Explore every episode of the podcast The ESL Teaching Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episode 124 - How to Teach Grammar to Younger English Learners | 03 Sep 2024 | 00:15:21 | |
Whether you teach young English learners or teenagers and even adults, teaching in language involves teaching the grammar of that language. At the same time, it raises many questions for us. What is grammar exactly? Do we need to teach grammar explicitly when working with English learners in English speaking settings? Or do we let the students absorb it through content? If we do teach explicitly, do we have them practice with worksheets or are there any other ways that would make it stick better? How can I teach if I myself am not comfortable with grammar rules and haven't learned them that well? What if I don't know anything about it? Do I still have to teach it? These are just a few questions I have heard regarding teaching grammar. So I decided to record a couple of episodes that will help put you at ease whether you work with younger English learners and teenagers or adults. And today's episode is all about how to teach grammar to younger learners, kids in elementary grades. So let's talk about strategies that will help you teach grammar to them. Simply Ieva Offers: Today’s episode:
Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:
Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:
Let’s connect! The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us! | |||
| Episode 123 - Kicking Off the School Year: The First Five Days in the ESL Classroom | 27 Aug 2024 | 00:22:11 | |
Today we're diving into a crucial topic for every ESL teacher as we approach a new school year—how to set the stage for success during the first five days in the ESL classroom. In this episode, we'll explore essential strategies for building trust, setting expectations, understanding student backgrounds, establishing routines, introducing content, and fostering a positive classroom community. Whether you're a new or veteran teacher, these insights will help you create a welcoming and effective learning environment for your students right from the start. Stay tuned as we break down each day with practical tips and activities to ensure a smooth and productive start to your school year.
Simply Ieva offers:
Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:
Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:
Related episodes and articles: Let’s connect! The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us! | |||
| Episode 114 - The What and Why of a Scope and Sequence for EL Newcomers | 21 May 2024 | 00:12:26 | |
When I ask teachers: if you could have a magic wand, what would you wish for you in your teaching situation, I get so many requests for a scope and sequence for newcomers and for a newcomer curriculum. So in today’s episode, I wanted to go back to the basics and talk a little bit about the scope and sequence for English language learners. I will be answering the questions about what the scope and sequence is, why it is an important document to have, what is included in it, and how ELL teachers can create their own, especially for newcomers. I will also be sharing an example of my scope and sequence and a link for you to grab it at the end of this episode.
Resources: As mentioned in the episode, here is the: Below you will find some useful resources!
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| 24. 6 Elements of an Effective EL Lesson Plan | 07 Jun 2022 | 00:19:07 | |
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 discuss the preparation to do ahead of tim, how to choose strategies that will work best for the objective you’re working toward and give examples of how to follow the research based, SIOP protocol to write both language and content objectives. You will walk away inspired to make the most of the planning time you have over the Summer or any time of year. What you will learn about EL Lesson Planning
Join The Waitlist for the ESL Lesson Planning Masterclass As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
You may also be interested in: | |||
| 23. Lesson planning for ELs with Molly Badrawy | 31 May 2022 | 00:42:28 | |
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 education as well as the business sector, Molly has presented her work at many conferences, serves on the NH English Language Advisory Committee, and facilitates the NH Low-incidence Community of Practice cohort, which is where we met! She lives in Peterborough, NH with her husband, two daughters, two cats, and a dog and believes she has the best job in the world. It was wonderful to speak with Molly and to get to know her. What you will learn about lesson planning for ELs:
Resources As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
You may also be interested in: | |||
| 22. How to teach reading to ELLs with Kristen Vibas | 24 May 2022 | 00:33:53 | |
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. Both content teachers and ELL teachers will find this episode valuable as reading is such a critical part of learning in all subjects. What you will learn about how to teach reading:
Resources As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
You may also be interested in: | |||
| 21.How to pre-teach vocabulary in the mainstream classroom | 17 May 2022 | 00:19:53 | |
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. Why is pre-teaching vocabulary good for all learners? There are 3 tiers of words we talk about in EL instruction: Tier 1, or everyday, words, Tier 2, or frequently used words that show up across content areas, and Tier 3, or subject specific words. Pre-teaching, particularly tier 2 words, is important for access to the academics and equity. All students are building their vocabulary and ability to communicate their ideas and building confidence in demonstrating their content knowledge.
