Best Ell Curriculum Podcasts (2025)

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EP16 - Designing a Living Curriculum: A Reggio-Inspired Framework for Early Years 13:23

10h ago13:23

13:23

How do you capture a curriculum that’s constantly evolving? This episode explores a practical framework that helps early years educators document emergent learning using Reggio-inspired class planners. From inquiry-based documentation to integrating specialists and foreign language lessons, discover how to turn your school into a living, breathing …

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EP15 - Beyond the Basics: Are We Teaching ELL Students the Right Words? 6:34

1d ago6:34

6:34

What if spelling wasn’t just one thing—but two? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore the idea that spelling for English Language Learners might need to serve more than one purpose. As students move through school, the vocabulary they encounter becomes more complex and subject-specific. So how should our spelling instruction…

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EP14 - The Role Reversal Experiment: What Teachers Learn by Becoming Students 5:35

3d ago5:35

5:35

What if you could see your classroom through your students’ eyes? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore a practical, eye-opening strategy that helps teachers do just that. By stepping into the learner’s role, you might just uncover surprising insights about your teaching, your planning—and your students. Ready to experience …

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EP13 - Don’t Just Decorate—Educate: The Power of Purposeful Walls 5:23

4d ago5:23

5:23

What if your classroom walls could do more than just decorate? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how educators can turn wall space into purposeful learning tools. From interactive displays to thought-provoking question walls, discover creative ways to make every inch of your classroom count. 📘 This episode is inspired by…

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Episode 161 - Announcement + Big News About the Roadmap 7:48

2d ago7:48

7:48

Today’s episode is short, sweet, and exciting! I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes update and big news about the ESL Teacher Roadmap. Whether you're new to the ESL Teaching Podcast or you’ve been listening since day one, this quick episode is for you. I’ll walk you through a few upcoming changes, a big shift I’ve been planning, and how it will impact t…

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EP12 - Speak So Others Understand: Why Educational Jargon Needs Clarity 10:01

4d ago10:01

10:01

Have you ever shared your school vision with a team—only to find that it didn’t take root the way you hoped? You outlined your philosophy, your preferred teaching approaches, even your core values… but nothing seemed to change. The problem might not be resistance—it might be unclear language. In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, Chris…

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EP11 - Mother Tongue in the Classroom: Easy Ways to Honour Every Student's Language 4:47

6d ago4:47

4:47

In today’s episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how to honour the diverse linguistic backgrounds of your students—without needing to completely change your lesson plans. From multilingual read-alouds and silent reading time, to inclusive classroom projects and cultural celebrations, discover simple, practical ways to bring students…

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EP10 - Mother-Tongue Matters: How to Build a Program That Works 5:52

7d ago5:52

5:52

Thinking of launching a mother-tongue program at your school but not sure where to start? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we walk through key questions every school leader or coordinator should ask—from defining your program’s intent to curriculum alignment, scheduling, teacher training, and assessment. Whether you're aiming for …

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EP9 - Language at the Core: Building a Framework That Unified a School 13:11

7d ago13:11

13:11

What happens when a symbolic idea becomes a strategic plan for change? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how a simple sketch of a “language umbrella” sparked the development of a powerful framework that transformed curriculum planning and collaboration at an international IPC school. Join host Christina Shala as she shar…

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EP8 - Right Teacher, Right Place: A Smarter Way to Staff Schools 4:47

9d ago4:47

4:47

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we take a closer look at a growing challenge in today’s schools — teachers being asked to deliver subjects they aren’t trained to teach. From upper elementary teachers suddenly teaching French, to middle and high school educators juggling subjects outside their specialization, we explore how we got…

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EP7 - Making Your Message Matter: Tips for Presenting at Education Conferences 6:16

11d ago6:16

6:16

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how to move beyond inspiration and deliver presentations that truly resonate with fellow educators. Whether you're speaking at your first teacher conference or returning as a seasoned presenter, these tips will help you craft sessions that are practical, inclusive, and impactful. Discove…

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Episode 160 - Your First Year as an EL Teacher- What Matters Most 21:14

10d ago21:14

21:14

Starting your first year as an EL teacher can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Especially if you're stepping into a new building, new subject, or working with newcomers for the first time. In this episode, I’m answering a listener question from a music teacher-turned-EL teacher who’s just beginning this journey. I’m walking you through five thi…

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EP6 - Learning Looks Different: Designing Report Cards That Show It 7:22

11d ago7:22

7:22

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how a dual-tracking approach to report cards can better reflect the learning journeys of students on IEPs. Instead of forcing educators to choose between grade-level standards or modified expectations, what if we reported on both? Join Christina as she shares a simple yet powerful shift …

