Best Second Language Acquisition Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 18: SLAyyy Multiword Sequences 58:15

9d ago58:15

58:15

Gaslight Isolated Vocabulary Useful Vocabulary Lists Idioms and Stock Phrases Use Language in Context Gatekeep - Takizawa, K., & Suzuki, S. (2025). The role of multiword sequences in fluent speech: The case of listener-based judgment in L2 argumentative speech. Studies in Second Language Acquisition, 1–21. Perceived Fluency and Proficiency Ratings …

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Hong Fu Bets Big on India 19:09

3d ago19:09

19:09

You might not recognize the name Hong Fu Industrial Group — but chances are, you've worn their products. As the second-largest manufacturer of sports shoes in the world, Hong Fu produces footwear for major brands like Nike and Adidas. Now, with changing global markets, Hong Fu is making a big move into India. Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan dive into …

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Episode 144: How to Use AI to Support World Language Classes (Without Losing the Purpose) 32:16

6d ago32:16

32:16

Send us a text AI tools are popping up everywhere — but can we use them in a way that still aligns with second language acquisition and communication-centered teaching? In this episode, I’m walking you through how I use AI — especially ChatGPT — in my Spanish classroom without losing the heart of what we do as CI teachers. I’ll share the 5 tools I …

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What If You Had a Planning Partner in Your Pocket? UNIT IDEAS SERIES: Adverbs of Frequency 14:39

7d ago14:39

14:39

Send us a text Planning a world language unit doesn't have to be a solo mission - this episode offers a detailed walkthrough of teaching adverbs of frequency with a proficiency-oriented approach. I share my exact five-day plan for introducing, practicing, and assessing this grammar concept in a way that follows the natural language acquisition proc…

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191. ¿Perros o gatos? - Parte 2 14:16

10d ago14:16

14:16

🎙️191. ¿Perros o gatos? Parte 2 In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta explores the pros and cons of having a cat as a pet. From their elegant independence to their quirky behaviors, you'll hear what makes cats lovable and sometimes a little challenging. After covering the perks and pitfalls of both dogs and cats in recent episodes, it's time for you…

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Geographical Indications & Jamaican Rum 18:02

11d ago18:02

18:02

Some products are famous because of where they come from — like Champagne from France or Scotch whisky from Scotland. Products like these are protected by something called a Geographical Indication, or GI. A GI means the product must be made in a certain place and follow certain rules. But sometimes, these rules can cause problems. In Jamaica, a ne…

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Episode 143: Picture Talk Reimagined – 5 Ways to Make It Sustainable and Student-Led 21:46

13d ago21:46

21:46

Send us a text Welcome back to Growing With Proficiency The Podcast! In today’s episode, we’re diving into Picture Talk—a classic strategy that many of us use occasionally… but what if it became part of your weekly routine? When reimagined as a sustainable and student-led practice, Picture Talk can provide meaningful input, spark student curiosity,…

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Language Glue: Why Your Students Can't Remember What You Taught Them 25:08

19d ago25:08

25:08

Send us a text Language teachers everywhere face the same challenge: how do we create units that actually lead to acquisition instead of just memorization? The answer lies in understanding how our brains naturally process and store language. In this eye-opening episode, I break down the six-phase structure that every successful proficiency-based un…

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China's game-changing pharmaceutical and biotech industry 21:01

20d ago21:01

21:01

China is fast becoming a major player in the global pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Once focused primarily on generic and me-too drugs, Chinese companies are now making headlines with innovative breakthroughs in oncology and gene therapy. Foreign investors are taking notice, pouring billions into partnerships and research projects across the…

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Episode 142: Building Joy, Connection, and Sustainability in Language Classes: Insights from a CI Teacher Panel 49:15

20d ago49:15

49:15

Send us a text In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I’m joined by three brilliant educators—Donna Tatum-Johns, Justin Slocum Bailey, and Erika Peplinski-Burge—for a real, honest, and insightful conversation straight from the heart of CI Mitten. Together, we answer 6 of the most common questions world language teachers ask, like…