As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
You may also be interested in: | |||
| 20. 5 end of the year activities for your EL students | 10 May 2022 | 00:20:42 | |
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?
As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
End of the Year Activity Packet for grades 6-12 End of the Year Memory Book (grades K-5) Blog posts 5 End of the Year Activities for Your English Learners End of the school year digital activities for ESL students | |||
| 19. 5 self-management techniques for the EL classroom | 03 May 2022 | 00:19:15 | |
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. Here’s what you will learn about Self Management:
Resources As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
You may also be interested in:
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| 18. Collaboration with teachers, families and students - Beth Mailley’s insight | 26 Apr 2022 | 00:41:09 | |
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 being a language learner herself during a service trip to Mexico. She experienced first-hand how frustrating it can be to learn a new language and the importance of non-verbal communication and human connection in the process. She opens up about how she utilizes that human connection now to collaborate with teachers, families and students. And of course, she gives her best tips for making the most important connections and setting up your classroom for success. What you’ll hear about collaboration:
As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
Connect with Beth: You may also be interested in: | |||
| 17. A Peek into My Middle School ELL classroom | 19 Apr 2022 | 00:16:26 | |
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 of their unique needs and what my setup and planning looks like on a daily basis.
As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
You may also be interested in:
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| 16. A New EL Teacher's Perspective with Kennedy Merriam | 12 Apr 2022 | 00:38:35 | |
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. Here is what you will hear about ESL Teaching:
Resources Mentioned in the Episode:
You may also be interested in: | |||
| 15. How to Teach Grammar to English Learners | 05 Apr 2022 | 00:13:50 | |
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 on as they learn and practice the language. In fact, students often ask me for help with grammar and give a sigh of relief when they are handed a grammar worksheet. Remember, those rules provide them with a sense of safety. In this podcast episode, I will break down the most important grammar points to touch upon when you get a new beginner English learner and the suggested order in which to teach them.
As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources!
The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group How to Teach ESL Grammar for Beginners: Tips, Activities and Games Video: Grammar Teaching Tips for ESL Teachers | |||
| Episode 113 - How to Use AI to Help Your Students Access Content Plus My Favorite Tools | 14 May 2024 | 00:17:49 | |
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 intricate dance. We ask ourselves which tools are reliable, how to use them ethically, what can our students use, and how we can make AI work for us, not the other way around. So in today's episode, I want to share with you 3 AI tools that have made my teaching life easier this year and how I use them to move my students forward in their English learning journey.
Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Let’s Connect! | |||
| 14. Vocabulary for ESL Students | 29 Mar 2022 | 00:20:54 | |
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 seven times in different contexts for that word to become part of your vocabulary. There are simple ways teachers can intentionally incorporate content vocabulary before, during, and after an activity that will greatly improve their ESL students’ ability to understand the lesson and retain the vocabulary. I share a few of my favorite tools and activities as well as two well researched frameworks for introducing new words to your students that will take your vocabulary instruction to the next level. Here is what you will hear in this episode:
As mentioned in the episode, I am linking some useful resources! Reminder - 10% of the proceeds from my sales in March 2022 will be donated to Unicef to benefit the people of Ukraine. You may also be interested in:
The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 20% off when you join. | |||
| 13. Teaching newcomers any time of year with Karen Emerson | 22 Mar 2022 | 00:51:16 | |
In today’s episode, I am chatting with Karen Emerson, who is a friend and a fellow ELL teacher in the town that I live in. She works with the youngest English learners - grades K-1. I met Karen through one of our monthly state EL meetings, and we hit it off right away. I could sense her passion for working with English learners and her creativity in approaching teaching, especially newcomers! What and how to teach newcomers has been by far the most frequently asked question in my career. So when I was thinking of recording episodes about newcomer teaching, she was the first person that came to mind. I think as teachers, we always want to take a little peek into our colleague’s classroom. Sometimes we want to know where to start when we are feeling overwhelmed, sometimes we want to get inspired and sometimes we just want to know that we are on the right path. This episode is exactly about that - Karen shares her insights and ideas for teaching newcomer English learners and you can hear the wisdom and lighthearted humor in everything she does. I had so much fun talking with her, and I hope you can feel it too.
