British Council - Teaching English

Welcome 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.

Chrysa Papalazarou, an expert in visual arts and ELT, shares innovative ways to integrate art into language learning, emphasizing its role in emotional intelligence. Dr. Sirhajwan Idek introduces the Dau Dau project from Borneo, which uses indigenous art to connect local culture with English language teaching. They discuss how creative arts like graffiti and puppetry can enhance student engagement, create a positive learning atmosphere, and foster deeper emotional connections with language.

Liam Printer, an expert in language teaching motivation, shares his insights on fostering joyful learning experiences through different types of motivation. He stresses the power of intrinsic motivation and the vital role of teacher-student dynamics. Azadeh Moladoost, a PhD researcher, discusses keeping teachers motivated amidst educational constraints, emphasizing professional development and the importance of a supportive environment. Both guests highlight how personal passions can enhance engagement and create a thriving classroom atmosphere.

Paul Dummett defines critical thinking and its practical role in English language teaching. The podcast explores the importance of critical thinking as a fundamental mindset in education, challenges in defining it as a 21st-century skill, and practical ways to integrate it into language teaching through thought-provoking exercises and fostering trust between teachers and students.

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.