The ESL Teaching Podcast

Guess what? It's Q & A time. I receive many emails from teachers sharing their current biggest struggles, both EL teachers and classroom educators. I read every single email, and although I don't always have the time to respond to you personally, I want you to know that I see you and I hear you. And with that, I also know that if one person is asking the question, there have to be other people wondering about the same thing as well. So today, I took six of the most burning questions, and we'll answer them in this episode. As always, we will talk about teaching newcomers, both in an EL setting and in regular education classrooms. We will touch upon why it is essential for schools to address the way ELs are serviced and revisit the language acquisition process.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• The importance of addressing questions that resonate with multiple teachers
• Struggles with teaching high school newcomers who do not speak English
• A new English teacher's struggle with teaching students of all levels in a private academy
• Emphasizes honoring the stages of language acquisition and working with students at their pace
• The challenges of limited resources and insufficient staffing in covering multiple schools
• The importance of mindset shifts and collaboration between EL and regular education teachers for tangible change

Show Notes:

• Episode 103 - Questions Answered - Developing Supportive Mindset for EL Success

Simply Ieva Offers:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• 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. 
• My TpT store

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 97 - How to Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition When Working with ELs
• Episode 98 - EL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Proficiency Levels

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn
• Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

Testing season is upon us, and with it, changed schedules, test practice, and new questions about how we can help our students, especially ELs, navigate this time of quite a bit of stress. Any test, whether it's a check-in quiz, a unit test, or a serious state assessment, can be a challenge to an English learner, especially one that is at a newcomer, beginner, or low intermediate proficiency level. So how do we help those students who bring with them so much knowledge yet frequently do not have an equitable way to demonstrate it? In today's episode, you'll hear why assessments can be difficult for ELs and what teachers can do to help them prepare for any test.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Timed formal assessments are challenging for ELs who need more time to process information.
• Challenges posed by multiple choice tests, including nuances of language and vocabulary.
• Importance of understanding the needs of EL students in relation to assessments
• Strategies to help EL students prepare for assessments

Show Notes:

• Episode 102 - 3 Essential Keys to Assessing English Learners

Simply Ieva Offers:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a Free Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• 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. 
• My TpT store

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 97 - How to Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition When Working with ELs
• Episode 98 - EL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Proficiency Levels

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn
• Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

How many times have you heard this phrase, math is math, it is a universal language. Well, let me tell you, it is not. And that is exactly what today's guest, Odalis Amparo from Illustrative Mathematics, and I talk about. Odalis is a skilled educator who is highly committed to elevating the voice and supporting the achievement of students and teachers in historically marginalized communities. She's fiercely passionate about the intersection between language learning, mathematics instruction and the culturally sustaining pedagogy. Odalis is currently a professional learning specialist at Illustrative Mathematics, but has experience as an elementary classroom teacher and mathematics coach in a variety of settings. Odalis and I have a powerful conversation about why teaching math language is a must.

I personally could talk to her for hours, but we had a little bit of time and we managed to get so many meaningful and important ideas in just the short time that we had. I know you will find this conversation both very helpful and moving at the same time.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• The importance of teaching math language
• We dissect the notion that every student can in fact be a math person
• The cultural frameworks that students and teachers bring into a math classroom
• How to make math joyful and so much more

Show Notes:

• Episode 101 - Math is NOT a Universal Language and Here is Why with Odalis Amparo

Simply Ieva Offers:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a Free Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• 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. 
• My TpT store

Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 62 - 4 Strategies for Teaching Math to ESL Students

Connect with Odalis: 

• LinkedIn

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn
• Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

You're listening to the 100th episode of the ESL Teaching Podcast. Can you believe the ESL teaching podcast has been around for 100 episodes? Me neither. This occasion certainly calls for celebration, and I wanted to make it a little different than usual. Instead of interviewing another wonderful educator or giving you teaching tips, today, you will hear an interview with me! That's right. I am in the hot seat, and I am answering your questions about Ieva, the person, and Ieva, the teacher! 

