Check out this rerun of an earlier episode – now fully transcribed!

References:

WhatsApp https://www.whatsapp.com/

Messenger https://www.messenger.com/

Quizlet https://quizlet.com/

Duolingo https://www.duolingo.com/

Grammarly https://www.grammarly.com

Magoosh https://magoosh.com/

Google Classroom https://classroom.google.com/

Skype https://www.skype.com/

WebEx https://www.webex.com/

Check out this rerun of an earlier episode – now fully transcribed!

Welcome, everybody.  Here is the new episode of How to English with Gav & Em. This week, the two experienced teachers tackle the topic of listening. Whether it's via music, movies, podcasts, the news, or in real conversation, let yourself be guided towards a deeper knowledge of learning and teaching of this essential skill. 

Check out this rerun of an earlier episode – now fully transcribed!

Find all the shows with transcriptions here: ⁠http://howtoenglishpod.com/

References:

Our YouTube channel: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC82I7s6p3GnXv4iP5hkmXkA⁠

This week's quiz: ⁠https://www.tefl.net/quizzes/terms-parts-of-speech.htm⁠

⁠https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/microsoft-teams/group-chat-software⁠

⁠https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/skype-for-business/download-app⁠

⁠https://whereby.com/⁠

Chunky book: ⁠http://www.owenhopkins.co.uk/architectural-styles

What have your students always wanted to know about you and your teaching?

For the final episode of Season 4, Gav and Em answer questions submitted by their English learners. They discuss how teachers motivate students, prepare lessons, manage mistakes and cope when a class does not go according to plan.

What does a typical day look like for an online TEFL teacher? Have Gav and Em ever stopped teaching a student—or been dropped by one? They share memorable classroom experiences, unusual colleagues, strange teaching locations and lessons they would rather forget.

The questions also lead to a thoughtful discussion about what makes language learning successful. Gav, Em and guest teacher Charlotte consider the responsibilities of both teachers and students, while Teacher Sergio explains how a positive and relevant learning environment supports motivation. Teacher Tsar shares his lesson-planning approach and stories from teaching English to soldiers in Colombia.

You will also hear practical advice for becoming a more successful English learner: connect English with something you already enjoy, participate actively and keep using the language you learn outside class.

If you find the show useful, you can send us a thanks at https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpod

Visit https://howtoenglishpod.com for practical teaching ideas and resources ready to use.

Guest teachers

Teacher Charlotte:
https://www.instagram.com/charlotte_teaches_english/

Teacher Sergio:
https://www.instagram.com/grammar_drops/
https://www.youtube.com/c/TeacherSergioViula

Teacher Tsar:
https://www.instagram.com/englishwithtsar/
https://www.youtube.com/@EnglishwithTsar

Chapters and timestamps

00:00 – Welcome to the final episode of Season 4
01:04 – How do teachers motivate their students?
04:13 – What did Gav and Em teach most recently?
07:29 – A typical day for an online TEFL teacher
08:32 – How do English teachers prepare their lessons?
10:40 – Teacher Tsar’s lesson-planning approach
12:02 – Have Gav and Em ever stopped teaching a student?
15:14 – The funniest stories students have shared
19:55 – How should teachers handle their own mistakes?
24:15 – The most memorable lessons Gav and Em have taught
27:28 – Lessons they would rather forget
30:36 – Who was the laziest student they ever taught?
32:47 – Unusual teachers and memorable colleagues
35:23 – The strangest places Gav and Em have taught
39:13 – Teacher Tsar’s experience teaching in the Colombian army
40:43 – What is the hardest part of teaching?
42:43 – What is the best part of being a teacher?
44:36 – Why did Gav and Em become English teachers?
45:17 – The best teachers Gav and Em ever had
46:32 – Who is responsible for a student’s success?
48:35 – How can you become a successful language learner?
50:38 – Will there be a fifth season?
51:35 – Happy New Year and outro

Check out this rerun of an earlier episode – now fully transcribed!

