Claim OwnershipBritish Council - Teaching English
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A podcast series from British Council exploring some of the big questions in English language teaching.
32 Episodes
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4Welcome to this special final episode of series three of the TeachingEnglish podcast! Chris and We'am look back at some of the highlights from the series. They also talk to a panel of ELT experts who answer the questions from you, our TeachingEnglish community listeners. First, we ask IATEFL vice president Chris Graham about teacher associations and their benefits. Chris gives his view on teacher talk time and talks about how ideas about learning styles have changed. Next, PhD researcher Silvia Nassar gives some practical techniques for teaching collocations. She also tells us how to deal with fast finishers to maximise learning and minimise disruption. Finally, we talk to university professor Lina Mukhopadhyay, an expert in multilingualism and English language education based in Hyderabad, India. Lina helps us think about how to use students' home languages in class and shares some of the challenges and benefits of multilingual classes.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
In this episode, we ask the question: How can I use the creative arts to teach English? Chris and We'am talk about how art in the classroom can help create a positive atmosphere for learning. First they talk to Chrysa Papalazarou. She talks about how the use of visual art can capture the attention of learners and help develop emotional intelligence. Next, Dr Sirhajwan Idek talks about the Dau Dau project in Borneo. This project uses indigenous art to bridge the gap between local culture and language and English.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic
In this episode, we ask the question: how can I motivate my students? Chris and We'am discuss what motivation in English teaching means to them and the importance of motivation for learners. First they talk to Liam Printer, an expert in motivation in language teaching. He explains the different types of motivation and how we can help learners to really enjoy learning. Next they talk to Azadeh Moladoost, a PhD researcher on teacher motivation. She gives some tips on how teachers can stay motivated, even when they have restrictions on what they can do in the classroom.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
This week, Chris and We’am discuss critical thinking – what does it mean, why is it important and what role does it have to play in English language teaching? Chris and We’am start by talking about critical thinking as a mindset rather than as a skill separate to other learning. First up, they talk to Paul Dummett, who helps define what we mean by critical thinking before going on to discuss its practical role in ELT. In our second interview, Chris and We’am talk to Graham Crookes. They discuss how small changes can be made within the language classroom to make room for critical thinking. We also link back to a previous episode where Chris and Rose Aylett look at the role of micro-resistances in a classroom setting.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
In episode 6 we ask the question: How can we use play to teach English? First up this week, Chris talks about how he has used play in his teaching, and introduces We'am to a game from his childhood days. Then they talk to Elly Setterfield, a young learner ELT specialist. Elly discusses the Lego Foundation's definition of play and how it can be incorporated into English language teaching. Next they interview Wei Mao, a PhD researcher on play in ELT. Wei talks about the spectrum of play and the practicalities of how different types of play can be used strategically in the classroom.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
In episode 5 we ask the question: How can we assess more fairly and effectively? We start by discussing the ideas of validity, reliability and accessibility in assessment. Then we talk to Professor Barry O'Sullivan, Head of Assessment Research and Development at the British Council. Barry explores current issues around fair assessment and how it might change in the future. Finally, we talk with Massamba Seck, a teacher and trainer from Senegal. He explains practical ways to make assessment fair and effective and how this can help learners to succeed.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
In this episode, we discuss the impact of artificial intelligence on English language teaching. We start by discussing what AI is and its potential to make our lives as teachers easier. We talk to Svetlana Kandybovich, an AI educator and expert from Montenegro, about the pros and cons of AI. Svetlana emphasises the importance of human reasoning and the role of the teacher in the learning process. We then talk to EdTech expert Raquel Ribero, who shares her experience and practical tips to help teachers integrate AI and develop AI literacy in their students.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