What you will hear about in this episode:

• You will learn about my family and my story as an immigrant and English learner
• The silly things I can't live without and my life outside of school
• My philosophy as a teacher and educational consultant
• I will also share wonderful reviews from my listeners, and I invite you to share yours whenever you get a chance

Show Notes:

• Episode 100 - It's our 100th episode! Comments from listeners and hot seat with Simply Ieva

Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Simply Ieva Offers:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a Free Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• 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. 
• My TpT store

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 95 - Empowering Adult English Learners with Leah Mitchell
• Episode 69 - How to Engage English Learners with TPR with guest Meeghan Carter

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn
• Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Connect with Allison, Podcast Manager: 

• Instagram - @allisonnitsch
• Website - allisonnitsch.com

Support the show

This is episode 3 of the 3-part series called, “You Can't Buy Language at Walmart: 3 Essential but Overlooked Details of Teaching Language to EL Newcomers and Beyond.” In the previous episodes, I talked about the time it takes to acquire a language and about proficiency levels and why they are essential for teachers to know when working with English learners. Today, I wanted to talk about the classwork and homework our ELLs have to do, and about how we can make it more manageable and effective with a less is more when teaching EL newcomers and beginners. 

The amount of academic work is highly dependent on the student grade level and school, but I wanted to offer a few insights about what can be done to battle teacher and student overwhelm when it comes to assigning work to English learners. I will share a seemingly simple phrase, which is so elusive when we try to implement it in real life, insights into why it is important to pause and review what we're doing and ways to make classwork more targeted for ELs.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Challenges faced by English language learners in school
• Less is more approach in teaching English language learners
• Strategic instruction and quality of work for ELs
• Crafting a plan to enhance teaching strategies and create a system for effective instruction

Show Notes:

• Episode 99 - Why Less is More When Teaching EL Newcomers and Beginners

Simply Ieva Offers:

• For resources and teacher support, visit my website simplyieva.com
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• My TpT store

Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 98 - From newcomer to experienced multilingual : a journey through proficiency levels 
• Episode 87 - What does it take to acquire a language and why all teacher should know this
• Episode 97 - How teachers can harness the power of language acquisition stages when working with ELs

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn

Support the show

Today's episode is episode 2 of the 3 part series, which I called, “You Can't Buy Language at Walmart: 3 Essential but Overlooked Details of Teaching Language to Young Newcomers and Beyond”. In the previous episode, I talked about the stages of language acquisition and the most important aspect of learning any language, which is time. If you haven't listened to it, I highly recommend going back and tuning in. Today, I wanted to take you a step further and talk about the language proficiency levels. Different states use different assessment tools to determine where on the English language learning spectrum the students are. But, nonetheless, it is crucial for all educators to know this information if we want to help our multilingual learners progress and succeed in the academic environment at school.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Different types of English learners, including newcomers and experienced multilingual learners
• Importance of understanding language proficiency levels
• Why teachers should use proficiency based scaffolds in their classroom
• Correlation between language proficiency levels and language acquisition stages

Show Notes:

• Episode 98 - EL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Proficiency Levels

Simply Ieva Offers:

• For resources and teacher support, visit my website simplyieva.com
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• My TpT store

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 87 - What Does it Take to Acquire a Language and Why All Teacher Should Know This
• Episode 97 - How Teachers Can Harness the Power of Language Acquisition Stages When Working With ELs

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn

Support the show

Welcome to another episode of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In today's episode, I dive into the fascinating world of second language acquisition stages and how they impact teaching English learners. With a focus on the five stages of second language acquisition, I want to shed light on the importance of understanding this process for educators. From the cooing stage to advanced fluency, I outline the timeline and key milestones in language development, offering valuable insights for teachers working with EL students.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• First language acquisition stages
• Second language acquisition stages
• Importance of understanding where students are on the language acquisition timeline
• Strategies for teaching newcomers in the silent phase
• Adjusting lessons for students at different language proficiency levels

Show Notes:

• Episode 97 - How Teachers Can Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition Stages when working with ELs

Simply Ieva Offers:

• EL Newcomer Teaching Compass (grades 6-12)
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• My TpT store

Related/Previous Episodes:

