Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers

How do I plan for my ELLs? Am I doing enough to support my ESL students? Am I a good ESL teacher? How do I lead a professional development about ESL in front of my peers? How can I have a successful ESL classroom? And the biggest question that every ESL teacher asks is, “How can I ensure my students succeed?” Welcome to Adventures in ESL Podcast! This is the place you want to be to answer all your burning questions about teaching ESL students in grades K-12. My Adventures in ESL Podcast serves ESL teachers (K-12) who are struggling with what to teach and how to prepare for the school year to become successful and confident in their teaching. Every week Millie will bring you actionable tips and strategies that you can implement in your classroom. Don’t wait another second! Hit play and learn all the secrets that will transform your classroom. #eslteachersrock

EP 159 Student Needs Assessments 03/24/2025

EP 159 Student Needs Assessments In this week’s episode of My Adventures in ESL, we’re 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 it’s 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 students’ academic, emotional, and language development needs. 🎧 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: What a student needs assessment is—and what it’s not Why assessing student needs is essential for inclusive, data-driven instruction A step-by-step guide for planning and conducting a needs assessment How to use the results to drive instruction and support your students more effectively 💡 Key Takeaways: Needs assessments are a valuable tool for identifying strengths, challenges, and growth areas. Data collection can include surveys, interviews, observations, and assessments. Clearly defined goals and a plan for follow-up action are essential to success. Assessments help foster inclusive classrooms that meet students' cultural and emotional needs. 📌 Resources Mentioned: 🎯 Download ready-to-use ESL resources: 🔗 Related Blog Post: Read the full blog on student needs assessments . Check out this episode and others on , , & ! If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: 🙌 Thank You, ESL Teachers! Your dedication is life-changing. You’re helping students find their voice—not only in a new language but in the world. Keep going, keep growing, and know that your work truly matters. 💙 👉 Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow ESL teacher who could benefit from these insights! /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/35833385

EP 158 My Go-to Engaging Lessons 03/17/2025

EP 157 Celebrating Your Newcomer's Success 03/10/2025

Ep 156 Lesson Ideas for March 03/03/2025

Ep 156 Lesson Ideas for March 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 Women’s History Month and Poetry Month to exploring the arrival of spring, we’ve got you covered with creative ideas and actionable lesson plans. Episode Highlights: 🎉 Women’s History Month: Celebrate and Inspire The significance of Women’s History Month and why it’s important to recognize the contributions of women in history. Lesson Idea: Biography and Research Projects – a versatile, scaffolded activity adaptable to different grade levels. Student Presentations: Encouraging students to present their research builds confidence and public speaking skills. Recommended Read-Alouds: Bonus Resource: If available, Brainpop offers excellent Women’s History Month content. 📝 Poetry Month: Unleashing Creativity Why Poetry Month is a great opportunity to develop literacy and creative expression. Lesson Idea: Creating a Poetry Book – guiding students through writing and publishing their own poetry. Step-by-Step Approach: Introduce students to various poets and poetry styles. Provide templates and scaffolds to help students craft their poems. Conduct a class poetry reading or gallery walk to showcase student work. Cross-Curricular Connection: Integrate Women’s History Month by focusing on female poets like Emily Dickinson and Maya Angelou. 🌿 First Day of Spring: Science Meets Creativity How to integrate science into spring-themed lessons. Lesson Ideas: Metamorphosis of a Butterfly – Explore the life cycle of a butterfly through videos, read-alouds, and student projects. Seed-to-Flower Growth – Teach students about plant growth with hands-on experiments. Interactive Learning Opportunities: Group science projects to encourage collaboration and peer learning. Check out this episode and others on , , & ! Announcements If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/35506120

