The ESL Teaching Podcast

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 why you're sometimes drained (or energized) by teaching, and how understanding your unique teaching energy can help you work with your natural rhythm, set better boundaries, and recover from those exhausting weeks.Show Notes: Episode 157 - Here is Why You're Drained (or Energized) by TeachingHere is What You Will Hear in This Episode:The impact of energy in teaching Differences in teacher energyFive teacher energy profilesAlignment between energy and teachingSimply Ieva Offers:1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionEL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners' Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-2Essential Lesson Plan Bundle to help you feel organized and to keep your students engagedIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.My TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: Student Learning Rhythms you've probably never consideredCommon SEL Challenges ELs Face in the ClassroomLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 where they are. We're going to explore how each learner shows up, what they need to thrive, and how small shifts in your teaching approach can make a big difference, not just in academics, abundant connection and confidence. Learning rhythms you've probably never considered before.Show Notes:Episode 156 - The Hidden Key to Engagement: Learning Rhythms You've Probably Never ConsideredSimply Ieva Offers:5 learner profiles printableEL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners' Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-2Essential Lesson Plan Bundle to help you feel organized and to keep your students engaged1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.My TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related/Previous Episodes:Self-Management Techniques for the EL classroomCommon SEL Challenges ELs Face in the ClassroomLet's Connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 AI to personalize learning experiences based on your students' needs, interests, and cultures, create engaging content and classroom activities that reinforce language in fun and low prep ways, and how to design quick and effective assessments and feedback that actually support growth. Plus, I will share important best practices and words of caution for using AI responsibly and how you can help your students become thoughtful, confident digital learners in this new AI powered world. Show Notes:Episode 155 - How to use AI to  Personalize Learning, Boost Engagement and Assess Multilingual Learners (Part 2)Simply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners' Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-2Essential Lesson Plan Bundle to help you feel organized and to keep your students engaged1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.My TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: AI Prompting & Differentiation Made Easy for ELs (Part 1)5 Ways AI Can Help Save Teachers Time and Help Multilingual LearnersLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click Support the show

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, differentiating, and scaffolding for English learners takes a ton of work, but what if AI could save you time and help you create more meaningful, engaging content without losing your unique teaching touch? In this first part of this special two-part series, I share practical, realistic strategies for using AI to make lesson prep more manageable. You'll learn AI prompting and differentiation and tips you can implement right away to support your multilingual learners and free up your own creativity in the classroom.Show Notes:Episode 154 - Smarter Planning for ELs: AI Prompting & Differentiation Made Easy (Part 1)Simply Ieva offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners' Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-2Essential Lesson Plan Bundle to help you feel organized and to keep your students engaged1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.My TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: 5 Ways AI Can Help Save Teachers Time and Help Multilingual Learners5 Key Pillars of EL Inclusion in Mainstream ClassroomsLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERESupport the show

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 the EL world for the first time, transitioning from a general education role or newly certified in figuring out what this all looks like in real life, this episode is for you. And since spring is often a time when we start thinking ahead, reflecting on what's worked and what hasn't, it's the perfect moment to pause and gather some practical tools before the next school year creeps up.Show Notes:Episode 153 - 5 Must-Know Tips for New EL TeachersSimply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners' Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-21:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: The Four Roles of an ESL Teacher: What Do They Actually Do?The 2 Soft Skills Every EL Teacher Should HaveLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 energy and make teaching easier when you're running on empty. From creative listening and speaking tasks to easy yet effective writing prompts (including clever uses of social media) these activities are low-prep, fun, and work across all four language domains. Whether your students are in need of a routine shake-up or you just can't muster the energy for complicated planning, today's episode is filled with 5 simple wins for the days you're just done.Show Notes:Episode 152 - 5 Simple Wins for the Days You're Just Done Simply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners' Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-21:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: How to Teach ELs When You Don't Speak Their LanguageHow the 5 Whys Can Transform Your Teaching and LifeLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 little bit lonely at times. That's why I wanted to share this episode with you, the key pillars of EL inclusion. Whether you are an EL teacher looking to support your colleagues or a general educator who wants to do right by the multilingual learners in your room. I've shared lots of strategies over time, but today, I'm boiling it all down into five non-negotiables, the core things that every teacher should keep in mind when integrating ELs into their regular classroom. These are practical, clear, and designed to make your teaching life easier while helping your EL students feel seen, included, and empowered to grow.Show Notes:Episode 151 - The Big 5: Key Pillars of EL Inclusion in Mainstream ClassroomsSimply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners' Edition - a curriculum guide for grades k-21:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: The Heart and Art of Teaching ELs in Regular Education Classrooms with Zach Camenker3 Misconceptions About Teaching Newcomers in Regular ClassroomsLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click Support the show

