Author Gregory Diehl examines the challenges of teaching English for practical purposes versus test results. Gregory reflects on his experience and suggests how to engage and support teenage students in using English for authentic communication.

In this episode, Gregory talks about:

✅ Realigning Teaching Goals: Gregory emphasizes connecting language learning to students' interests, not just test scores, for practical communication.

✅ Engaging Students: He advises making English relevant to students' lives to combat disinterest in language studies due to test-centric teaching.

✅ Navigating Word Usage: Discussion focuses on understanding emotional nuances in words, not just literal meanings.

✅ Overcoming Fear of Mistakes: Embracing errors as part of the learning process is highlighted to encourage communication without perfection pressure.

✅ Teaching Beyond Tests: Advocacy for personalised teaching methods within test-focused curricula to foster broader language appreciation.

Affiliate Link to Gregory's Book
Our Global Lingua Franca: An Educator’s Guide to Spreading English Where EFL Doesn’t Work by Gregory Diehl.

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Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our knowledgeable guest, Gregory Diehl.

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