Let's Talk TEFL
Welcome to the Let’s Talk TEFL podcast with Jackie Bolen and Jennifer Smith. We’re going to discuss everything ESL/EFL teaching, including experiences teaching abroad, activity and game ideas, teaching tips, interviews with old friends, and more. Come join us in the Let’s Talk TEFL teacher’s lounge for some inspiration and entertainment!
Episodes
Do you ever feel like there's no energy in your classroom? Not to worry! That's where these fun classroom energizers come in. Jackie and Jen share their favourite games and activities to help students have some fun and learn at the same time.
These classroom energizers are ideal for a serious case of the Monday morning blues, or the Friday afternoon distraction! See even more ideas on YouTube: Top 10 Classro...
These days, doesn't everyone basically just use computers to write and spell-check? If that's the case, does teaching spelling to English learners have any value?
Spoiler: Jackie and Jen think it does! We'll share our reasons why, and also talk about some of our favourite ESL spelling games and activities. Be sure to check out my top 5 ESL spelling games on YouTube.
Have a listen and do us a favour, pleas...
In this episode, Jackie and Jennifer are sharing their top tips for newbie English teachers. Some of the tips include professional development, letting bad classes go, how to make a simple ESL lesson plan and more. You're sure to find some useful things to take into your next class!
Have a listen, and if you like our podcast, please be sure to leave a review wherever you downloaded this episode from. We&...
All teachers have had to deal with a difficult or disruptive student. There's often one in every class and sometimes a few of them within the same class! Jackie and Jennifer share some of their top strategies for managing these students in an effective way, whether kids or adults. These include focusing on positive reinforcement, developing a rapport with students, avoiding downtime, and lots more ideas.
Teaching very advanced English learners can be a little more challenging than teaching beginners for a variety of reasons. Jackie and Jennifer share all of their tips and tricks such as using authentic materials, along with suggestions for activities to do with your students who are pushing to become fluent in English.
ESL/EFL Teaching Practice and Methodology (on Amazon)
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on I...
It's summer vacation for many teachers, and let's be honest, it can't come soon enough for many people! It's easy to feel the burnout when you're teaching English.
We talk about some of the most common reasons why ESL teachers might feel burnt out, and then offer some suggestions for how to fill your well back up again before you hit the classroom.
ESL/EFL Teaching Pra...
Should teachers use the first language of the students in the classroom, or conduct the class entirely in English? It's an important question and one that's often up for debate in the TEFL world. Find out the pros and cons of using a shared first language with the students in an ESL/EFL class.
ESL/EFL Teaching Practice and Methodology (on Amazon)
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Instagram
Jack...
Jackie talks about all things teaching English to adult beginners. Teaching ESL to lower-level adults can be quite tricky because they often lack confidence. Here are some tips and tricks for building confidence, including making the class as student-centred as possible, doing a needs analysis and focusing on vocabulary.
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ESL/EFL Teaching Practice and Methodology (on Amazon)
Jackie on T...
Jackie and Jennifer talk all things preparing students for English proficiency exams like the TOEFL, TOIEC, CELPIP, or IELTS. We give some tips and tricks, strategies, and things to avoid like the plague. Help students improve their English exam scores with these pro-level tips!
Find Out More:
TOEFL Reading Tips
IELTS Speaking Tips
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Instagram
Jackie on Pinterest
Jackie and Jennifer talk all things task-based learning and teaching. Level up your English classes with all ages and levels by incorporating some task-based activities. We talk about the reasons to use this style of lesson, as well as some of the classic activities to use.
Find Out More:
Task-Based Language Teaching
Intro to Task-Based Learning on YouTube
Task-Based Language Activities on YouTub...
Check out my top 10 ESL games and activities for adults. The key to better English classes is a wide variety of engaging and interactive activities and this podcast episode will help you get there in style!
Find Out More:
ESL Conversation Activities for Adults
ESL Games for Adults on YouTube
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Instagram
Jackie on Pinterest
Podcast Information
Check out these tips for teaching English for specific purposes, including medical English, aviation English, tourism English, business English, and more. The tips include using role-plays, focusing on vocabulary, helping students get the results they need, and doing a needs analysis.
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ESL Speaking on Facebook
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Pinterest
ESL/EFL Teaching Practice and Me...
Check out these tips for newbie English teachers, including learning names, ICQs and CCQs, using positive reinforcement, lesson planning, and more.
Find Out More:
Top 10 Tips for New English Teachers
Tips for Newbie English teachers on YouTube
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Pinterest
Teaching ESL for Newbies (on Amazon)
Podcast Information
Join Jackie and Jennifer as we talk all things ESL Flashcard games and activities for young learners. Pick up some tips and tricks, as well as good ideas for teaching English to children using flashcards.
Find Out More:
Flashcard Activities on YouTube
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Pinterest
Teaching ESL for Newbies (on Amazon)
Podcast Information
If you want to learn how to quiet a very noisy classroom, you'll want to check out this episode as Jackie and Jennifer share their tips and tricks. Find out what not to do, along with some strategies for maintaining order and calm, in a classroom with lots of students.
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Jackie on YouTube
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Pinterest
Teaching ESL for Newbies (on Amazon)
Po...
If you want to be a more confident English teacher, you'll want to check out this episode as Jackie shares her top 10 tips and tricks for gaining confidence in teaching.
Find Out More:
Jackie on YouTube
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Pinterest
Teaching ESL for Newbies (on Amazon)
Podcast Information
If you teach business English, you'll want to check out this episode as Jennifer and Jackie talk everything lesson plan ideas, activities, tips, tricks, and a whole lot more. Should you use a textbook for business English? Find out here!
Find Out More:
Business English ESL Activities
Jackie on YouTube
Jackie on TikTok
Jackie on Pinterest
Teaching ESL for Dummies (on Amazon)
Pod...
If you want some fun ideas for St. Patrick's Day ESL lessons, have a listen! Jackie shares all of her tips and tricks for how to fun a fun Saint Patrick's Day lesson with your students.
Find Out More:
ESL Saint Patrick's Day
Saint Patrick's Day from Jackie on Youtube
Jackie on TikTok
103 Low-Prep ESL Speaking Games and Activities (on Amazon)
Podcast Information
If you want to know what to do during that first ESL or EFL lesson, have a listen! Jackie and Jennifer share all of their tips and tricks for what to do during the first English class, along with some of their favourite ESL icebreaker activities. And, find out how to set yourself up for success during the rest of the semester.
Find Out More:
ESL Icebreaker Activities
First ESL Lesson Ideas on YouTub...
The food unit is a classic in most ESL textbooks, especially for beginners and intermediates. However, talking about food and drinks can get a little bit boring for the students, and the teacher as well, so mix things up with some of these ESL food games and activities. They are perfect for ESL food lessons for kids as well as adults. Have some fun talking about food with English learners!
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