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 again and sharing with us five compelling reasons why it's absolutely worth your time and energy to teach root words and how this one strategy can open up a world of understanding for your students no matter their language background. Show Notes:Episode 150 - Rooted in Success: 5 Reasons to Teach Greek & Latin Roots in Any ClassroomSimply Ieva Offers:Today's episode:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionThe Root Explorer: Greek and Latin Root Words Google Slides GameIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: Episode 50 – Fun and Effective Test Prep Strategies with Laura KebartLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 to talk about why social-emotional learning matters just as much as academics. The intellectual intelligence and emotional intelligence, EQ and IQ, and how the two of them work together to help students learn and become well rounded adults who are able to communicate productively in any situation.Show Notes:Episode 149 - Why Social-Emotional Learning Matters Just as Much as AcademicsSimply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: 5 SEL Components to Incorporate in Every ELL LessonCommon SEL Challenges ELs Face in the ClassroomLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 that will take some pressure off your shoulders, practical strategies that make your teaching more accessible, and even a few stories from my own classroom to prove that you really don't need to speak another language to be an amazing teacher for your English learners and especially those who are just starting to learn English.Show Notes:Episode 148 - How to Teach ELs When You Don't Speak Their LanguageSimply Ieva offers:Today's episode:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: Seeing is Understanding: 5 Visual Strategies for Supporting ELsLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 that has truly sparked their interest and motivation to read. I decided to take a different approach and launch a novel study with them. In this episode, I'll tell you about the way novels can supercharge EL vocabulary and thinking and the two books that have really hooked my students. How I weave in vocabulary instruction, and the ways we've been building higher order thinking skills along the way. It is still a work in progress, but I am seeing growth, and I can't wait to tell you all about it.Show Notes:Episode 147 - Hooked on Books! How Novels Can Supercharge EL Vocabulary and ThinkingSimply Ieva OffersNovel Study PacketEL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: Episode 22 Teaching reading with Kristen VibasEpisode 17 - a peek into my middle school classroomEpisode 85 - a peek into my high school classroomLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click Support the show

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 do our best. Now, why is that? Well, we will ask why five times today. In this episode, we're going to talk about the “five whys method” and how it can be a powerful tool for you in teaching, creating work life balance, and professional growth. Show Notes:Episode 146 - Digging Deeper: How the 5 Whys Can Transform Your Teaching and LifeToday's Episode:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionLight The Way to EL Teaching Success On-Demand Digital Masterclass LibraryThe Let Them Theory by Mel RobbinsIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation link below. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes and articles: The Secret to Effective EL Lessons? Backward Lesson Design!How to beat the midyear slump in the EL classroom The Less is More Philosophy When Teaching EL NewcomersLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 important yet often overlooked, soft skills. So in today's episode, I will explore two key aspects of these soft skills, communications and cultural awareness, and unpack why they are essential when working with English learners.Show Notes: Episode 145 - It's Not Just About Language! The 2 Soft Skills Every EL Teacher Should HaveSimply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation HERE. Thank you so much!Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related/Previous Episodes:The Secret to Effective EL Lessons? Backward Lesson Design!How to beat the midyear slump in the EL classroom The Less is More Philosophy When Teaching EL NewcomersLet's Connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Support the show

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 out but frequently puts a lot of unnecessary pressure on all teachers. There are so many misconceptions about teaching ELs, and I'm going to address three of them in this episode. Plus, share a way on how you can begin including ELs in your lessons without spending hours of extra planning.Show Notes:Episode 144 - 3 Myths About Teaching Newcomers - And What Actually WorksSimply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation HERE. Thank you so much!Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRelated/Previous Episodes:Let's Connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupSupport the show

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 feeling dragged down and your ELs seem disengaged, you're not alone. In today's episode, I will share fun interactive engagement strategies along with mindfulness and social emotional techniques to support both you and your students.Show Notes:Episode 143 - How to Beat the Mid-Year Slump in the EL Classroom for Both Students and TeachersSimply Ieva Offers:EL Newcomer Teaching Compass for grades 6-12 - curriculum guide created using backward design PLUS a year-long scope and sequence!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionIf you find value in The ESL Teaching Podcast and want to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast going and means the world to me! You can find the donation HERE. Thank you so much!Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRelated/Previous Episodes:5 SEL Components to Incorporate in Every ELL LessonRewriting the Script of Negative Self-Talk for TeachersLet's Connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupSupport the show

