Ep. 171 What do I teach next month? October Edition
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Release Date: 09/22/2025
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, don’t forget to check out the engaging ESL resources available at myadventuresinesl.com/store. Episode Overview As we move closer to Winter Break, it’s completely normal to feel the weight of the season — 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! 🌟 Before we dive in, take a deep breath — you’re 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. 💛 In today’s episode, we’re talking about something every ESL teacher struggles with — finding high-quality resources that actually save time instead of wasting it. If you’ve ever spent hours searching for the “perfect” lesson only to end up disappointed, this episode is for you. You’ll learn: 🎯 3 Smart Strategies for finding high-quality...
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Ep. 173 Myth: You Can’t Teach Multiple Levels Effectively – Why That’s Not True
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Teaching ESL across multiple language levels can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be! In this episode, we’re breaking down practical strategies to help you confidently teach newcomers, intermediate, and advanced students all in one classroom. You’ll 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. 💛 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 podcast—the show dedicated to helping ESL teachers like you feel confident, supported, and inspired in your classroom. I’m so excited you’re here! As ESL teachers, we know how much time and energy goes into planning lessons, organizing materials, and meeting our students’ diverse needs. But even the best lesson plan can fall flat if students aren’t engaged. In this episode, I’m 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 rhythm—but sometimes, the excitement from August and September starts to fade. If you’ve ever stared at your lesson plans this month thinking, “I need something fresh!”—this episode is for you. In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, I’m 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 again—without 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! 🎉 The beginning of the school year is here, and if you’re 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 plate—it’s a lot! In this episode, I’m 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 matters—supporting your students and building a...
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Ep. 169 Effective Organization Tips
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Hey there, amazing ESL teachers! 🎉 A brand-new school year is here, and I know you’re already working hard to create a classroom where your students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. But let’s be real—these first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind. That’s why today’s episode is all about practical, effective organization strategies that will save you time, reduce stress, and create the calm, focused classroom your students need to thrive. In this episode, I’m sharing simple systems that actually work—without adding more to your plate. From student bins that keep...
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Ep. 168 First Two Weeks of School
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome, ESL educators! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the real, unfiltered experience of your first two weeks back in the classroom. Whether you’re brand new to teaching English learners or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you walk into the school year with clarity, confidence, and calm. 💡 Before we get started—don’t forget to sign up for my FREE professional development training: You’ll walk away with practical tools to reduce overwhelm, simplify planning, and build meaningful connections with your students—plus a PD certificate just for attending! 🗓️...
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Ep. 167 Mixed Groups? How to Prepare and Plan
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of the biggest challenges ESL teachers face: planning for mixed-level groupings. Whether you have newcomers just arriving in the U.S. or students on the verge of exiting your ESL program, finding ways to support every learner can feel overwhelming—but it is possible, and today’s episode will show you how. 🔑 In this episode, you’ll learn: Why planning for mixed-level groups is essential for ESL success How to build tiered activities for different language levels Simple ways to scaffold support for all students ...
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EP 166 Creating Systems for the New Year
Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers
Welcome educators! In this week’s episode of My Adventures in ESL, we’re diving into how to use your summer intentionally by building simple, effective systems that will support you—and your students—all year long. Whether you’re a first-year teacher or a veteran, setting up classroom systems during the summer isn’t about perfection. It’s about preparation. With the right tools and routines in place, you can avoid the chaos of survival mode and step into the new school year with clarity, calm, and confidence. You’ll walk away with ideas for routines across the four language...
info_outlineOctober can feel like a turning point in the school year. Your routines are set, your students are finding their rhythm—but sometimes, the excitement from August and September starts to fade. If you’ve ever stared at your lesson plans this month thinking, “I need something fresh!”—this episode is for you.
In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, I’m 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 again—without adding hours of planning to your already full plate.
Here’s what you’ll discover in today’s episode:
✨ Lesson Idea #1: Take your students on a virtual field trip to a pumpkin patch—integrating culture, science, and math while practicing essential language skills.
✨ Lesson Idea #2: Celebrate International School Library Month by turning your classroom into a mini-library exploration and helping students fall in love with reading.
✨ Lesson Idea #3: Dive into spooky folktales and legends from around the world to inspire storytelling, collaboration, and creativity in your ESL classroom.
October is the perfect time to bring energy, curiosity, and collaboration back into your lessons. These ideas will help you keep students engaged while giving you back a little peace of mind.
🎧 Listen now and try one (or all three!) of these lesson ideas this month. Your students—and your future self—will thank you.
📌 Resources Mentioned:
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My Adventures in ESL Teacher Pay Teachers Store – for ready-to-use lesson plans and templates to save you time.