Tolerance for ambiguity is a crucial skill for navigating the complexities and uncertainties of the modern world, as well as being key for innovation. In this episode we'll be looking at different ways people deal with ambiguity, how we can develop our tolerance for it, and some practical ideas for how it can be fostered in the English-speaking classroom.

Attention has become a valuable commodity, especially on social media platforms that use sophisticated algorithms designed to keep us hooked. In this episode we'll be looking at why this is especially challenging for young people, whether all screen time is created equal, and what we can do in the classroom to help students think more critically about how they use social media.

Today, the climate crisis is fundamentally reshaping the planet. And it is the younger and future generations that will bear the brunt of this. In this episode we will be looking at how we need to help young people develop a global mindset as well as agency - in its different modes - to be able to face the challenges ahead.

Most of us don’t ask enough questions, good questions. This is not only central for effective communication but also critical and creative thinking. In this episode we’ll be looking at different types of questions, how we can learn to ask better questions, and importantly, what can be done to further this in the classroom. Listen in to find out more!

Whether at the BETT show or the International Day of Education, AI is a hot topic right now. It’s no longer coming, it’s here and changing how we teach and learn. Listen in to find out how we can help students navigate AI without losing their critical thinking skills or agency, why AI literacy and search literacy are essential, the importance of understanding how students use AI, as well as why we need to focus on the process not just the end product.

Self-awareness is a core component of emotional intelligence - yet most of us overestimate how self-aware we truly are. In this episode we’ll explore what self-awareness is, how it affects us and our work, the importance of changing the questions we ask ourselves, and what students can do to improve their selfawareness to influence their learning outcomes.

Many people view voting as fundamental to being a good citizen, yet voter turnout is on the decline. In this episode, we’ll be exploring the concept of democratic competence, focusing on the key values, attitudes, skills, and knowledge necessary for its development. We will also be looking at practical ideas and activities for fostering this vital competence in the classroom.

Have you heard of the five dimensions of curiosity? Do you know what its benefits are? Are you interested in finding out what can be done to promote it in the classroom? Come and join me to find out more!

Today, working in teams is the norm. But why is it that some teams click and others don’t? What lies at the core of effective collaboration? In this episode we’ll be looking at two key components that come up in studies time and again. We’ll also be exploring how we can help students to become more effective at working together.

As the new school year begins, it’s the perfect time to think about how 21st century skills can be integrated into the classroom. In this episode, I’ll be sharing practical ideas on how to do so, including ways to support student agency, strategies for effective communication when giving and receiving feedback, and a few activities to practise noticing - a prerequisite for creativity and critical thinking. I’ll also be looking at how we can help students to engage their critical thinking skills when dealing with photos on social media.

Welcome back!