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, how it is different from traditional lesson planning, what are the pros and cons of each type of planning, as well as provide real life example of how I updated our EL newcomer curriculum guide to reflect this type of planning and how it actually takes your newcomer on the language acquisition journey.Show Notes:Episode 142 - The Secret to Effective EL Lessons? Start at the End!Simply Ieva Offers:EL newcomer curriculum guide for grades 6-12 - created using backward design!1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Simply Ieva websiteAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistRelated/Previous Episodes:6 Elements of an Effective EL Lesson Plan3 Lesson Planning Mistakes That Can Keep You in the RutLet's Connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupWhat if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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 it takes to create a podcast episode? Well, today, I am taking you behind the microphone. From brainstorming topics to publishing the final product, I'll walk you through every step of my process. And trust me, there are plenty of mishaps and lessons learned along the way.Show Notes:Episode 141 - A Look Behind the Scenes of The ESL Teaching PodcastSimply Ieva Offers:1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: How Teachers Can Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition Stages when working with ELsEL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Language Proficiency Levels3 Lesson Planning Mistakes That Can Keep You in the RutThe Top 5 Questions we Get About Teaching ELsLet's Connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInWhat if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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 effective. The amount of academic work is highly dependent on the student grade level and school, but I wanted to offer a few insights about what can be done to battle teacher and student overwhelm when it comes to assigning work to English learners. I will share a seemingly simple phrase (less is more philosophy) which is so elusive when we try to implement it in real life, but oh so powerful when we embrace it. You'll hear insights into why it is important to pause and review what we're doing and ways to make classwork more targeted for ELs.Show Notes:Episode 140 - The Less is More Philosophy When Teaching EL NewcomersToday's episode:Simply Ieva ESL offerings - EL newcomer curriculum, Digital Masterclass Library, One-on-One coaching and so much more!Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: How Teachers Can Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition Stages when working with ELsEL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Language Proficiency LevelsLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInWhat if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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 incorporate in your classroom to practice for them. Today, I am sharing practical tips and ideas on how to prepare for reading and writing portions of the test. We will take a look at what skills are necessary to successfully take the test, as well as activities that will help your students practice and feel ready. I share practice examples for students at all grade levels.Show Notes:Episode 139 - How to Prepare for State and Proficiency Tests Part 2: Reading and Writing PracticeToday's episode:How to Write a Paragraph - lesson plan and practiceFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Preparing ELs for State and Language Proficiency Tests. Part 1: Listening and Speaking PracticeLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group What if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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, preparing for them doesn't have to be overwhelming or tedious. Many students dislike taking the tests and sometimes even dread them. So in the next two episodes, we'll explore practical tips for practicing each language domain. Listening, speaking, reading, and writing with actionable strategies you can implement into your classroom right away. I will share practice examples for students at all grade levels. Today, let's focus on communication. How to practice listening and speaking to get your students ready and to make them feel more confident. Show Notes:Episode 138: Preparing Your English Learners for State and Language Proficiency Tests. Part 1 - Listening and Speaking PracticeSimply Ieva Offers:Season 1 Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers on The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS - is LIVE! We are accepting new members until January 27, 2025 - check it out and join usFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 50 – Fun and Effective Test Prep Strategies with Laura KebartVOA Learning English - listening practiceLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInWhat if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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 difficult to get it, but I know I can work with this one. In today's episode, I wanted to tackle the topic of assumptions we might hold about English learners that we might not even realize and how those assumptions impact our students and families. I will share the most common misconceptions about English learners, explore their impact and importance of breaking them down, as well as strategies to challenge them.Show Notes:Episode 137 -  Breaking Down Assumptions About English Language LearnersToday's episode:Season 1 Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers on The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS - is LIVE! - Check it out and join usFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 97 - How Teachers Can Harness The Power of Second Language Acquisition StagesEpisode 127 - When to Use Professional Interpreters vs. Bilingual Staff for Communicating with EL FamiliesLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva FacebWhat if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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 revisiting teaching EL newcomers again and diving into the critical importance of the first day with your EL students that are newcomers. My goal is to equip you with practical strategies and insights to ensure that these students feel welcome, supported, and ready to begin their language learning journey. We'll explore ways to build trust, establish routines, and create a classroom environment that sets the tone for success. Whether you've taught newcomers for years or this is your first experience, today's episode will equip you with practical tips to make the first day with newcomer EL students welcoming, structured and impactful. Show Notes:Episode 136 - Your First Day with Newcomer EL StudentsToday's episode:Season 1 Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers on The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS - join the waitlistFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 130 - Beyond Buddies: How Peer Pairing Empowers ELs Let's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupWhat if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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 somehow that seems to do the trick, we can restart and reset our classroom. And, of course, New Year is a great opportunity to do that because a) we all need it, and b) we all are starting the year with renewed energy. So in this episode, I will share with you 5 ways you can reset, refocus and recharge your classroom after the new year and, honestly, any time of year. Show Notes:Episode 135 - From Holiday Mode to Learning Mode: How to Reset, Refocus and RechargeSimply Ieva Offers:Today's episode:ESL goal setting worksheetFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 4 - Choice Boards for ESL Students: How to Use them in the ClassroomEpisode 133 - 5 SEL Components to Incorporate in Every ELL LessonESL goal setting worksheetLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GrouWhat if we reimagined professional development for teachers? The ESL Teaching Podcast PLUS is coming in January and it will revolutionize how you learn and teach English learners—on your time, with strategies you can use tomorrow and a community of educators just like you! And season 1 is about Mastering the Art of Teaching EL Newcomers ! Join the waitlist and be the first to know when the first season goes live and how to get access to it!Support the show

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, maybe except one thing. And I believe I learned valuable lessons. So today's episode is going to be a lot more personal and maybe even raw in some places, but I hope it resonates with those of you who need to hear it at this season in your life. I'm going to share my biggest takeaway from 2024, how I navigated it, and the lessons I learned that I am bringing into the new year.Show Notes:Episode 134 - The Year of Growth: The Biggest Takeaway of 2024Simply Ieva Offers:Digital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”Enlightened EL Educator flyerFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 109 - Rewriting the Script of Negative Self-Talk for TeachersEpisode 96 - Lessons learned, impact made and the wisdom to bring into the new year (2023)Let's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInI have compiled every masterclass I have ever recorded on how to teach and reach English learners in a regular education classroom - I'm talking strategies, how-tos and done for you resources!) and have created a digital masterclass library called Light the Way to EL Teaching Success where you can get instant access to 10 practical and actionable videos, 8 done-for you lessons and 1 professional development certificate for 3 hours of your time. Support the show