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EP5 - Assessing Students on IEPs: Are We Getting it Right? 5:27

13d ago5:27

5:27

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, host Christina Shala explores a conversation that many educators are quietly having—but few feel confident navigating: how should we assess students on IEPs? Should we report based on their assigned grade level, or where they’re actually working? Drawing on real-life discussion and personal insight…

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EP4 - 3 Key Strategies to Improve Learner Support in Schools 5:57

14d ago5:57

5:57

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore three practical strategies schools can use to strengthen learner support programs. From giving support teachers a stronger voice, to setting clear guidelines and scheduling dedicated planning time—these small changes can lead to big improvements in student learning. 🔗 Read the full artic…

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EP3 - Planning With Purpose: Empowering Staff Through Individualized Tools 5:44

15d ago5:44

5:44

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, host Christina Shala explores how individualized planners can transform staff development, support mentoring, and align classroom practice with schoolwide goals. Learn why random templates don’t work — and how personalized planning tools lead to meaningful growth. 🔗 Read the blog article this episo…

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EP2 - From Vision to Reality: Creating a Cohesive Teaching Culture 6:07

18d ago6:07

6:07

Every school has a vision—but is it truly driving practice? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore why school and district visions often fall short when not backed by a clearly defined educational framework. Learn how a framework turns ideals into action, unifies teaching practices, and boosts student success across all class…

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Episode 159 - What to Do When a Newcomer Walks Through Your Door: The First 30 Days 19:41

17d ago19:41

19:41

You’re in the middle of your school day when the front office calls: “You’re getting a new student tomorrow. They don’t speak any English.” Cue the racing heart and rising questions. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what to do during those critical first 30 days after a newcomer walks into your classroom. Whether you're an ESL teacher or a clas…

1
EP1 - Why Every School Needs an Educational Framework 5:55

19d ago5:55

5:55

What exactly is an educational framework—and why is it so critical to your school’s success? In this episode, we explore how a well-designed framework becomes the backbone of a school’s vision, culture, and curriculum. You’ll learn how frameworks foster cohesion across departments, support teacher collaboration, empower leadership, and bring clarit…

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What ELL Students Wish We Knew With Ilaria Sessa 59:43

24d ago59:43

59:43

NO NUTELLA?! Dive into a vulnerable conversation about what being an English Learner in our school system really means, and how teachers can support students as they navigate the many challenges that come with immigration. We discuss Ilaria's story, what practices support language development, academic challenges versus language challenges and how …

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Episode 158 - What They Wish You Knew: Muslim Students in the Classroom 44:29

24d ago44:29

44:29

I’m joined today by Farhana N. Shah - an experienced educator, instructional specialist, and advocate for Muslim students. Farhana brings over two decades of expertise in teaching, professional development, and equity work. Together, we explore what real inclusion looks like for Muslim students in today’s classrooms. Farhana shares powerful stories…

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Episode 157 - Here is Why You're Drained (or Energized) by Teaching 28:34

1M ago28:34

28:34

Have you ever walked out of your classroom at the end of the day feeling completely drained by teaching, even when everything went “according to plan”? Or maybe you’ve had days where tossing the plan aside and following your gut left you feeling more energized by teaching than ever before. What’s really going on? In this episode, we dive deep into …

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Episode 156 - The Hidden Key to Engagement: Learning Rhythms You've Probably Never Considered 20:53

1M ago20:53

20:53

In today's episode, we're talking and taking a closer look at what I call five learner energy profiles. These aren't learning styles per se in the traditional sense. They are patterns that I've seen over and over again. Patterns that help explain why some students engage instantly, why some stay quiet for months, and how we can meet all of them whe…

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Episode 155 - How to use AI to Personalize Learning, Boost Engagement and Assess Multilingual Learners (Part 2) 26:09

1M ago26:09

26:09

In part one, we covered the why behind using AI in the classroom, how to craft effective prompts, and two smart ways to use it to differentiate instruction and generate speaking and writing prompts based on proficiency levels. And today, we're picking right up where we left off with tips three through five, where I will walk you through how to use …

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Episode 154 - Smarter Planning for ELs: AI Prompting & Differentiation Made Easy (Part 1) 24:20

2M ago24:20

24:20

In this episode, we’re exploring a topic that’s generating a lot of buzz in the world of education - AI. Whether you’re excited, skeptical, or simply overwhelmed by all things AI, I want to break down exactly how tools like ChatGPT can be a game-changer for EL teachers and classroom educators working with multilingual students. Planning, differenti…

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Episode 153 - 5 Must-Know Tips for New EL Teachers 20:49

