ELTtime: Recent Episodes
Garnet Education
At Garnet Education, we produce ELT materials that are used in schools, colleges and universities around the world. We’ve created ELTtime in the hope that it can be a springboard for further discussions in our online community and in your staffrooms. You can expect a variety of topics, from the origins of the word capsicum to in-depth discussions of industry biases, global issues and other challenges that the ELT community faces today.
In the final episode of season 1 of ELTtime, our Senior Editor, Chris, speaks to Zarina Subhan about experiencing racial bias in ELT. They dive into discussions about different kinds of privilege, what it’s like to be judged by the colour of your skin before your teaching ability, and how the representation of race in ELT coursebooks and other materials can be improved.
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode! Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
- Book: Color, Race and ELT, Shades of meaning by Andy Curtis and Mary Romney
- Book: Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- Book: Race and ethnicity in English Language Teaching, Korea in focus by Christopher Joseph Jenks
- Article: The intersectionality of gender, sexuality, race and native-speakerness: Investigating ELT teacher identity through duoethnography by Luke Lawrence and Yuzuko Nagashima (Journal of Language, Identity and Education)
- Zarina’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zarina-subhan-a9372052/
CHAPTERS
0:19 – Introduction
1:17 – English identity: assumptions and credibility
11:08 – Being a woman in ELT
13:09 – Intersectionality: race and gender
16:31 – Racism in the workplace: classroom vs colleague experience
21:19 – Privilege and awareness
23:25 – The question of responsibility: educating people on racism
30:44 – Defining and understanding privilege
32:48 – The portrayal of race in ELT materials
41:20 – The loss of indigenous culture to economic power
43:16 – Perceptions of traditional non-western clothing
45:13 – Final comments
47:06 – Outro
47:25 – Bonus: Season 2 news!
In today’s episode of ELTtime, Rachel, Matt, Ella and Jaz all sat down together (whilst we were still in the office) for a TeaBreak! With Jaz as the moderator, Rachel, Matt and Ella look back at their teaching experiences and discuss how well teaching English prepared them for a career in ELT publishing.
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode. Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
There are no links for this episode.
CHAPTERS
0:20 – Intro
0:48 – Teaching experience
1:10 – Rachel’s teaching experience – Greece
2:07 – Matt’s teaching experience – Japan
3:31 – Ella’s teaching experience – Spain
4:55 – Pressure to get through materials quickly
7:12 – Transitioning into publishing
7:23 – Rachel: started as a writer before moving into editing
8:39 – Matt: did a publishing masters, worked in other publishing fields
10:11 – Ella: did an English Literature masters, work experience
11:20 – Does teaching prepare you for working in ELT publishing?
13:22 – Skills needed for editing vs teaching
15:23 – Teaching grammar
16:32 – Content development and teaching
17:45 – Using Teacher’s Books as a tool
18:53 – Time management as a teacher vs editor
23:05 – What parts of teaching doesn’t prepare you for publishing?
27:25 – Thinking about the publishing process as teacher
29:05 – What do you miss about teaching?
32:22 – Favourite thing about ELT publishing
35:03 – Outro
In the sixth episode of ELTtime, our Digital Editor, Jaz, chats with Julietta Schoenmann about how best to incorporate the wide topic of global issues into your lessons. How do you talk about the climate crisis without frightening young learners? How can you include the UN sustainable development goals in your lesson plans? Should any topics be avoided?
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode. Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
UN sustainable development goals
UN student resources
IATEFL Global issues SIG
Article: Helping young learners deal with the climate crisis
21st century skills in ELT classroom book: coming soon!
CHAPTERS
0:19 – Intro
1:46 – Defining what we mean by ‘global issues’
2:28 – Connecting global issues to ELT
4:18 – Modern student experience
5:26 – Empathy and understanding
6:44 – Taking action
7:56 – Global citizenship, not political
9:13 – UN sustainable development goals
10:55 – UN student resources
11:28 – Should any topics be avoided in the classroom?
