The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast

As we celebrate five years of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the conversations that have most shaped our thinking—and, we hope, yours. These episodes reflect the heart of our work: thoughtful dialogue, reflective practice, professional growth, and courageous conversations about what it truly means to teach English in a complex, evolving world.

Whether you’re listening for the first time or returning with new classroom experiences behind you, we invite you to engage with this episode through fresh eyes. Notice what resonates differently. Consider how your thinking has evolved. Reflection is not a destination—it’s an ongoing practice. Thank you for being part of this community for the past five years. Here’s to the next chapter of thinking aloud together.

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It’s not always easy to recognize #trauma in our students, since everyone responds to trauma differently. In this episode, Shey and Anna speak with guest Sherry MacKay about how to define trauma, how it might appear in our classrooms, and how teachers can be sensitive to students experiencing trauma.

References & resources

Dana, Deb. (2020) Polyvagal exercises for safety and connection. W.W. Norton & Company.

Mate, D.G. (2018). In the realm of hungry ghosts. Vermilion.

Porges, S. W., Porges, S. W., & Porges, S. W. (2011). The polyvagal theory: Neurophysiological foundations of emotions, attachment, communication, and self-regulation. First Edition; the pocket guide to the polyvagal theory: The transformative power of feeling safe. first edition. W.W. Norton & Company.

The Polyvagal Theory, Nerd Nite.

The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit, Office for Victims of Crime

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The body keeps the score: Brain, mind, and body in the healing of trauma. Viking.

Further listening:

For a discussion about supporting your students through challenging moments, listen to Episode 6 - “Teaching and PD through the pandemic” and Episode 21 - “Addressing current events in the classroom”

Questions for Reflection:

• How has trauma manifested itself in your classroom? 

• How do you address trauma in the classroom? 

• What recommendations or resources would you suggest for a new teacher?  

CHAPTERS

00:00 Relaunch Anniversary

00:36 Why Trauma Sensitive Teaching

02:43 Sponsor Message

03:04 Empathy Shapes Perception

04:01 Trauma In Every Classroom

05:16 Meet Sherry McKay

06:37 Icebreaker Souffle Talk

07:40 Refugee Wellbeing Project

09:34 Building Glocally Connected

12:13 ESL with TLC Community

13:42 Defining Trauma Clearly

15:20 Polyvagal Theory Explained

17:31 Trauma Triggers And Learning

18:22 Trauma Lives in Body

19:18 Spotting Trauma Signs

20:46 Beyond Behavior Labels

22:37 Teacher Self Care First

24:29 Safe Space or Direct Talk

30:11 Not Therapists Still Healing

32:40 Grounding Tools in Class

34:42 Movement as Takeaway

35:27 Resources and Farewell

#trauma #Trauma-SensitiveTeaching #ELT #ReflectiveTeaching #TeachEnglish #ReflectivePedagogy #ESL #EFL #Teaching #Education #LoveTeaching #GlobalELT #Teacher #English #LanguageLearning  #ReflectivePractice

As we celebrate five years of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, we’re revisiting some of the conversations that have most shaped our thinking—and, we hope, yours. These episodes reflect the heart of our work: thoughtful dialogue, reflective practice, professional growth, and courageous conversations about what it truly means to teach English in a complex, evolving world.

Whether you’re listening for the first time or returning with new classroom experiences behind you, we invite you to engage with this episode through fresh eyes. Notice what resonates differently. Consider how your thinking has evolved. Reflection is not a destination—it’s an ongoing practice. Thank you for being part of this community for the past five years. Here’s to the next chapter of thinking aloud together.

---In this episode, we revisit a powerful conversation about representation in the English language classroom and why it must go far beyond stock photos or surface-level diversity efforts. Drawing on scholarship, classroom practice, and honest reflection, we examine how curriculum choices, texts, and classroom narratives can either reinforce dominant perspectives or intentionally expand whose voices are heard. From identity mapping activities to interrogating the “single story,” this episode challenges educators to consider how power operates through materials, language, and syllabus design—and what it means to teach English in ways that affirm, humanize, and accurately represent the diverse students sitting in front of us.

Episode Resources

Adichie, C. N. (2009, July). The Danger of a Single Story. Ted.com. 

Gerald, J.P.G. (2020). Decoding and decentering whiteness in the ELT classroom. IATEFL YLTSIG Annual Web Conference.

Gerald, J.P.B. (2021). On the Inherently Colonial Structure of Language Education, with Gabriella Licata. Unstandardized English Podcast (S3E4).

Gerald, J.P.G. (2020). Worth the Risk: Towards Decentring Whiteness in English Language Teaching. Hunter College, CUNY.

