Expert in assisting freelance language teachers in building successful businesses, Ola Kowalska, tackles misconceptions about using social media in English Language Teaching (ELT).

In this episode, Ola focuses on three key points:

✅ Foundations Over Instincts: Ola shares her journey, emphasising the significance of establishing relationships within the ELT community before diving into social media. Many teachers rush into social media without a clear target audience or specific offers, leading to ineffective results.

✅ Beyond Language Teaching: Ola highlights the futility of content that only focuses on teaching language points. While such content might engage learners, it doesn't necessarily convert them into paying clients. Ola stresses the importance of speaking directly to the specific audience you aim to serve.

✅ Quality Over Quantity: Ola debunks the myth that success on social media requires relentless posting. She advocates for a more active approach involving networking with diverse professionals and directly engaging potential clients. Quality interactions outweigh the volume of content posted.

Reference
Kowalska, O. (2023) “Why you’re still struggling to get students from Instagram,” Get Richer, Teacher! OlaKowalska.com. April 6. Available here. Accessed on 26 December 2023.

💡 Did you know that TESOL Pop has a YouTube channel where you can watch this episode with closed captions and many more? Click here to watch.

🚀 Want to start or grow a teaching business? Learn more about Ola's services here.

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Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our vibrant guest, Ola Kowalska.

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

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.

💡 Did you know that TESOL Pop has a YouTube channel where you can watch this episode with closed captions and many more? Click here to watch.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

🟣 Hitting the like and subscribe button.

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Want to join our next non-fiction book club? Click here to find out more.

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our knowledgeable guest, Gregory Diehl.

💡Good to Know💡
This episode description contains affiliate links. To learn more about affiliate links, read our disclaimer here.

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Kyle Larson, a seasoned teacher and the founder of AIR Language, an English reading platform for secondary school students, shares the challenges he has faced in sourcing tailored texts and building a reading habit with learners.

In this episode, Kyle talks about:

✅ Text Selection: Kyle emphasizes the importance of offering students choice in reading materials, catering to individual preferences to foster engagement.

✅ Supporting Struggling Students: He advocates for a personalised approach, focusing on understanding students' specific needs through Reading Conferences and tailored goals.

✅ Cultivating a Reading Habit: Kyle discusses the gradual process of building a habit by setting achievable reading goals, catering to each student's level and needs.

✅ Addressing Economic Disparities: Recognising the challenge of access to books, Kyle shares strategies like classroom libraries and communication with parents to bridge the gap.

Throughout the episode, Kyle's insights highlight the significance of personalised approaches in ESL teaching and creating inclusive spaces for learners from various backgrounds. Kyle offers practical tips for educators facing similar challenges, emphasising the value of understanding students' individual needs to promote literacy and engagement in the classroom.

To learn more about Kyle’s work, visit his AIR Language website here.

💡 Did you know that TESOL Pop has a YouTube channel where you can watch this episode with closed captions and many more? Click here to watch.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

🟣 Hitting the like and subscribe button.

🟣 Sharing this episode with your community

🟣 Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Want to join our next non-fiction book club? Click here to find out more.

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our lovely guest, Kyle Larson.

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

Organisational Coach Shane Leaning dispels common self-limiting beliefs that often deter educators from pursuing leadership roles.

In this episode, Shane talks about:

✅ Leadership Realities: Shane challenges the misconception that leadership is solely about charisma, highlighting its multifaceted nature.

✅ Strengths and Weaknesses: Shane shares experiences, emphasizing the importance of leveraging strengths and seeking support for weaknesses in leadership styles.

✅ Transitioning to Leadership: Addressing the belief that lack of formal leadership experience hinders progress, Shane highlights transferable skills from teaching to leadership.

✅ Skill Mapping: Shane suggests practical self-reflection and skill mapping to identify strengths, weaknesses, and the value of mentorship in leadership journeys.

To learn more about Shane's work, visit his website here.

💡 Did you know that TESOL Pop has a YouTube channel where you can watch this episode with closed captions and many more? Click here to watch.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

🟣 Hitting the like and subscribe button.

🟣 Sharing this episode with your community

🟣 Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Want to join our next non-fiction book club? Click here to find out more.

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our inspiring guest, Shane Leaning.

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

English teacher and fellow podcaster Tommy Bradford shares how he uses songs and music with adult language learners in his classes.

