The Language Lab Podcast

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In the Season 3 finale, Will Marks is joined by Carmen Santos, former Head of Languages at Queen Katharine Academy, to explore what inclusion really looks like in one of the UK’s most linguistically diverse schools.

From teaching Roma and EAL learners to creating predictable routines that build confidence, Carmen shares practical strategies for making every student feel seen and supported — without losing the humour, energy, or joy that make great teaching sustainable.

They talk candidly about behaviour, differentiation, and the myth of “low ability”, as well as the pressures of workload, marking, and the need to protect teacher wellbeing.

A thoughtful and uplifting conversation about what it means to teach every child — and to stay human while doing it.

💻 For links, transcripts and bonus content visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk.
☕ Support the show via Spotify Subscriptions (£2.99/month), Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee.

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In this episode, Will Marks sits down with Martin Lapworth, the quiet innovator behind TaskMagic, Textivate, TeachVid, and Sentence Builders — the tools that quietly transformed how modern languages are taught across the UK and beyond.

Martin shares how a single Visual Basic manual turned him from an overworked teacher into one of MFL’s most influential creators. Together, they unpack the evolution of teacher-led EdTech, the power of context in language learning, and how software born from classroom frustration can reshape an entire profession.

This is a story about creativity, problem-solving, and the quiet persistence of a teacher who built what he couldn’t find — and in doing so, changed the way languages are taught.

💻 For links, transcripts and bonus content visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk.
☕ Support the show via Spotify Subscriptions (£2.99/month), Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee.SentenceBuilders - HomeTeachVid - LoginTextActivities - Home

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In this extended episode, Jonathan Mumford joins Will Marks to explore the realities of language teaching in 2025. Together they discuss how audio feedback and mini whiteboards can transform lessons, why marking policies need a rethink, and how to build a curriculum that balances rigour with accessibility.

The conversation ranges from behaviour and emotional intelligence to leadership, student motivation, and the role of research in keeping lessons fresh. With nearly twenty years in the classroom, Jonathan brings a chill, practical perspective that makes big challenges feel manageable. A fantastic episode full of insights, stories, and ideas you can take straight into your own teaching.

Find out more about Jonathan’s work and CPD sessions at jmumfordteachertraining.com.

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Founder of the All Abroad Bus project, Julia joins me to talk about immersive pop-up language and culture experiences that use VR, food, smells, sounds, and role-play to make languages real.

We discuss equity in access, the role of culture in the curriculum, and why resilience and joy matter more than perfection.

Julia’s work proves that sometimes the best way to learn a language is to step into a market, festival, or café — even if it’s inside your school hall.

Find the All Abroad Bus at www.allabroadbus.org

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Teacher and Language Sofa host Ben Levi joins me to cut through MFL myths and argue for languages as life skills, not tick-box exams. We talk about why vocab lists don’t work, how scaffolding supports SEN and mixed-ability groups, the power of humour and games, curriculum design headaches, and what GCSEs might look like if teachers were in charge.

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Season 3 kicks off with a double drop. In this episode, I chat with Ryan Smith — one of my former students who’s gone from GCSE Spanish to living in Zaragoza, back as a TA, and now working in cover and adult ESL.

We talk about cultural engagement, the EAL reality, GCSE speaking exam nerves, and why learning a second language lets you try on a whole new persona.

🎧 Don’t miss the companion episode out this week too: S3 E1b with Jane Driver, Headteacher and President Elect of ALL.

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Season 3 begins with a double drop! In this episode I’m joined by Jane Driver — Headteacher, mentor, innovator of Spelling Bees and Eurovision phonics projects, and now President Elect of the Association for Language Learning.

We talk about enrichment, target-language teaching, community, and why the future of languages still looks bright — if we back our students.

Jane was also my Head of Department when I first started out, so expect a mix of professional insight and a few personal throwbacks.

🎧 Episode 1a with Ryan Smith is also out now.

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Esmeralda Salgado is one of the most influential voices in UK language teaching — and not just because she’s been writing game-changing blog posts since the days of OHPs and cassette tapes. Head of MFL, lead practitioner, curriculum designer, and the generous mind behind MFL Craft, she’s been quietly reshaping how teachers across the country plan, teach, and inspire.

In this Season 2 finale of The Language Lab Podcast, Will sits down with Esme to talk about:

– 25 years of classroom experience (and what’s changed for the better)
– How simplifying your curriculum can actually increase GCSE uptake
– What lexicogrammar really means (and why the misconceptions miss the mark)
– AI tools like Mizu and how to scaffold speaking without burning out
– Her favourite digital tools (including the mighty Wheel of Names)
– Making languages accessible for all learners — not just the top set
– Why some kids need a sentence builder, and some just need a Haribo
– The new GCSE, what’s different (and what’s not), and how she’s responding
– The power of scaffolding, celebration, and students seeing real success
– Plus how to sell your subject to parents, SLT, and yes — even Ofsted.

This episode is full of practical advice, gentle provocations, and plenty of joy — the kind that reminds us why this job is still worth doing.

🎧 Listen, follow, and share now. And don’t forget — Season 3 launches Thursday 11th September with a special double bill.

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📚 Find Esmeralda’s blog and resources: https://mflcraft.blogspot.com
🌐 Show notes and transcripts: https://www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💛 Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

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🎵 Theme music: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks, via Uppbeat (uppbeat.io)

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🧪 The Language Lab Podcast is hosted by Will Marks — language teacher, curriculum nerd, and host of mildly chaotic educational conversations with the people shaping modern MFL.

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New to the pod? Start with:
– Joe Dale on AI and tech in the MFL classroom
– Gianfranco Conti on EPI, cognitive load, and teacher sanity
– Claire Cuminatto on employability, theatre, and the modern language degree

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

In this episode, I’m joined by Darren Paffey Mp - newly elected MP for Southampton Itchen and one of the very few members of Parliament with a serious background in language education. Before his move into politics, Darren was an Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at the University of Southampton, a city councillor, and a longstanding advocate for inclusive, multilingual education.

We discuss:

• The current state of language learning in UK schools

• What real policy change could look like

• How accountability systems shape (or strangle) curriculum

• The potential of AI in the classroom

• What Darren misses about academia—and what he’s learning on the green benches

This is a conversation about education, policy, identity, and why languages are far more than just a school subject. Darren brings both lived experience and political insight to the table - and doesn’t shy away from tough questions.

🔗 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🎶 Theme: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – copyright-free music for creators.
💬 Keep the conversation going at languagelabpodcast.co.uk or support us on Patreon at patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode!

Steve Smith — MFL veteran, author, blogger, and founder of FrenchTeacher.net — joins Will Marks for a full-throttle deep dive into how we teach languages, why we might be getting some of it wrong, and how to do it better.

From his early fascination with Stephen Krashen and language acquisition theory to co-authoring Breaking the Sound Barrier with Gianfranco Conti, Steve walks us through decades of research and reflection on what works — and what doesn’t — in the classroom.

Topics include:

• Input vs. grammar: What actually drives language acquisition?

• Sentence builders, repetition, and building linguistic self-efficacy

• Why GCSE reform still misses the mark

• Vocab tests and the illusion of mastery

• AI as a teacher’s assistant, not enemy of creativity

He also shares how AI is saving him hours writing resources — and what teachers can do to keep their lessons engaging without burning out.

📚 Steve’s blog: frenchteachernet.blogspot.co.uk
📖 Breaking the Sound Barrier
🎒 Resources: frenchteacher.net
🎵 Theme: “Jump and Jive” by All Good Folks via Uppbeat
🔗 Support us: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
💡 Our Website: languagelabpodcast.co.uk