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 only the content taught at school, but also how to discover and master certain life skills that will help them tackle life's challenges and, of course, access the academic in school. It takes a village to raise a child. Family plays an important role in one's emotional well-being and learning to exist in life, and so do the school and teachers. So today, I want to go back to the basics and give you 5 SEL components to incorporate into your ELL lessons.Show Notes:Episode 133 - 5 SEL Components to Incorporate in Every ELL LessonSimply Ieva Offers:Digital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 106 - Common SEL Challenges ELs Face in the ClassroomLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group I have compiled every masterclass I have ever recorded on how to teach and reach English learners in a regular education classroom - I'm talking strategies, how-tos and done for you resources!) and have created a digital masterclass library called Light the Way to EL Teaching Success where you can get instant access to 10 practical and actionable videos, 8 done-for you lessons and 1 professional development certificate for 3 hours of your time. Support the show

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 teachers to, A) have at least the basic background knowledge of language acquisition, and B) understand how to adjust the material to the student's proficiency level. So in today's episode, I am talking about the 3 biggest challenges ELs face in the language arts classroom and provide ideas on how you can help them once you are aware of those challenges.Show Notes:Episode 132 - From Struggle to Success: Helping ELs Thrive in Language Arts ClassroomToday's episode:Digital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 64 - How to pre-teach vocabulary in the mainstream classroomEpisode 130 - Beyond Buddies: How Peer Pairing Empowers ELsLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group I have compiled every masterclass I have ever recorded on how to teach and reach English learners in a regular education classroom - I'm talking strategies, how-tos and done for you resources!) and have created a digital masterclass library called Light the Way to EL Teaching Success where you can get instant access to 10 practical and actionable videos, 8 done-for you lessons and 1 professional development certificate for 3 hours of your time. Support the show

In order to learn something, we need tools that address the way we learn as people as well as help us develop ways of thinking. In recent years, terms like neuroscience and neuroplasticity have become very popular in all fields, including education. What do these terms mean exactly? Neuroscience is the scientific study of the nervous system, including the brain and the neurons, and neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to change and adapt throughout life. Sounds simple enough. Right? And when you think about it, this is exactly where the idea of the growth mindset comes from. But in reality, to consciously notice our own behavior patterns and to adjust when something is not working takes effort and willingness to create new habits. And this is exactly what my guest, who also happens to be a repeat guest, Meeghan Carter and I talk about in today's episode.Show Notes:Episode 131 - How Neuroscience Can Transform Your ELL Teaching with Guest Meeghan CarterToday's episode:Digital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Essential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 130 - Beyond Buddies: How Peer Pairing Empowers ELsEpisode 74 - Why Teachers Should Embrace Meditation as Part of Their Daily RoutineGuest info:Meeghan Carter LinkedInLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramI have compiled every masterclass I have ever recorded on how to teach and reach English learners in a regular education classroom - I'm talking strategies, how-tos and done for you resources!) and have created a digital masterclass library called Light the Way to EL Teaching Success where you can get instant access to 10 practical and actionable videos, 8 done-for you lessons and 1 professional development certificate for 3 hours of your time. Support the show

Over the past several weeks, I have been sharing with you three simple accommodations every classroom teacher can make to reach ELs, even newcomers. We talked about why using visuals is essential when working with ELs, as well as what types of visuals to include. We dove into simplifying our language for directions, lesson delivery, and feedback, and why it actually promotes higher order thinking and expression in English. You can listen to those episodes by clicking the links underneath this episode. And in today's episode, I want to talk about the 3rd component that can be confusing, but if executed properly can be a true game changer. I am talking about peer pairing, partnering ELs with supportive peers. You will hear 4 ways you can utilize partnering your English learners with peers, whether native speaking or not, as well as the benefits of this strategy.Show Notes:Episode 130 - Beyond Buddies: How Peer Pairing Empowers ELsDigital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching Success”Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 128 - Seeing is Understanding: 5 Visual Strategies for Supporting ELsEpisode 129 - Why Simplifying Your Language for ELs Leads to Effective Higher Order ThinkingLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInI have compiled every masterclass I have ever recorded on how to teach and reach English learners in a regular education classroom - I'm talking strategies, how-tos and done for you resources!) and have created a digital masterclass library called Light the Way to EL Teaching Success where you can get instant access to 10 practical and actionable videos, 8 done-for you lessons and 1 professional development certificate for 3 hours of your time. Support the show

