📘 Episode Summary:

In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, we're diving into one of the most foundational (yet often overlooked) aspects of ESL instruction: language objectives.

If you’ve ever felt unsure about whether your objectives are truly effective—or you’re just looking to sharpen your approach—this episode is for you. I’m sharing the three most common mistakes teachers make when writing language objectives and giving you simple, actionable strategies to fix them.

These are the lessons I wish I had when I first started teaching. Trust me, once you understand how to write strong, scaffolded, and specific objectives, your teaching will feel more focused—and your students will thrive.

🔑 In This Episode, You’ll Learn:

• Why observable action verbs are essential to effective language objectives
• How vague objectives can lead to student confusion—and how to rewrite them
• The power of scaffolds (like sentence starters and visuals) in supporting language learners
• A step-by-step framework for creating measurable, purposeful objectives
• Examples of both weak and strong objectives you can apply immediately

📥 Resources Mentioned:

• 🎯 Visit the blog + store for ready-to-use ESL resources: myadventuresinesl.com/store
• 📝 Download classroom tools to simplify your lesson planning
• 💬 Join the conversation on social:https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl 

💬 Listener Love:

Do you have a question or a topic you’d like me to cover in a future episode? Reach out—I’d love to hear from you!

⭐ Leave a Review: If this episode helped you, please consider leaving a review! It helps other ESL teachers find the show and grow with us. 💙 👉 Subscribe & Stay Connected:

Don’t miss future episodes! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app, and visit myadventuresinesl.com for even more teaching inspiration and support.

 

In this week’s episode of My Adventures in ESL, we’re exploring one of the most powerful tools you can use to support your English Language Learners: the student needs assessment.

You'll learn what a needs assessment is, why it’s crucial in an ESL setting, and how to effectively implement one in your own classroom. Whether you teach newcomers or long-term English learners, this episode will give you practical steps to better understand and serve your students’ academic, emotional, and language development needs.

🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• What a student needs assessment is—and what it’s not
• Why assessing student needs is essential for inclusive, data-driven instruction
• A step-by-step guide for planning and conducting a needs assessment
• How to use the results to drive instruction and support your students more effectively

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Needs assessments are a valuable tool for identifying strengths, challenges, and growth areas.
• Data collection can include surveys, interviews, observations, and assessments.
• Clearly defined goals and a plan for follow-up action are essential to success.
• Assessments help foster inclusive classrooms that meet students' cultural and emotional needs.

📌 Resources Mentioned:

🎯 Download ready-to-use ESL resources: myadventuresinesl.com/store

🔗 Related Blog Post:

Read the full blog on student needs assessments here.

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & Adventures in ESL! 

If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl 🙌 Thank You, ESL Teachers! Your dedication is life-changing. You’re helping students find their voice—not only in a new language but in the world. Keep going, keep growing, and know that your work truly matters. 💙

👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow ESL teacher who could benefit from these insights!

 

Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! 

In this episode, we’re diving into engaging ESL lesson ideas that will captivate your students and enhance their language skills. Teaching English as a second language is more than just lessons—it's about empowering students to express themselves, connect with others, and build confidence. Today, I’m sharing four dynamic teaching strategies to make your lessons more interactive and impactful.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Magic Write: A fun, hands-on vocabulary activity that excites students. ✅ Close Read with Interesting Topics: How student interests can boost reading engagement. ✅ Gallery Walks: A movement-based strategy that fosters discussion and critical thinking. ✅ Virtual Field Trips: Expanding learning beyond the classroom with technology.

Tune In Now! 🎧 Don’t miss this insightful episode packed with creative ESL lesson ideas that will engage your students and simplify your teaching on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & Adventures in ESL! 

Resources Mentioned: 

📌 Find time-saving lesson plans & activities: myadventuresinesl.com/store

Stay Connected! 📩 Have a question or topic request? [email protected] 📱 Follow me on Instagram: @MyAdventuresinESL 👍 Join our community of dedicated educators for more teaching tips and support join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl

Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! 

In this episode, we’re diving into meaningful ways to celebrate the achievements of your newcomer students—helping them build confidence, stay motivated, and feel valued in the classroom. As educators, we know the importance of encouragement, and today, I’ll be sharing simple yet powerful strategies to uplift your students.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ Why celebrating newcomers is essential for their growth and motivation ✅ How to use positive phone calls home to strengthen student-teacher relationships ✅ The importance of recognizing life skills alongside academic achievements ✅ Creative ways to send home letters and postcards to encourage students ✅ How to implement a Student Spotlight to boost classroom morale

Resources & Links Mentioned:

📌 Get engaging ESL teaching resources: myadventuresinesl.com/store 📌 Download free activities to save time and engage students! 💡 Don't forget to subscribe and leave a review! Your feedback helps us create more content that supports educators like you.