EP 155 My thoughts and experiences about Gifted ELLs 02/24/2025

Empowering Educators: Engaging Lesson Plans for Black History Month 02/17/2025

EP 153 Supporting You & Your Students This Testing Season 02/10/2025

Breaking Myths About Newcomer Students: Insights for Educators 01/27/2025

Breaking Myths About Newcomer Students: Insights for Educators Welcome to today’s episode of the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! We’re tackling some of the most common misconceptions about working with newcomer students and sharing practical strategies to help educators support their success. Episode Highlights: 1. Myth: Students Must Acquire Oral Language Before Literacy Misconception: "Students need to speak English fluently before engaging in literacy activities." Truth: Literacy-rich classrooms are key to helping students develop the academic language they need. Strategies: Teach text structures to help students understand academic language. Use scaffolding techniques, like breaking tasks into smaller steps or using visual aids. Create opportunities for students to actively participate in academic activities. 2. Myth: You Don’t Need Special Training to Work with Language Learners Misconception: "Anyone with patience and kindness can effectively teach ESL students." Truth: Teaching English as a second language requires specialized skills and knowledge. Strategies: Pursue professional development opportunities like TESOL certifications or ESL workshops. Learn from experienced ESL educators through mentorship. Use targeted resources designed for language learners. Key Takeaways: Newcomer students benefit from literacy engagement and scaffolded academic opportunities, regardless of their oral language proficiency. Proper training equips educators with the tools to address the unique needs of language learners and avoid common teaching pitfalls. Resources Mentioned: Explore engaging ESL teaching tools and lesson plans at . Professional development opportunities like TESOL certification programs. If you’re ready to dive deeper into today’s topic, visit to access detailed lesson plans and resources. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! Are you tired of planning and looking for lessons for your Language Learners every week? If so, then I have the perfect option for you! Join my monthly lesson planning club “The Close Read Club”. Each month you will have access to lesson plans that are ready to print and go! to learn more or go to . Thank you for being a dedicated educator and advocate for your students. Keep shining and making a difference—one lesson, one conversation, and one smile at a time! /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/35019555

EP 151 Celebrate Lunar New Year in Your ESL Classroom with Engaging Lessons and Activities 01/20/2025

EP 151 Celebrate Lunar New Year in Your ESL Classroom with Engaging Lessons and Activities Welcome, educators! In this episode, we’re sharing exciting ways to bring the Lunar New Year into your ESL classroom. From close reading strategies to hands-on activities, you’ll find creative ideas to spark curiosity, foster cultural appreciation, and build essential language skills. What’s Inside This Episode: 1. Lunar New Year Close Read Discover how close reading can help ESL students unpack key vocabulary and phrases like "red envelopes," "lanterns," and "spring festival." Learn how to identify main ideas, analyze details, and draw inferences while exploring Lunar New Year traditions. Get a hands-on tip: Use a gallery walk with photos to engage students visually and encourage discussion. Resources Mentioned: Check out the Lunar New Year Close Read Lesson at for ready-to-use materials. 2. Red Envelope Writing Activity Explore the tradition of red envelopes (hongbao) and its significance in Lunar New Year celebrations. Activity Breakdown: Students create and decorate red envelopes. Write messages of good luck or gratitude using sentence starters like “I wish you…” or “May you have…” Exchange envelopes to practice speaking skills and spread positivity. Featured Resource: The Lucky Red Envelope by Vikki Zhang is a great story to introduce this activity. 3. Lantern Craft and Storytelling Dive into the cultural significance of lanterns during Lunar New Year and the Lantern Festival. Activity Steps: Build background knowledge with read-alouds or videos. Create personalized paper lanterns with easy-to-find materials and free templates. Pair the craft with storytelling—students can retell a story or create their own inspired by their lantern. This activity strengthens both creative and language skills. Additional Resources: Want more ideas and detailed lesson plans? Visit to access a comprehensive resource bundle, including two weeks’ worth of lesson plans and activities to make Lunar New Year memorable for your students. Are you tired of planning and looking for lessons for your Language Learners every week? If so, then I have the perfect option for you! Join my monthly lesson planning club “The Close Read Club”. Each month you will have access to lesson plans that are ready to print and go! to learn more or go to . /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/34919225

Strategies for Teaching Close Reading to Newcomers: A Guide for ESL Educators 01/13/2025

Strategies for Teaching Close Reading to Newcomers: A Guide for ESL Educators Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into effective strategies for teaching close reading to ESL newcomers! Whether you’re a seasoned educator or just starting your journey, these actionable tips will help you empower your language learners and create meaningful learning experiences. Episode Highlights: Building Background Knowledge: Learn why background knowledge is essential for newcomers to access and understand texts. Practical ideas: Think-alouds, picture walks, vocabulary banks, videos, and virtual or in-person field trips. Teaching Academic Vocabulary: Discover the importance of explicitly teaching key vocabulary to boost comprehension. Strategies include defining words, providing context, using visuals, and limiting daily vocabulary to 3-5 words. Close Reading Process: Breakdown of the three stages of close reading: First Reading: Focus on comprehension with level 1 and level 2 text-dependent questions. Second Reading: Explore text structures and purposes (e.g., cause and effect, compare and contrast). Third Reading: Analyze meaning through inferences, connections, and personal interpretations. Culminating Activities: Ideas for creative projects: Writing assignments, comic strips, podcasts, and more. Resources Mentioned in the Episode: Close Read Club: Access ready-made close reading lessons for all levels of language learners. Join today for just $5 at . Engaging ESL Resources: Find tools and lesson plans to enhance your teaching at . Key Takeaways: Close reading is a transformative strategy that equips newcomers with critical language skills. By building background knowledge, teaching vocabulary, and guiding purposeful readings, you create a supportive environment where students thrive. Action Steps: Start incorporating close reading into your lessons with the strategies shared today. Explore our ready-made resources to save time and elevate your teaching. Share this episode with fellow educators who would benefit from these strategies! Thank you for joining today’s episode! Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and visit for more tips and resources to support your teaching journey. /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/34828000

