The Language Lab Podcast

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In this episode, Will catches up with Claire Cuminatto, Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia—and, memorably, one of his own former lecturers.

They explore how university language degrees are evolving to meet a new generation of learners:

• Applied language learning and real-world skills

• Employability and the value of language graduates

• Study abroad after Brexit (goodbye Erasmus, hello Turing)

• The role of AI in language education

• Creating safe spaces to fail, improv games, podcast assessments, and more

Plus: a trip down memory lane to Sacré Théâtre, UEA’s long-running French-language theatre company. Find out more at sacretheatre.co.uk

🔗 Explore more at languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💡 Support the show on Patreon or subscribe on Spotify for £2.99/month.

🎵 Theme music: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks via Uppbeat — copyright-free music for creators.

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This week, Will sits down with Dr. Rebecca Mitchell — Cambridge lecturer, sociolinguist, and founder of National Linguistics Day — for a conversation that ranges from Saussure to slang, AI to accent bias, and endangered languages to elderly karaoke. (Yes, really.)

We explore how linguistics can transform classrooms, challenge stereotypes, and make education genuinely inclusive. Rebecca shares how a late-night idea became a grassroots movement, why she’s on a mission to get heritage languages into schools, and how you can get involved — without needing a PhD or a government grant.

Topics include:

• Why linguistics matters (and why it’s still overlooked)

• How AI is changing how we think

• Accent bias, language policy, and decolonising the curriculum

• Simple ways to celebrate National Linguistics Day in your school

🔗 Resources and contact info: linguisticshq.co.uk
🌐 More from us: languagelabpodcast.co.uk

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💡 Support the podcast on Spotify for £2.99/month or join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and warm fuzzy feelings. All support helps keep the show indie, ad-free, and slightly less reliant on caffeine.

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To kick off Season 2, Will is joined by consultant, author and languages powerhouse Crista Hazell to talk all things MFL — from building student confidence to what SLT need to understand about the classroom.

They explore teacher wellbeing, trust, and why real connection always beats rigid checklists.

📘 Independent Thinking on MFL:

https://www.independentthinkingpress.com/books/teachingskills/independent-thinking-on-mfl/

Use code ITL20 at check out for 20% off and free P&P

🔗 More: languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💬 Bonus episodes + early access: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

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In our final episode of Season 1, we’re looking at what actually makes students engage with language learning – beyond the data points, initiatives, and well-meaning gimmicks.

First, we hear from Lara Callow, an associate tutor in a pupil referral unit, who shares how one teacher changed her view of Spanish entirely. Then we’re joined by David Binns, Director of UK Operations at Sanako and long-time advocate for language education, who brings four decades of no-nonsense wisdom on tech, oracy, SLT, and what needs to change if languages are going to survive – let alone thrive.

👋 As this is our season finale, a huge thank you to all our listeners, guests, and supporters. We’ll be back with Season 2 on June 12th, kicking things off with the one and only Crista Hazell.

🎧 For more episodes, resources and extras, visit: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
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🎵 Music: "Jump and Jive" by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – Copyright free music for creators.

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Guests: Isla McIntosh & Alasdair Harris

In this episode of The Language Lab, we speak to two people at very different ends of their teaching journeys — and both with powerful perspectives on what the future of language education might look like.

First, Will catches up with Isla McIntosh, a former student turned trainee teacher and music graduate. Isla shares honest reflections on student engagement, the role of wellbeing in education, and how technology is shifting what it means to be an inspiring teacher in today's classroom.

Then we dive into the world of AI with Alasdair Harris, founder of LingoTeach.ai, a platform built by teachers, for teachers. Alasdair shares how LingoTeach uses AI to dramatically reduce teacher workload, streamline lesson creation, and keep classroom content dynamic and personalized. But the conversation goes further—into digital ethics, the human side of teaching, and how to reclaim energy, creativity, and balance in a high-pressure profession.

From green screen weather forecasts to AI-generated rap battles, from mental health advocacy to the rise of classroom bots—this episode explores how teachers can stay grounded while innovating with purpose.