I am bringing you a series of episodes … 3 simple accommodations every classroom teacher can make to reach ELs, even newcomers. They are very targeted and easily digestible so that the tips you hear today and in the previous and coming episodes, you can implement right in your next lesson. We have identified 3 very simple, yet extremely effective accommodations that any teacher can include in any lesson, so that the lesson becomes more accessible to our English learners. Last week, we talked about why using visuals as well as what types of visuals can be included. Today, I want to talk about the second accommodation, simplifying your language for ELs. What does it mean, simpler language? Won't it impede the students' language development? What about higher order thinking that we require our students to engage in daily? I will answer all these questions, as well as provide 6 ways that you can simplify your language in a way that is effective not only for content, but also for language learning. Show Notes:Episode 129 - Why Simplifying Your Language for ELs Leads to Effective Higher Order ThinkingToday's episode:Digital Masterclass Library “Light the Way to EL Teaching SuccessFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 97 - How teachers can harness the power of language acquisition when working with ELsEpisode 98 - A journey through proficiency levI have compiled every masterclass I have ever recorded on how to teach and reach English learners in a regular education classroom - I'm talking strategies, how-tos and done for you resources!) and have created a digital masterclass library called Light the Way to EL Teaching Success where you can get instant access to 10 practical and actionable videos, 8 done-for you lessons and 1 professional development certificate for 3 hours of your time. Support the show

How can I help an English learner in a regular education classroom? This question is right there at the top of all questions asked by teachers along with what to teach EL newcomers. We all know that teaching is complicated and consists of a lot of moving parts that are sometimes hard to juggle. And since my mission is to bring you EL teaching tips in a practical and digestible way, so you can implement them in your next lesson, let's talk about what teachers can do to reach ELs, even newcomers, in their classroom. In today's episode, I will go over simple yet powerful accommodations that can and should be included in every lesson. You may have heard about them before, but I wanted to record a series of episodes that will help clarify how they actually look in real life. And in today's episode, I'm breaking down what it actually means to use visuals strategies for supporting ELs. There's so much more to using visuals than just the surface, so you won't want to miss this.Show Notes:Episode 128 - Seeing is Understanding: 5 Visual Strategies for Supporting ELsToday's episode: www.simplyieva.com Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: 4 ways to use students' first language in teaching EnglishLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin 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 show

Let's talk about translation in the world of multilingual teaching. It is a bigger topic and covers both the translation of materials in the classroom and translation of school communication with EL families. Today, I wanted to focus on the other side of translation, namely best practices for communicating with EL families of our students who do not speak or understand English, but with whom we need to keep in touch. In this episode, I will review the laws and requirements that the schools must follow when considering hiring a translator, as well as an overview of 4 mistakes that can present very clearly if we decide to use just the bilingual staff instead of professional translators for this purpose.What you will hear about in this episode:Importance of Translation in Communicating with EL FamiliesLaws Governing Translation Services in SchoolsCommon Mistakes in Using Bilingual Staff for Translation and InterpretationWhen to Use Bilingual Staff EffectivelyShow Notes:Episode 127 - When to Use Professional Interpreters vs. Bilingual Staff for Communicating with EL FamiliesSimply Ieva Offers:Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 5 - 4 ways to use students' first language in teaching EnglishLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin 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 show

I work closely with content area teachers, and I frequently receive questions from them about how they can help English learners in their classroom. The questions about teaching ELs, frankly, are the same every year. How to help a newcomer? How to assess EL students in the classroom? What activities work well with ELs, especially those at lower proficiency levels? How to engage students, and so on. It is interesting because I wanted to know if there are any other questions that EL teachers get asked. So I polled my Instagram and Facebook communities, and it appears that the general education teachers ask the same questions across the board. What can we do? They ask. How can we help our lovely EL students? So, today, I am re-airing my answers to a few of the most frequently asked questions. While there is no magic bullet to teaching and reaching ELs in a regular education classroom, I hope that you find these answers helpful, especially regarding first language usage in the classroom, translation, and how to help newcomers with reading.Show Notes:Episode 126 - The Top 5 Questions We Get about Teaching ELs - And Here Are the Answers!Simply Ieva Offers:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. Back-to-school sale - join for 20%off!Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: The Four Roles of an ESL Teacher: What Do They Actually Do?The Two Most Important Soft Skills for Teachers of English LearnersLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the SThe 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 show

Teaching grammar can be a topic that raises many questions for teachers of English learners, but it doesn't have to be. And as we discussed last week about how to teach grammar to younger English learners, we talked about strategies that work with that age group and answered questions about why we need to teach grammar in general. Today, I wanted to share how you can incorporate effective and meaningful ways to teach grammar to English learners who are teenagers and adults.Show Notes:Episode 125 - 3 Meaningful Ways to Teach Grammar to EL Teens and AdultsToday's episode:The ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. Back-to-school sale - join for 20%off!Short story The Last Leaf for grammar practice (descriptive adjectives)Short story Lamb to the Slaughter for grammar practice (simple present tense)ESL songsFree resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 15 - How to teach grammar to English learners (the grammar teaching sequence)Episode 124 - How to Teach Grammar to Younger English LearnersLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinThe 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 show

