The ESL Teaching Podcast
Ieva Grauslys, ESL/ELL teaching
Welcome to The ESL Teaching Podcast, a place for K-12 teachers of English learners who are looking for simple and easy-to-implement ways to engage their students and for inspiration and empowerment in their day-to-day teaching. Whether you need a boost of confidence in reaching ESL/ELL newcomers, students in mixed proficiency level classes, or clarity in how to help them access content in the mainstream classrooms, this podcast will quickly become your go-to spot for inspiration and support. Each week, you will hear actionable and easy-to-implement tips and strategies from me, your host, as well as interviews with amazing ESL teachers, and educational consultants around the country so you can leave inspired and ready to rock on. For more teaching tips, strategies and teaching resources, go to www.simplyieva.com. And to connect with other like-minded educators of English learners, join us over at our Facebook group Helping ESL/ELL Teachers K-12 where you can find support, ask questions, and share your expertise.I always say: teaching English learners is the best job in the world. And even though it’s sometimes hard, by staying open and learning together, we make it a path of discovery and adventure. I will see you inside the show!www.simplyieva.com/apple
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Episode 86 - Here Are Your 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in General Education Classroom
The ESL Teaching Podcast
10/17/23 • 13 min
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:
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
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show10/17/23 • 13 min

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Episode 84 - Every Teacher is a Language Teacher. Here is Why!
The ESL Teaching Podcast
10/03/23 • 13 min
Teaching multilingual learners requires great knowledge of language acquisition theory, teaching strategies, and methodologies. At the same time, it requires empathy, cultural awareness and openness. And that said, multilingual learners are not only students of EL teachers. They are all of our students. Every teacher is a language teacher.
Sometimes when we talk to our colleagues, we might hear a phrase, but I'm not a language teacher. I teach math, science, social studies, you name it, not English. Well, this episode is for all of you who have ever heard this phrase and all of you who have ever uttered it.
Today, I will break down why every teacher is, in fact, a language teacher, and what knowledge you already have that you can harness to reach students who are learning both English and your subject.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- Importance of knowledge of language acquisition theory, teaching strategies, and methodologies
- Recognition that language is embedded in every subject area
- Overcoming discomfort as a language teacher
- Academic language and its acquisition
- Supporting students in subject area language acquisition
- Tips for teachers to get started in supporting subject area language acquisition
Show Notes:
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 72 - Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson
Connect with Ieva:
- Instagram - @simplyievaesl
- Website - www.simplyieva.com
- Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group
10/03/23 • 13 min
Episode 79 - The Power of Affirmations for English Learners and All Students
The ESL Teaching Podcast
08/29/23 • 14 min
The new school year is here. And as I'm looking ahead, I reflect about what worked and hasn't worked before and how I can encourage and empower my students even more this year.
I work with teenagers, and there are a lot of nuances in their English learning, including one very important aspect: negative self-talk. It is sad to hear when a bright student says they're not good enough or that their English is bad and they won't participate in a conversation.
I recorded this episode around this time last year, but it is just as relevant now as it was 12 months ago. In this episode, I will share with you a simple formula for activating a more productive way of thinking as well as 10 positive affirmations that you can use in your classroom. I hope you'll find this useful, and I would love to hear what your thoughts are on them.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- The importance of addressing negative self-talk among English learners and students.
- The use of affirmations as a tool for promoting a positive mindset.
- Tips and strategies for implementing affirmations in the classroom.
- The connection between affirmations and the growth mindset concept.
Show Notes:
Resources Mentioned:
- The ESL Teaching Roadmap – back to school sale 20% off monthly plan
- Simply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers Store
- 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session
- Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
Connect with Ieva:
- Instagram - @simplyievaesl
- Website - www.simplyieva.com/
- Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show08/29/23 • 14 min
Episode 82 - How to Master Small Group Scheduling and Instruction with guest Kristen Vibas
The ESL Teaching Podcast
09/19/23 • 27 min
Many teachers work with small groups of students and especially if you're in an elementary setting, making a schedule for those small groups can be one of the most challenging tasks of your entire school year.
