EVERYTHING EFL

Working memory. What is it? Why do we need to know about it? The absolutely lovely Veronika Rogochaia guides us through the basics. She talks about why this is important and how we can free up space in our learners' working memory. This is especially useful if you have low-level learners. Enjoy. Veronika is an ESL teacher with 12 years of experience. She's a certified SNA with hands-on experience of working with students with intellectual disabilities. Veronika worked as a module instructor at Trinity College Dublin, giving tutorials on Universal Design for Learning for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Her current interests lie in the field of psychology of education and educating students with literacy difficulties. Contact me if you want me to do a CPD session in your school: erin@refreshyourteaching.com Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter community for teacher love and support: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Connect with me www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Getting students to speak can build confidence but is it the only way for them to learn the language? Our sweet beginners need input. Lots of it. There are a million things you can do but in this juicy episode, I talk about 3 ways you can introduce input that are engaging, simple to tailor to your class and low-to-no prep. And if you make it to the end of the episode, there's a little bonus for you too. Contact me if you are interested in me doing a CPD session in your school: erin@refreshyourteaching.com Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter community for teacher love and support: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Connect with me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Joining me this week is the ever-so-nice Dylan Gates. He explains what Dogme, or the easier-to-pronounce Teaching Unplugged, is. We talk about the advantages, nay, joys of emergent language and how it can help your students to speak more naturally. Also, Dylan talks about mini-tasks. Pure Gold. We also talk about PPP and its limitations and some really practical examples and tips on how to implement a more unplugged methodology into your class, even if in just a small way. And how do you feel about NOT achieving your aims and outcomes at by the end of your lesson? We talk about that too. Only have a very limited time with your students? There's something for you too. Contact me if you want me to do a CPD session in your school: erin@refreshyourteaching.com Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter community for teacher love and support: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Connect with me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by@sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

In this episode, we delve into the power of stepping outside your comfort zone. Explore the reasons and discover the benefits of resisting change, moving past the fear and overwhelm, and learn to navigate these toxic feelings. It's all a learning experience, never as bad as you think, and essential for growth. Plus, the weekly challenge: start with small changes, small steps, and small wins. Remember, what have you got to lose? References: https://www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/comfort-zones/ Contact me: erin@refreshyourteaching.com Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Does the mere mention of AI strike fear into your heart? Totally understandable - it's all so overwhelming but don't worry, Teacher: I got you. For this week's episode, I enlisted the expertise of Legend-in-the-Modern-Foreign Languages-World Joe Dale to give you a starting point. We also briefly talk about the pitfalls and things you need to consider, especially if teaching younger learners. If you are still a little trepidatious about using AI to aid your teaching, this episode is for you. Joe Dale is an independent languages consultant from the UK who works with a range of organisations such as Network for Languages, ALL, The British Council, the BBC, Skype, Microsoft and The Guardian. He was recently described in a Guardian article as an 'MFL guru' and 'the man behind the #mfltwitterati.'. Connect with Joe in his new Facebook group ‘Language Teaching with AI: https://www.facebook.com/groups/languageteachingwithai Links mentioned: Generating quizzes and questions from videos and texts: www.twee.com www.flippity.net www.quizlet.com www.quizziz.com www.quizalize.com www.questionwell.org/ www.blooket.com/ Chrome extension: quizzes AI https://beta.diffit.me/ Using voicenotes to generate texts/summaries: Audiopen AI General AI tool: Chat GPT Bard AI Claude AI Image generator: Padlet - I can't draw function Have conversations in another language: Voice control for Chat GPT Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Email me at showandtelleverythingefl@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Dive into the new year with a little humour and a lot of empathy as I reflect on the chaos of teaching. I talk about the importance of mindset, tackling common teacher stressors, and the revelation that you won't reach every student immediately. But of course I'll give you a few practical strategies so that we can try our damndest!! Join the weekly challenge and let me know how you get on. Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

The end of Cornerstones of Learning is upon us. Let's go out with a bang. Or maybe just a slow, deep breath out.... Mindfulness is becoming a bit of a buzz word, but for good reason. In this episode, I give you a few mindful activities you can try out in class and also I'll give you 3 mediation techniques you can do yourself to combat the stress and overwhelm of the job. And if it all sounds a bit 'woo woo', it isn't, I promise you. These little things can help you and your students enormously. Youtube video Bite-Sized Mindfulness: An Easy Way for Kids to be Happy and Healthy | KIRA WILLEY | TEDxLehighRiver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOlIdmMK_zM Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Do you leave a little time and space for your students reflect How about you? Do you reflect on your teaching practice? Why is is so important and how can you implement it into your classroom practice? Fear not - I have a few ideas - no prep, not fuss and totally doable. References https://www.edmentuminternational.com/blog/the-importance-of-self-reflection-inlearning/#:~:text=This%20helps%20students%20to%20track,to%20analyze%20their%20own%20learning. Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Student autonomy is ESSENTIAL. You can't be there for the other 23 hours of the day. How can we teach or encourage our students to be autonomous, especially if they're not that motivated. Some of your students may work or have families. What then? In this installment of my Cornerstones of Learning series, I talk about why student autonomy is so important, and of course, give your some ideas. The rest is up to you and your students. References https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/classroom-management/student_autonomy.htm#:~:text=Example%20Strategies%3A,-Ask%20students%20for&text=Make%20changes%20or%20adaptations%20to,students%20have%20indicated%20interests%20them.&text=For%20example%2C%20provide%20supplemental%20readings,students%20are%20most%20interested%20in. https://www.cambridge.org/elt/blog/2020/10/22/promoting-learner-autonomy-choice-voice/ https://www.learnupon.com/blog/learner-autonomy/ Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Why reuse your materials? Why on earth wouldn't you? - you can cut down your prep time - you will be less overwhelmed Need more reasons? Need some ideas on how to do this? I got you. Listen to this week's Cornerstones of Learning episode of Everything EFL Podcast and find an easier way to get through the week. Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