Unlocking Strategies for Engaging Language Learners 01/06/2025

Unlocking Strategies for Engaging Language Learners Welcome back, educators! In this episode, I’m sharing insights and strategies inspired by my recent experience at the TNTESOL conference in Nashville. From innovative math strategies to utilizing library resources and understanding translanguaging, you’ll find actionable tips to enhance your teaching and support your language learners. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Math Strategies for Language Learners: How picture books can introduce math concepts and build background knowledge. The importance of making math tangible through real-life applications like schedules and word problems. Techniques such as math talk and discussion protocols to encourage language-rich interactions. Language Learning in the Library: Discover free state library resources like TNTEL.info that offer language learning apps, decodable books, and leveled texts in multiple languages. Learn how to share these valuable tools with parents and students to support language development at home. Translanguaging in the Classroom: Understand how translanguaging differs from translating and why it’s an essential tool for language learners. Explore ways to intentionally incorporate translanguaging into your instruction to deepen student understanding. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Visit to download detailed lesson plans and engaging activities for your classroom. Check out for free electronic library resources and see if similar resources are available in your state. Explore additional strategies on translanguaging by visiting the linked book and website in the episode. Thank You, Educators! Your dedication to your students’ success is inspiring. I hope this episode gives you fresh ideas and tools to make your teaching even more impactful. Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast and leave a review if you found value in today’s episode! Connect with Me: Website: Store: Are you tired of planning and looking for lessons for your Language Learners every week? If so, then I have the perfect option for you! Join my monthly lesson planning club “The Close Read Club”. Each month you will have access to lesson plans that are ready to print and go! to learn more or go to . /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/34635865

Ep. 148 Simple and Effective November Lesson Ideas for Your Language Learners 11/04/2024

Ep. 148 Simple and Effective November Lesson Ideas for Your Language Learners Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! This week’s episode is all about making your November lesson planning efficient and engaging for you Language Learners. We’ll cover strategies and activity ideas for Veterans Day, Daylight Savings Time, Fall Festivals, and Hibernation. Tune in to get inspired with hands-on, student-centered activities that save time while creating an impactful classroom experience. In this episode, we discuss: Veterans Day Lesson Ideas: Start with a KWL chart to let students share what they know and want to know. Activity: Follow up with a read- aloud for GetEpic and have students write thank- you notes or design cards for local veterans. Daylight Savings Time Discussion Starter: Introduce pros and cons of daylight savings and use this as an opportunity for opinion writing. Writing Activity: Guide students in writing their own opinion paragraphs with sentence frames and peer editing. Fall Festivals and Activities Leaf Observations: Have students observe, color and describe leaves using new vocabulary. Corn Maze Design: A creative math-based activity where students design their own corn maze on grid paper. Hibernation Engaging Read- Aloud: Use “Over and Under” from GetEpic to explore animal hibernation. Crafts: Make hibernation-themed crafts to bring the lesson to life. Check out this episode and others on , , & ! Links & Resources Mentioned in this Episode Visit to access detailed lesson plans, including two full weeks of November activities for your Language Learners. Announcements If you enjoyed today’s episode, don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! You can also join our weekly newsletter for more tips, freebies,and resources. Find the link in our show notes or visit . If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/33770362

Transform Your Planning Period: Time-Saving Tips for Teachers 10/28/2024

EP 146 Procrastination & Planning 10/21/2024

EP 145 Speaking and Writing Activities 10/07/2024

EP 145 Speaking and Writing Activities Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL Podcast! In this week’s episode, we’re diving into speaking and writing activities that you can easily incorporate into your lessons to help your students express themselves more effectively. These activities are designed to boost both listening and speaking skills while enhancing students’ writing abilities. In This Episode, You’ll Learn: Simple and effective speaking activities to improve student communication skills and build confidence in group discussions and presentations. Writing prompts and exercises that promote creativity, structure, and fluency in student writing. How to blend listening and speaking activities to create more engaging, interactive lessons for students of all grade levels. Tips for managing these activities in the classroom to ensure every student has the opportunity to participate and improve. Why These Activities Matter: Developing strong speaking and writing skills is crucial for students to succeed both in and out of the classroom. This episode gives you practical strategies that will not only enhance your students’ communication skills but also help them become more confident, critical thinkers. Bonus Tips: Be sure to listen for bonus tips on how to seamlessly integrate these activities into your daily lessons, ensuring that they’re effective and easy to manage, regardless of your students’ skill levels. Resources and Extras: Looking for more resources? Visit my website for additional lesson plans and activities to support your teaching goals: . Subscribe and Listen: Don’t miss out on future episodes where we explore more ways to enhance your teaching and elevate student engagement. Check out this episode and others on , , & ! Announcements If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: /episode/index/show/adventuresinesl/id/33354802