Whether you teach young English learners or teenagers and even adults, teaching in language involves teaching the grammar of that language. At the same time, it raises many questions for us. What is grammar exactly? Do we need to teach grammar explicitly when working with English learners in English speaking settings? Or do we let the students absorb it through content? If we do teach explicitly, do we have them practice with worksheets or are there any other ways that would make it stick better? How can I teach if I myself am not comfortable with grammar rules and haven't learned them that well? What if I don't know anything about it? Do I still have to teach it? These are just a few questions I have heard regarding teaching grammar. So I decided to record a couple of episodes that will help put you at ease whether you work with younger English learners and teenagers or adults. And today's episode is all about how to teach grammar to younger learners, kids in elementary grades. So let's talk about strategies that will help you teach grammar to them.Show Notes:Episode 124 - How to Teach Grammar to Younger English LearnersSimply Ieva Offers:Today's episode:The ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. Back-to-school sale - join for 20%off!Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 15 - How to teach grammar to English learners (the grammar teaching sequence)Let's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupThe 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 Show.

Today we're diving into a crucial topic for every ESL teacher as we approach a new school year—how to set the stage for success during the first five days in the ESL classroom. In this episode, we'll explore essential strategies for building trust, setting expectations, understanding student backgrounds, establishing routines, introducing content, and fostering a positive classroom community. Whether you're a new or veteran teacher, these insights will help you create a welcoming and effective learning environment for your students right from the start. Stay tuned as we break down each day with practical tips and activities to ensure a smooth and productive start to your school year. Show Notes:Episode 123 - Kicking Off the School Year: The First Five Days in the ESL ClassroomSimply Ieva offers:The ESL Teaching Roadmap – EL curriculum and coaching membership for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. Back-to-school sale - join for 20%off!Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmEMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can't wait to hear from you!Related episodes and articles: Episode 78 - Starting strong: easy and fun icebreaker activities for all EL levelsLet's connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin 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 Show.

Recently, I talked about the roles of the EL teacher, what our jobs entail, and how we can explain, in short, about what we do to our colleagues and administrators. Today, I wanted to go a step further and talk about a mission statement. This short, clear statement packs so much information and might be just the ticket for EL teachers and departments to feel seen and heard. In this episode, I will talk about why it is important to have a mission statement for your EL program and 3 steps to create a stellar one. Show Notes:Episode 122 - Why Your EL Program Needs a Mission Statement and How to Create OneSimply Ieva offers:Professional development opportunities:

With the new school year kicking off, energy is buzzing through the hallways as teachers set up their classrooms and dive into mandatory trainings. Today, we're addressing a fundamental question: Why should schools consider hiring outside educational consultants for English Learner (EL) professional development, especially when they already have in-house EL specialists?In this episode, we'll explore three reasons why bringing in an external EL educational consultant can significantly benefit your school district's teaching strategies. From tackling time constraints to navigating interpersonal dynamics within your teaching staff, and offering an objective bird's-eye view of your EL program, hiring a consultant could be the key to successfully integrating effective EL teaching methods into your classrooms. Show Notes:Episode 121 - 3 Reasons Hiring an EL Educational Consultant is a Must for Your EL Teaching NeedsSimply Ieva offers:Today's episode:Professional development opportunities:

With the number of English learners constantly rising and permeating not only large urban areas but also spreading into suburbs and rural towns, there's a serious need for all involved in the education of those English learners to understand the role of an ESL, ELL teacher in their district. This podcast episode was inspired by observations of both the mainstream teacher and EL teacher perspectives. So today, we will dive into the 4 major roles that an EL teacher brings to the school and why those roles are so important, not only for student advancement, but also for the entire district's success.Show Notes:Episode 120 - The Four Roles of an ESL Teacher: What Do They Actually Do?Simply Ieva offers:Free resources - sign up and keep in touch:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistProfessional development opportunities:

Today we're diving into five practical tips for newer EL teachers. Whether you're transitioning into EL teaching, getting your certification, or supporting multilingual students in your regular classroom, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed. Show Notes:Episode 119 - 5 Tips for Newer EL TeachersSimply Ieva Offers:Accommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.ESL Newcomer Teaching ChecklistProfessional development opportunities:

Every day, I receive several emails that share your current biggest struggles as a teacher who works with EL students, whether you're exclusively with multilingual students or you have ELs in your regular education classroom. I read every single email, and although I don't always have the time to respond to you personally, I take all things you tell me to heart and mind. And after going through the questions, I usually begin to see a pattern. Many questions fall under similar umbrellas. For example, how to help newcomers is by far the most popular question. So today, I wanted to answer 2 questions that I know many of you can relate to about this topic. How to manage the influx of newcomers at different times throughout the year, and how to address difficult group dynamics. I know that if 2 or 3 people are asking the same questions, many others are likely wondering the same thing.Show Notes: Episode 118 - How to Handle New Arrivals and Group Challenges Year-RoundSimply Ieva Offers:Today's episode:EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumEssential Lesson Plan BundleSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

