TESOL Pop

• TESOL Pop S11E2 | Bringing Research into Your Classroom with Amira Salama

  Amira Salama shares insights on practitioner research and how everyday classroom experiences can contribute to meaningful research. She challenges traditional notions of research and highlights how teachers are already engaging in research without realising it.Watch with closed captions.KEY TALKING POINTS1. Research doesn’t have to be complex—any teacher reflecting on and improving their practice is engaging in research.2. Sharing findings with colleagues, at conferences, or within schools is just as valuable as publishing in journals.3. Teachers can use simple methods like student feedback, classroom observations, and collaborative discussions to gather insights.4. Research helps educators take control of challenges like AI integration and curriculum development.5. Contextualised, bottom-up approaches to teaching and research are more effective than applying generic ‘best practices.’ABOUTAmira Salama is the Chair of the TESOL International Research Professional Council (2024-2025) and the Past President of Africa ELTA. She has an MA TESOL from the American University in Cairo with a research focus on teacher leadership and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in inclusive education. Amira is the winner of the TESOL Outstanding Advocate Honor Award in 2024. She has given a number of plenary and featured talks at local and international conferences and developed teacher training programs in Egypt and Africa with a focus on association leadership in low-resource contexts, classroom research, and women leadership.REFERENCES & RESOURCESTESOL Research ReportAfrica ELTA (Mentoring programmes)Support TESOL Pop💻 Sponsor us ☕ Buy us a coffee⭐ Share & review this episodeCREDITSProducer Laura WilkesEditor Haven TsangThanks to our lovely guest, Amira SalamaProduction by Communicating for Impact Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Rethinking Gamification in Adult Learning with Jade Arthur

  Jade Arthur explores the concept of gamification in teaching adult learners. In this episode, Laura and Jade dive into common misconceptions about gamification, discuss the importance of intrinsic motivation, and share actionable strategies for making learning fun, engaging, and effective for adultsWatch the episode with closed captions.KEY TALKING POINTSWhat is Gamification?Jade explains how gamification uses elements like points, challenges, and rewards to enhance learning. She highlights how it can create meaningful and enjoyable learning experiences when applied thoughtfully.Intrinsic Motivation:Discover why gamification works best when it moves beyond external rewards and fosters a genuine love for learning.Collaboration Over Competition:Jade emphasises the importance of designing games that build community and cater to diverse learner needs rather than simply focusing on competition.Gamification for Adults:Practical tips for making gamified activities engaging yet appropriate for adult learners. From tone-setting to purposeful game design, Jade shares strategies for creating a low-pressure, high-impact learning environment.ABOUTJade is based in Tennessee, US where she teaches adult English learners pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, and conversation skills online. She has worked for TutorABC, Tutlo, English for IT, and Twenix, helping students from a variety of countries including Taiwan, Ukraine, Poland, and Spain. Her goal is to encourage students to embrace the joy of learning through gamified education and inspire them to achieve creative and financial freedom.Learn more about Jade:WebsiteLinkedInREFERENCESRoman Rackwitz and his work on non-Skinnerian gamification (LinkedIn)B. F. Skinner and his work in the 1900s on behavioural psychology (Wikipedia)MORE FROM TESOL PopTry these speaking game ideas with your adult and teen students.Support TESOL Pop💻 Sponsor us☕ Buy us a coffee⭐ Share & review this episode to help us reach more educators!CREDITSProducer Laura WilkesEditor Haven TsangThanks to our lovely guest, Jade Arthur Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• How to Improve Our Attention Span for Better Learning with André Hedlund

  Founder of the Learning Cosmos André Hedlund explores the growing challenges of maintaining attention spans in the age of digital distractions. André dives into the impact of screen time, executive functions' role in learning, and how going back to basics can foster focus and resilience in our classrooms.Watch the episode with closed captions.KEY TALKING POINTSDigital Overload:André highlights how delegating human interaction to devices has contributed to declining IQ levels for the first time in recorded history. He explains why educators must rethink the role of technology in teaching to align with how the brain processes information.Executive Functions:André explains the importance of training the brain's "operational control centre'‘ through situations that challenge students' impulse control, emotional regulation, and focus. He emphasises how avoiding frustration deprives learners of opportunities to develop these critical skills.The Dopamine Dilemma:André dives into the neuroscience behind dopamine and how easily accessible digital rewards disrupt the brain's balance. He advocates for finding healthier ways to engage students without relying on instant gratification.Back to Basics:From play-based learning to fostering genuine human connections, André urges educators to revisit traditional methods that prioritise interaction, exploration, and meaningful experiences over digital dependence.ABOUTAndré Hedlund is a Chevening (pronounced as evening) Alumnus, MSc Psychology of Education - University of Bristol, Educational Consultant, Speaker, Author, and Guest Lecturer on Bilingualism and Cognition in Postgraduate courses. He currently works as an e-moderator in British Council training programs. André is the leader of BRAZ-TESOL’s Mind, Brain, and Education SIG and the founder of the Learning Cosmos.REFERENCES & RESOURCESThe Learning Cosmos SubstackThe Learning Cosmos InstagramHaidt, J. (2024) The Anxious Generation. PenguinHedlund, A. (2022) The Owl Factor: Reframing your Teaching Philosophy. IndependentLISTEN TO MORETESOL Pop Season 5, Episode 7: The Know, Show and Grow Stages of Teaching and Learning with André HedlundSupport TESOL Pop💻 Sponsor us☕ Buy us a coffee⭐ Share & review this episode to help us reach more educators!CREDITSProducer Laura WilkesEditor Haven TsangThanks to our lovely guest, André Hedlund Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Curating Immersive English Experiences with Ruth Pringle