For today's episode, I have invited back my dear friend, Kristen Vibas, to chat about just that, the peculiarities of scheduling and grouping English learner students in elementary grades.
Kristen Vibas is a K-6 elementary ESOL teacher living in Northern Virginia. She's been teaching multilingual learners since 2005 in one of the country's largest school districts.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- Scheduling and grouping English learner students in elementary grades
- The process of scheduling small groups and providing targeted English language development to students
- The importance of using data, such as ELP scores and assessment scores, to group students with similar language needs for effective instruction
- Grouping students with similar language needs in order to effectively target their individual language development
Show Notes:
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 22 - Teaching Reading with Kristen Vibas
- Episode 80 - Empowering English learners - an Asset Based Approach
- Episode 72 - Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson
Connect with Kristen:
- On Instagram - @awalkinthechalk
Connect with Ieva:
- Instagram - @simplyievaesl
- Website - www.simplyieva.com
- Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show09/19/23 • 27 min
Episode 81 - Unlocking ESL Success: The Top 5 Questions Every General Ed Teacher Asks
The ESL Teaching Podcast
09/12/23 • 26 min
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:
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
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show09/12/23 • 26 min
Episode 80 - Empowering English Learners: An Asset-Based Approach
The ESL Teaching Podcast
09/05/23 • 16 min
The start of the new school year is typically extremely busy. There are new families registering students, students coming to their new schools, meeting their teachers and classmates. There's lots of screening, placement, scheduling, action, action, action.
Multilingual learners join our communities all the time. But somehow, the deficit mindset, which assumes they don't understand anything and therefore are capable of only doing very little, is still very pervasive.
That's why in today's episode, I wanted to address this topic. We'll uncover the essence of the asset-based approach and discuss practical tips for embracing this mindset in our schools and classrooms.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- What is an asset based approach?
- How can we empower our English learners no matter what proficiency level they are?
- How can the districts, schools, and us teachers embrace the asset based approach and infuse it into our everyday teaching?
- And so much more!
Show Notes:
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 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
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show09/05/23 • 16 min
Episode 83 - 5 Ways AI Can Help Save Teachers Time and Help Multilingual Learners
The ESL Teaching Podcast
09/26/23 • 16 min
Artificial intelligence, or AI as we call it, has taken over so many areas of our life, and teaching is no exception. I have been waiting to share my insights into what using artificial intelligence might mean for all teachers and especially those of us who work with multilingual learners, but now I think it is time.
In this episode, I will share 5 specific and effective ways you can leverage the power of AI in your teaching. Some tips will be more geared towards EL teachers and others are super handy for classroom teachers who want to help multilingual learners in their classroom.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- Types of Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Generative AI and its Application in Teaching
- Using Chat GPT to Generate Lesson Plan Ideas
- Using Chat GPT to Generate Vocabulary
- Using Chat GPT to Paraphrase or Simplify Text Passages
- Examples and Benefits of Utilizing Chat GPT in Teaching
Show Notes:
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 72 - Four easy ways to differentiate the same lesson
Connect with Ieva:
- Instagram - @simplyievaesl
- Website - www.simplyieva.com
- Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group
09/26/23 • 16 min
Episode 78 - Starting Strong: Easy and Fun Icebreaker Activities for all EL Levels
The ESL Teaching Podcast
08/22/23 • 12 min
Many teachers either are starting their school year soon, or have already been at it for a couple of weeks. And this time of year, when everything is full of fresh new energy, is a good time to go back to icebreakers.
Whether you have new students joining you or want to reconnect and have fun with the ones you already know, icebreaker activities will always make your classroom come alive.