Jewell, T. (2020). This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work. Frances Lincoln Children's Books. 

‌Motha, S. (2014). Race, Empire, and English Language Learning. Teachers College Press.

Teaching Strategy: Identity Charts | Facing History

Example Identity Map

Wang, R. (2020). Anti-Racist Pedagogy Resources

Wang, R. (2021). Transforming Anti-Racist Ideas Into Practice: The Story of a Teacher Book Club

Questions for Reflection

• As language educators, we want to make sure we’re representing more than just our own experience in the materials we present in the classroom. How do you go about incorporating diverse voices and realities in your curriculum?

• What strategies do you use to ensure that diversity is represented in your classroom?

CHAPTERS

00:00 Podcast Turns Five

00:54 Relaunch Episode Theme

02:31 Sponsor Message

02:52 Thanksgiving Myth vs History

05:25 Why Representation Matters

06:42 Privilege and Scope

08:37 Minoritized Groups in Class

11:44 Creating Space for Stories

13:52 Identity Mapping Activities

15:53 Avoiding Tokenism

18:28 Curriculum and Single Story

20:31 Beyond Stock Photo DEI

24:33 Syllabus as Power Tool

27:22 Call to Action and Wrap
#TeacherThinkAloud #ELTPodcast #RepresentationMatters #EquityInEducation #AntiRacistPedagogy #DecolonizingELT #InclusiveTeaching #CulturallyResponsiveTeaching #TESOL #ESL #ESOL #ELT #TEFL #ESLteachers #EFLteachers #LanguageTeaching #TeacherReflection #ReflectivePractice #TeacherDevelopment #CriticalPedagogy #EducationEquity #DiversityInEducation #TeacherGrowth #GlobalELT #TeachingEnglish #IdentityInTheClassroom

In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, co-hosts Shé and Anna sit down with Dr. Lillian Ardell—founder of Language Matters—for a timely and deeply reflective conversation about monolingual bias and how it shapes English language education around the world. Together, they unpack how the assumption that English should dominate learning environments shows up in policies, classroom practices, assessment, and even well-intentioned instructional decisions.

Rather than framing monolingual bias as an abstract concept, this conversation names how it operates in real contexts—and why it persists even in institutions that claim to support multilingualism. The episode invites educators to rethink whose language practices are valued, whose are marginalized, and how teachers can act with intention and integrity within complex systems.

📚 Resources Mentioned in the Episode

• Language Matters (Dr. Ardell’s work and advocacy platform)

• Disrupting the Monolingual Bias: A Framework for Teacher Advocacy (Dr. Ardell’s book)

Related Teacher Think-Aloud episodes:

• Episode 53 - Teachers as Advocates: You can do it too! 

💡 Reflect with us:

• Where do you see monolingual bias showing up in your teaching context or institution?

• What classroom or institutional practices unintentionally reinforce English-only norms?

• What might quiet, everyday advocacy look like in your role?

• How can honoring students’ full linguistic repertoires strengthen learning rather than “distract” from it?

This episode is sponsored by Ellii, one of the world’s leading content libraries for English language teachers. Looking for ready-made lessons that get students talking? Visit Ellii.com. Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:30 Welcome to the Teacher Think Aloud Podcast

00:42 Introducing the Topic: Monolingual Bias

02:19 Guest Introduction: Dr. Lillian Ardell

02:22 Dr. Ardell's Background and Work

05:32 The Monolingual Bias in Education

13:43 Common Classroom Manifestations of Monolingual Bias

18:00 Advocacy and Overcoming Monolingual Bias

18:31 Dr. Ardell's Upcoming Book and Advocacy Framework

25:23 Teacher Advocacy in Practice

29:24 Self-Care and Resistance Capital

34:32 Final Thoughts and Reflections

40:37 Conclusion and Call to Action

In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, Shé and Anna are joined by global educator and ESL teacher Andrea Collados for a timely and deeply reflective conversation about algorithms, echo chambers, and the urgent role of critical thinking in English language teaching. Together, they unpack how algorithm-driven media environments shape what our students see, believe, and share—and why the English language classroom may be one of the last spaces where learners can slow down, question information, and encounter perspectives beyond their digital bubbles.

Rather than framing technology as something to reject, this episode invites teachers to interrogate it thoughtfully. Andrea shares classroom-ready ideas for embedding critical thinking into everyday lessons without overwhelming teachers or students, reminding us that language is not neutral—and that teaching English today means teaching discernment, empathy, and media literacy alongside grammar and vocabulary.