The Lexical Approach can transform your teaching. And the good thing is, it's more of a shift of mindset than extra preparation time. All you have to do is take a little time to do some homework. Start here. In this week's installment of my Cornerstones of Learning series of Everything EFL Podcast, I will introduce you to the Lexical Approach, why it's a good idea and how you can start implementing it into your lessons. It's a game changer, folks. Dive in. Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Where do we even start? With your students, that's where? How can we encourage a little more natural, meaningful communication between them? How can we get past 'can I borrow your eraser?, Listen and find out! Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter:: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Did you ever wonder why you were learning a certain language point in school? How is this going to help me? Exactly. Making your students see the connection between the language you teach and their immediate lives and environment is a game-changer. And it might not be as difficult as you think. In this episode, inspired by James Seymour's fabulous presentation at TESOL Spain 2023, I explain some simple but powerful ways to get your students' attention by using their lives and environment to teach them. How well do you know your students? Stay tuned til the end of this episode so you can ask yourself the questions to find this out. Find James Seymour at: https://highimpactenglish.wixsite.com/lessons Find more information about relevance here: https://highimpactenglish.wixsite.com/lessons/post/linking-lessons-to-your-students-world Join my Breathe Easy, Teacher Newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Confidence is one of the keys to successful learning. It's all about that 'can do' attitude. That goes for you too, teacher! In this episode, here are a few of my favourite ways to build your students' confidence, creating a happier, more positive learning environment. Trust the process. Sign up to my Breathe Easy, Teacher newsletter: ⁠https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter⁠ Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Do me a solid and fill out my survey – it only takes 2 minutes, I promise!: https://forms.gle/jVPAjcUsfZCT6SGY9 Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

What makes a good leader? Do you give students leadership roles and tasks? Why on earth not? In the fifth installment of my Cornerstones of Learning series, I challenge you to make leaders of (some) of your students. Why? Because why should you have to do everything? There are also a huge amount of benefits for your students too, leaders or not. Listen and find out. Don't forget to take the challenge at the end and let me know how it goes. Sign up to Level Up Your Lessons: The Lexical Approach Webinar here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/675411272297 Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

But I’M the teacher! I choose what to do in class! The curriculum leaves no room for choice! Okay, but there are small ways you can give your students choice, which can be incredibly empowering. Learn how you can give your students choice and why it’s so important in the fourth installment of my Cornerstones of Learning series. Don’t forget to stay tuned until the end of the episode for your weekly challenge. Sign up to my Level Up Your Lessons: The Lexical Approach Webinar on August the 16th, 7pm UK time here: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/675411272297 Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Download my freebie Mindful Grammar: https://www.subscribepage.com/mindfulgrammar Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

What is this buzzword ‘community?’. Why is it so important for students to have a space to share stuff, have their opinions heard, feel valued, feel slsafe enough to give you feedback (oh yes, that’s part of it!)? In the third installment of Cornerstones of Learning, I share the benefits of building a community in your classes and I share a bonus activity to get the ball rolling. Remember, it’s a process and needs to be worked on constantly. Ice breakers at the start of term isn’t enough! Don’t forget to stay tuned until the end of the episode for your weekly challenge. Sign up to my newsletter and get a big discount on my webinar Level Up Your Lessons: The Lexical Approach: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacherSubscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

How important are trust and vulnerability? How important are trust and vulnerability and sharing in class? How vulnerable are you willing to be with your students? How does this help the learning process? In this second installment of my Cornerstones of Learning series, I explore the reasons why we should all be thinking about these concepts before we even THINK about teaching our students anything. Trust makes learning happen! Don’t forget to stay tuned until the end of the episode for your weekly challenge. Sign up to my newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Contact me: erin@refreshyourteaching.com Download my freebie Mindful Grammar: https://www.subscribepage.com/mindfulgrammar Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

Welcome to the first installment of my new series, Cornerstones of Learning. Everything is a process. And I mean everything. That applies to you and your students. Want to know more and start a mindset-shifting journey with me? In each of these episodes, I will give you a small, achievable challenge to complete before the next episode. That means you have two whole weeks to do it and reflect upon it. This is the beginning of YOUR process. I'd love to know what you think about this episode. If you'd like even more teachy tips and inspo, sign up to my weekly newsletter: https://www.subscribepage.com/betterteachingnewsletter Like, share, DM meand follow me: Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com⁠ www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message

What on earth is noticing? Well, you'll have to listen and find out but let me tell you this: it has the potential to make you really think about your approach to teaching grammar and ALSO how students learn and remember it. In this juicy-as-hell episode, I tell you: - what noticing is - how it benefits both your students AND you (because you're just as important, gorgeous teacher) - 5 easy ways to try it out in class Enjoy! Contact me: ⁠erin@refreshyourteaching.com⁠ Noticing Video Mentioned in Episode Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55_eflteacher-englishteacher-eslteacher-activity-7061943393748144128-qDTT?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CsDUJTGMAQt/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Facebook: https://fb.watch/kYv5PDcVuc/ Do me a solid and fill out my survey – it only takes 2 minutes, I promise!: https://forms.gle/jVPAjcUsfZCT6SGY9 Like, share, DM me and follow me: www.instagram.com/everythingeflteacher Subscribe to Youtube @Everything EFL for teaching tip videos and full podcast episodes with Closed Captions. Email me at showandtelleverythingefl@gmail.com. Connect with me on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-o-byrne-90b58a55/ Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple.... and don’t forget to tell your colleagues. Share the love. Theme music by @sean.cass (Instagram) --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/everything-efl/message