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
Ep. 179 I Donât Have Time to PlanâWhat Do I Do?
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
If youâve ever sat down to plan and felt instantly overwhelmed, this episode is for you. ESL teachers juggle multiple grade levels, language levels, paperwork, meetings, and constant interruptions â all with the same planning time as everyone else. Itâs no wonder planning can feel impossible. In todayâs episode, we talk honestly about why ESL lesson planning feels so heavy and what you can do when time is limited but your students still deserve meaningful instruction. Youâll walk away with simple, realistic strategies that help you plan faster, smarter, and with less stress â even...
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EP 178 Powerful Strategies to Boost Student Engagement in Your ESL Classroom
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Feeling a dip in student engagement in your ESL classroom? Youâre not aloneâand youâre not doing anything wrong. In this episode, we talk about why engagement naturally fades during certain seasons of the school year and how small, intentional shifts can bring energy, joy, and participation back into your lessons without adding more work to your plate. This episode is designed to support ESL educators who are navigating tired students, low energy, and the pressure to keep learning meaningful during busy, high-stress times of the year. In This Episode, Youâll Learn: Why student...
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EP 177 3 Time-Management Mistakes ESL Teachers Make (and How to Stop Them)
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Planning periods shouldnât leave you feeling more overwhelmed than when you startedâbut for many ESL teachers, thatâs exactly what happens. In this episode, weâre slowing things down and having an honest conversation about time: where itâs going, why it never feels like enough, and how a few intentional shifts can help you regain control of your day without working longer hours. If youâre juggling multiple grade levels, language proficiencies, assessments, and paperworkâand still trying to show up fully for your studentsâthis episode was created with you in mind. What to...
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EP. 176 But My Class Is Too Big / I Donât Have Time â Can I Still Build Real Relationships?
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
In this episode, weâre diving into one of the biggest challenges ESL teachers face: building authentic relationships with students when your class sizes are large, your time is limited, and your responsibilities feel endless. If youâve ever looked around your classroom and wondered, âHow do I connect with everyone when I barely have time to breathe?â â you are not alone. Today, we explore practical, realistic, and impactful strategies that help you strengthen relationships with your students through small, intentional actions that fit naturally into your day. This episode isnât...
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Ep. 175 From Planning as Chore to Thinking as Design: A Mindset Shift for ESL Teachers
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! Before we dive in, donât forget to check out the engaging ESL resources available at myadventuresinesl.com/store. Episode Overview As we move closer to Winter Break, itâs completely normal to feel the weight of the season â the planning, the paperwork, the constant juggling. In this episode, we explore a powerful mindset shift that can bring clarity, purpose, and even joy back into your weekly planning: seeing lesson planning not as a chore, but as an act of design. This episode offers encouragement, practical strategies, and a refreshing way to approach planning...
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Ep. 174 3 Smart Ways to Find High-Quality ESL Resources Fast
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! đ Before we dive in, take a deep breath â youâre doing an incredible job. This time of year can be challenging, but every lesson, every smile, and every word of encouragement you give your students truly matters. đ In todayâs episode, weâre talking about something every ESL teacher struggles with â finding high-quality resources that actually save time instead of wasting it. If youâve ever spent hours searching for the âperfectâ lesson only to end up disappointed, this episode is for you. Youâll learn: đŻ 3 Smart Strategies for finding high-quality...
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Ep. 173 Myth: You Canât Teach Multiple Levels Effectively â Why Thatâs Not True
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Teaching ESL across multiple language levels can feel overwhelmingâbut it doesnât have to be! In this episode, weâre breaking down practical strategies to help you confidently teach newcomers, intermediate, and advanced students all in one classroom. Youâll learn how to: Simplify lesson planning with one core learning goal Use flexible grouping to boost collaboration and engagement Offer scaffolded choices that meet every student where they are These tips will help you save time, reduce stress, and create a more inclusive, empowered classroom for all learners. đ Resources...
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Ep. 172 My Plan to increase student engagement this year!
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL podcastâthe show dedicated to helping ESL teachers like you feel confident, supported, and inspired in your classroom. Iâm so excited youâre here! As ESL teachers, we know how much time and energy goes into planning lessons, organizing materials, and meeting our studentsâ diverse needs. But even the best lesson plan can fall flat if students arenât engaged. In this episode, Iâm sharing three practical and easy-to-implement strategies that will help you create an engaging classroom where students are excited to participate and eager to learn....
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Ep. 171 What do I teach next month? October Edition
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
October can feel like a turning point in the school year. Your routines are set, your students are finding their rhythmâbut sometimes, the excitement from August and September starts to fade. If youâve ever stared at your lesson plans this month thinking, âI need something fresh!ââthis episode is for you. In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, Iâm sharing three simple, seasonal, and interactive lesson ideas that you can start using in your classroom right away. These activities are designed to save you time, engage your students, and make learning fun againâwithout adding hours...
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Ep. 170 Where do I Start? Tips to get you started
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome back, amazing teachers! đ The beginning of the school year is here, and if youâre anything like me, you know it can feel like a whirlwind. Between screening new students, managing schedules, creating lessons, writing language plans, and juggling everything else on your plateâitâs a lot! In this episode, Iâm sharing three practical, high-impact strategies that will help you start the school year feeling calm, confident, and organized. My goal is to take some of the overwhelm off your shoulders so you can focus on what truly mattersâsupporting your students and building a...
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)
𧩠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.