EP 161 Simple Strategies to Make the Upcoming School Year Easier
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Release Date: 05/12/2025
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome, educators! In this episode, weâre diving into practical, low-stress ways new ESL teachers can begin preparing for the upcoming school yearâwithout burning out or planning every single detail. Whether youâre ready to dig in or just testing the waters, youâll leave with tangible steps to start the year with clarity and confidence. âš In this episode, youâll learn: Why prepping during the summer (even just a little!) can make a big impact. How to start building your ESL toolkit with reusable visuals, sentence frames, and organizers. Easy ways to get familiar with your...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome, educators! In this episode, weâre talking all about how you can use a little bit of your summer to plan intentionally for the upcoming school yearâwithout giving up your much-needed rest. Whether youâre a veteran teacher or just starting out, this episode offers practical tips to help you plan smarter, not harder. What Youâll Learn in This Episode: Why summer is a prime time to reflect, plan, and create with intention How to set up a realistic, flexible planning routine (as little as 30 minutes a day!) The importance of creating lesson and activity templates to save time all...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
đŹ Episode Summary: Welcome educators! In this heartfelt and practical episode, we explore how to intentionally plan for rest and recovery during the summer. Many ESL teachers end the school year physically and emotionally drainedâbut it doesnât have to be that way. Tune in as I share my personal experience of burnout, the importance of prioritizing rest, and actionable strategies to help you recharge, reset, and return to the classroom refreshed. đ What Youâll Learn: Why rest isnât just niceâitâs necessary How to prevent burnout and long-term stress The impact of rest on...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome, educators! đ©đœâđ«đšâđ« Before we dive into this weekâs episode, donât forget to check out the engaging resources available to support your ESL classroom at . đ A Heartfelt Thank You To all the incredible ESL teachersâthank you for the heart, patience, and dedication you pour into your students every day. You do more than teach English; you inspire confidence, courage, and future success. Your work is truly life-changing, and every small victory you help create leaves a lasting impact. đŻ Episode Goal This episode is all about equipping you with practical,...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
đ Episode Summary: In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, we're diving into one of the most foundational (yet often overlooked) aspects of ESL instruction: language objectives. If youâve ever felt unsure about whether your objectives are truly effectiveâor youâre just looking to sharpen your approachâthis episode is for you. Iâm sharing the three most common mistakes teachers make when writing language objectives and giving you simple, actionable strategies to fix them. These are the lessons I wish I had when I first started teaching. Trust me, once you understand how to write...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
In this weekâs episode of My Adventures in ESL, weâre exploring one of the most powerful tools you can use to support your English Language Learners: the student needs assessment. You'll learn what a needs assessment is, why itâs crucial in an ESL setting, and how to effectively implement one in your own classroom. Whether you teach newcomers or long-term English learners, this episode will give you practical steps to better understand and serve your studentsâ academic, emotional, and language development needs. đ§ What Youâll Learn in This Episode: What a student needs assessment...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! In this episode, weâre diving into engaging ESL lesson ideas that will captivate your students and enhance their language skills. Teaching English as a second language is more than just lessonsâit's about empowering students to express themselves, connect with others, and build confidence. Today, Iâm sharing four dynamic teaching strategies to make your lessons more interactive and impactful. What Youâll Learn in This Episode: â Magic Write: A fun, hands-on vocabulary activity that excites students. â Close Read with Interesting...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! In this episode, weâre diving into meaningful ways to celebrate the achievements of your newcomer studentsâhelping them build confidence, stay motivated, and feel valued in the classroom. As educators, we know the importance of encouragement, and today, Iâll be sharing simple yet powerful strategies to uplift your students. What Youâll Learn in This Episode: â Why celebrating newcomers is essential for their growth and motivation â How to use positive phone calls home to strengthen student-teacher relationships â The importance...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome to this episode, where we dive into engaging lesson ideas for March! This month offers a wealth of opportunities to create meaningful learning experiences for your students. From celebrating Womenâs History Month and Poetry Month to exploring the arrival of spring, weâve got you covered with creative ideas and actionable lesson plans. Episode Highlights: đ Womenâs History Month: Celebrate and Inspire The significance of Womenâs History Month and why itâs important to recognize the contributions of women in history. Lesson Idea: Biography and Research Projects â a...
info_outlineAdventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! In this episode, we explore an important and often overlooked issueâidentifying and supporting gifted English Language Learners (ELLs). Many multilingual students go unnoticed in gifted programs simply because traditional assessments donât account for their unique skills and potential. Join me as I share my personal experiences, insights, and actionable strategies to ensure that gifted ELs receive the recognition and support they deserve. What You'll Learn in This Episode: â Why ELLs are often overlooked in gifted identification â The...
info_outlineWelcome, educators! đ©đœâđ«đšâđ«
Before we dive into this weekâs episode, donât forget to check out the engaging resources available to support your ESL classroom at myadventuresinesl.com/store.
đ A Heartfelt Thank You
To all the incredible ESL teachersâthank you for the heart, patience, and dedication you pour into your students every day. You do more than teach English; you inspire confidence, courage, and future success. Your work is truly life-changing, and every small victory you help create leaves a lasting impact.
đŻ Episode Goal
This episode is all about equipping you with practical, actionable strategies to help you prepare for the upcoming school yearâstarting now.
đ What Youâll Learn in This Episode:
- Why end-of-year planning is essential for a successful school year start
- How to overcome planning fatigue and stay productive despite a packed schedule
- A step-by-step guide to creating your custom roadmap for back-to-school preparation
- How to reflect on the current school year to build a stronger one ahead
- What fixed tasks you should always include in your yearly planning (like student file organization)
đ§© Featured Resource: The ESL Teacher Master Plan
Feeling overwhelmed by everything on your plate? The ESL Teacher Master Plan is a self-paced course that walks you through organizing, planning, and preparing for the new school year with confidence.
âš Get on the waitlist now at myadventuresinesl.com
â Quick Start To-Do List:
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Download the free planning guide
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Reflect on the past school yearâwhat worked and what didnât?
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Brainstorm fixed, recurring tasks (e.g., student folders)
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Use a calendar to break the roadmap into weekly chunks
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Assign tasks, attach deadlines, and celebrate your progress đ
Remember: You donât have to feel stuck in survival mode. With a simple roadmap and the right tools, you can finish strong and start the next school year empowered and prepared.
đ Visit myadventuresinesl.com/store for more tools and support.