2M ago20:49

20:49

One of my favorite things about connecting with teachers is hearing your questions. Whether it's navigating a tricky teaching moment or figuring out where to start with English learners. And while each situation is unique, so many of your questions echo the same themes, especially from those of you who are new EL teachers. If you are stepping into …

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Episode 152 - 5 Simple Wins for the Days You’re Just Done 18:37

2M ago18:37

18:37

Let’s get real about those exhausting days when lesson planning feels impossible and burnout lurks around every corner…especially as the end of the school year approaches. In this episode, I open up about my own struggles with low energy and share my solution: an “emergency lesson folder” packed with simple, engaging activities that spark student e…

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Episode 151 - The Big 5: Key Pillars of EL Inclusion in Mainstream Classrooms 18:31

2M ago18:31

18:31

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…

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Episode 150 - Rooted in Success: 5 Reasons to Teach Greek & Latin Roots in Any Classroom 33:07

3M ago33:07

33:07

Today's episode is all about building vocabulary in a powerful and lasting way. We're diving into something that often gets overlooked, Greek and Latin root words. I am so excited because we have a special guest joining us who's incredibly passionate about this topic. My dear friend, Laura Kebart from Language Arts Teachers is on the podcast today …

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Maximizing the Impact of Your Contract Hours with Kelly Hicks 43:33

3M ago43:33

43:33

In this episode Kait and Samantha sit down with Kelly Hicks, a sports loving, crafty mom and 5th grade teacher who is seemingly doing it all! Keely gives great perspective on working outside of contract time and common sense tips on how to maximize your paid time! The fact is, this is a pervasive issue that is leading to record breaking rates of te…

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Episode 149 - Why Social-Emotional Learning Matters Just as Much as Academics 18:08

3M ago18:08

18:08

The world needs emotional intelligence. We need emotional intelligence. Our students need emotional intelligence. Intellectual knowledge is great, but by itself, it wreaks havoc, as without emotional depth and experiences, we're not able to engage in meaningful conversations, discussions, learning, and problem solving. In today's episode, I'm going…

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Episode 148 - How to Teach ELs When You Don't Speak Their Language 19:55

3M ago19:55

19:55

You just found out you have English learners in your classroom, but you don't speak their language. Now what? Should you Google translate your entire lesson? Mime your way through the day? Don't worry. You don't have to speak their language to be an effective and impactful teacher. In today's episode, we're going to talk about the mindset shift tha…

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Episode 147 - Hooked on Books! How Novels Can Supercharge EL Vocabulary and Thinking 19:05

3M ago19:05

19:05

Reading is always a hot topic for good reason, and it's something every teacher thinks about no matter the grade level. But when it comes to teaching reading to English learners, there are extra layers to consider, especially around language proficiency and age. I'm excited to share something I've been trying out with my middle schoolers, something…

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Episode 146 - Digging Deeper: How the 5 Whys Can Transform Your Teaching and Life 18:50

4M ago18:50

18:50

Have you ever felt like you're constantly putting out fires in your classroom? Redirecting behavior, reteaching concepts, or dealing with burnout without really solving the root problem? Sometimes it feels like we are running around in circles and nothing changes our lives, in our classrooms, in our professional development even though we seem to d…

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Episode 145 - It’s Not Just About Language! The 2 Soft Skills Every EL Teacher Should Have 13:32

4M ago13:32

13:32

In education, we often focus on the hard skills, the academic knowledge of our subject, the instructional strategies, the assessment methods, and the pedagogy that shape effective teaching. These are the measurable, tangible aspects of our profession, and they are absolutely essential. But today, I want to shift the focus to something just as impor…

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Episode 144 - 3 Myths About Teaching Newcomers - And What Actually Works 13:22

4M ago13:22

13:22

Let’s talk about three common myths about teaching newcomers. Teaching English learners is really not as complicated as many think, yet I hear from so many overwhelmed teachers who have lost sight of the forest for the trees. Schools are notorious for grasping onto the newest programs and ideas for teaching English learners, which sometimes work ou…

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Episode 143 - How to Beat the Mid-Year Slump in the EL Classroom for Both Students and Teachers 21:03

4M ago21:03

21:03

Welcome to the mid-year slump. Whether you live in a colder climate like I do or anywhere else, the middle of the school year can get hard for so many reasons. February and March in particular can be especially tough months in the school year. Students and teachers are tired, motivation is dipping, and standardized testing is looming. If you are fe…

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Tiered Behavior Support and Tier 1 Practices With Glenn Weeden - Descript 57:02

5M ago57:02

57:02

In this episode we speak with Glenn Weeden, a guitar playing, classic car loving, behavior interventionist! Glenn has earned his bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's in elementary literacy and special education. Glenn, Kait, and Samantha tackle tough questions surrounding behavior management and the MTSS process. The MTSS proce…

