic for the last few years has really emphasized how vital it is for all students, particularly for English learners. There are five competencies to social emotional learning - self awareness, self management, social awareness, relationship skills, decision making skills. Each of these is worthy of a dedicated episode. So, in today’s episode, I focus specifically on se...
Tue, 03 May 2022 - 19 - 18. Collaboration with teachers, families and students - Beth Mailley’s insight
In this episode, I am chatting with Beth Mailley. Beth is an ESL teacher in the Washington, DC area. She has been teaching for 23 years with 11 years as a classroom teacher before becoming an ESL teacher. She has been in that role for the past 12 years and loves it. When she is not teaching, she is most likely reading, hanging out with family, or trying to convince herself to exercise. It was such a pleasure to speak with Beth. She shares how she ended up in the ELL field after bei...
Tue, 26 Apr 2022 - 18 - 17. A Peek into My Middle School ELL classroom
Planning for middle school EL students is different from planning for just about any other class. You may have 20 students or just a few, and you will likely have a wide variety of different proficiency levels and students all at the same time. In my situation this school year, at least in middle school, I am teaching seventh and eighth grade students who span levels 1 through 4 on the WIDA language proficiency assessment. In this episode I will be sharing with you how I account for all...
Tue, 19 Apr 2022 - 17 - 16. A New EL Teacher's Perspective with Kennedy Merriam
So often we hear advice from educators who have been in the classroom, honing their craft for years. While their experience is valuable, I thought it would be refreshing to hear from an ESL teacher who is in the beginning stages of her career. Today, I chat with Kennedy Merriam, my student teacher this semester, who has been so open and creative during her time with me. She shares her own journey to finding ESL teaching and the reasons she is so passionate about this career. Kennedy is f...
Tue, 12 Apr 2022 - 16 - 15. How to Teach Grammar to English Learners
Teachers are often puzzled when they approach teaching grammar for a couple of reasons. Particularly if they are native english speakers, they often don’t feel like they know formal grammar rules very well. They just know when a phrase or sentence “sounds right.”The other big struggle for teachers is not knowing what order makes sense to teach grammar rules to their students. But the bottom line is ESL students do need to learn grammar so that they have a framework, a safety net, to rely...
Tue, 05 Apr 2022 - 15 - 14. Vocabulary for ESL Students
We all know that learning a new language requires vocabulary instruction, but what is the best approach? Which words should we teach? Which words are the most important? And how can we help students retain the academic vocabulary we teach them? I address these questions in today’s episode.Language learning is not an overnight process, and vocabulary teaching is ongoing whether you work with exclusively newcomers or have long-term English learners. It is said that it takes learning a word seve...
Tue, 29 Mar 2022
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