In this episode, I dive into a common source of overwhelm for EL teachers: overplanning. The pressure to adapt content-area lesson plans for multilingual learners often leads us to try to plan everything, including both content and detailed language support. I explain that the goal of planning isn't control—it's clarity. I share my framework for simplifying ... Show More
Mar 2026
Episode 173 - Brain Science Meets the Classroom: A Conversation with Dr. Lisa Riegel
As teachers, we are incredibly well-trained in structure, curriculum, and how to organize the day-to-day of teaching. But what about the human side of the classroom—for both our students and ourselves?In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Riegel to explore what really drives beha ... Show More
34m 36s
Mar 2026
Episode 172. Why Your EL Lessons Feel Scattered (and How Backward Design Fixes It)
In this episode, I’m diving into lesson planning and introducing a process called backward design, which is a truly great way to plan for our English Learner (EL) students. You will hear how backward design differs from the traditional, “build-as-you-go” approach that often leave ... Show More
18m 10s
Mar 2026
Episode 170. The 30–60–90 Minute Planning Framework for ELL Teachers
Today, I’m sharing a simple but powerful structure—the 30–60–90 Minute Planning Framework—to help EL teachers stop the spiral of overplanning and find clarity, even during busy seasons like testing. In this episode, I am unpacking why planning often feels so heavy for teachers of ... Show More
21m 16s
Jun 2024
Reinventing yourself in the ESL industry
🎙️ Welcome to ESL Talk! 🎙️A podcast for English Teachers, by English Teachers.In this episode of ESL Talk, we sit down with Carina, a seasoned ESL educator, to delve into the art of professional reinvention within the ESL industry. With years of experience under her belt, Carin ... Show More
38m 31s
Feb 2023
Professional Development in ELT
🎙️ Welcome to ESL Talk! 🎙️A podcast for English Teachers, by English Teachers.In this episode, we meet Nicola Prentis, also known as the Chilled Investor. Nicola shares her journey transitioning from ELT to supporting ESL teachers in better managing their finances and making th ... Show More
29m 48s
Dec 2023
The Power and Influence of Your Voice in the Teaching Environment
🎙️ Welcome to ESL Talk! 🎙️A podcast for English Teachers, by English Teachers.Join ESL Talk as we delve into the dynamic world of language education with seasoned native English teacher, Josh. Uncover the nuances of voice, and its profound impact on teaching, and glean insights ... Show More
26m 55s
May 2023
49. Navigating the First Year of Teaching: Veteran Insights on Common Challenges
Join us on the New Teacher Success Network podcast as we dive into the common 'what if' scenarios that new teachers often face during their first year in the classroom. In this episode, seasoned educator, Emily Muccianti, shares her practical advice and strategies for regaining c ... Show More
23m 45s