Below you will find useful resources.
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| 12. How to teach speaking effectively to ELL students with Carissa Ford | 15 Mar 2022 | 00:47:24 | |
In today’s episode, I am chatting with my friend Carissa Ford about teaching speaking to our English learners. Speaking is such a personal aspect of language learning, and that is just one of the challenges our multilingual students face. Carissa and I dive into the best practices in teaching speaking from tasks to activities and lessons to projects. You’ll hear about the differences of teaching speaking to newcomer English learners and to long term English learners as well as tips for mainstream classroom teachers. Carissa Ford is a former high school ESL teacher where she taught newcomers and long term English learners. She also spent four years in Mongolia training preservice teachers, hosting professional development workshops, and leading a language program. Carissa currently works as a curriculum writer creating digital content for multilingual learner programs. This was such a fun interview, and I hope you can feel that as well while listening.
Below you will find useful resources.
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| #011 Radical self-care for teachers in times of crisis | 07 Mar 2022 | 00:22:30 | |
In today’s episode, I wanted to talk about the mental and emotional health of teachers and processing emotions in difficult times. We always seek information and want to better our knowledge of how to support our English learners - and all students. But I wanted to honor teachers as humans and not just as vessels of knowledge that are expected to show up and perform no matter what. The war in Ukraine has brought up some raw emotions for many people around the world. In this episode, I will share a little bit of the history of my country and how it relates to the war in the Ukraine, then I will explain why this is important to me, and lastly, I will share some tips that have helped me cope and I hope will help you too. I find that when I am centered, I can show up better for my family and my students. It is my hope that you will find this episode helpful and can come back to it whenever you need encouragement and simple ways to return to yourself.
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| #010 - Three things you need to know when teaching SLIFE students | 01 Mar 2022 | 00:17:08 | |
In today’s episode, I want to chat with you about a special group of students - those who have limited or interrupted formal education, otherwise known as SLIFE.
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| #009 - Text engineering for EL success with Susan Patterson | 22 Feb 2022 | 00:35:29 | |
In today’s episode, I am chatting with my dear friend Susan Patterson about text engineering and how we all can help make content accessible to our English learners.
Follow Susan at:
As always, below you will find related resources that will help support your ELs and save you planning time!
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| #008 - ESL/ELL Curriculum in Three Easy Steps | 15 Feb 2022 | 00:17:53 | |
Can you relate to any or all of the next statements?
Being an ESL teacher usually involves a lot of moving parts. In addition, we create our own lessons, juggle lack of curriculum or grapple with one that we can clearly see doesn’t work for our English learners. With all of this in mind, It can be hard to find a curriculum that meets all of the above mentioned demands. But I wanted to offer a different perspective. And in today's episode I will share with you a three-step roadmap that you can take to help your ELL students.
As always, below you will find related resources that will help support your ELs and save you planning time!
Connect with me: | |||
| #007 - How to Make an Impact as an ESL Teacher | 08 Feb 2022 | 00:13:20 | |
In today’s episode, I wanted to talk about the impact we make as ESL teachers. We know we are an important part of our English learners’ day, but what about reaching out to your colleagues and the community?
As always, below you will find related resources that will help support your ELs and save you planning time!