Links & Resources:

Our Website: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Try LingoTeach: https://lingoteach.ai/

Music Credit:“Jump and Jive” by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – Copyright Free Music for Creators uppbeat.io

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In this episode of the Language Lab Podcast, I’m joined by Jérôme Noguès – a teacher, AI advocate, and all-round creative force in the MFL world. We talk about what actually gets students engaged, from using tools like Suno to write original French songs, to building lessons around student voice, gamification, and the EPI approach. There’s also a healthy dose of honesty about phones in classrooms, AI ethics, and why mini whiteboards are still undefeated.

If you’re looking for ways to make your language classroom more dynamic, tech-savvy, and just plain fun (without losing the grammar), this one’s for you.

You can also check out Jérôme’s own podcast, The AI Language Lab, for bite-sized insights on how technology is reshaping MFL:
The AI Language Lab on Spotify

Find more from us at: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Support the podcast and access bonus content over on Patreon:
The Language Lab on Patreon

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In this episode of The Language Lab, I engage with Kate Clifton, founder of Kate Languages, as she shares her transition from traditional classroom teaching to becoming a resource creator and trainer for Modern Foreign Language (MFL) educators. We explore her journey through burnout in the high-stakes education system and the importance of mental well-being for teachers. Kate reflects on the current challenges facing MFL teachers in the UK, including the pressures of grading and societal attitudes towards language learning. She also discusses the integration of AI tools in the classroom and how they can enhance lesson planning. Throughout our conversation, Kate emphasizes the significance of community and support among educators, offering practical advice to help them advocate for language teaching and nurture a love for languages in their students.

The Language Lab Website

https://www.katelanguages.co.uk/

The KateLanguages Podcast

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In this episode of The Language Lab, I discuss Extensive Processing Instruction (EPI) with Dr. Gianfranco Conti, a prominent figure in language education. We examine how EPI, using the Mars Ears framework, enhances language learning by establishing a structured approach that prepares students with essential vocabulary and grammar before engaging in communicative tasks. Dr. Conti highlights the method's effectiveness in mixed-ability classrooms, focusing on systematic recycling and practice to build linguistic capacity. Our conversation covers practical implementation strategies for educators, the importance of contextualizing instruction, and fostering engagement through meaningful activities. We conclude by underscoring the need for collaboration among teachers and ongoing professional development to inspire a passion for language and communication among students.

www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

https://uk.language-gym.com/

https://gianfrancoconti.com/

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Welcome to the very first episode of The Language Lab – the podcast for language teachers who love their job (most of the time) and wouldn’t mind a few fresh ideas to make things easier, smarter, and, let’s be honest, a bit more fun.

We’re kicking off the series with one of education’s biggest debates: Is technology helping or hindering language learning?

First up, Will Marks chats with John Marks, a primary school governor (and also Will’s dad!), for a no-nonsense take on smartphones, safeguarding, and meaningful tech use in schools. Then, we dive into a dynamic, idea-packed conversation with Joe Dale, a leading voice in MFL EdTech, about the real potential – and pitfalls – of AI in the classroom.

From Padlet and AI tutors to workload hacks, CLIL, digital ethics, and saving time with feedback tools, this episode is a treasure trove for both tech-curious teachers and digital skeptics alike.

🔍 Topics include:

• Smartphones: ban them or manage them?

• AI in MFL: game-changer or gimmick?

• How to prompt AI for great resources

• Joe’s top tools for language teaching

• The future of teacher creativity in an AI-driven world

Whether you’re planning lessons, dodging cover, or hiding in the department office with a biscuit and a thousand-yard stare – this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share with your department (and that one colleague who’s still not convinced about using EdTech).
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheLanguageLabPodcast
Visit: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Music Credit:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/jump-jive

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

Coming soon… Welcome to Language Lab — the podcast where language teachers get real.

We’re diving into the classroom, the staffroom, and the big debates — from AI and target language struggles to what’s actually working in UK language education.

You’ll hear from voices that matter — like Joe Dale, Gianfranco Conti, Kate Languages, and more.

Fresh ideas, honest chats, and a little mischief along the way.

Language Lab — hitting your feed soon. Subscribe now and let’s keep the conversation going.