The ESL Teaching Podcast

Last week, I was talking to my colleague who was so overwhelmed by all the questions and comments coming from the regular education teachers and frankly, the unwillingness of some to pause and take the situation in for what it was. We chatted a bit and calmed down, but a part of me was still dissatisfied. Sometimes, EL teachers are spread so thin or work in isolation that all of our knowledge is impossible to share in an effective way with those who could really benefit from it. So I wanted to record a short episode that addresses the frustrations of teachers who have ELs in their general education classroom, answer some of the questions, and share the essential truths. Whether this is your first time having an English learner in your content classroom or you're more experienced, in this episode, I will share 3 essential truths that are valid anytime an English learner joins your classroom community. These truths are simple yet very powerful and will serve as your signpost whenever you feel unsure. I hope you find this episode useful.
What you will hear about in this episode:

• Frustrations and Questions About EL Students in Regular Education Classrooms
• Connection over curriculum comes first
• Knowing the proficiency level of EL students
• Ensuring assessments are appropriate for EL students

Show Notes:

• Episode 86 - Here Are Your 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in General Education Classroom

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join.
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related Episodes:

• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 64 - How to pre-teach vocabulary in the regular education classroom

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group

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I frequently receive questions from my content area teachers about how to help English learners in the classroom. And those questions frankly are the same every year from how to help a newcomer to more specific activity and engagement ideas. And I was wondering if there are any different questions that EL teachers get asked.

So I posted this on Instagram and inside my Facebook group, and it appears that general education teachers ask the same questions across the board. What can we do, they ask? How can we help our EL students?

So today, I compiled a few of the most recent frequently asked questions and wanted to share my answers to them. I hope that you find these helpful, especially those about first language usage in the classroom translations and how to help newcomers with reading.
What you will hear about in this episode:

• Recognizing English proficiency levels of newcomers
• Teaching without knowing the student’s first language
• Using visual aids to help the student understand words
• Speaking in concise sentences to ensure understanding
• Collaborating with EL teachers in your school

Show Notes:

• Episode 81 - Unlocking ESL Success: The Top 5 Questions Every General Ed Teacher Asks

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join.
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 5 - 4 ways to use students’ first language in teaching English
• Episode 38 - Responsive classroom and planning with ELs in mind
• Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com/
• Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

What does it take to acquire another language? In my previous episode, I used a phrase that I have heard many times, “Oh, but there's another language spoken in the home.” The statement can mean so many things and nothing at all. I want to break down what it takes to acquire another language in today's episode.

If we are to embrace the notion that teaching multilingual learners is not just a job and care of the English Language Development (ELD) specialist, but that all of us play a part in the EL students' learning, then I want to offer some education around what it means to acquire another language.
What you will hear about in this episode:

• My background with language, when I learned English, and other languages I understand and speak
• Learning two or more languages at the same time will not cause confusion
• There are two ways to acquire a second language simultaneously when a person is exposed to two or more languages since birth, and sequentially when a person starts learning a new language after they have established some competence in their native tongue
• Language competence is different for each bilingual person

Show Notes:

• Episode 87 - What Does it Take to Acquire a Language and Why All Teachers Should Know This

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join.
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

Related/Previous Episodes:

• Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
• Episode 86 - 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in Your Classroom

Connect with Ieva:

• Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

This month we have been talking about how Spring can be a difficult season for teachers energy wise, and changes that teachers either need or want to implement. Today’s guest, Jamie Sears, will help inspire and reinvigorate your love for teaching.

Jamie and I have a heart-to-heart conversation about building relationships, having fun, setting boundaries, lesson planning and really simple, practical and actionable tips of how to work less, be happier, and make an impact you were born to make.

What you will hear about in this episode:

• How Not So Wimpy Teacher helps teachers in the classroom provide hands-on resources to students to help them love learning
• Helping teachers be the teachers they want to be without leaving their personal life behind
• Going from a government lobbyist position into education and now creating the resources teachers need
• Why Jamie decided to write her book, and an inside look into the strategies her book, How to Love Teaching Again, will do for teachers to enjoy going to work each day
• The ways she is fighting to improve education for teachers
• Tips for lesson planning, having a brain dump, and balancing your time
• How to work LESS and still be a great teacher

Previous Episodes:
Episode 57 - How to nail your ESL Teacher interview (resume and cover letter tips) part 1

Episode 58 - 3 teacher interview tips to help you get the job Part 2

Episode 59 - How tutoring can be the secret sauce you need with Molly Wheatley

Resources Mentioned:

• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join.
• Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
• Episode 16 - A new EL teacher’s perspective with Kennedy Merriam

Connect with Jamie Sears:

• Jamie’s website - https://notsowimpyteacher.com/
• Jamie’s instagram - @notsowimpyteacher
• Pre-order your book here - https://notsowimpyteacher.com/pre-order

Connect with Ieva:

• Follow me on Instagram - @simplyievaesl
• Visit my website - www.simplyieva.com
• Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group

Support the show

When it comes to teaching English learners, there's no question that EL specialists are trained to meet their unique language and learning needs. But what about regular classroom teachers, the ones juggling 25 different needs in one room and suddenly faced with students who speak little or no English? It can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even a little bit lonely at times. That's why I wanted to share this episode with you, the key pillars of EL inclusion. Whether you are an EL teacher looking to support your colleagues or a general educator who wants to do right by the multilingual learners in your room. I've shared lots of strategies over time, but today, I'm boiling it all down into five non-negotiables, the core things that every teacher should keep in mind when integrating ELs into their regular classroom. These are practical, clear, and designed to make your teaching life easier while helping your EL students feel seen, included, and empowered to grow.

Show Notes:

• Episode 151 - The Big 5: Key Pillars of EL Inclusion in Mainstream Classrooms

Simply Ieva Offers:

• EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!
• EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners’ Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-2
• 1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up Session

If you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva

Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

• Simply Ieva website
• EMBARKTM Newcomer Curriculum
• The ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.
• Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
• My TpT store
• Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist

Related episodes:

• The Heart and Art of Teaching ELs in Regular Education Classrooms with Zach Camenker
• 3 Misconceptions About Teaching Newcomers in Regular Classrooms

Let’s connect!

• Follow me on Instagram
• Follow me on LinkedIn
• Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group
• Record a comment for us - click

Support the show