📚 Resources Mentioned in the Episode

• The Social Dilemma (Documentary)

• Teaching Critical Thinking by bell hooks

• 1984 by George Orwell

• Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

• The Truman Show (Film)

Related Teacher Think-Aloud episodes:

• Episode 39 - Media Literacy 101: Bias and perspective-taking

• Episode 41 - Media Literacy 102: Misinformation, propaganda, and conspiracy theories… oh my!

• Episode 24 - Like. Share. Post.

💡 Reflect with us:

• How do algorithms shape the information you consume—and trust—on a daily basis?

• What’s one small shift you could make to encourage more critical questioning in your lessons this week?

• How can empathy deepen critical thinking in language learning?

🎧 SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Ellii, one of the world’s leading content libraries for English language teachers. Looking for ready-made lessons that get students talking? Visit Ellii.com. Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

00:29 Welcome to the Teacher Think Aloud Podcast

00:44 Critical Thinking and Algorithms

01:52 Introducing Our Guest: Andrea Collados

02:30 Icebreaker: Trusting Algorithms vs. Colleagues

03:36 The Role of Educators in Critical Thinking

05:50 Media Literacy and Bias

13:50 The Impact of Algorithms on Student Thinking

16:37 The Impact of Fake News

17:23 The Role of Critical Thinking in Education

18:54 Incorporating Critical Thinking in the Classroom

19:48 Practical Activities for Critical Thinking

24:32 Understanding Misinformation and Disinformation

26:18 Empathy and Critical Thinking

28:46 Resources and Recommendations

30:38 Conclusion and Reflections

On this episode, co-hosts Shé and Anna take us back to the roots of the podcast: reflection. The episode integrates the voices of teachers around the world, who reflect on their teaching goals for the new year—from addressing student motivation and needs assessments to integrating AI tools and promoting trauma-informed teaching. Each contributor offers a unique insight, making this episode a treasure trove of practical advice and inspiration for educators seeking to enhance their teaching practice in 2026. Happy New Year and happy teaching!

💡 Reflect with us: What are your teaching goals for 2026? Leave us a comment!

🎧 Further listening: 

• E7 – Building Rapport on Day 1

• E73 – Foundations of Reflective Practice, with the DIESOL Pod

• E78 – Training the Trainers, with Tabitha Kidwell

• 2024 Friends of the Podcast: AI in ELT

  E34 – Trauma-sensitive teaching, with Sherry MacKay

🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Sponsor Message from Ellii

00:57 Introduction to the Episode

01:27 Reflective Practice and Voice Memos

02:39 Michelle Land on Individualizing Lessons for SLIFE Students

04:30 Lauren Johnson on Needs Assessments in Business Tutoring

08:06 Andrea's Mission: Lifelong Learning and AI Integration

10:31 Stephanie Hanson on Teaching with AI

12:08 Tabitha Kidwell on Supporting Full Class Discussions

13:58 Luz María Parra on Student Motivation in K-12 Classrooms

16:03 Sherry MacKay on Trauma-Informed Teaching

17:32 Lorena Ojeda on Mindfulness and Universal Design for Learning

21:06 Lewis on Lesson Planning Post-Master's

22:48 Joel Tillman on Building a Resource Library

24:45 Conclusion and Listener Engagement

#TeacherThinkAloud #TeachingGoals #NewYearsReflection #ReflectivePractice #TeacherGrowth #AIinEducation #TraumaInformedTeaching #SLIFEstudents #NeedsAssessment #UDL #MindfulnessInTeaching y #LessonPlanning #ELTcommunity #TESOL #EFLteachers #ESLteachers #ReflectivePractice #Reflection #GoalSetting 

In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, Shé and Anna interview Tabitha Kidwell, an esteemed teacher educator, about her research on the preparation and professional development of teacher trainers. The conversation explores various models and approaches for teacher training, the need for formalized support, and the essential skill sets for effective teacher training. The episode also emphasizes the importance of ongoing professional development and the role of professional learning communities in supporting teacher trainers.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone leading—or aspiring to lead—professional learning in ELT. Gain insight into how intentional mentorship, structured preparation, and reflective networks can transform teacher development for the better.

💡 Reflect with us:

• What skills or mindsets do new teacher trainers need most?

• How can institutions better prepare and mentor those who facilitate PD?

• What forms of teacher learning—beyond workshops—have most influenced your own practice?