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Episode 142 - The Secret to Effective EL Lessons? Start at the End! 17:31

5M ago17:31

17:31

I am very excited about today's episode because I know it will bring so much value to you. I've talked about lesson planning before, but today, I wanted to share a process that has been very helpful and, honestly, is truly a great way to plan for our EL students. So in today's episode, I will be sharing all about backward design and lesson planning…

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Episode 141 - A Look Behind the Scenes of The ESL Teaching Podcast 22:10

5M ago22:10

22:10

I don't know about you, but I love a good behind the scenes moment. In the world where we always see the final product, whether it's a great lesson plan, an engaging activity, or heck, someone simply looking amazing and put together, it is good to remind ourselves that the road to that result is not always very linear. Have you ever wondered what i…

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Essential PD: Flexible, Actionable, Professional Development for K-12 Teachers (the trailer!) 1:37

5M ago1:37

1:37

What is Essential PD? It's flexible, actionable, professional development for K-12 teachers. Why should I listen? We host candid conversations with guests who work with students, and you can actually earn credit for listening if your admin is on board! Bonus: you can press pause whenever you need to! Dying to win a giveaway? Collecting free classro…

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Episode 140 - The Less is More Philosophy When Teaching EL Newcomers 14:07

5M ago14:07

14:07

One of the themes that keeps coming up in my teaching and that of many other teachers who work with English learners is this: How much work should we give EL newcomers and any EL student? What can we expect from them? Today, I wanted to revisit the topic of classwork and homework our ELs have to do and about how we can make it more manageable and e…

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Episode 139 - How to Prepare for State and Proficiency Tests Part 2: Reading and Writing Practice 19:21

5M ago19:21

19:21

Midwinter and early spring is the season for state and language proficiency testing, and I am dedicating a couple of episodes to help you prepare your students for them so that they can show off all of the great things they've learned so far. Last week, I talked about peculiarities of listening and speaking tests and what activities you can incorpo…

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Episode 138: Preparing Your English Learners for State and Language Proficiency Tests. Part 1 - Listening and Speaking Practice 14:45

5M ago14:45

14:45

The testing season is upon us. I wanted to talk about a topic that every teacher working with English learners faces each year, preparing your English learners for state testing and language proficiency tests like ACCESS, TELPAS, and others. These tests play a crucial role in measuring student progress and shaping future instruction. However, prepa…

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Episode 137 - Breaking Down Assumptions About English Language Learners 16:39

6M ago16:39

16:39

Have you ever made an assumption about a person before truly getting to know them? As teachers, whether we like it or not, we tend to operate on a lot of assumptions which come from our education, practice, and experience. What I found though is that most of the time, many and any assumptions stem from lack of information. And sometimes it's diffic…

1
Episode 136 - Your First Day with Newcomer EL Students 15:17

6M ago15:17

15:17

Teaching EL newcomers is by far one of the most popular subjects among all teachers at the beginning of the school year, middle of the school year, end of the school year, all the time. So much so that I have created quite a few episodes on what to teach them and how to help them in the regular education classroom. In today's episode, I am revisiti…

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Episode 135 - From Holiday Mode to Learning Mode: How to Reset, Refocus and Recharge 17:00

6M ago17:00

17:00

The holiday season can be hectic both at home and at school. Besides you being tired and over it, the students are tired and over it. And it shows. No matter the age group you teach, it can be an added stressor trying to figure out how to teach and manage everything around you. But just like we can restart a computer when it is glitching and someho…

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Episode 134 - The Year of Growth: The Biggest Takeaway of 2024 13:55

7M ago13:55

13:55

As I'm looking back on 2024, there were challenges and opportunities as well as a lot of growth. And as we know, it doesn't happen in a calm and peaceful environment when everyone is content. It happens through storms and sometimes chaos and most of the time through pain, whether big or small. The good thing is, I wouldn't change any of it. Well, m…

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Episode 133 - 5 SEL Components to Incorporate in Every ELL Lesson 22:08

7M ago22:08

22:08

What is social-emotional learning? And why it is crucial to address it daily with your students, including, if not especially, English learners. SEL or social-emotional learning is the buzzword nowadays, but it is very near and dear to my heart. As an educator, I, and I'm sure many of you, see firsthand how important it is for students to learn not…

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Episode 132 - From Struggle to Success: Helping ELs Thrive in Language Arts Classroom 18:04

7M ago18:04

18:04

Helping English learners access the curriculum of the Language Arts class, which is geared towards native speakers, is one of the challenges many teachers face. There are many linguistic demands that are not easy even for students for whom English is the mother tongue. And for English learners, those demands add extra layers, which require the teac…

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