• What does it take to acquire a language and why all teacher should know this - episode 87

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com

Support the show

In today's episode, I reflected on the wisdom gained and impact made in the past year, sharing valuable lessons for teachers of English learners. From the power of "less is more" in lesson planning to the importance of connecting with student families in a genuine way, I provide insights that can transform your teaching approach. Additionally, I emphasize the significance of prioritizing your well-being as a teacher and share my personal strategies for self-care. Join us as we delve into my reflections and impactful initiatives, and discover how these lessons can empower educators in the new year.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Importance of slowing down and reflecting on wins and struggles
• Less is more: acknowledging the tendency towards perfectionism in lesson planning
• The importance of direct and real communication with families
• Teaching as a job and not an all-consuming identity
• The 3 biggest ways Simply Ieva has made an impact for teachers

Show Notes:

• Episode 96 - Lessons Learned, Impact Made and the Wisdom to Bring Into the New Year

Simply Ieva Offers:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a Free Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• 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. 
• My TpT store

Related Episodes:

• Episode 48 - 8 Reasons Why ESL Instructional Coaching is an Integral Part of Teacher Success
• Episode 74 - Why Teachers Should Embrace Meditation as Part of Their Daily Routine

Let’s Connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn
• Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

Being an educational consultant is one of the most rewarding experiences one can have. Through my website and podcast, I hear from so many teachers from all around the world who teach a variety of ages in a variety of places with a variety of experiences and resources. And what's even more exciting is that I get to work with some of those wonderful teachers as their coach. In today's episode, I am chatting with my teacher client, Leah Mitchell, who is an adult ESL teacher in Manitoba, Canada. Leah is a workplace language instructor and consultant. She has 15 plus years in the field of education and over a decade in adult instruction. Two years ago, she decided to get her TESOLT certificate as she saw a strong need for alternative options in the adult English language realm.

She's a big believer in helping adults gain English language skills in a balanced way without having to sacrifice work, family and life. She's a teacher, business owner, mother, and just an overall wonderful human being. 

This is the 1st episode about adult ESL on the ESL Teaching Podcasts, and I'm super excited to share it with you all.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• Teaching and learning English in the workplace
• The what, the why, and the how of working with adult English learners
• The biggest challenges and rewards of working as an adult language instructor
• Benefits of workplace language programs for adult learners

Show Notes:

• Episode 95 - Empowering Adult English Learners with Leah Mitchell

Simply Ieva offers:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a Free Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• 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. 
• My TpT store

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 87 - What does it take to acquire a language and why all teachers should know this
• Episode 92 - Embracing Diverse December Celebrations in EL classrooms 

Connect with Leah Mitchell: 

• Leah Mitchell’s Website
• Leah Mitchell’s LinkedIn

Connect with Ieva:

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

Support the show

With the new year right around the corner, we tend to reflect on the things we accomplished and what we can do to improve on the quality of our lives, both personal and professional, in the next year. So setting goals is especially popular this time of year. The hopes are high that in the coming year, we for sure will exercise more, or read more books, or do more of this or less of that. Unfortunately, life continues flowing without much regard to the grand plans of our mind, and that's why we tend to fall off the wagon fairly quickly. Why is that? 

Well, it's been proven that it's the small habits that when tweaked and implemented consistently day in and day out that make the biggest difference in your life. So in this episode, I wanted to share my thoughts on goal setting with our EL students. What better time to do that than at the start of the year.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• The importance of goal setting for english learners
• The anatomy of a goal
• Identifying the four times during the school year that are great to set goals
• A four-part activity that you can revisit and reuse anytime you need

Show Notes:

• Episode 94 - From Vision to Reality: Intentional Goal Setting for the New Year and Beyond (re-air)

Resources Mentioned:

• Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.
• Book a Free Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without Overwhelm
• 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
• Goal setting worksheets

Related links:

• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session 
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
• Writing Vocabulary Posters

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 87 - What Does It Take To Acquire A Language And Why All Teachers Should Know This
• Episode 92 - Embracing Diverse December Celebrations in EL classrooms

Connect with Ieva:

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

Support the show