Find all the shows with transcriptions here: http://howtoenglishpod.com/

For their third episode, Gav & Em explore the subject of lesson and course planning. As a teacher, what do you need to take into account before stepping into the classroom? As a learner, do you know what the best way to improve your English is? Join them in their conversation as Gav & Em discuss key aspects of teaching and learning.

References:

English File, Third Edition, Oxford University Press, (2013)

Cutting Edge, Pearson Education Limited, (2014)

Dogme,  Scott Thornbury: https://scottthornbury.wordpress.com/2010/02/28/d-is-for-dogme/

Royal Family picture: www.townandcountrymag.com

Check out this rerun of an earlier episode – now fully transcribed!

https://share.descript.com/view/18OVeG013uR

Buy Em & Gav a coffee here: ⁠https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpod⁠

Show notes:

References:  

https://youcanbook.me/

How can teachers use drawing to make English lessons clearer, more memorable and more engaging?

Gav and Em explore the fascinating world of classroom visuals with special guest Emily Bryson from EmilyBrysonELT. They discuss how simple drawings, sketchnotes and visual templates can help learners understand new language, organise their ideas and communicate more confidently.

Emily explains that teachers do not need to be talented artists to use drawing effectively. A basic visual vocabulary made from lines, shapes, arrows, containers and simple figures can support explanations, instructions and classroom activities. Even imperfect drawings can generate conversation and encourage learners to contribute.

The discussion explores sketchnoting as an alternative to traditional written notes. Instead of trying to record every word, learners can combine keywords, symbols, pictures and layouts to identify important information and make meaningful connections.

Gav, Em and Emily also consider how visuals can support neurodivergent learners, reduce cognitive demands and make lessons more inclusive. Emily shares practical activities involving visual templates, learner-generated drawings, vocabulary containers and collaborative storytelling.

The conversation covers:

• creating a simple visual vocabulary
• using drawings to explain meaning
• introducing sketchnoting to English learners
• combining words, symbols and images in notes
• using containers to organise vocabulary
• encouraging learners who lack artistic confidence
• creating visual templates for discussions
• supporting memory, creativity and communication
• using learner-generated drawings as speaking prompts
• making classroom materials more accessible

Emily’s website:
https://www.emilybrysonelt.com/

Visual templates for environmental discussions:
https://www.emilybrysonelt.com/visual-templates-for-engaging-environmental-discussions/

Vocabulary containers:
https://www.emilybrysonelt.com/?s=containers

Draw phrasal verbs:
https://www.learn-english-today.com/phrasal-verbs/phrasal-verbs-DRAW.html

Example of sketchnoting:
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/645703665296605628/

Support Gav and Em:
https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpod

More practical ideas for teaching and learning English:
https://www.howtoenglishpod.com/

Check out this rerun of an earlier episode – now fully transcribed!

Show notes:

References: 

"I am still learning," quote: ⁠https://www.maryellencarsley.com/blog/i-am-still-learning-misattributed-to-michelangelo-di-lodovico-buonarroti-simoni⁠

Statistics on language learners: https://www.elc-schools.com/blog/4-reasons-why-learning-english-is-so-important/#:~:text=Knowing%20English%20increases%20your%20chances,entertainment%20as%20well%20as%20work! 

Why are students learning English: https://www.knowblereader.com/why-learn-english 

The world languages: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2015/04/23/the-worlds-languages-in-7-maps-and-charts/ 2 Billion 

English learners: https://www.internationalteflacademy.com/blog/report-from-tesol-2-billion-english-learners-worldwide 

How many people speak English?: https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/how-many-people-speak-english-and-where-is-it-spoken#:~:text=Out%20of%20the%20world's%20approximately,English%20as%20their%20first%20language. 

Positive adjectives (PDF): http://www.cytss.edu.hk/cytss97pyl/car/testimonial%20reference.pdf 

Negative adjectives: https://www.speakconfidentenglish.com/describe-people-negatively-english/