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & Adventures in ESL! 

Announcements

If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl Thanks for listening, and remember—you are making a difference every day! 🎧✨

 

Welcome to this episode, where we dive into engaging lesson ideas for March! This month offers a wealth of opportunities to create meaningful learning experiences for your students. From celebrating Women’s History Month and Poetry Month to exploring the arrival of spring, we’ve got you covered with creative ideas and actionable lesson plans.

Episode Highlights:

🎉 Women’s History Month: Celebrate and Inspire

• The significance of Women’s History Month and why it’s important to recognize the contributions of women in history.

• Lesson Idea: Biography and Research Projects – a versatile, scaffolded activity adaptable to different grade levels.

• Student Presentations: Encouraging students to present their research builds confidence and public speaking skills.

• Recommended Read-Alouds:

• Hidden Figures: Young Readers Edition

• Finish the Fight: The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote

• Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

• Bonus Resource: If available, Brainpop offers excellent Women’s History Month content.

📝 Poetry Month: Unleashing Creativity

• Why Poetry Month is a great opportunity to develop literacy and creative expression.

• Lesson Idea: Creating a Poetry Book – guiding students through writing and publishing their own poetry.

• Step-by-Step Approach:

• Introduce students to various poets and poetry styles.

• Provide templates and scaffolds to help students craft their poems.

• Conduct a class poetry reading or gallery walk to showcase student work.

• Cross-Curricular Connection: Integrate Women’s History Month by focusing on female poets like Emily Dickinson and Maya Angelou.

🌿 First Day of Spring: Science Meets Creativity

• How to integrate science into spring-themed lessons.

• Lesson Ideas:

• Metamorphosis of a Butterfly – Explore the life cycle of a butterfly through videos, read-alouds, and student projects.

• Seed-to-Flower Growth – Teach students about plant growth with hands-on experiments.

• Interactive Learning Opportunities: Group science projects to encourage collaboration and peer learning.

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & Adventures in ESL! 

Announcements

If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl 

 

Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! 

In this episode, we explore an important and often overlooked issue—identifying and supporting gifted English Language Learners (ELLs). Many multilingual students go unnoticed in gifted programs simply because traditional assessments don’t account for their unique skills and potential. Join me as I share my personal experiences, insights, and actionable strategies to ensure that gifted ELs receive the recognition and support they deserve.

What You'll Learn in This Episode: ✅ Why ELLs are often overlooked in gifted identification ✅ The limitations of traditional gifted assessments ✅ Alternative ways to identify gifted ELs ✅ Strategies to challenge and engage gifted multilingual students in the classroom

Resources & Links: 🎯 Get engaging ESL resources and lesson plans: myadventuresinesl.com/store

Listen now and learn how to advocate for every student in your classroom!

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & Adventures in ESL! 

Announcements

If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl 

 

Welcome, educators! In today’s episode, we’re diving into impactful and engaging lesson ideas to help you plan for Black History Month. These lessons are designed to build background knowledge, strengthen reading comprehension, and encourage thoughtful discussions among your students.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✅ How to introduce Black History Month with engaging videos and read-alouds

✅ A simple Gallery Walk activity to encourage student interaction

✅ A Cause & Effect mini-lesson using historical events

✅ A Close Read strategy to develop listening and reading comprehension skills

✅ Writing prompts that help students reflect on the causes and effects of Black History Month

✅ How to take students on a virtual field trip to explore Black history museums

Resources & Links:

📌 Download the full lesson plans: My Adventures in ESL Store

📌 Explore virtual Black History museums: The Momma Wanderlust’s List

📌 Reading Skill Mini Lesson: Cause and Effect Lesson Plan

📌Black History Month Lesson Ideas

Check out this episode and others on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, & Adventures in ESL! 

Announcements

If you found value in today’s episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps reach more educators like you.

Are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl 

 

Happy Teaching! 🎙️✨

 

Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! I want to encourage you to take the time to explore the podcast and my website My Adventures in ESL.  