As EL teachers, we need to possess a variety of skills, and not all of them are clear cut. Besides the obvious ones, such as being knowledgeable in teaching methodologies, standards, and educational psychology, as a teacher of multilingual learners, one must also possess acute cultural awareness. And that goes not only for EL teachers, but for all teachers whether you have multilingual learners in your classroom or whether you don't, yet. But, how do you define culture? And, why is a student's culture relevant in the classroom? Finally, what's time got to do with it? These are big questions, and each of them probably deserve a separate podcast episode. But I wanted to dive into them regardless and answer them for you right here today.What you will hear about in this episode:Different attitudes toward time and cultural impactIndividualism valued in the U.S., clashes in educationPsychologist studies how cultures view and use timeDifferent cultural understandings of time and communicationConsider cultural aspects when planning lessonsShow Notes:Episode 117 - Clocking In: Cultural Perspectives on Time and Social InteractionsSimply Ieva Offers:Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

As the summer break is nearing, it seems that time flies faster and faster. Between all of the award ceremonies, field days, final exams, and graduations, there's no space to even breathe. In this season, the desire to put off paperwork and lesson planning for next year is sometimes irresistibly strong, and I'm saying this because I've been there. So in today's episode, I wanted to revisit some tips for teachers that will help not only to finish the school year more organized, but also come back in the fall with a fresh perspective and gratitude for yourself. For taking the time to actually do it. You will hear 5 tips on what you need to do so you can have space in your mind for a truly restful summer.What you will hear about in this episode:Importance of returning to an organized spaceImportance and timing of student rosters and ILPsChallenges ESL teachers face with room changes over the summerImportance of planning for the first weekShow Notes:Episode 116 - Do These 5 Things BEFORE Summer Break to Feel More Organized and RefreshedSimply Ieva Offers:Today's episode: Essential Lesson Plan BundleSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

With the school year almost at the end for many of us, or even finished for some, I wanted to revisit one of the episodes I recorded a while back because I know that it will really come in handy. Either now or at the start of the new school year. Honestly, anytime. What I'm talking about is how to use choice boards in your El classroom. What they are, how you can use them with your English learners and the benefits they bring to both you and your students. In this episode, I will share how I use choice boards in middle and high school and why both my students and I enjoy them. But the ideas can certainly be applied to teachers of ELs in elementary grades as well, with a little bit of tweaking.Show Notes:Episode 115 - Personalized Learning for EL Students: The Power of Choice BoardsSimply Ieva Offers:EL Choice Board BundleSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

When I ask teachers: if you could have a magic wand, what would you wish for you in your teaching situation, I get so many requests for a scope and sequence for newcomers and for a newcomer curriculum. So in today's episode, I wanted to go back to the basics and talk a little bit about the scope and sequence for English language learners.  I will be answering the questions about what the scope and sequence is, why it is an important document to have, what is included in it, and how ELL teachers can create their own, especially for newcomers. I will also be sharing an example of my scope and sequence and a link for you to grab it at the end of this episode. What you will hear about a scope and sequence for newcomers:What is included in a scope and sequenceHow to create a scope and sequence when you don't have a curriculum or a teamThe best ways to incorporate Common Core State Standards, ELD standards, and WIDA standards into your scope and sequenceMy process for creating academic and social emotional goals for my studentsUsing my grammar teaching sequence available for free on my websiteResources:As mentioned in the episode, here is the:Year Long Scope and SequenceBelow you will find some useful resources!EMBARK™ Newcomer curriculum grades 6-12 The ESL Teaching Roadmap – monthly 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. Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmSimply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers StoreFollow me on Instagram Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group I have compiled every masterclass I have ever recorded on how to teach and reach English learners in a regular education classroom - I'm talking strategies, how-tos and done for you resources!) and have created a digital masterclass library called Light the Way to EL Teaching Success where you can get instant access to 10 practical and actionable videos, 8 done-for you lessons and 1 professional development certificate for 3 hours of your time. Support the Show.

Technology has increasingly become an integral part of teaching, and honestly, I cannot imagine teaching a lesson without it. Of course, I would if I needed to and I would have to adapt, but it just makes things so much faster and easier. From pulling up an image to complement the topic, to checking the correct MLA format, to grabbing precise definitions for the vocabulary words you want your students to learn. And with the advent of AI last year, the technology game has become an even more intricate dance. We ask ourselves which tools are reliable, how to use them ethically, what can our students use, and how we can make AI work for us, not the other way around. So in today's episode, I want to share with you 3 AI tools that have made my teaching life easier this year and how I use them to move my students forward in their English learning journey.What you will hear about in this episode:The AI tools I useCreating vocabulary lists and example sentencesAdapting complex texts to student-friendly versionsComprehensive tool used for creating and managing assignmentsFeatures and benefits of AI toolsShow Notes:Episode 113 - How to Use AI to Help Your Students Access Content Plus My Favorite ToolsSimply Ieva Offers:

