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Dive into the world of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) with TEFL Unlocked, the ultimate podcast for aspiring and seasoned educators. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to enhance your teaching skills, this podcast offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.
76 Episodes
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In this episode, Luan and Mairead explore the benefits of peer teaching and share practical strategies that boost engagement, encourage interaction, and bring more fun into the classroom.
In this episode, we explore how to support neurodiverse learners in ESL classrooms. Discover practical strategies like structured lessons, multi-sensory activities, and flexible participation to create an inclusive environment where every student can thrive.
Stuck in your teaching routine? This episode explores how observing fellow teachers can spark new ideas, improve classroom techniques, and help you grow through reflection, collaboration, and small, practical changes.
Curious about how AI can fit into your English lessons? Luan and Mairead explore how AI can save planning time, spark creativity, and personalise learning — without replacing the insight, care, and human connection that make teaching effective.
In this follow-up episode, Luan and Mairead share practical, low-prep speaking activities for teens at every level. Discover simple classroom tasks that build confidence, encourage interaction, and get students speaking naturally.
Struggling to keep teens motivated in your English lessons? Luan and Mairead reveal top strategies for making lessons relevant, interactive, and fun – helping teens communicate naturally and confidently.
In this practical episode of TEFL Unlocked, Luan and Mairead break down the 5 stages of an effective reading lesson — from warmer to follow-on speaking — and share what to do, what to avoid, and why staging matters.
Luan and Mairead break down why reading aloud often fails to develop comprehension, fluency, or natural pronunciation, and share strategies to make reading activities more meaningful and engaging for all learners.
New to TEFL? Join Luan and Mairead as they tackle the most common questions and worries for new teachers — from accents and grammar fears to lesson planning, classroom management, and teaching online. Gain practical advice and confidence to thrive in the classroom
Turn songs into learning tools! Luan and Mairead share practical ways to teach listening, vocabulary, grammar, and speaking — all through music, to make your English lessons more engaging, fun, and memorable.
Grammar lessons can be tricky, even for experienced teachers. In this episode, Luan and Mairead explore common mistakes—over-explaining, correcting too much, relying on worksheets—and share practical strategies to teach grammar effectively, keeping lessons engaging while helping students use language naturally.
In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Luan talks to Dr Andy Goldhawk about his new book, The Language Teaching Toolkit, and how it supports teachers at every stage of their career. Andy explains how thoughtful, adaptable activities can reduce planning time, build teacher confidence, and help learning really stick.
In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Luan and Mairead explore the saboteurs that can hold teachers back. From the Critic to the Perfectionist, discover practical strategies to recognise these patterns, manage self-doubt, and step into the classroom with confidence, calm, and a renewed sense of purpose.
First-class nerves are real — whether it’s your first lesson ever or a new class. In this episode, Luan and Mairead share eight practical strategies to help teachers feel calm, clear, and confident before stepping into the classroom. From comfort rituals to simple activities, these tips turn nerves into readiness.
In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Luan and Mairead reflect on TEFL in 2025. From the rise of online and hybrid teaching to microlearning, teacher upskilling, and sustainability, they explore the trends, innovations, and shifts that shaped classrooms, careers, and the global English-teaching community over the past year.
In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Luan and Mairead explore ten reasons to start your TEFL journey straight after high school. As an internationally recognised teaching qualification that helps you enter the job market quickly, TEFL offers global experience, confidence-building opportunities, a stronger CV, and lifelong memories for young people shaping their futures.
In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Luan and Mairead share eight low-prep, classroom-ready tasks that work seamlessly for both Cambridge Main Suite and IELTS learners. From speaking stamina to paraphrasing, collocations, writing skills, and exam-day confidence, these practical activities help you build real exam readiness without turning lessons into mock tests.
In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Luan and Mairead share 10 practical tips to keep young learners engaged in online English lessons. From games and songs to movement, puppets, and digital whiteboards, discover fun, easy strategies to make your classes lively, interactive, and full of energy.
In this episode of Tefl Unlocked, hosts Luan and Mairead delve into the essential topic of classroom management, discussing various techniques and strategies that can significantly enhance the teaching experience. They emphasize the importance of establishing clear rules, maintaining consistency and fairness, building rapport with students, and planning engaging lessons to prevent misbehavior. The conversation also covers effective transition management, creating a positive classroom environment, and the significance of giving clear instructions. Finally, they highlight the necessity of staying calm and patient as a teacher, reflecting on lessons to foster continuous improvement.
The conversation explores the journey of teaching English, focusing on the transition from general English classrooms to the specialized field of exam English. It highlights the motivations of students and the increasing demand for teachers with specific qualifications in exam preparation.
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