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190. ¿Perros o gatos? 16:24

23d ago16:24

16:24

🎙️ Hello! In this episode, Marta is diving into a classic debate: dogs 🐶 vs. cats 🐱. Dog owners say dogs are the best, while cat owners argue that cats reign supreme. But who’s right? In this episode, we’ll focus on dogs—their pros, cons, and what makes them such beloved companions. Next time, it’ll be the cats’ turn, and at the end, you will decid…

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Episodio 141: Estaciones y Rotaciones: Estrategias para un Cierre de Año con Más Autonomía y Menos Agotamiento 22:48

23d ago22:48

22:48

Send us a text ¿Sientes que el fin de año escolar viene lleno de cansancio y falta de energía? 😮‍💨 En este episodio, te comparto dos estructuras que han transformado mis clases en esta época: las estaciones y las rotaciones. Te explico cómo implementarlas paso a paso, qué tipo de actividades funcionan mejor, cómo organizar el tiempo, y cómo usar tu…

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Ep. 17: SLAyyy An Effective Long-Term Language Program 46:31

23d ago46:31

46:31

Gaslight Course-End Exams Vertical Alignment - To University and Beyond Understanding Ordered Development Setting Realistic Goals Gatekeep - Gombert, W., Keijzer, M., & Verspoor, M. (2024). Long-term effects of structure-based versus dynamic usage-based instructional programs for French. Journal of the European Second Language Association, 8(1), 18…

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Episode 140: From Reading to Assessment — 4 Classroom Strategies from SCOLT (Part 2) 36:38

27d ago36:38

36:38

Send us a text Last week in Episode 139, I shared the 4 biggest takeaways from SCOLT — and today, I’m showing you how those ideas come to life with 4 powerful classroom strategies grounded in Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research. 💡 In this episode, I’m breaking down 4 engaging, easy-to-implement strategies that are already working right now i…

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Time Shift: The Economic Impact of Daylight Saving Time 16:08

28d ago16:08

16:08

Daylight Saving Time — a simple clock adjustment with far-reaching consequences. As countries debate whether to keep, ditch, or make DST permanent, the economic and health implications of this time-shifting practice are coming under increasing scrutiny. In this episode of Down to Business English, Skip Montreux and Samantha Vega explore the origins…

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Retrain Your Brain to Beat Chronic Stress, PTSD, Anxiety & More | Mo Gawdat 1:07:20

30d ago1:07:20

1:07:20

IS IT POSSIBLE TO LIVE STRESS-FREE? Get a front-row seat to an exclusive conversation with Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X, bestselling author of Solve for Happy, and co-founder of Unstressable. In this powerful talk from Tony & Sage Robbins' Platinum Partners 2024 Happiness Event in Abu Dhabi, Mo unpacks the science of stress—…

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Guest Kia London on Patience in Proficiency & 90% Target Language : A Teacher's Journey 47:42

1M ago47:42

47:42

Send us a text Patience trumps perfection when transitioning to proficiency-based language instruction, as veteran Spanish teacher Kia London reveals in this enlightening conversation about her journey teaching at a new school. With 19 years of experience across all grade levels K-12, Kia brings genuine wisdom about adjusting instructional pace to …

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Episode 139: The Heart Behind the Strategy: My 4 Biggest Takeaways from SCOLT 2025 22:57

1M ago22:57

22:57

Send us a text Have you ever needed a reminder of why this work matters? In this episode, I’m sharing the powerful moments from SCOLT 2025 that filled my teacher heart — and why what we do in the classroom matters just as much as how we make students feel. From hallway conversations to keynote quotes that made me tear up, this episode goes beyond s…

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Can AI help you learn a language? 37:55

1M ago37:55

37:55

It feels like everyone is talking about artificial intelligence and how it's taking over almost every industry. But what about language learning? Join Marina and Jeremiah as they discuss the benefits, shortfalls, and techniques when it comes to using this powerful tool to help you learn a language. Sources: Schmidt, T. & Strassner, T. (2022). Artif…