When it comes to teaching English learners, some things come naturally for EL teachers, while regular education teachers might be wondering how they can reach their multilingual students. I have several episodes about teaching all ELs, but I wanted to distill this information into even more practical and really actionable advice that all teachers can take whenever they have an English learner in their classroom. In today's episode, I will be talking about 5 non-negotiables for integrating ELs in your regular education classroom. No matter what subject or what grade level you teach. They may be new to you or you may have already heard them many times. But as we say, the more times you hear it, the more you internalize the information and the more it can become natural to you to implement.What you will hear about in this episode:Importance of reaching out to EL specialists for proficiency assessmentsThe four main language functions: inform, narrate, argue, and explainImportance of speech adjustment to assist EL comprehensionStrategies for teaching newcomers with overwhelmed capacitiesShow Notes:Episode 112 - 5 Non-Negotiables for Integrating ELs in Regular Education Classroom Simply Ieva Offers:

I don't know about you, but every year around April, I feel like my energy is drained. I can no longer focus, and the feeling of inadequacy begins to creep in. The students have absorbed as much as they could. We all are just counting the days until that summer break when we all can recharge and look at things from a different perspective. But we have to somehow get through those last weeks of school. I want to share some of the end of year hacks that I use to feel like I'm still making a difference in my teaching and student learning and, what I do to not lose my own sanity in the process.What you will hear about in this episode:Shifting focus from new material to reviewing past lessonsStrategies to handle waning student focus and increased energyThe impact of changing environment on teacher motivation and creativityThe importance of self-care and maintaining personal well-beingShow Notes:Episode 111 - 5 End of the Year Hacks to Finish the School Year With SanitySimply Ieva Offers:

In education, hard skills such as the academic knowledge of the subject and the know-how of teaching in general, the strategies, the methodology, the assessment are the focal point. But today, I wanted to talk about the soft skills that are much more difficult to define and quantify because they are less concrete, but have been proven time and time again just as important as the know-how. These skills involve interpersonal and interpersonal communication, being flexible, cultural awareness, and others. And they help us forge meaningful relationships, as well as allow us to live a more fulfilling life. And, in particular, I wanted to touch upon two aspects of those soft skills, communication and cultural awareness, and why they are extremely important when you're working with English learners.What you will hear about in this episode:The crucial role of soft skills in effective communication and relationship buildingList of Essential Soft Skills for EducatorsThe impact of teacher communication on student connection and content accessibilityDefinition and significance of cultural awarenessShow Notes:Episode 110 - The Two Most Important Soft Skills for Teachers of English LearnersSimply Ieva Offers:

Welcome back to another episode of The ESL Teaching Podcast. Today we're tackling an issue that's close to the heart for so many of us educators: the challenge of negative self-talk. As teachers, we navigate not only academic pressures but also the emotional and mental weight of our personal lives. Recognizing our humanity is crucial to maintaining not just our performance in the classroom but our overall well-being. In this episode, we explore practical strategies and self-reflection tools designed to transform our inner dialogue. From identifying types of negative thoughts to embracing moments of quiet and mindfulness, join us as we unpack five powerful practices that can uplift our spirits and reshape how we perceive and respond to stress. What you will hear about in this episode:Overcoming the feelings of mental exhaustionThe parallel between the struggles of students and teachersFive practices to combat negative self-talk and mental health challengesThe necessity of self-care for effective teaching and personal well-beingFour types of negative self-talkReframing thoughts for mental well-beingShow Notes:Episode 109 - Rewriting the Script of Negative Self-Talk for TeachersSimply Ieva Offers:

Welcome to Episode 108 of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In this episode, I share my go-to activities for those "I can't even" days, when exhaustion and lack of inspiration make lesson planning a struggle. I candidly discuss my own experiences with feeling tired and bored while teaching, and offer practical, low-prep activities to reignite the classroom's energy. From engaging listening and speaking activities like back-to-back drawing and interviewing, to creative writing prompts using social media and vocabulary categorization, these tips are designed to invigorate both teachers and students. So, if you're looking for innovative teaching strategies to combat those off-days, stay tuned for some valuable insights!What you will hear about in this episode:Dealing with exhaustion and lack of creativity as a teacherThe need to teach regardless of challengesActivities to boost classroom energy and learningTeaching persuasive speech and helping ELLs think on their feetWriting activities for ELLsShow Notes:Episode 108 - No Plan? No Problem! 5 Activities for those "I can't even" daysSimply Ieva Offers:

My guest Zach Camenker, and I explore the challenges and joys of teaching English learners in a regular classroom. Zach, an English Language Arts teacher, shares his struggle with the repetition of the curriculum and his passion for reading instruction. The importance of adaptability, feedback, and collaboration in setting up a successful classroom environment for diverse learners is stressed. We discuss the need for better preparation for teachers facing ELL students and Zach's personal reasons for pursuing a master's in TESOL. Both of us reflect on the value of making connections with students and the pressures of meeting curriculum standards. Zach expresses his career aspirations towards leadership, illustrating his extensive involvement in educational extracurricular activities. The episode highlights the complex balance between following the curriculum and addressing the individual needs of English learners.What you will hear about in this episode:Challenges faced by mainstream teachers with ELL studentsBenefits of feedback and suggestions from colleagues and studentsChallenges due to students' lack of cultural and historical background knowledgeThe balance between connecting with students and delivering curriculumShow Notes:Episode 107 - The Heart and Art of Teaching ELs in Regular Education Classrooms with Zach CamenkerSimply Ieva Offers: