TESOL Pop

Author and Teacher Trainer Katherine Rilley explores the role of Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) in English language teaching and materials. Katherine explains how CDA can help educators identify hidden meanings, assumptions, and power dynamics within their teaching materials so we can make changes that foster a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Watch with closed captions here.

Understanding Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA)

CDA is an approach that examines how language and imagery in teaching materials can shape social realities, reinforce stereotypes, and influence ideologies. Katherine emphasises the importance of ensuring materials reflect diverse voices, backgrounds, and experiences.

Gender and Stereotypes in Textbooks

Katherine shares examples of how textbooks can reinforce outdated gender roles, such as referring to professionals as "policemen" or "firemen" instead of using gender-neutral terms. She discusses how such representations can limit students' perceptions of their future potential.

Adapting Materials for Inclusivity

Katherine stresses that no single textbook can fully meet the needs of all learners. Teachers should adapt materials to reflect different cultures, abilities, and perspectives. She encourages educators to use inclusive visuals, update resources, and incorporate diverse voices.

Actionable Steps for Teachers

Katherine’s top tips for educators:

• Evaluate your materials to ensure they are inclusive and cater to all students’ needs.
• Research to find materials that promote diversity and foster greater diversity and inclusion.

ABOUT

Katherine Reilly is an ELT Teacher Trainer and Author of numerous publications in children’s literature, teaching materials and ICT. She has taught Language Methodology and Materials Development at the University of Athens, previously at the Technological University of Cyprus and finally, at the Oxford TEFL Training Centre for the Innovate ELT Conference. Her expertise includes training school faculties in inclusive teaching methodology, diverse educational materials adaptation, and the application of Critical Discourse Analysis to examine socio-cultural dimensions.

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CREDITS

Producer: Laura Wilkes

Editor: Haven Tsang

Thanks to our inspiring guest, Katherine Reilly

Production by Communicating for Impact

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Martin Hajek talks about the importance of role models and access to information to make informed decisions about our careers in the English Language Teaching industry. Martin shares three stories from his latest book More Than A Gap Year Adventure that demonstrate the wide range of career paths that are possible.

Watch with closed captions here.

Inspiration Behind the Book

Martin shares how his training as a journalist inspired him to start researching and compiling various essays from educators around the world for More Than A Gap Year Adventure.

Challenging Negative Narratives

Part of the inspiration for the title of the book was to challenge the perception that work in the industry is temporary and lacking in professional training and roles. He goes on to talk about the role click-through TEFL certificate course providers have to play in perpetuating this misconception.

Three Different Stories

Martin shares three very different essays featured in More Than A Gap Year Adventure that sheds light on work in assessment and material design as just a few examples of what is possible in the ELT field.

ABOUT

Martin Hajek is a freelance ELT professional based in Colombia. Originally a journalist, he decided to sign up for a CELTA course at the age of 30. Martin immediately fell in love with teaching English and started looking for a way to move beyond entry-level jobs, which led him to complete a DELTA. Martin focuses on career development, language assessment, phonology, and teaching listening skills. In February 2024, he self-published More Than a Gap Year Adventure, a collaborative book aimed at those who wish to have a long-term career in the ELT profession.

REFERENCES

Hajek, M. (2024) More Than a Gap Year Adventure: How to Make a Long-Term Career out of TEFL. Independent

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CREDITS

Producer: Laura Wilkes

Editor: Haven Tsang

Thanks to our inspiring guest, Martin Hajek

Production by Communicating for Impact

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Author Rachael Harris discusses her latest book, Activities for Developing Learning Strategies, and how her experience teaching teens and young learners inspired her to focus on inclusive practices and the importance of strategies to boost students' performance. The conversation explores examples from Rachael's book, emphasising direct and indirect learning strategies that can be applied in the classroom and beyond.

Watch with closed captions here.

TALKING POINTS

1. Inspiration Behind the Book. Rachael shares how her experience with teens and young learners inspired her to write Activities for Developing Learning Strategies.
2. Direct and Indirect Learning Strategies. Rachael outlines the two main strategies: direct strategies (like vocabulary memorisation) and indirect strategies (such as goal setting and motivation). Both play a critical role in enhancing learning across different subjects.
3. Goal Setting and Quick Wins. How the “quick wins” strategy helps maintain motivation by encouraging students to complete small, easy tasks when they feel stuck or demotivated.
4. Scientific Basis for Learning. Rachael encourages her students to focus on proven methods such as spaced practice and self-testing, rather than relying on less effective techniques like re-reading and highlighting.