Welcome to episode 3 of series 3 of our podcast. In this episode, we ask the question: do I need to sound like a 'native speaker'? After discussing what we mean by native and non-native speakers of English, we have a conversation with Professor Jenny Jenkins, emeritus professor of Global Englishes. Jenny argues that 'native English' is a loaded and problematic term and she draws on her experience of ELF – English as a Lingua Franca – to provide a more useful understanding of English proficiency. Later in the episode, we hear from some of our TeachingEnglish Facebook community members, who give their opinions on the topic. Thanks to Maria Glazunova, Fajarudin Akbar, and Cristiana Osana for their contributions. Finally, we speak with Ana Jović, English language teacher and consultant, about native speakerism and its impact on language learning and teaching. Ana highlights the need for educating parents, students and teachers about the myths surrounding English speakers in ELT.Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
It's episode 2 of our new series, and this week we are discussing how to teach vocabulary and grammar more communicatively. We talk to Jo Cummins, freelance ELT teacher, trainer and materials writer. Jo shares some ideas for communicative activities in the classroom that can help students move from passive grammar and vocabulary knowledge to active use of language for communication. We also look at how classrooms can become a 'safe space' for students to make errors, so that they can become more confident speakers outside the classroom. Later, we are joined by Luis Carabantes from Queen Mary University in London, who talks to us about communicative language teaching (CLT). We also discuss the importance of providing learners with authentic language and tasks, and of questioning the reasons for teaching what we teach. Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
The TeachingEnglish podcast is back! In episode 1, we're discussing how we can achieve gender equity in the classroom. We talk to Dr Aisling O'Boyle, Director of the Centre for Language Education Research at Queen's University, Belfast. We look at how discrimination against women in areas like education has deep historical roots, but we now have more useful language to discuss it. We talk about how inequalities persist in many areas today and how language and textbooks can reinforce gender stereotypes. We're later joined by Araceli Salas and Grazzia Mendoza, teacher educators from Latin America and editors of Empowered Women in ELT, a collection of worldwide stories. Together, we look at practical ways English teachers can tackle gender equity, including raising awareness, working together and adapting classroom materials to reflect local contexts. Download the show notes and transcripts in English and Arabic.
In this final episode of series 2, we ask 19 experienced ELT professionals to give us their top tips for teaching English effectively. These tips cover five key areas, namely: the importance of personalisation and context; criticality; humanistic approaches to teaching language; using social media; and general pedagogy. These concise, focused suggestions will hopefully maximise the learning experiences and learning outcomes in your classes and make your own ELT journey more pleasurable.Download the show notes, transcript and activity booklet Are you enjoying the podcast?Please give us your feedback and tell us what you think.Link to the feedback survey: https://forms.office.com/e/3wDh6FRMaU
Looking at the world of ELT from the perspective of fairness, justice, and equity, there is much to admire. However, it is far from perfect, and in this episode we look at some of those areas in which significant improvement could be made. In our field report, we hear from three individuals whose organisations are trying to make ELT a better place in terms of fairness in working conditions, inclusion in the workplace, and gender balance. In our interview, we speak to Rachel Tsateri, who is a prominent advocate for the rights of ‘non-native speaking English teachers’, drawing on her own experience of being discriminated against.Download the show notes, transcript and activity booklet from the websiteAre you enjoying the podcast? Please give us your feedback and tell us what you think.Link to the feedback survey: https://forms.office.com/e/3wDh6FRMaU
Building on what we discussed in episode 4 about ‘Academic English’, we take a step back and look at the wider context within which it sits – English for Specific Purposes (ESP). At first, who better than Viviana Cortes – the editor-in-chief of the Journal of English for Specific Purposes – to share with us an overview of ESP, discussing its history, present and its future. In our field report, we investigate some of the particular areas in more detail, with practitioners of Medical English, Aviation English, and English for Islamic Studies telling us about their specialities. We learn about some of the specific lexical, grammatical and stylistic features of each of these specialisms.Are you enjoying the podcast? Please give us your feedback and tell us what you think Link to the feedback survey: https://forms.office.com/e/3wDh6FRMaUDownload the show notes, transcript and activity booklet
Teacher professional development is a crucial part of being a good teacher. However, we often think that ‘good training’ can only be obtained from ‘expert trainers’ at large conferences or through online workshops. And whilst these can definitely be hugely beneficial, many teachers forget that there is so much that they can learn from their own colleagues in their own contexts. In our interview, we hear from the EVE programme, a ground-breaking initiative which promotes gender equity in ELT conferences. After this, we journey to Romania, to hear from a very active group based in the town of Sibiu who promote peer-led teacher development workshops.