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| #006 - The simple steps to collaboration between EL and general education teachers with Courtney Morgan | 01 Feb 2022 | 00:28:55 | |
In today’s episode, I am chatting with my dear friend Courtney Morgan about collaboration between EL and general education teachers. This topic is so important, yet there are so many questions about what collaboration looks like, especially in districts that have a smaller EL program, the steps both sides can take to help English learners, as well as the mindset shift that needs to take place.
An important step for teachers in lesson planning with English learners in mind is to include language objectives. Courtney has a simple template that can guide the process of choosing objectives and scaffolds, and she is offering it to all of my listeners for free! You can find it at www.theallaccessclassroom.com/objectives
As always, below you will find related resources that will help support your ELs and save you planning time!
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| #005 - 4 Ways to Use Students' First Language in Teaching English | 25 Jan 2022 | 00:21:50 | |
Are we allowed to use the students’ first language in the classroom? If so, how much and for how long? I can translate all the materials, but where does English learning come in? In this episode, I will be sharing tips not only for ESL teachers, but also for content area teachers who have English learners in the classroom. So if you think your colleagues will benefit, please share this episode with them.
As always, below you will find related resources that will help support your ELs and save you planning time!
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| Episode 112 - 5 Non-Negotiables for Integrating ELs in Regular Education Classroom | 30 Apr 2024 | 00:18:00 | |
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 in your regular education classroom. No matter what subject or what grade level you teach. They may be new to you or you may have already heard them many times. But as we say, the more times you hear it, the more you internalize the information and the more it can become natural to you to implement.
Show Notes: Simply Ieva Offers: Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Related/Previous Episodes: Let’s Connect! | |||
| #004 - Choice Boards for ESL Students: How to Use them in the Classroom | 18 Jan 2022 | 00:18:04 | |
Choice boards in the ESL classroom? The idea is great, but how can I implement it? I have a mixed-level classroom, or I work with ESL newcomers, or - insert your own situation. In this episode, I share some ideas on how you can actually implement choice boards in your ESL classroom, and feel like both you and your students are actually getting somewhere.
Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you can find it easily and be informed when new episodes are released! To enter, follow these steps:
*** Related resources that were mentioned in the podcast and that will help support your ELs and save you planning time!
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| #003 - 5 Steps to Teaching a Mixed Proficiency Level ESL Class | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:16:28 | |
A lot of ESL/ELL teachers work with students in mixed proficiency level classes. It is a challenging task, and we always wonder if we are doing the right thing, if we are using the right strategy or the right scaffold.
Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you can find it easily and be informed when new episodes are released! To enter, follow these steps:
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| #002 - What to Teach ESL/ELL Newcomers FIRST | 11 Jan 2022 | 00:13:34 | |
In this episode I answer the question I receive by far the most frequently - what to teach ESL/ELL newcomers first.
Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you can find it easily and be informed when new episodes are released! To enter, follow these steps:
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| Meet your host! | 09 Jan 2022 | 00:10:19 | |
Welcome to episode 1 of The ESL Teaching Podcast!
Make sure to subscribe to this podcast so you can find it easily and be informed when new episodes are released! To enter, follow these steps:
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| Welcome to The ESL Teaching Podcast | 25 Dec 2021 | 00:02:53 | |
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. | |||
| Episode 111 - 5 End of the Year Hacks to Finish the School Year With Sanity | 23 Apr 2024 | 00:12:55 | |
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 difference in my teaching and student learning and, what I do to not lose my own sanity in the process. What you will hear about in this episode:
Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Related episodes and articles:
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| Episode 110 - The Two Most Important Soft Skills for Teachers of English Learners | 16 Apr 2024 | 00:12:38 | |
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, and others. And they help us forge meaningful relationships, as well as allow us to live a more fulfilling life. And, in particular, I wanted to touch upon two aspects of those soft skills, communication and cultural awareness, and why they are extremely important when you're working with English learners. What you will hear about in this episode:
Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Related/Previous Episodes: Let’s Connect! | |||
| Episode 109 - Rewriting the Script of Negative Self-Talk for Teachers | 09 Apr 2024 | 00:21:44 | |
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 designed to transform our inner dialogue. From identifying types of negative thoughts to embracing moments of quiet and mindfulness, join us as we unpack five powerful practices that can uplift our spirits and reshape how we perceive and respond to stress.
Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Related/Previous Episodes:
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| Episode 108 - No Plan? No Problem! 5 Activities for those "I can't even" days | 02 Apr 2024 | 00:18:48 | |
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 media and vocabulary categorization, these tips are designed to invigorate both teachers and students. So, if you're looking for innovative teaching strategies to combat those off-days, stay tuned for some valuable insights! What you will hear about in this episode:
Show Notes: Simply Ieva Offers: Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Related/Previous Episodes:
Let’s Connect! | |||
| Episode 107 - The Heart and Art of Teaching ELs in Regular Education Classrooms with Zach Camenker | 26 Mar 2024 | 00:45:05 | |
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 reasons for pursuing a master's in TESOL. Both of us reflect on the value of making connections with students and the pressures of meeting curriculum standards. Zach expresses his career aspirations towards leadership, illustrating his extensive involvement in educational extracurricular activities. The episode highlights the complex balance between following the curriculum and addressing the individual needs of English learners. What you will hear about in this episode:
Show Notes: Simply Ieva Offers: Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
Related/Previous Episodes:
Connect with Zach: Let’s Connect! | |||
| Episode 106 - 6 Most Common SEL Challenges ELs Face in the Classroom | 19 Mar 2024 | 00:21:19 | |
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, it's the feeling like you are a part of two worlds that you're trying to navigate and to bridge. These non instructional challenges that our ELs come with into the classroom do affect their engagement and performance. So in this episode, I will share 6 challenges and how they can be addressed. Of course, there are many more, and each student's situation might have even more nuances, but let's begin with six.
🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳 Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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| Episode 105 - 3 Misconceptions About Teaching Newcomers in Regular Classrooms (and how to reframe them) | 12 Mar 2024 | 00:13:00 | |
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 lessons without spending hours of extra planning and emphasizes the power of consistent use of effective tools. Tune in to learn how to support multilingual learners in your classroom and discover your own power in reaching them. What you will hear about in this episode:
Show Notes: Simply Ieva Offers:
Related/Previous Episodes:
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| Episode 122 - Why Your EL Program Needs a Mission Statement and How to Create One | 20 Aug 2024 | 00:14:45 | |
Recently, I talked about the roles of the EL teacher, what our jobs entail, and how we can explain, in short, about what we do to our colleagues and administrators. Today, I wanted to go a step further and talk about a mission statement. This short, clear statement packs so much information and might be just the ticket for EL teachers and departments to feel seen and heard. In this episode, I will talk about why it is important to have a mission statement for your EL program and 3 steps to create a stellar one.
Professional development opportunities: Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:
Let’s connect! The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us! | |||
| Episode 104 - Landing the Gig: 3 Secrets to a Successful Teacher Interview | 05 Mar 2024 | 00:12:50 | |
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 opportunity, these tips will be invaluable in securing that coveted ESL teaching position. So, tune in and get ready to ace your next teacher interview!
Show Notes: Simply Ieva Offers:
Related/Previous Episodes: Let’s Connect! | |||
| Episode 103 - Questions Answered - Developing Supportive Mindset for EL Success | 20 Feb 2024 | 00:12:52 | |
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 we'll answer them in this episode. As always, we will talk about teaching newcomers, both in an EL setting and in regular education classrooms. We will touch upon why it is essential for schools to address the way ELs are serviced and revisit the language acquisition process. What you will hear about in this episode:
Show Notes: Simply Ieva Offers:
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| Episode 102 - 3 Essential Keys to Assessing English Learners | 13 Feb 2024 | 00:16:52 | |
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 have an equitable way to demonstrate it? In today's episode, you'll hear why assessments can be difficult for ELs and what teachers can do to help them prepare for any test.
