In this episode I’m speaking with Alethea Bleyburg. Alethea is the Director of Learning Curve Education Consulting Ltd and an IBDP Core Consultant. I was particularly keen to talk to Thea about the IBDP Extended Essay, about which she has extensive knowledge. 

We discuss:

• Her experience with international schooling and the EE specifically
• The ways in which an English EE differs in difficulty or challenge from other subjects and why students choose an EE in English
• What the first mistake is that students or schools often make when beginning the EE process
• What Thea’s advised process for planning, drafting and writing an EE in English is
• The ideal types of text or text(s) to choose in Literature or Language EEs and whether students best advised to stay away from the classics
• From a teacher’s perspective, the main things that students tend to struggle with that we might not spot
• And lastly, the best resources for students or teachers during the EE process

As I state in the episode, I was bowled over by not only Thea’s knowledge but also her personal connection to the project and process of writing an EE. Her advice would serve any IBDP teacher well during what can be a demanding assignment and would also be a valuable listen for the students tasked with writing it. 

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