Many parts of the world are currently experiencing significant levels of violence and conflict. The role of education and language learning in these areas is very important, and can provide short and long term benefits for people in these situations. This episode is released on the first anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and in recognition of this our field report focuses on a British Council programme entitled “Teaching and Learning in Difficult Times”. This programme has, to date, provided training in trauma-sensitive pedagogy to more than 1,000 Ukrainian English language teachers. In our interview, we talk to Diana Abu Zayed, a teacher in Gaza in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, who shares with us some of her practical experiences of teaching in a conflict area.Download the show notes, transcript in Arabic and English, and activity booklet
Wherever you are in the world, and whatever your context, story will almost certainly be an important part of the teaching and learning context. However, what is meant by the word’ story’ may differ from place to place, ranging from the type of traditional tale found in coursebooks, to oral narratives created by students themselves, to digital creations found online. To develop our understanding of these different contexts we first speak to Jamie Keddie, an expert in the way we can use different forms of ‘story’ to teach English. His passion and knowledge of the subject will be sure to stimulate your own classroom practice. After this, we visit the Oasis Centre in Cardiff to learn more about their novel approach to using storytelling to develop their students’ English language skills.Download the show notes, activity booklet and transcript in Arabic or English.
Just the phrase ‘academic English’ can sometimes make students – and teachers - feel nervous and afraid. In this episode, in the company of Tracey Costley from the University of Essex, we show that academic English doesn’t have to be quite as scary as it sounds, and that academic English can actually be accessible for everyone.In the field report, we find out about a fantastic initiative between the University of Leicester and the University of Leeds for refugee-background students, who receive online support to develop their academic English skills so that they can access degree programmes at UK universities.Download the show notes, activity booklet and transcript in English and Arabic
Teachers often ask to what extent they should be responsible for teaching challenging material in the classroom, for example topics such as sex, sexuality, racism, politics, religion and economic inequality. Given that in most teaching situations, teachers will have to teach difficult issues at some point, it is important to think about the best way to do this, in order to minimise any problems or embarrassment, and to maximise learning for the students. In our interview, we talk to Rose Aylett, who tells us all about PARSNIPs, and suggests many innovative ways in which these issues can be managed in the classroom. And in the field report, we go to Cardiff, in Wales, to hear about how the not-for-profit Oasis Centre discuss these issues with their refugee and asylum seeker clients.Download the practical activity booklet, show notes and transcript in English or Arabic
In recent times, the influence of virtual reality, artificial intelligence and the metaverse in our daily lives has increased. This influence has also been very noticeable in English language teaching in many parts of the world. In this episode, we talk to Nergiz Kern, a leading expert in this field, who talks to us about the past, present and future of these educational technologies. She shares with us advice about how we can get the most out of VR in the classroom with whatever resources we have, wherever in the world we may be. In our field report, we are invited into a VR lesson to see for ourselves how they work, and how they can make our teaching even more effective. Download the show notes, activity booklet and transcript from: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/article/british-council-teachingenglish-podcast-how-can-we-use-virtual-reality-teach-english
It’s the first episode of Series 2 of Teaching English with the British Council, and we’ve got world cup fever. We’re looking at how teachers can use football to teach English – as well as other languages – effectively. We interview the founders of Languagecaster and Multilingua FC, who provide a range of resources and materials to help students interested in football improve their English language skills. We also hear from the British Council’s own Premier Skills programme, which has used football as a way to promote social, language and skills development for over 15 years.You can download the show notes, the English transcript, Arabic transcript, and Activity Booklet from the TeachingEnglish website.
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This episode was excellent! I think as a native speaker from a country not counted among the big 5, it felt good to know we don't suffer alone, and there is dialogue happening. Bravo!
so helpful.thanks
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