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| Episode 101 - Math is NOT a Universal Language and Here is Why with Odalis Amparo | 06 Feb 2024 | 00:33:32 | |
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 and the culturally sustaining pedagogy. Odalis is currently a professional learning specialist at Illustrative Mathematics, but has experience as an elementary classroom teacher and mathematics coach in a variety of settings. Odalis and I have a powerful conversation about why teaching math language is a must. I personally could talk to her for hours, but we had a little bit of time and we managed to get so many meaningful and important ideas in just the short time that we had. I know you will find this conversation both very helpful and moving at the same time. What you will hear about in this episode:
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| Episode 100 - It's Our 100th Episode! Comments From Listeners and Hot Seat with Simply Ieva | 30 Jan 2024 | 00:32:23 | |
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! What you will hear about in this episode:
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| Episode 99 - Why Less is More When Teaching EL Newcomers and Beginners | 23 Jan 2024 | 00:13:47 | |
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 effective with a less is more when teaching EL newcomers and beginners. The amount of academic work is highly dependent on the student grade level and school, but I wanted to offer a few insights about what can be done to battle teacher and student overwhelm when it comes to assigning work to English learners. I will share a seemingly simple phrase, which is so elusive when we try to implement it in real life, insights into why it is important to pause and review what we're doing and ways to make classwork more targeted for ELs.
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Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!
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| Episode 98 - EL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Proficiency Levels | 16 Jan 2024 | 00:15:06 | |
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 levels. Different states use different assessment tools to determine where on the English language learning spectrum the students are. But, nonetheless, it is crucial for all educators to know this information if we want to help our multilingual learners progress and succeed in the academic environment at school. What you will hear about in this episode:
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| Episode 97 - How Teachers Can Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition Stages when working with ELs | 09 Jan 2024 | 00:17:43 | |
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 working with EL students.
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| Episode 96 - Lessons Learned, Impact Made and the Wisdom to Bring Into the New Year | 02 Jan 2024 | 00:18:35 | |
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 reflections and impactful initiatives, and discover how these lessons can empower educators in the new year.
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| Episode 95 - Empowering Adult English Learners with Leah Mitchell | 19 Dec 2023 | 00:31:32 | |
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. Leah is a workplace language instructor and consultant. She has 15 plus years in the field of education and over a decade in adult instruction. Two years ago, she decided to get her TESOLT certificate as she saw a strong need for alternative options in the adult English language realm. She's a big believer in helping adults gain English language skills in a balanced way without having to sacrifice work, family and life. She's a teacher, business owner, mother, and just an overall wonderful human being. This is the 1st episode about adult ESL on the ESL Teaching Podcasts, and I'm super excited to share it with you all.
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| Episode 121 - 3 Reasons Hiring an EL Educational Consultant is a Must for Your EL Teaching Needs | 13 Aug 2024 | 00:13:51 | |
With the new school year kicking off, energy is buzzing through the hallways as teachers set up their classrooms and dive into mandatory trainings. Today, we’re addressing a fundamental question: Why should schools consider hiring outside educational consultants for English Learner (EL) professional development, especially when they already have in-house EL specialists? In this episode, we’ll explore three reasons why bringing in an external EL educational consultant can significantly benefit your school district’s teaching strategies. From tackling time constraints to navigating interpersonal dynamics within your teaching staff, and offering an objective bird’s-eye view of your EL program, hiring a consultant could be the key to successfully integrating effective EL teaching methods into your classrooms. Simply Ieva offers: Today’s episode: Professional development opportunities: Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:
Episode 120 - The Four Roles of the ESL Teacher: What Do They Actually Do?
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us! | |||
| Episode 94 - From Vision to Reality: Intentional Goal Setting for the New Year and Beyond (re-air) | 12 Dec 2023 | 00:21:23 | |
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 we tend to fall off the wagon fairly quickly. Why is that? Well, it's been proven that it's the small habits that when tweaked and implemented consistently day in and day out that make the biggest difference in your life. So in this episode, I wanted to share my thoughts on goal setting with our EL students. What better time to do that than at the start of the year.
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