The ESL Teaching Podcast

Artificial intelligence, or AI as we call it, has taken over so many areas of our life, and teaching is no exception. I have been waiting to share my insights into what using artificial intelligence might mean for all teachers and especially those of us who work with multilingual learners, but now I think it is time. 

In this episode, I will share 5 specific and effective ways you can leverage the power of AI in your teaching. Some tips will be more geared towards EL teachers and others are super handy for classroom teachers who want to help multilingual learners in their classroom.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Types of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
• Generative AI and its Application in Teaching
• Using Chat GPT to Generate Lesson Plan Ideas
• Using Chat GPT to Generate Vocabulary
• Using Chat GPT to Paraphrase or Simplify Text Passages
• Examples and Benefits of Utilizing Chat GPT in Teaching

Show Notes:

• Episode 83 - 5 Ways AI Can Help Save Teachers Time and Help Multilingual Learners

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 72 - Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

Many teachers work with small groups of students and especially if you're in an elementary  setting, making a schedule for those small groups can be one of the most challenging tasks of your entire school year. 

For today's episode, I have invited back my dear friend, Kristen Vibas, to chat about just that, the peculiarities of scheduling and grouping English learner students in elementary grades. 

Kristen Vibas is a K-6 elementary ESOL teacher living in Northern Virginia. She's been teaching multilingual learners since 2005 in one of the country's largest school districts.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Scheduling and grouping English learner students in elementary grades
• The process of scheduling small groups and providing targeted English language development to students
• The importance of using data, such as ELP scores and assessment scores, to group students with similar language needs for effective instruction
• Grouping students with similar language needs in order to effectively target their individual language development

Show Notes:

• Episode 82  - How to Master Small Group Scheduling and Instruction with guest Kristen Vibas

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 22 - Teaching Reading with Kristen Vibas
• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 72 - Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson

Connect with Kristen: 

• On Instagram - @awalkinthechalk

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

I frequently receive questions from my content area teachers about how to help English learners in the classroom. And those questions frankly are the same every year from how to help a newcomer to more specific activity and engagement ideas. And I was wondering if there are any different questions that EL teachers get asked. 

So I posted this on Instagram and inside my Facebook group, and it appears that general education teachers ask the same questions across the board. What can we do, they ask? How can we help our EL students? 

So today, I compiled a few of the most recent frequently asked questions and wanted to share my answers to them. I hope that you find these helpful, especially those about first language usage in the classroom translations and how to help newcomers with reading.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Recognizing English proficiency levels of newcomers
• Teaching without knowing the student’s first language
• Using visual aids to help the student understand words
• Speaking in concise sentences to ensure understanding
• Collaborating with EL teachers in your school

Show Notes:

• Episode 81 - Unlocking ESL Success: The Top 5 Questions Every General Ed Teacher Asks

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 5 - 4 ways to use students’ first language in teaching English
• Episode 38 - Responsive classroom and planning with ELs in mind
• Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

The start of the new school year is typically extremely busy. There are new families registering students, students coming to their new schools, meeting their teachers and classmates. There's lots of screening, placement, scheduling, action, action, action. 

Multilingual learners join our communities all the time. But somehow, the deficit mindset, which assumes they don't understand anything and therefore are capable of only doing very little, is still very pervasive. 

That's why in today's episode, I wanted to address this topic. We'll uncover the essence of the asset-based approach and discuss practical tips for embracing this mindset in our schools and classrooms.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• What is an asset based approach?
• How can we empower our English learners no matter what proficiency level they are?
• How can the districts, schools, and us teachers embrace the asset based approach and infuse it into our everyday teaching?
• And so much more!

Show Notes:

• Episode 80 - Empowering English Learners: An Asset-Based Approach

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related Episodes:

• Episode 5 - 4 ways to use students’ first language in teaching English
• Episode 38 - Responsive classroom and planning with ELs in mind
• Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

The new school year is here. And as I'm looking ahead, I reflect about what worked and hasn't worked before and how I can encourage and empower my students even more this year. 

I work with teenagers, and there are a lot of nuances in their English learning, including one very important aspect: negative self-talk. It is sad to hear when a bright student says they're not good enough or that their English is bad and they won't participate in a conversation. 

I recorded this episode around this time last year, but it is just as relevant now as it was 12 months ago. In this episode, I will share with you a simple formula for activating a more productive way of thinking as well as 10 positive affirmations that you can use in your classroom. I hope you'll find this useful, and I would love to hear what your thoughts are on them.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• The importance of addressing negative self-talk among English learners and students.
• The use of affirmations as a tool for promoting a positive mindset.
• Tips and strategies for implementing affirmations in the classroom.
• The connection between affirmations and the growth mindset concept.

Show Notes:

• Episode 79 - The Power of Affirmations for English Learners and All Students

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – back to school sale 20% off monthly plan
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

Many teachers either are starting their school year soon, or have already been at it for a couple of weeks. And this time of year, when everything is full of fresh new energy, is a good time to go back to icebreakers. 

Whether you have new students joining you or want to reconnect and have fun with the ones you already know, icebreaker activities will always make your classroom come alive. 

Today's episode was recorded a while ago, but I know it is going to be very useful to you. I wanted to share it with you as it is full of ideas for both new and veteran teachers and talks about activities that are great for both beginner English Learners and those more experienced.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Discover the crucial role of icebreaker activities in stimulating an engaging learning environment.
• Understand the key principles for choosing appropriate icebreaker activities specifically designed for English learners.
• Learn to execute simple yet effective icebreaker activities, especially crafted for beginner students.
• Uncover unique icebreaker activities designed for intermediate and advanced students to accelerate their English language skills.