In this episode, Tommy talks about:

✅ What inspired him to use music in his classes with his adult students

✅ Why it’s crucial to factor in learners’ level and interests when choosing songs

✅ Supporting learners in developing a deeper understanding of a song through guided research

✅ Three songs he frequently uses in classes, why he uses them and the meaning behind them

To learn more about Tommy’s work, follow him on Instagram here.

💡 Did you know that TESOL Pop has a YouTube channel where you can watch this episode with closed captions and many more? Click here to watch.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

🟣 Hitting the like and subscribe button.

🟣 Sharing this episode with your community

🟣 Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our fun guest, Tommy Bradford.

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

Inclusive ELT Consultant Lottie Galpin talks about the importance of inclusive representation in teaching materials and suggests ways to make textbooks more inclusive.

In this episode, Lottie talks about:

✅ The importance and impact inclusive representation can have on learners

✅ How to include teenage and adult learners in analysing existing materials

✅ How small adaptations, such as changing photos or names, can make a big difference

✅ Including learners by making tasks relatable and achievable so everyone can take part

To learn more about Lottie's work, follow her on LinkedIn, Facebook or visit her website here.

💡 Did you know that TESOL Pop has a YouTube channel where you can watch this episode with closed captions and many more? Click here to watch.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

🟣 Hitting the like and subscribe button.

🟣 Sharing this episode with your community

🟣 Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our generous guest, Lottie Galpin.

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

Jennifer Murray, founder of Best Words Copywriting, discusses the key ingredients in planning and authoring great content.

In this episode, Jennifer talks about:

✅ The purpose of content versus copy and why we need a combination of the two

✅ How a digital portfolio can benefit teachers, freelancers, and business owners

✅ The importance of knowing our audience, how we help them, and our unique selling point

✅ What we should keep in mind when deciding what to create, where to post, and when

To learn more about Jennifer’s work, follow her on LinkedIn or visit her website Best Words Copywriting.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

- Hitting the like and subscribe button

- Sharing today's episode with your teaching community

- Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our delightful guest, Jennifer Murray.

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

Founder of Mooncake English, Jema Perry, talks about stages of child development and shares three recyclable games that we can use with our very young (ages 2-4) language learners.

In this episode, Jema talks about:

✅ Motor skills and emotional regulation at this stage of child development

✅ How we can drill new words and phrases in a fun way using our voice and Total Physical Response (TPR)

✅ How to play the 'What's in my pocket’ game using flashcards and props

✅ How we can involve all of our kindergarten students in a Ball Drop game

While creating this episode, I enjoyed reviewing Jema's Confident Teacher Programme and seeing these activities and many more in action. Learn more about the programme and book a call with Jema here.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

- Hitting the like and subscribe button

- Sharing today's episode with your teaching community

- Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our fun guest, Jema Perry.

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

Teacher Trainer and Educator Sarah Omar shares the story of her career in teaching so far and what motivated her to take a break.

In this episode, Sarah talks about:

✅ How we can support our ongoing learning and build our network

✅ The value of building a professional development portfolio

✅ How setting personal learning goals can propel us forward

✅ Ways we can tackle self-doubt and uncertainty during a break.

Follow Sarah's story on LinkedIn here.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by:

- Hitting the like and subscribe button

- Sharing today's episode with your teaching community

- Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Credits

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang

With thanks to our inspiring guest, Sarah Omar.

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

Business owner Rob Howard shares his experience and tips on teaching one-to-one English language classes.

In this episode, Rob talks about:

1. Challenges we may encounter in moving from teaching groups to one-to-one

2. The multiple skills a one-to-one practitioner needs

3. The difference between teaching, facilitating and coaching

4. The value in using student-sourced materials to plan and deliver tailored lessons

To learn more about Rob's work, visit his website here. Check out Rob's publications, including Activities for Speaking for One-to-One or Group and One to One: An Updated and Practical Guide to Teaching, on his Amazon author page here.

You can support the work we do at TESOL Pop by: 

- Leaving a rating and review

- Sharing this episode with your teaching community 

- Buying us a coffee at https://ko-fi.com/tesolpop

Credits 

Podcaster & Producer Laura Wilkes 

Audio-Video Editor Haven Tsang 

With thanks to our charming guest, Rob Howard.

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