Contribute to our 2026 Friends of the Podcast episode!🧰 Resources & Tools:

• I Shouldn’t Have to Fumble My Way Around: Supporting TESOL Teacher Educators Kidwell, T. (2021).
•  Train-the-Trainer Course by TESOL International Association
• The benefits of formal TESOL training

🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii: Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

01:13 Welcome to the Teacher Think Aloud Podcast

01:26 Today's Topic: Training Teachers

02:43 Meet Tabitha Kidwell

03:35 Tabitha's Academic Pet Peeves

05:33 Discussing Tabitha's Study

08:21 Study Design and Methodology

10:43 Central Findings and Reflections

13:55 The Importance of Structured Support in TESOL

14:38 Essential Skills for Teacher Trainers

16:22 Formal Preparation and Induction Programs

20:58 Alternative Forms of Teacher Training

27:33 Institutional Support for Teacher Educators

31:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

#TeacherTraining #TrainingOfTrainers #ELTPodcast #TESOL #TeacherEducators #ProfessionalDevelopment #ReflectivePractice #TeacherThinkAloud #TeacherGrowth #ELTcommunity #EdChat #TeacherPD #MentorshipInELT #TESOLTraining #GlobalEd #TeacherAgency #EFLteachers #ESLteachers

In this lively episode, Shé sits down with Ben Buckwold (Founder & CEO of Ellii) and Tara Benwell (VP of Publishing at Ellii) to explore the story behind one of Ellii’s most creative classroom tools: Ellii Dilemmas. The discussion centers on Ellii’s newly introduced interactive classroom tool designed to foster critical thinking and discussion among students. Listeners get insights into the development of Ellii Dilemmas, its practical applications in diverse teaching contexts, and the unique features of this tool, including its roots in teacher feedback and informal brainstorming sessions.

Tune in and discover how play, curiosity, and compassion can turn classroom conversation into authentic connection.

Contribute to our 2026 Friends of the Podcast episode!

💡 Reflect with us:

• How do you create space for genuine dialogue in your classroom?

• What kinds of dilemmas—ethical, cultural, or social—could spark meaningful language use for your learners?

• How can teachers balance linguistic goals with the development of empathy and critical thinking?

🧰 Resources & Tools:

• Ellii Dilemmas

• Ellii Polls
  

🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

01:12 Welcome to the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast

01:23 Meet Ben Buckwold and Tara Benwell from Ellii

02:07 The Origin of Ellii Dilemmas

04:06 How Ellii Dilemmas Works

11:27 Real-Life Examples of Ellii Dilemmas

19:44 The Impact of Ellii Dilemmas on Teaching

22:13 Conclusion and Free Resources
#ElliiDilemmas #ELTPodcast #LanguageTeaching #TeacherThinkAloud #ClassroomDialogue #EdTech #TESOL #EFLteachers #ESLteachers #ReflectivePractice #CriticalThinking #EmpathyInEducation #EdTechInnovation #GlobalEd #TeacherGrowth #ELTchat #EdChat

In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, Shé and Anna discuss the importance of the Lexical Approach in teaching English, featuring insights from guest Erin O’Byrne. They explore how focusing on lexical chunks—common phrases and expressions—rather than isolated words or strict grammar rules can enhance both learner autonomy and teacher effectiveness. Erin shares her journey of adopting the Lexical Approach, practical strategies for classroom implementation, and the significance of allowing students to notice and internalize language patterns. 

💡 Reflect with us:

• How often do you teach words in isolation rather than as part of a chunk?

• What “Matrix moment” have you had in noticing patterns of real-world English?

• How might creating more space for emergent language shift your classroom dynamic?

🧰 Resources & Tools:

• Contribute to our 2026 Friends of the Podcast episode!

• Everything EFL Podcast by Erin O’Byrne

• The No Nonsense Lexical Toolkit (Erin’s 4-week practical course)

• Google NGram Books Viewer – for exploring word frequency and corpus data

• Eduling App - “The hub for task-based teaching and learning” 

• Four Idioms with Tasks with Dr. Linh Phung

• English Vocabulary with Eduling: Flourish with Dr. Linh Phung

🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

01:12 Welcome to the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast

01:24 Exploring Teaching Strategies

02:32 Introducing the Lexical Approach with Erin O'Byrne

03:16 Icebreaker: Favorite English Phrase or Idiom

04:40 Teaching Idioms and Cross-Cultural Communication

05:14 Corpus Linguistics in Language Teaching

09:01 Empowering Teachers and Learners with the Lexical Approach

16:19 Embracing the Lexical Approach in Practice

18:55 Recognizing Lexical Patterns in Everyday Language

19:19 Practical Strategies for Teaching Lexical Chunks

20:40 The Importance of Noticing in Language Learning

22:22 Reusing Materials for Better Retention

22:59 Balancing Receptive and Productive Knowledge

28:21 Guiding Teachers to Shift from Rules to Real Language

34:30 Introducing the No Nonsense Lexical Toolkit

36:50 Building a Supportive Teaching Community

37:49 Reflecting on the Lexical Approach

#LexicalApproach #ELT #LanguageTeaching #ReflectivePractice #TESOL #TeacherThinkAloud #EFLteachers #TEFL #TeacherDevelopment #EmergentLanguage #Chunking #VocabularyTeaching #EverythingEFL #TeacherGrowth #AppliedLinguistics #ELTCommunity

In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, we sit down with Sara Davila, a self-described “learning alchemist,” to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education. With her trademark mix of research, theory, and classroom pragmatism, Sara takes us on a journey from the evolution of AI and deep learning to the practical ways teachers can use large language models (LLMs) today.