  Founder of Blue Noun, Ruth Pringle, discusses her innovative approach to immersive English learning. Ruth shares how combining outdoor exploration, artistic activities, and community engagement transforms English learners into confident English users.Watch with closed captions here.What is Blue Noun?Ruth introduces Blue Noun, a language hub in Crieff, Scotland, surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Perthshire. Unlike traditional classrooms, Blue Noun offers English learners real-life opportunities to practice language skills while immersing themselves in the local culture.Learner to User: The Mindset ShiftRuth highlights the distinction between English learners and English users. She shares how focusing on using "wonky" English in authentic settings can help individuals overcome self-doubt and build confidence in their abilities.Tailored ExperiencesEach experience at Blue Noun is unique. Ruth shares examples of activities, like visiting local artist studios, participating in mosaic workshops, and exploring the scenic outdoors. These activities help learners pick up workplace-relevant vocabulary and build meaningful connections.Power of Playful LearningRuth explains how immersive and tactile experiences—like creating art or having informal conversations—allow learners to integrate English naturally into their identities, making language learning less about perfection and more about connection.ABOUTRuth offers English language coaching holidays in Perthshire, Scotland. These are curated immersive experiences that explore Scotland's landscapes and cultures and give ‘1000s of micro moments of you being you, in English’. Her background is in the arts. She spent 10 years exhibiting as an installation artist around Europe, UK & the USA and began teaching English to support this – first in a corporate language school, then freelance for art and architecture schools. She began the Blue Noun Hub 5 years ago, to unite L1 & L2 English users through stories, projects and a love of natural Scotland.REFERENCES & RESOURCESBlue Noun - Real Conversation-based English Holidays, Courses and CoachingView the gallery of photos of Blue Noun Immersive English Holidays.Love what we do? Say thanks with a coffee.https://ko-fi.com/tesolpopCREDITSProducer Laura WilkesEditor Haven TsangThanks to our lovely guest, Ruth Pringle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Teaching Tips for Translanguaging with Josianne Block

  Senior Teaching Associate Josianne Block shares insights on how embracing learners’ linguistic resources can enhance communication, foster inclusivity, and create a more dynamic learning environment.Closed captions here.What is translanguaging?Josianne defines translanguaging as the natural blending of languages to communicate effectively. She shares real-world examples, such as using gestures, words from other languages we know, and cultural knowledge to convey meaning.The role of translanguagingJosianne explains how translanguaging reflects the interconnected nature of languages in our minds. Far from being a shortcut, it’s a powerful tool for building confidence and fostering curiosity among learners.Classroom strategiesJosianne describes how she incorporates translanguaging by:Starting lessons by writing vocabulary words in learners' languages.Exploring cross-linguistic similarities with idioms and expressions.Creating visual displays that highlight the linguistic diversity of her students.Safe learning spacesJosianne emphasises the importance of establishing clear guidelines for using learners’ first languages. She shares how this approach helps students transition from relying on their native languages to gaining confidence in English.Quick ideas to tryVocabulary Connections: Begin a lesson by having students write translations of key vocabulary in other languages they speak on the board to spark engagement.Compare Idioms: Discuss an English idiom and invite students to share similar expressions in their own languages.Celebrate Linguistic Diversity: Create classroom charts or displays featuring common phrases in all the languages spoken by your learners.ABOUTJosianne is based in Malta, a small island in the Mediterranean. She has over ten years of teaching experience in English and currently works as a senior teaching associate at the University of Malta. Josianne holds an M.A. in Applied Linguistics and TESOL and is also qualified to teach Italian and Maltese as foreign languages. Having taught several integration programmes, she is particularly interested in language dynamics and linguistic diversity within multilingual contexts. She also actively participates in local and international ELT conferences and enjoys conducting research.REFERENCESGarcia, O., & Wei, L. (2014). Translanguaging: Language, Bilingualism and Education. Palgrave Macmillan.Kerr, P. (2014). Translation and Own-language Activities. Cambridge University Press.Translanguaging Guides. CUNY-NYSIEB. (2021). Available at https://www.cunynysieb.org/ translanguaging-re Accessed on 19/11/2024.Love what we do? Say thanks with a coffee.https://ko-fi.com/tesolpopCREDITSProducer Laura WilkesEditor Haven TsangThanks to our inspiring guest, Josianne Block. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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