Testing season can be overwhelming for both ESL teachers and students, with multiple required assessments in a short period. In this episode, we’re diving into strategies to help your students feel confident and prepared while ensuring you stay effective and energized. From test-taking strategies to self-care tips, you’ll walk away with actionable steps to make this season smoother for everyone.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

✔️ How to familiarize students with test formats to reduce anxiety

✔️ The importance of teaching key academic vocabulary for better comprehension

✔️ Practical test-taking strategies that empower students

✔️ The power of encouragement and celebrating progress

✔️ Self-care tips to keep you and your students motivated

Resources & Links Mentioned: 📌 Download the detailed two-week lesson plan with strategies and activities: myadventuresinesl.com/store 📌 Join the community for more ESL teaching tips and support: My Adventures in ESL Community

Let’s Connect! ✨ Follow me on Instagram ✨ Subscribe to the podcast for more ESL teaching strategies

Thank You for Listening! Your work as an ESL teacher is invaluable, and the impact you make lasts a lifetime. If you found this episode helpful, please share it with other educators and leave a review—it helps us reach more teachers like you! 🎙️💛

Are you tired of planning and looking for lessons for your Language Learners every week? If so, then I have the perfect option for you! Join my monthly lesson planning club “The Close Read Club”. Each month you will have access to lesson plans that are ready to print and go! Click here to learn more or go to myadventuresinesl.com/closereadclub.

 

Welcome to today’s episode of the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! We’re tackling some of the most common misconceptions about working with newcomer students and sharing practical strategies to help educators support their success.

Episode Highlights: 1. Myth: Students Must Acquire Oral Language Before Literacy

• Misconception: "Students need to speak English fluently before engaging in literacy activities."

• Truth: Literacy-rich classrooms are key to helping students develop the academic language they need.

• Strategies:

• Teach text structures to help students understand academic language.

• Use scaffolding techniques, like breaking tasks into smaller steps or using visual aids.

• Create opportunities for students to actively participate in academic activities.

2. Myth: You Don’t Need Special Training to Work with Language Learners

• Misconception: "Anyone with patience and kindness can effectively teach ESL students."

• Truth: Teaching English as a second language requires specialized skills and knowledge.

• Strategies:

• Pursue professional development opportunities like TESOL certifications or ESL workshops.

• Learn from experienced ESL educators through mentorship.

• Use targeted resources designed for language learners.

Key Takeaways:

• Newcomer students benefit from literacy engagement and scaffolded academic opportunities, regardless of their oral language proficiency.

• Proper training equips educators with the tools to address the unique needs of language learners and avoid common teaching pitfalls.

Resources Mentioned:

• Explore engaging ESL teaching tools and lesson plans at myadventuresinesl.com/store.

• Professional development opportunities like TESOL certification programs.

If you’re ready to dive deeper into today’s topic, visit myadventuresinesl.com/store to access detailed lesson plans and resources. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode!

Are you tired of planning and looking for lessons for your Language Learners every week? If so, then I have the perfect option for you! Join my monthly lesson planning club “The Close Read Club”. Each month you will have access to lesson plans that are ready to print and go! Click here to learn more or go to myadventuresinesl.com/closereadclub.

Thank you for being a dedicated educator and advocate for your students. 

Keep shining and making a difference—one lesson, one conversation, and one smile at a time!

 

Welcome, educators! In this episode, we’re sharing exciting ways to bring the Lunar New Year into your ESL classroom. From close reading strategies to hands-on activities, you’ll find creative ideas to spark curiosity, foster cultural appreciation, and build essential language skills.

 

What’s Inside This Episode: 1. Lunar New Year Close Read

• Discover how close reading can help ESL students unpack key vocabulary and phrases like "red envelopes," "lanterns," and "spring festival."

• Learn how to identify main ideas, analyze details, and draw inferences while exploring Lunar New Year traditions.

• Get a hands-on tip: Use a gallery walk with photos to engage students visually and encourage discussion.

• Resources Mentioned: Check out the Lunar New Year Close Read Lesson at myadventuresinesl.com/store for ready-to-use materials.

2. Red Envelope Writing Activity

• Explore the tradition of red envelopes (hongbao) and its significance in Lunar New Year celebrations.

• Activity Breakdown:

• Students create and decorate red envelopes.

• Write messages of good luck or gratitude using sentence starters like “I wish you…” or “May you have…”

• Exchange envelopes to practice speaking skills and spread positivity.

• Featured Resource: The Lucky Red Envelope by Vikki Zhang is a great story to introduce this activity.

3. Lantern Craft and Storytelling

• Dive into the cultural significance of lanterns during Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival.

• Activity Steps:

1. Build background knowledge with read-alouds or videos.

2. Create personalized paper lanterns with easy-to-find materials and free templates.

3. Pair the craft with storytelling—students can retell a story or create their own inspired by their lantern.

• This activity strengthens both creative and language skills.

 

 

Additional Resources:

Want more ideas and detailed lesson plans? Visit myadventuresinesl.com/store to access a comprehensive resource bundle, including two weeks’ worth of lesson plans and activities to make Lunar New Year memorable for your students.

Are you tired of planning and looking for lessons for your Language Learners every week? If so, then I have the perfect option for you! Join my monthly lesson planning club “The Close Read Club”. Each month you will have access to lesson plans that are ready to print and go! Click here to learn more or go to myadventuresinesl.com/closereadclub.