ABOUT

Rachael Harris has taught ELT, literature & current affairs in primary & secondary schools in Geneva for over 15 years. Up until recently, she was the joint coordinator for the IATEFL Inclusive Practices & SEN special interest group. Her latest book, Activities for Developing Learning Strategies, is a collection of tried-and-tested strategies, designed to help learners succeed in the language classroom and beyond. Check out Rachael's blog, Fab English Ideas and follow her on LinkedIn.

REFERENCES

1. Dunlosky, J. et al (2013) 'Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques: Promising Directions From Cognitive and Educational Psychology.' Psychological Science in the Public Interest (PSPI) Volume 15, pp. 4–58
2. Harris, R. (2023) Activities for Developing Learning Strategies. DELTA Publishing.

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THE PRODUCER'S EDIT

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CREDITS

Producer: Laura Wilkes

Editor: Haven Tsang

Thanks to our wonderful guest, Rachael Harris

Production by Communicating for Impact

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kirsten Holt, founder of Creativity Sown, talks about experiential learning in teacher development. In this episode, Kirsten shares practical tips for getting started and highlights the value of building a community to exchange ideas and support growth.

Watch this episode with closed captions here.

KEY TALKING POINTS

What is experiential learning?

Kirsten explains that experiential learning involves applying knowledge in a practical setting (e.g., a classroom), followed by reflection and adjustment. This process helps teachers improve their teaching methods by learning from both successes and mistakes.

Iterative Process of Learning

Teachers are encouraged to try new activities, reflect on their outcomes, and make adjustments. This cycle of testing, analysing, and repeating leads to deeper learning and continuous professional development.

Collaborative and Reflective Practice

Experiential learning thrives in a collaborative environment where teachers share ideas, reflect on their experiences, and help each other improve. It helps foster a positive, engaging staff room culture or even an online community for solo practitioners.

Practical Applications and Resources:

Kirsten highlights how experiential learning can be applied to new technologies, such as AI, by experimenting with different teaching tools and approaches. She also gives the example of Creativity Sown, where teachers can exchange ideas and receive feedback.

ABOUT

Kirsten is based in Brighton, UK where she runs Creativity Sown, a company providing editorial, writing, training and education consultancy services. This encapsulates her 30 years’ experience in education, first in teaching, teacher training and school management, then in publishing, with her passion in training and mentoring. She has written course material for kindergarten learners through to adults, blog content and classroom resources for teachers and teacher trainers; designed and run face-to-face conferences, events online and training programmes, and edited hundreds of books! She is also an international conference speaker, a British Council ELTons judge and has served on the IATEFL MaWSIG and PronSIG Committees.

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• Website Creativity Sown
• LinkedIn

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CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to our inspiring guest, Kirsten Holt.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

English language trainer Leo Wu shares insights into tasks he uses in his classes to support his Business English learners in developing essential soft skills for the workplace. In this episode, Leo explains why communication, rather than just language proficiency, is key to success in the business world.

Watch this episode with closed captions here.

KEY TALKING POINTS

Misconceptions in Business English Education

Leo discusses how many students, especially in Taiwan, see Business English as grammar and vocabulary-focused, rather than as a tool for effective communication in the workplace. Leo goes on to highlight the importance of building soft skills like confidence, teamwork, and interpersonal communication to succeed in real-world business environments.

Classroom Activities

Leo walks through tasks and activities he uses in classes, such as mock business meetings, writing appreciation emails, and icebreaker activities, that foster teamwork and improve students' ability to communicate effectively.

Test Preparation versus Communication Skills

Leo touches on the need to balance test-focused learning with practical language use to help students excel both academically and professionally.

ABOUT

Leo Wu, also known as Wuber on social media, is an ESL English teacher and trainer based in Taiwan. Over the past thirteen years, Leo has worked with learners of all ages in various online and offline settings. Currently, he is focused on teaching business-related content to professionals. He teaches at ILI Language Center(文化大學語言中心), and AMC English school, and also provides my private personalised English training lessons through his social media channels. He believes that everyone is capable of speaking languages beautifully and confidently - something that shines through in all the work he does.

FOLLOW LEO

• TikTok @wuberenglish
• Instagram @wubereng
• Facebook @wubereng

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CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to our lovely guest, Leo Wu.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roger Hubmann, founder of Happy Students, talks about the evolving role of online learning platforms in language education. Roger shares how modern platforms can create dynamic, engaging, and personalised learning paths for students. He discusses the shift towards using digital tools to support pre and post-class activity, ensuring deeper learning engagement outside the classroom.

Click here to watch this episode with closed captions.

KEY TALKING POINTS

Evolution of Online Learning

Roger explains how platforms have evolved from static libraries to tools that support personalised and interactive learning paths. Online learning platforms can act as a digital frame that fosters communication and collaboration between learners and teachers.

A Practical Case Study

Medicus Linguae is a great example of how mobile technology and learning platforms can interlink. In the case of Happy Students, the smartphone-compatible platform enables students to upload audio and video assignments, thus increasing their opportunities to develop their skills outside the live class hours.

A Time-Saving Solution

Online or blended learning experiences can save time so that teachers and learners can focus more on meaningful live interactions. Roger also points out how AI tools can assist in creating teaching materials to support teachers in moving to an online or blended teaching model.

ABOUT

Roger Hubmann, Founder of Happy Students, is passionate about creating engaging digital learning interactions and developing digital ecosystems with experts and their knowledge. 

With a background in economics, he has extensive experience in digital engagement, product development, and startup developments in virtual worlds and eCommerce. He’s Zurich-based, has lived over a decade in Spain, Berlin, and the UK. Roger believes that the education sector is undergoing similar digital transformations as banking and commerce, where innovation through digital means is key to differentiation.

REFERENCES

1. Happy Students. State-of-the-art learning software
2. Medicus Linguae. German language training for nursing and health professionals.
3. OpenAI. For the latest updates about ChatGPT, DALL-E and more.

Love what we do? Say thanks with a coffee.

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CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to our special guest, Roger Hubmann.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In our 100th episode, TESOL Pop's co-founders Laura Wilkes and Eve Conway dive into the evolving world of generative AI and its implications for education. The explores challenges and opportunities tools like ChatGPT present in learning, assessment, and plagiarism.

Click here to watch this episode with closed captions.

KEY TALKING POINTS

What is Generative AI?

Eve breaks down the basics of generative AI and provides examples of what's currently available on the market, from text to art-generating tools. ChatGPT is highlighted as a tool that is having a growing influence on teaching and learning.

AI and Academic Integrity

The ease with which students can use AI to generate essays and assignments has raised concerns about plagiarism. Eve shares real examples of challenges teachers are facing now when it comes to coursework and assessment.

Future of Assessment

As AI continues to evolve, educators must rethink assessment methods. Eve and Laura discuss the shift towards externally assessed exams and question whether timed assessments are effective, especially for students needing extra support.

Classroom Strategies for AI Integration

Eve shares practical classroom strategies, such as comparing AI-generated texts with student work and using AI as a springboard for critical thinking. These strategies can help educators embrace AI while ensuring students develop their own ideas.

ABOUT

Eve Conway is a co-founder of TESOL Pop and has a wide range of experience in education. She taught internationally for over ten years during which time she specialised as a young learner-teacher trainer. In more recent years, Eve has moved into a career in educational publishing and assessment design, where she tries to use her experience in the classroom to design meaningful learning materials.

REFERENCES

1. Turnitin Plagiarism detection software.

Love what we do? Say thanks with coffee.

https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to fellow co-founder and special guest, Eve Conway.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Basma Abd Elhamied (أبلة بسمة), founder of TEFLship, talks about the importance of having a personal brand, how teachers can start, and how video can help in the process. Basma also shares practical tips so you can start creating videos.

Click here to watch this episode with closed captions.

KEY TALKING POINTS

What is Personal Branding?

Branding is like the story people know about you. Basma emphasises how teachers can enhance their visibility and access more opportunities by building their professional brand.

Role of Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for personal branding. It allows teachers to connect beyond their local network and gain wider recognition. Creating videos that you can post on social platforms can help create a strong professional image.

Starting with Video Creation

Begin with what you have; you don’t need expensive equipment. If videos seem intimidating initially, write articles or blog posts and transition to video content as confidence grows.

Practical Tips for Video Creation

Simplify the process to avoid feeling overwhelmed. Basma recommends using familiar tools and collaborating with others to ease the workload. Embracing mistakes is part of the learning journey.