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UNIT IDEAS: Description - Physical and Personality Traits Units for Proficiency-Oriented Instruction 29:46

1M ago29:46

29:46

Send us a text The ability to describe people - both physically and by personality - isn't just another vocabulary list in your world language curriculum. It's a pivotal developmental milestone on your students' language journey, marking their transition from me-centered language to a broader world of expression. Devon Gunning breaks down why descr…

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Ep. 16: SLAyyy Playful Learning with Amanda Beck 1:01:28

1M ago1:01:28

1:01:28

Gaslight Judge, Jury, Executioner What Are Our Goals? Time Investment Gatekeep - Amanda Beck, Central States Languages for All Regional TOY 2024 How We Invest Our Time Guessing Games Games as Scaffolds for Learning and Social Interaction Games Provide Structure for Listening and Reading Have Backups Girlboss Level Your Games Use Templates Novelty M…

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Rare Earth Minerals Explained 16:24

1M ago16:24

16:24

Rare Earth Elements are everywhere — in your phone, your car, even your headphones — and the world can’t function without them. As demand for green tech and high-performance electronics surges, so does the race to secure reliable access to these crucial elements. Skip Montreux and Dez Morgan dive deep into the world of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). T…

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Re-Release: Episode 49: Star Student Interview – Centering Our Students Despite Restrictions 49:41

1M ago49:41

49:41

Send us a text With new regulations restricting what we can and cannot teach, many of us are left wondering: How can we continue to support ALL of our students while creating a safe and inclusive classroom? That’s exactly why I’m re-releasing this episode on the Star Student Interview—one of the most powerful and adaptable strategies for centering …

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Party Host, Not Grammar Ghost: Why Interpersonal Mode is the Secret Sauce & How to Do More Speaking in Class 37:11

1M ago37:11

37:11

Send us a text The moment a language student first connects with a native speaker is electric—that realization that "I can actually do this!" This transformative experience is precisely why students enroll in language classes, yet ironically, interpersonal communication often receives the least classroom time. Devon Gunning dives deep into this par…

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Re-Release Episode 73: Engaging Students and Encouraging Talking in the Target Language with Erica Peplinski-Burge and Justin Slocum Bailey 54:45

2M ago54:45

54:45

Send us a text Seeking ways to encourage student talking and boost engagement in the target language, without forcing output? If you're wondering, 'How can I get my students talking more in class in a natural and engaging way?' then this episode is a must-listen for you. Join me for a powerful conversation with Erica Peplinski-Burge and Justin Sloc…

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Ep. 15: SLAyyy Supporting Students with Dyslexia with Sara Lee 58:41

2M ago58:41

58:41

Gaslight Lack of Training and Preparation Reading IEPs and 504s Diagnosis - or No? Gatekeep - Sara Lee, 2024 Southwest Conference on Language Teaching TOY Formative Assessment to Evaluate Strengths and Needs Teaching for Proficiency What About Explicit Grammar Teaching? Anxiety! Theory: Mental-Graphemic Representation Girlboss Readable Fonts Identi…

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189. Las salas de ira 15:31

2M ago15:31

15:31

In this episode of ¡Cuéntame!, Marta shares her exciting experience visiting a rage room, a place where people can safely break objects like plates, bottles, and even computers! She tells us about going to the rage room to celebrate the birthday of one of the exchange students that she and her husband are hosting this year. While rage rooms can be …

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How To Shift Your Fear of Not Being Enough | Tony Robbins FULL Intervention 1:08:17

2M ago1:08:17

1:08:17

In honor of Virtual Unleash the Power Within (March 13–16, 2025), Tony Robbins is sharing this powerful, emotional, full-hour live intervention with you. This is your chance to experience Tony and Sage guiding a profound transformation in real time. Listen as they help Debbie break through her deepest struggles, make peace with her past, and unders…

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Episode 138: Structuring Output Activities for Language Learners: Growing With Proficiency Winter Conference Takeaways (Part 2) 29:22