Today's episode was recorded a while ago, but I know it is going to be very useful to you. I wanted to share it with you as it is full of ideas for both new and veteran teachers and talks about activities that are great for both beginner English Learners and those more experienced.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- Discover the crucial role of icebreaker activities in stimulating an engaging learning environment.
- Understand the key principles for choosing appropriate icebreaker activities specifically designed for English learners.
- Learn to execute simple yet effective icebreaker activities, especially crafted for beginner students.
- Uncover unique icebreaker activities designed for intermediate and advanced students to accelerate their English language skills.
Show Notes:
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
Connect with Ieva:
- Instagram - @simplyievaesl
- Website - www.simplyieva.com/
- Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show08/22/23 • 12 min
Episode 77 - How to Build EL Literacy From the Ground Up with Kyle Larson
The ESL Teaching Podcast
08/08/23 • 25 min
How do you build students' literacy and confidence from the ground up? My guest, Kyle Larson, and I talk about just that on this episode.
How to help EL students with literacy, especially as they enter the US educational system in upper elementary grades or later, is an eternal question for all of us. There are so many nuances in this.
I am excited to share our conversation with you, and I know it will be super valuable. And if you'd like to see us, you can watch the recording of this interview on my YouTube channel at Simply Ieva ESL.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- The importance of having honest conversations with students about their language learning challenges and helping them realize their own power to improve.
- Strategies for building EL literacy from the ground up, including setting reading goals for students and providing ways for teachers to check in on their progress.
- Kyle's personal journey as an ELL teacher, including his studies in Spanish and English linguistics, teaching experiences in different countries, and his current role as an ELL teacher at Frisco High School in Texas.
- The concept of breaking down assumptions about language learning, accommodating diverse students in the classroom, and viewing every teacher as a language teacher who teaches their content through the medium of language.
Show Notes:
Resources Mentioned:
- Sign up for the FREE Confident ESL Teacher Summit!
- 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
- AIR Language learning
- 1:1 ESL Teacher Coaching Session
- Essential Lesson Plan Bundle
Connect with Kyle:
- LinkedIn - @Kyle Larson
- AIR Language learning
Connect with Ieva:
- Follow me on Instagram - @simplyievaesl
- Visit my website - www.simplyieva.com/
- Join the - Simply Ieva Facebook Group
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show08/08/23 • 25 min
Episode 85 - EL Class Structure and Vocabulary Instruction: A Peek Into My Classroom
The ESL Teaching Podcast
10/10/23 • 18 min
A while back, I recorded an episode about how I structured my middle school class, and since I work at 2 schools, middle and high school, I wanted to offer you a little glimpse into how I structure my high school classes. I have more students at the high school this year and more classes, so there's plenty of room for creativity.
Lesson planning and vocabulary instruction is something that is always on top of every EL teacher's mind, and my goal for this episode is to share with you my teaching setup and how I work with students in grades 9 through 12.
What you will hear about in this episode:
- Structure of EL Classes at the High School
- Background Building as an EL Teacher
- Proficiency Levels and Student Needs
- Vocabulary Instruction Strategies
- The break down of some lessons on how I incorporate teaching English through content area and subjects
Show Notes:
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 17 - A Peek Into My Middle School EL Classroom
- 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
The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!
Support the show10/10/23 • 18 min
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FAQ
How many episodes does The ESL Teaching Podcast have?
The ESL Teaching Podcast currently has 92 episodes available.
What topics does The ESL Teaching Podcast cover?
The podcast is about How To, Language Learning, Podcasts and Education.
What is the most popular episode on The ESL Teaching Podcast?
The episode title 'Episode 86 - Here Are Your 3 Essential Truths to Reaching ELs in General Education Classroom' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The ESL Teaching Podcast?
The average episode length on The ESL Teaching Podcast is 23 minutes.
How often are episodes of The ESL Teaching Podcast released?
Episodes of The ESL Teaching Podcast are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The ESL Teaching Podcast?
The first episode of The ESL Teaching Podcast was released on Dec 25, 2021.
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