The ESL Breakroom - Business Class Language Solutions

Boelo van der Pool, an ESL Professional who focuses on raising Dyslexia awareness among language teachers joins us on today's show. 

A native of the Netherlands, Van der Pool is no stranger to learning other languages himself, having lived in Asia, the UK, and now Spain since 1994. He is an active speaker, teacher trainer and former language school owner as well as a certified coach and a member of the board of the International Language Coaching Association.

Boelo opens up about Dyslexia and ADHD, and both their prevalence in and their impact on language learning. As a person with Dyslexia, Boelo is unabashedly optimistic in his approach and convinced that we can do more and better to help learners like him progress in language learning.

Boelo offers a deeper understanding of the dyslexic or ADHD experience and insights which ultimately helps us more effectively recognize and support our neurodivergent learners. 

Join us for an eye-opening chat with Konstantin Mikaberidze, a Paris-based certified CELTA instructor with a background in media training, film, and photography.

In his role at the Pole Universitare Léonard de Vinci in Paris, Konstantin has developed a popular course called Media Training for Future CEOs.

Bringing together presentation and communication skills, he helps English learners put their best foot forward in any situation - from weekly meetings to facing journalists in the wake of a company crisis.

Mikaberidze generously shares his ideas and insights with our audience. Listen in and learn how to apply these concepts to your Business English training for a richer learning experience for your trainees.

Join us for an informative conversation with Sanja Ždralović and Petra Blajić, two passionate, Croatian-based ESL educators, who gave an energizing and reassuring talk on AI at the TESOL France Conference (Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages) last fall.

These seasoned ESL professionals bring a wealth of experience and creativity in their approaches to teaching English. Sanja Ždralović is a linguist and PhD candidate while Petra Blajić’s career has brought her in contact with a broad spectrum: from early learners to Business English professionals. Currently, they are each educators at the high school level.

I left their talk so enthused that I immediately asked them to join us on the podcast. In this episode, Sanja and Petra share innovative ways to use AI in the English language classroom, as well as the very surprising reactions their learners have had to AI that you won’t want to miss.

December is a busy time of year as we all juggle more than usual on our plates. We may find ourselves exasperatedly making vows to “take better care” and “get more organized”  in the ‘New Year.’

We thought it was the perfect time to revisit Rachael Roberts’ helpful conversation on burnout and how to avoid it. Spot Burnout Before it Starts, recorded in 2021, still holds true today, and even more so as post-Covid life has us returning to in-person gatherings, meetings and travel and all that that entails.

Rachael Roberts is an ESL expert, former trainer’s trainer and materials writer turned business and mindset coach for freelance ELT professionals. Self-care is an important focus in her work which aims to help her clients take better care of themselves while at the same time elevating both their earnings and service levels through her Earn Learn Thrive (www.earnlearnthriveinelt.com) program.

In this podcast, we address the topic of burnout and how to spot the early warning signs, how to handle the extra intensity of Zoom training, and the game-changing success secrets of habit building.

This episode is well worth a listen at this contemplative time of year. Rachael’s thought-provoking insights and needle-moving questions are sure to keep you moving forward with less stress in 2024.

Weren’t able to make it to last week’s IATEFL Besig’s annual conference for Business English trainers in Stuttgart, Germany? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!

Listen to Episode 29 to get the low-down.Business Class’s founder, Daphne Chisholm-Elie, was there presenting her latest CPD Program, Training as an Agile Project, and came by to fill us in on the hot topics and industry buzz at this year’s event.

Needless to say, the topic on everyone’s mind this year was AI and Daphne brings us some heartening news on that front.And speaking of conferences, if you are in France, the TESOL France annual conference is taking place soon! Mark your calendars for November 17-19th.

Hear more about it in our latest episode!

In Episode 28 of the Business Class ESL Breakroom, we are joined by Tanya Meyer, the Founder of the Confident English Training program to talk about her unique, holistic approach to English language training rooted in mindfulness.

Tanya believes that the journey to effective communication goes far beyond the words we speak. After her own positive experience with stilling the mind, she has come to integrate mindfulness and contemplative practices into her teaching, fostering calmer, more open, and skillful communication. Her learners have responded enthusiastically! Join us as Tanya shares the insights from her own mindfulness journey and how it has left an indelible mark on her personal and professional life.

We delve into the practical aspects of mindfulness during language sessions, which does NOT mean that we encourage outright meditation in session. Rather, we look at ways to slow down the pace, to truly acknowledge our learners and the moment in which we are working together.

During our conversation, Tanya details the expected and unexpected benefits she has observed throughout her career.

For fellow language trainers and anyone interested in embracing mindfulness in their work or life, don’t miss Tanya’s generous wisdom on the subject. Tune in to this enlightening episode to discover how incorporating mindfulness into language training can transform the learning experience for both you and your trainees.

In this thought-provoking episode of the ESL Breakroom Podcast, we sit down with Meri Maroutian, an English language teacher and passionate equity advocate for the rights of non-native speaker ESL teachers. Together, we delve into the topic of "Native Speakerism," the perception that native English speakers are inherently better as language models or teachers, and its impact on the ESL industry.

Native Speakerism is a hot-button issue that has been sparking debate within the ESL community. Join us as we dissect what Native Speakerism really means and why it is a discriminatory practice. Meri, an accomplished ESL professional who is also a non-native English speaker, brings her unique perspective to the table as a former Business English trainer, current teacher and equity advocate: someone who is committed to calling out pervasive stereotypes and systemic biases.

In her role as equity advocate, she sheds light on the challenges faced by non-native speaking English teachers and the need for greater inclusivity and recognition. She points out how native speakerism holds capable language professionals back from doing their jobs and prevents deserving learners from positive learning experiences.

Together, we explore actionable ways that ALL teachers of ESL, regardless of their native language, can contribute to raising awareness and dismantling Native Speakerism. 

Tune in to this eye-opening conversation that calls for unity, understanding and helps to foster a more inclusive, equitable, and supportive environment for ESL teachers worldwide.

On today’s ESL Breakroom Podcast we’re joined by Rob Howard, one of the joint coordinators of IATEFL Besig, President of IATEFL Poland, and an incredibly experienced trainer, teacher trainer and speaker and author.

Today he’s joining us to talk about his newly released book, One To One: An Updated and Practical Guide to Teaching written with Andrzej Stęsik now available on Amazon.

Rob sheds light on the inspiration behind the book and his motivation to collaborate on this comprehensive guide to one-to-one sessions.

The set-up and dynamics of one-to-one training is quite different to group work, and whether you're a new ESL trainer or an experienced educator, Rob's book offers valuable insights for everyone.

For those new to the field, the book serves as an essential companion, providing tips and practical advice to kickstart your journey including thoughts on the business side of freelancing, and sample contracts.

Experienced ESL trainers and coaches will find refreshing and thought-provoking themes and topics, structured to help you build your learner’s confidence and deepen the trainer/trainee connection - a cornerstone of successful learning.

Find Rob’s book at one-to-one.be or on Amazon!

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Join us for an eye-opening look at Neurodiversity, and in particular dyslexia, with Dr Martin Bloomfield, a trainer and consultant in Neurodiversity from an international and intercultural perspective.

As technology continues to transform education, blended learning has become a significant component of ESL programs. As trainers, we must adapt our approach and become eLearning coaches, guiding and inspiring learners through digital resources that are often part and parcel of their learning package.