Working memory. What is it? Why do we need to know about it?

The absolutely lovely Veronika Rogochaia guides us through the basics. She talks about why this is important and how we can free up space in our learners' working memory.

This is especially useful if you have low-level learners.

Enjoy.

Veronika is an ESL teacher with 12 years of experience. She's a certified SNA with hands-on experience of working with students with intellectual disabilities. Veronika worked as a module instructor at Trinity College Dublin, giving tutorials on Universal Design for Learning for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Her current interests lie in the field of psychology of education and educating students with literacy difficulties.

Contact me if you want me to do a CPD session in your school: [email protected]

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Getting students to speak can build confidence but is it the only way for them to learn the language?

Our sweet beginners need input. Lots of it.

There are a million things you can do but in this juicy episode, I talk about 3 ways you can introduce input that are engaging, simple to tailor to your class and low-to-no prep.

And if you make it to the end of the episode, there's a little bonus for you too.

Contact me if you are interested in me doing a CPD session in your school: [email protected]

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Joining me this week is the ever-so-nice Dylan Gates. He explains what Dogme, or the easier-to-pronounce Teaching Unplugged, is.We talk about the advantages, nay, joys of emergent language and how it can help your students to speak more naturally. Also, Dylan talks about mini-tasks. Pure Gold.We also talk about PPP and its limitations and some really practical examples and tips on how to implement a more unplugged methodology into your class, even if in just a small way.And how do you feel about NOT achieving your aims and outcomes at by the end of your lesson? We talk about that too.Only have a very limited time with your students? There's something for you too.Contact me if you want me to do a CPD session in your school: [email protected]

Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter community for teacher love and support: http://subscribepage.io/0a49drConnect with me:www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacherhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions.Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues.  Share the love.Theme music [email protected] (Instagram)

In this episode, we delve into the power of stepping outside your comfort zone.

Explore the reasons  and discover the benefits of resisting change, moving past the  fear and overwhelm, and learn to navigate these toxic feelings.

It's all a learning experience, never as bad as you think, and essential for growth.

Plus, the weekly challenge: start with small changes, small steps, and small wins.

Remember, what have you got to lose?

References:

https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/comfort-zones/

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Does the mere mention of AI strike fear into your heart?

Totally understandable - it's all so overwhelming but don't worry, Teacher: I got you.

For this week's episode, I enlisted the expertise of Legend-in-the-Modern-Foreign Languages-World Joe Dale to give you a starting point.

We also briefly talk about the pitfalls and things you need to consider, especially if teaching younger learners.

If you are still a little trepidatious about using AI to aid your teaching, this episode is for you.

Joe Dale is an independent languages consultant from the UK who works with a range of organisations such as Network for Languages, ALL, The British Council, the BBC, Skype, Microsoft and The Guardian. He was recently described in a Guardian article as an 'MFL guru' and 'the man behind the #mfltwitterati.'.

Connect with Joe in his new Facebook group ‘Language Teaching with AI: https://www.facebook.com/groups/languageteachingwithaiLinks mentioned:Generating quizzes and questions from videos and texts:

www.twee.com

www.flippity.net 

www.quizlet.com 

www.quizziz.com 

www.quizalize.com

www.questionwell.org/

www.blooket.com/

Chrome extension: quizzes AI

https://beta.diffit.me/

Using voicenotes to generate texts/summaries: Audiopen

AI 

General AI tool:

Chat GPT

Bard AI

Claude AI

Image generator: Padlet - I can't draw function

Have conversations in another language: Voice control for Chat GPT

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Dive into the new year with a little humour and a lot of empathy as I reflect on the chaos of teaching.

I talk about the importance of mindset, tackling common teacher stressors, and the revelation that you won't reach every student immediately.

But of course I'll give you a few practical strategies so that we can try our damndest!!

Join the weekly challenge and let me know how you get on.Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter: http://subscribepage.io/0a49drContact me: [email protected]

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The end of Cornerstones of Learning is upon us.  Let's go out with a bang. Or maybe just a slow, deep breath out....Mindfulness is becoming a bit of a buzz word, but for good reason.In this episode, I give you a few mindful activities you can try out in class and also I'll give you 3 meditation techniques you can do yourself to combat the stress and overwhelm of the job.And if it all sounds a bit 'woo woo', it isn't, I promise you.  These little things can help you and your students enormously.
Youtube video Bite-Sized Mindfulness: An Easy Way for Kids to be Happy and Healthy | KIRA WILLEY | TEDxLehighRiver

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOlIdmMK_zM

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Do you leave a little time and space for your students reflectHow about you?  Do you reflect on your teaching practice?Why is is so important and how can you implement it into your classroom practice?Fear not - I have a few ideas - no prep, not fuss and totally doable.References

https://www.edmentuminternational.com/blog/the-importance-of-self-reflection-inlearning/#:~:text=This%20helps%20students%20to%20track,to%20analyze%20their%20own%20learning.

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Student autonomy is ESSENTIAL.You can't be there for the other 23 hours of the day.How can we teach or encourage our students to be autonomous, especially if they're not that motivated. 

Some of your students may work or have families.  What then?In this installment of my Cornerstones of Learning series, I talk about why student autonomy is so important, and of course, give your some ideas.  The rest is up to you and your students.
References

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/classroom-management/student_autonomy.htm#:~:text=Example%20Strategies%3A,-Ask%20students%20for&text=Make%20changes%20or%20adaptations%20to,students%20have%20indicated%20interests%20them.&text=For%20example%2C%20provide%20supplemental%20readings,students%20are%20most%20interested%20in.

https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2020/10/22/promoting-learner-autonomy-choice-voice/

https://www.learnupon.com/blog/learner-autonomy/

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Why reuse your materials?
Why on earth wouldn't you?
- you can cut down your prep time
- you will be less overwhelmed
Need more reasons?  Need some ideas on how to do this?  I got you.
Listen to this week's Cornerstones of Learning episode of Everything EFL Podcast and find an easier way to get through the week.

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