Episode 89 - The Three Cs of EL Family Engagement
Welcome to episode 89 of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In this episode, we dive into the three Cs of EL family engagement: connection, community, and continued support. I want to share my personal experience of creating a space for parents of EL students to come together and have coffee and conversation. Through this informal setting, my partner and I discovered valuable lessons about building an inclusive community in schools and districts. What you will hear about in this episode: The importa...
7 Marras 202313min
Episode 88 - How to Use Novel Study to Enrich Vocabulary and Speaking
Reading is always a hot topic, and teaching reading to English learners presents its own set of challenges. It has to do with grade level, with English proficiency, and other factors. So today, I wanted to share with you how I have been implementing novel study this school year with my middle schoolers in particular, and that has allowed my students to be engaged in and motivated to read. What you will hear about in this episode: Implementing a novel study in the classroomChallenges of teac...
31 Loka 202319min
Episode 87 - What Does it Take to Acquire a Language and Why All Teachers Should Know This
What does it take to acquire another language? In my previous episode, I used a phrase that I have heard many times, “Oh, but there's another language spoken in the home.” The statement can mean so many things and nothing at all. I want to break down what it takes to acquire another language in today's episode. If we are to embrace the notion that teaching multilingual learners is not just a job and care of the English Language Development (ELD) specialist, but that all of us play a par...
24 Loka 202315min
Episode 86 - Here Are Your 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in General Education Classroom
Last week, I was talking to my colleague who was so overwhelmed by all the questions and comments coming from the regular education teachers and frankly, the unwillingness of some to pause and take the situation in for what it was. We chatted a bit and calmed down, but a part of me was still dissatisfied. Sometimes, EL teachers are spread so thin or work in isolation that all of our knowledge is impossible to share in an effective way with those who could really benefit from it. So I wanted t...
17 Loka 202312min
Episode 85 - EL Class Structure and Vocabulary Instruction: A Peek Into My Classroom
A while back, I recorded an episode about how I structured my middle school class, and since I work at 2 schools, middle and high school, I wanted to offer you a little glimpse into how I structure my high school classes. I have more students at the high school this year and more classes, so there's plenty of room for creativity. Lesson planning and vocabulary instruction is something that is always on top of every EL teacher's mind, and my goal for this episode is to share with you my ...
10 Loka 202316min
Episode 84 - Every Teacher is a Language Teacher. Here is Why!
Teaching multilingual learners requires great knowledge of language acquisition theory, teaching strategies, and methodologies. At the same time, it requires empathy, cultural awareness and openness. And that said, multilingual learners are not only students of EL teachers. They are all of our students. Every teacher is a language teacher. Sometimes when we talk to our colleagues, we might hear a phrase, but I'm not a language teacher. I teach math, science, social studies, you name it, ...
3 Loka 202313min
Episode 83 - 5 Ways AI Can Help Save Teachers Time and Help Multilingual Learners
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 ...
26 Syys 202316min
Episode 82 - How to Master Small Group Scheduling and Instruction with guest Kristen Vibas
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'...
19 Syys 202325min
