Libsyn Directory

Four Skills, One Book: Bridging Theory and Practice [Ep. 72]

Release Date: 04/01/2025

Sharing Ideas in English Language Teaching: Writing Journal Reviews [Ep. 79]

Thrive in ELT

Every English language teacher has something worth sharing. Even you! If you've ever thought your teaching insights weren't "publishable” (Yep, thought it myself.), the newest Thrive in ELT podcast episode will quickly change your mind. Michele C. Guerrini, the Reviews Editor for TESOL SPAIN, walks you through the process involved in writing a journal review. In this conversation, we explore: ▪️What types of ideas are worth sharing (Hint: There are more than you think!) ▪️ How to write your journal review ▪️ Why sharing your work benefits you as much as your...

Learning from a Teacher Who Taught 100 Years Ago [Ep. 78]

Thrive in ELT

Ever been inspired by a teacher who taught 100 years ago? I have to say that it’s a new one for me! In this episode I’m reviewing "The Thread That Runs So True" by Jesse Stuart. Surprisingly, this 1949 autobiography of a Kentucky mountain school teacher impacted me more than I expected. What struck me most: Stuart’s experiences are extremely relatable. (Maybe you haven’t been able to sleep at night either because you’re trying to figure out how to help your beginner students?!) He valued people – his students, his teachers, the community in which he taught, and himself. He...

Batching as a Teacher: Is It Even Possible? [Ep. 77]

Thrive in ELT

Ever feel like you're constantly jumping from task to task? Planning one class… grading a few papers… checking email… then back to planning another class? Thank goodness there's a better way! Batching your work (grouping similar tasks together) helps you get and stay focused and get more done with less stress. In this episode, I share how I batch three key areas of my teaching life: lesson planning, grading, and administrative tasks. You'll hear what works for me, like my Wednesday lesson planning routine, and get practical ideas for finding your own batching system. If your...

What It Really Means When Your System Fails [Ep. 76]

Thrive in ELT

Imagine that you're the testing coordinator at your school. It's the day before exams, and you've done everything on your checklist... except order the actual tests. No imagination needed here. This is real life for me! What happened next came as a surprise though. After years of working on being kinder to myself, I finally realized something in my head and my heart. It wasn't actually my fault. Yes, I was the one responsible, but it was the way the system was set up that was the problem. If you've ever beaten yourself up over a mistake of any size in your English language teaching life, then...

What I've Learned from Using Checklists [Ep. 75]

Thrive in ELT

Who doesn’t love a good checklist?! Well, it depends. Generally, I love them. But sometimes, they create more problems than not. (I talk about one experience I’ve had with that!) The key is to use them wisely, which means they’re better when set up intentionally and sometimes when they’re not used at all. Listen in for four things I’ve learned from using checklists as an English language teacher. I hope that what you hear will inspire, reassure, or encourage you. For full show notes of this episode, visit Sign up for the 3 Steps to Building Your Thriving...

Finding Better Work-Life Balance [Ep. 74]

Thrive in ELT

Wish your work-life balance was a bit more… balanced? Forgetting my sister’s birthday was the wake-up call that started a gradual process of finding the work-life balance I needed to thrive as an ESL teacher. In the final episode of this season, I talk about the two key elements that moved me forward and can help make that wish a reality for you, too. For full show notes of this episode, visit Stay in touch! Sign up for my newsletter, Your Organized ELT Life. I’ll share tips, resources, and insights to help you manage your workload so that you have more...

Teachers Are People First: Finding Balance in Language Education [Ep. 73]

Thrive in ELT

Don’t you love it when you find out that you’re not the only one? That’s the way I felt when I first had a chat with Ana Jereb a few months back. I felt it again when we recorded this latest episode. I typically go solo on the show, but sometimes I meet someone who impacts me and my ELT life so much that I want you to know this person too. In this episode, you'll learn about: how Ana experienced burnout as an English language teacher and then turned things around why she believes that saying students come first isn’t possible the importance of teachers thinking of themselves as...

Four Skills, One Book: Bridging Theory and Practice [Ep. 72]

Thrive in ELT

Do you find it hard to actually apply English language teaching theory to your teaching? Often, research articles can feel distant, like the ideas are for a completely different world because you don’t see how they apply to your teaching situation. At the same time, you recognize that academic research in English language teaching is important to know about and understand – for yourself and your students. That’s why I’ve reviewed the book, Teaching English to Second Language Learners in Academic Contexts: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, for you. It’s definitely a...

5 Ways to Truly Switch Off from Work [Ep. 71]

Thrive in ELT

Does this ever happen to you? You’re listening to music or cooking dinner and all of a sudden you get an idea for one of your classes. It’s very common for us English language teachers to think about work outside of work. I would even bet that some of our most creative thoughts come from these times! But as exciting and helpful as it can be, sometimes the way work presents itself in our personal time can feel like a burden, maybe even an intrusion. Which is why switching off from work is so important. Tune in to learn five ways you can truly switch off from work. For full show...

When Good Enough Is Enough in English Language Teaching [Ep. 70]

Thrive in ELT

Have you ever thought to yourself that there has to be a better way? Whether it’s every week or every day, it can feel like there’s always something to be done. What often follows? The feeling that there’s always something that could be done better. The reality of your English language teaching life is likely this: There will always be a lesson to plan, a course to revise, or an assignment to review. But that reality doesn’t have to mean long hours or striving toward perfection. What I finally decided to say years ago was this: Good enough is enough. This doesn’t mean that you...

More Episodes

Do you find it hard to actually apply English language teaching theory to your teaching?

Often, research articles can feel distant, like the ideas are for a completely different world because you don’t see how they apply to your teaching situation.

At the same time, you recognize that academic research in English language teaching is important to know about and understand – for yourself and your students.

That’s why I’ve reviewed the book, Teaching English to Second Language Learners in Academic Contexts: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, for you.

It’s definitely a gold mine if you teach academic English, but it’s also worth a read even if you’re not. The authors themselves mention that this book can benefit teachers who are:

◼ looking to give new energy to their teaching,

◼ just starting out, and

◼ pre-service teachers.

For full show notes of this episode, visit https://www.eltresourceroom.com/podcast/72-four-skills-one-book-bridging-theory-and-practice

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Resources Mentioned in the Episode:

Newton, J. M., Ferris, D. R., Goh, C. C. M., Grabe, W., Stoller, F. L, & Vandergrift, L. (2018) Teaching English to second language learners in academic contexts: Reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Routledge.

Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory (MARSI)

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