ABOUT

Basma Abd Elhamied (أبلة بسمة) is a Teacher Trainer, Education Consultant, Team Leader and English Instructor. She has been teaching since 2011 and has worked at the American University in Cairo, among other universities and organisations. 

Basma founded TEFLship, the first community for English teachers in Egypt and the Middle East. TEFLship is a startup aiming at social impact and helping qualify thousands of teachers. TEFLship over a hundred online courses reached more than 1.7 Million views and over 40,000 watching hours from different countries in the Arab world and the world.

REFERENCES

1. TEFLship YouTube channel
2. TEFLship Facebook community

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CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to our inspiring guest, Basma Abd Elhamied.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gemma Archer shares insights from her latest book: Teaching English Pronunciation for a Global World co-authored with Robin Walker. In this episode, Gemma talks about prioritising intelligibility over native-likeness in language learning, setting realistic learning goals, as well as shares techniques we can use to develop learners’ pronunciation.

Click here to watch this episode with closed captions.

KEY TALKING POINTS

Prioritising Intelligibility

Gemma stresses the importance of focusing on students' intelligibility rather than aiming for native-like pronunciation, ensuring they can be understood in international contexts.

Needs Analysis and Student Goals

Teachers can conduct a needs analysis by observing students' speech or collecting speech samples to identify specific pronunciation issues. Understanding students' goals and requirements is crucial.

Challenging Prestige Models

The dominance of marketed native-speaker accents, particularly from Southeast England and general American English, in teaching materials, media, and marketing shapes students' perceptions. Teachers should address and challenge these notions, emphasising the value of diverse English accents.

Techniques for Teaching Pronunciation

Simple, low-preparation techniques are recommended. Visual aids, gestures, and using students' language examples are effective. Emphasising sound differences and durations, such as using elastic bands to show vowel length, helps students grasp pronunciation better.

ABOUT

Gemma is an EAP teacher and programme co-ordinator in the ELT unit at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. She is also a pronunciation specialist, teacher trainer, and is joint-coordinator of IATEFL Pronunciation special interest group (PronSIG) and former editor of the SIG’s biannual journal Speak Out! (2017-2023). She is co-author of Teaching English Pronunciation for a Global World (OUP, 2024) and her research interests lie in the field of pronunciation pedagogy and accent, and the issues which can arise when students and teachers of English are confronted with diverse regional and global varieties of English.  

REFERENCES

1. Walker, R. and Archer, G. (2024) Teaching English Pronunciation for a Global World. Oxford University Press.
2. Walker, R. (2020) ‘L’ is for the Lingua Franca Core. What else? Available at English Global Communication here.
3. The Scottish Sound School.
4. IATEFL PronSIG.

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CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to our fab guest, Gemma Archer.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily Bryson shares how visual templates can enhance learning by providing a creative way for students to brainstorm and plan projects, such as podcasts. This episode includes practical demonstrations and tips on incorporating visual templates and graphic facilitation into classrooms.

Click here to watch this episode with closed captions.

KEY TALKING POINTS

Visual Templates versus Graphic Organisers

Emily explains how visual templates differ from graphic organisers which tend to centre on tables and diagrams that students fill in or label. Visual templates often incorporate a backstory or metaphor, making them more engaging and story-driven.

Playfulness in Visual Learning

Visual templates add a playful, creative element to learning, inspiring students to think outside the box by using doodles, words and phrases to populate the template. Emily emphasises how doodling can make the planning process less intimidating and more accessible.

Practical Application in Classrooms

Emily suggests how teachers can use visual templates for brainstorming and project planning. Suggestions for interactive classroom activities, such as pitching podcast ideas and using them to scaffold speaking activities.

ABOUT

Emily Bryson is an ELT professional with over 20 years of experience in the classroom. She has written various print and digital materials, including National Geographic Learning’s Voices series, 50 Ways to Teach Life Skills and the A-Z of ESOL. She is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion and uses visual tools and graphic facilitation strategies to make learning more engaging, accessible and fun. She is a resident blogger for Ellii Learning and frequently delivers teacher development sessions for various ELT organisations. Her teacher development courses with a visual twist have been described as ‘the nicest corner of the internet’, and her sketch notes are extremely popular on socials.

Visit Emily’s website here to learn more.

REFERENCES

Use the visual templates featured in this episode. Download The Fun Podcast Planner here.

Say thanks

https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

CREDITS

Producer Laura Wilkes

Editor Haven Tsang

Thanks to our creative guest, Emily Bryson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.