Together, we dig into questions educators everywhere are asking: What exactly can AI do for teachers? How can we use it responsibly? And what frameworks can guide us as we experiment and adapt? Sara shares practical applications—from using AI as a personal assistant to update lesson plans, to managing schedules and streamlining teacher workflows. She also addresses the ethics of AI, the role of professional development, and why experimentation and play are essential in this new era.

💡 Reflect with us:

• How do you see AI supporting your role as a teacher?

• What frameworks of reference do you have in place to ensure effective and ethical implementation?

• What excites you most—and what worries you most—about AI in education?

• Where might AI help you reclaim time or energy in your teaching practice?

🧰 Resources & Tools:

• History of AI graphic by Sara Davila

• AI Timeline 2022-Present

• When to Use Predictive AI vs. Generative AI

• How AI Chatbots Work

• The Algorithmic Future of Education – Audrey Watters

• From Revolution to Evolution: What Generative AI Really Means for Language Learning (Cambridge)

• AI and English Language Teaching: Affordances and Challenges (BJET)

• Using Early LLMs for Corpus Linguistics (ScienceDirect)

• What We Talk About When We Talk About AI in Education – Audrey Watters

🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Sponsor Message

01:12 Introduction to the Podcast

01:23 Episode Overview

04:02 Meet Our Guest: Sarah Davila

05:55 Understanding Large Language Models (LLMs)

06:23 The Evolution of AI

08:07 Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing

10:55 Generative AI and Transformers

17:29 Recap and Key Concepts

20:30 Frameworks for Teachers Using AI

21:37 Understanding the Rapid Evolution of AI

21:53 Introducing UNESCO's AI Framework for Teachers

22:37 Human-Centered AI: The Core Principle

23:15 Ethics in AI: Teacher Responsibility

26:13 Practical Use Cases for AI in Education

28:09 Leveraging AI for Personal and Professional Development

34:36 Exploring AI Tools in Microsoft and Google Ecosystems

38:41 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Educators

#AIinEducation #EdTech #AIforTeachers #TeacherThinkAloud #LanguageTeaching #ReflectivePractice #TESOL #ELT #TEFL #AItools #EdTechInnovation #FutureofEducation #TeacherPD #ESLteachers #DigitalPedagogy #EduAI #ClassroomInnovation #TeacherGrowth #LLM #TeacherReflection #ProfessionalGrowth #TeacherDevelopment #TeacherAgency #ELTcommunity #EFLteachers #ELTchat #TEFLlife #EdChat #TeacherLife #EduGrowth #GlobalEd #TeachersOfInstagram #TeachersOfLinkedIn

In Part 2 of our collaboration with the DIESOL Podcast, we reunite with Brent and Ixchell, this time with our signature Teacher Think-Aloud style, with more narrative and reflective interruptions as we delve into actionable strategies. In this episode, we explore the practical side of reflective pedagogy in English language teaching:

• How to implement tech tools to enhance reflection

• The balance between spontaneous and intentional reflection

• Building a sustainable reflective practice that prevents burnout

This episode is packed with hands-on inspiration and strategies, designed to empower teachers to bring meaningful reflection into their classrooms. 🎧 Join us as we uncover ways to stay connected, nurture professional growth, and keep the joy of teaching alive through reflection.

💡 Reflect with us:

🧰 Resources & Tools:

🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message

01:12 Welcome to the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast

01:46 Reflective Practice: Part Two

02:23 Meet Brent and Ixchell

02:41 Unplanned Reflection Moments

03:53 Intentional Reflection Strategies

08:45 Reflection in Action vs. Reflection on Action

09:51 Using Reflection for Goal Setting

18:48 Integrating Technology in Reflection

23:49 Using Commute Time for Reflection

24:33 Marco Polo for Teacher Collaboration

26:06 The Role of Accountability Partners

27:16 Tech Tools for Reflective Teaching

33:04 Collective Reflection and PLNs

36:55 Avoiding Teacher Burnout

41:27 Final Thoughts and Resources