Show Notes:

• Episode 78 - Starting Strong: Easy and Fun Icebreaker Activities for all EL Levels

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

How do you build students' literacy and confidence from the ground up? My guest, Kyle Larson, and I talk about just that on this episode.

How to help EL students with literacy, especially as they enter the US educational system in upper elementary grades or later, is an eternal question for all of us. There are so many nuances in this. 

I am excited to share our conversation with you, and I know it will be super valuable. And if you'd like to see us, you can watch the recording of this interview on my YouTube channel at Simply Ieva ESL.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• The importance of having honest conversations with students about their language learning challenges and helping them realize their own power to improve.
• Strategies for building EL literacy from the ground up, including setting reading goals for students and providing ways for teachers to check in on their progress.
• Kyle's personal journey as an ELL teacher, including his studies in Spanish and English linguistics, teaching experiences in different countries, and his current role as an ELL teacher at Frisco High School in Texas.
• The concept of breaking down assumptions about language learning, accommodating diverse students in the classroom, and viewing every teacher as a language teacher who teaches their content through the medium of language.

Show Notes:

• Episode 77 - How to Build EL Literacy From the Ground Up with Kyle Larson

Resources Mentioned:

• Sign up for the FREE Confident ESL Teacher Summit! 
• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• AIR Language learning 
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Connect with Kyle: 

• LinkedIn - @Kyle Larson
• AIR Language learning 

Connect with Ieva:

• Follow me on Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Visit my website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

Part of an EL teacher's job is to advocate for their students and educate and support their peers in language acquisition theories, teaching strategies and content delivery. This is where professional development comes into play. Frequently it is up to us to plan and deliver it in such a manner that it touches the most important aspects in a short amount of time. 

We've all sat in workshops that are irrelevant, or too long, or too complicated at one point or another in our teaching careers. 

In today's episode, I wanted to share with you what makes professional development effective. 

Although there are more elements to it, I have chosen 3 that, in my opinion, are the most important to focus on. 

So if you are an EL teacher who is tasked with creating a presentation to your regular education peers, someone who wants to present at a conference, or someone who has no idea where to even start, this episode is for you. 

What you will hear about in this episode:

• How professional development is necessary in order for teachers to continue learning
• Keeping professional development relevant and content focused
• Presentations need to be practical and ready to implement
• Professional development needs to include coaching, support and collaboration to be successful

Show Notes:

• Episode 65 - 3 Tech Tools that Work Wonderfully in the EL Classroom

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• Sign up for the FREE Confident ESL Teacher Summit! 
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session - 10% discount and a free month in The ESL Teaching Roadmap membership. 
• Lesson Planning Masterclass
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
• Newcomer teaching checklist 

Connect with Ieva:

• Follow me on Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Visit my website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

Navigating to a new grade level and collaborating with new colleagues can be quite a challenge when it comes to being an ESL teacher. In today's episode, I chat with Sarah, who is a member of the ESL Teaching Roadmap membership.

It's been a while since I talked about ESL teacher coaching, and with summertime in full swing, I know a lot of teachers have more headspace and creative flow as they are preparing for the upcoming school year, regardless of whether it starts tomorrow or in a month. 

For you inside my membership, the ESL Teaching Roadmap, one of the perks for members is a coaching session that they can book whenever they feel stuck in their day to day. Teachers have so many questions, but not always a person to bounce those questions and ideas off of, and that is where the ESL Teacher coaching and mentoring comes in.

I know a lot of teachers have similar questions to Sarah, no matter where in the world you are, and this episode will be super helpful to you. 

And if you like what you heard, you can reap the same benefits as Sarah. Book a one on one call with me and get clarity on your next steps in teaching English Learners right away. In addition, to help you feel prepared for the new school year, I'm offering a 10% discount, as well as one free month inside the ESL Teaching Roadmap Membership, where you will have access to teaching materials for both newcomers and mixed proficiency classes and so much more.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• How do you navigate grade change, for example, from elementary to secondary?
• How do you support students across different curriculum areas?
• What are the best strategies to use for teenagers with little English who are very shy to speak and quite heavily reliant on their translations, apps, and so much more?

Show Notes:

• Episode 75 - How to Navigate Grade Transition and Collaboration with Colleagues

Resources Mentioned:

• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session - 10% discount and a free month in The ESL Teaching Roadmap membership. 
• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• Lesson Planning Masterclass
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
• Newcomer teaching checklist 

Connect with Ieva:

• Follow me on Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Visit my website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show

For some time now, I have been wanting to share a tool with you that has helped me navigate to the difficult times as an educator as well as to be even more empathetic in situations that seemed like they had no solution. I am talking about meditation. 

If you haven't tried it, I know there are a lot of assumptions about what meditation is and why it may not be for you. I also have learned that the benefits of sustained focus, inner calm, and sharper ability to problem solve are not just empty promises. 

And since I have not been able to find the right time to share this during the school year, I thought that summertime might be the perfect time to learn something new. In this episode, I will share with you what meditation is, how it became a part of my daily routine, as well as a few tips on how you can start your own practice.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• The different forms of meditation and their benefits
• My personal experience with meditation, including how it helped me become less reactive to my environment and more proactive in important matters
• Tips on how to start a meditation practice, such as starting small with just 5 minutes a day and using beginner-friendly apps like Headspace, Insight Timer, and Calm
• The potential benefits of regular meditation practice, such as increased self-awareness, empathy, and improved focus, and the possibility of discovering other ways to be with oneself

Show Notes:

• Episode 74 - Why Teachers Should Embrace Meditation As Part of Their Daily Routine

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. 
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• Headspace app
• Insight Timer app
• Calm app
• Lesson Planning Masterclass
• Newcomer teaching checklist 

Connect with Ieva:

• Follow me on Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Visit my website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the  - Simply Ieva Facebook Group 

Support the show