2M ago29:22

29:22

Send us a text As language teachers, supporting and facilitating student output can be both rewarding and challenging. We know how excited students feel when they see what they can write and say in the target language. At the same time, we often view output as evidence of acquisition—yet that’s not necessarily the case. Many times, students' output…

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Episodio 137: Leyendo con Lupa: Cómo Representamos a la Mujer en la Clase de Español con Adriana Ramírez y Margarita Pérez García 45:38

2M ago45:38

45:38

Send us a text ¿Cómo representamos a la mujer en nuestra clase de español? ¿Qué historias contamos y qué estereotipos perpetuamos sin darnos cuenta? En este episodio especial por el Mes de la Historia de la Mujer, conversamos con Adriana Ramírez y Margarita Pérez García sobre la representación de la mujer en los materiales educativos y cómo podemos…

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Carnaval & Mardi Gras Unit Ideas: Why Carnaval is a Must-Teach Celebration | UNIT IDEAS Series 32:41

2M ago32:41

32:41

Send us a text Step into the vibrant world of Carnaval! In this UNIT IDEAS mini-episode, we explore how this much-beloved celebration transcends mere festivities to become a powerful teaching tool for world language educators. Carnaval is not just a festival but a rich cultural phenomenon that allows students to connect with diverse traditions and …

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188. Pelé, el rey del fútbol 14:01

2M ago14:01

14:01

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Pelé, one of the most iconic soccer players in history! Learn how a young boy from Brazil with big dreams became a global football legend. You'll hear about his career, achievements, and impact on the sport and culture, all in clear and accessible Spanish to help improve your comprehension. If you …

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Re-Release Episode 77: Enhancing World Language Classes with Music: Discover March Madness for Boosting Student Engagement 37:10

2M ago37:10

37:10

Send us a text Are you on the lookout for effective strategies to enhance engagement in your world language classes? Join us in this episode as we explore the power of incorporating music into language learning with Justin from Spanish Plans. We delve into March Madness, a dynamic approach to using music that has significantly boosted student inter…

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Do you ever really forget a language? 50:25

2M ago50:25

50:25

You took Spanish in high school, forgot everything except “¿Dónde está la biblioteca?,” and now you want to relearn the language after a long break. How easy is it to pick up that language again? Join us as we break down the struggle (and triumphs) of language comebacks! Sources: Bardovi-Harlig, K., & Stringer, D. (2010). Variables in Second Langua…

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Ep. 14: Supporting Undocumented Students with Bertha Delgadillo 58:52

2M ago58:52

58:52

Bertha Delgadillo, Southern Conference On Language Teaching (SCOLT) Regional Teacher of the Year 2024 Bertha’s Story Staying Informed and Incorporating Authentic Voices Abundance Mindset and Belonging Engaging Students With Local Communities Connecting Students to Needed Resources Joy References Bertha’s Padlet: Advocating & standing with immigrant…

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187. Celia Cruz: La reina de la salsa 15:21

2M ago15:21

15:21

In this episode, we explore the life and legacy of Celia Cruz, the Queen of Salsa. From her humble beginnings in Cuba to becoming an international icon, we discuss her incredible career, personal life, activism, and generosity. Discover how her music and message continue to inspire generations. If you enjoy this episode, don't forget to rate and le…

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Esther Perel Reveals the Secret to Lasting Love & Passion 1:30:50

2M ago1:30:50

1:30:50

Tony and Sage Robbins are excited to share this exclusive episode featuring world-renowned psychotherapist and bestselling author Esther Perel. Recorded at the 2017 Platinum Partners Relationship Event, Esther joins Tony and Sage for a deep dive into the complexities of love, desire, and intimacy in modern relationships. Through a thought-provoking…

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Episode 136: Brain Breaks, Map Talk, and Storytelling: Growing With Proficiency Winter Conference Takeaways (Part 1) 28:15

2M ago28:15

28:15

Send us a text Have you ever felt like you’re running low on energy in your classroom? Maybe you’ve been wondering how to bring more movement, engagement, and joy into your lessons. In this special episode, I’m sharing my biggest takeaways from the Growing With Proficiency Winter Conference! This is Part 1 of a two-part series, and today, we’re div…

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#26 - Wildly Engaging & Easy Activities with Music: An Interview with Roxxem's cofounder Shawn Lee 43:23

2M ago43:23

43:23

Send us a text Ready to transform your language classroom with the power of music? Discover how Roxxem, an innovative platform co-founded by Shawn Lee, is changing the game for language educators. By turning popular songs into engaging lessons, Roxxem offers flexible resources that enhance student participation, improve listening skills, and deepen…

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Brazilian Currency & Debt Crisis 17:29

2M ago17:29

17:29

Brazil is facing a currency and debt crisis as investor confidence in the country’s economic policies plummets. Since President Lula da Silva returned to office in 2023, increased public spending and rising debt levels have fueled concerns about Brazil’s financial stability. The Brazilian Real has weakened significantly, inflation remains high, and…

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186. Afrolatinos 15:27

2M ago15:27

15:27

In this episode, Marta celebrates Black Heritage Month by exploring the history and contributions of Afro-Latinos. She explains how African people were forcibly brought to Latin America during European colonization and how their presence has shaped the region's culture. From music genres like salsa and reggaetón to culinary and artistic influences,…

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#25 - 10 Tips for Student Relationships & Classroom Management in Language Class 28:41

3M ago28:41

28:41

Send us a text Strong relationships is the first and most essential foundation to a target-language rich world language classroom. Tune in to see my top 10 tips for classroom management and building student relationships specific to world language teachers! Let's connect: Get the Free World Language Teacher Toolkit Get the Free Roadmap to Proficien…

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Episode 135: Revisiting the Foundations of Language Acquisition with Dr. Bill VanPatten 48:05

3M ago48:05

48:05

Send us a text February can be tough. We’re not just physically exhausted—we’re emotionally drained. The weight of our classrooms, our students, and everything happening in our communities can make us lose sight of what truly matters in language teaching. That’s why I’m bringing back this incredible conversation with Dr. Bill VanPatten. When we’re …

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Ep. 13: SLAyyy Positive Classroom Environments with Kei Tsukamaki 44:33

3M ago44:33

44:33

Gaslight Humor Doesn’t Always Work Not Being Intentional Some Things Don’t Work In YOUR Context Thinking Expected Behaviors Are Obvious Gatekeep - Kei Tsukamaki, ACTFL National Language Teacher of the Year 2025 Dog Training Teaches Us About Classroom Environments The ABCs Taking Time for Reflection Prioritizing Relationships and Routines Girlboss U…

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Episode 134: Embedded Reading: A Powerful Strategy to Boost Comprehension and Confidence with Laurie Clarcq and Michele Whaley 58:37

3M ago58:37

58:37

Send us a text In this episode of Growing With Proficiency: The Podcast, I’m joined by the incredible Laurie Clarcq and Michele Whaley, the pioneers of Embedded Reading, to explore how this powerful strategy can transform language learning and boost student confidence in reading. Together, we break down the step-by-step process of Embedded Reading …

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Episodio 133: Prácticas Inclusivas En Nuestras Clases Con Kodi Rain 42:14

3M ago42:14

42:14

Send us a text En este episodio de Growing With Proficiency, The Podcast, nos acompaña Kodi Rain, docente de español y coautor de Los viernes de películas, para conversar sobre cómo podemos crear un entorno de aprendizaje seguro para nuestro alumnado. Hablamos sobre estrategias para fomentar la inclusión en nuestras clases, asegurándonos de que el …

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#24 - Innovative Literacy Strategies for Language Teachers with DigiGals: Jen Degenhardt & Theresa Marrama 53:03

3M ago53:03

53:03

Send us a text The Digigals, Jennifer and Theresa, have written a combined 120 novels for world language classes. Listen with us as the Digilangua creators, known as the Digigals in their dynamic duo, answer real community questions from the Practical Proficiency Network teachers about how to better use novels in the target language to promote lite…

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Second Language Acquisition Podcasts

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