13:26 – Being realistic about how serious the topics can be
14:56 – Allowing students to express a preference on topics
15:46 – Teaching the climate crisis
17:02 – Using Greta Thunberg and Malala in the classroom
18:25 – Listening to students
19:28 – Activity of ‘personifying’ climate change
21:51 – Outro
Today’s special episode of ELTtime addresses the global COVID-19 pandemic. The virus is causing unprecedented levels of disruption to education – schools are closed, students are unable to attend lessons in person, international students can’t travel overseas, and institutions are forced to reschedule courses and exams. As a result, now more than ever before, English language teachers around the world are finding themselves with an urgent need to become effective online educators.
In today’s episode, Garnet’s Digital Manager Matthew George talks to experienced English language Teacher/Teacher Trainer, Julietta Schoenmann. Julietta talks over the nuts and bolts of how to get going as an online teacher, and then offers a wide range of insights into how to manage online classes, how to make the most of the tools and resources at your disposal and how to maintain student motivation.
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode. Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
Hands Up charity project
Online platforms: Zoom, Adobe connect, Blackboard Collaborate
Padlet: online collaboration tool
Vialogues: dynamic video discussions
Flipgrid: video discussions and respsonses
Eaquals Webinars: Teaching live online using Zoom
CHAPTERS
0:20 – Intro
1:17 – Julietta’s background in online teaching
2:20 – The Hands Up Project
3:18 – Online platforms: Zoom
5:20 – Zoom features – breakout rooms, screen sharing, polls
7:22 – Tips for using online tools for the first time
9:44 – Green screens in Zoom
10:44 – Online tools for teachers (Padlet, Flipgrid, Vialogues)
13:26 – How do teaching styles differ online?
16:33 – Disruptive home environments
18:05 – Online breakout rooms for group work
18:59 – Activity types in the virtual classroom and encouraging student autonomy
23:22 – Motivation and keeping students engaged
26:24 – Online tools can provide more variety in activities (e.g., using Google Street view)
27:29 – Encouragement and praise
27:56 – Pitfalls of online teaching: connectivity issues
29:20 – Orientation to working online and multitasking
32:18 – Boundaries and limits
33:37 –What can institutions and teachers do to ensure a positive outcome from this move online?
36:07 – Outro
In today’s episode our Publisher, Rachel, and Academic Director, Chris, sit down to discuss why integrated skills are beneficial in the classroom. They discuss how the real-life application of language is not separated into the four skills, why there is a reluctance from educational institutions to change and how integrated skills provides a way to exploit materials and engage students.
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode! Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
Journal article: Integrated Skills in the ESL/EFL classroom by Rebecca Oxford (10:28)
CHAPTERS
0:20 – Intro
0:52 – What are integrated skills?
1:33 – Are integrated skills a good thing for ELT?
2:54 – Do integrated skills reflect how we use language in real life?
4:22 – Teaching skills in isolation; focusing on specific skills
6:01 – Skills are already integrated: learning to write by speaking
7:28 – Teaching ‘speaking’ by using texts, pictures or audio
8:33 – Going from receptive to productive skills
9:36 – Focusing on the function of language
10:12 – Is there evidence that integrated skills are more effective?
11:51 – Learning strategies and ‘learning to learn’ skills
13:31 – Formative assessments and switching skills in daily life
15:52 – Integrated skills can flag up specific skills that need working on
17:11 – Reluctance to change: educational, institutional and exam culture
19:33 – Logistical change: institutional infrastructure and scheduling
21:27 – Exploiting materials and engaging students
22:13 – Technology has forced us to integrate skills
22:52 – Final thoughts
In the fourth episode of ELTtime, we introduce a new feature: TeaBreak. A few of us here at Garnet grab a cuppa, and take half an hour to discuss something we’re passionate about within ELT. Today, Alice, Ella, Jaz and Rosie dive into why it’s problematic that RP is used as a standard, make some light-hearted observations about the differences between the way they speak, and discuss some interesting but bizarre Australian words – do you know what Manchester is? (And no, we don’t mean the city!)
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode! Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
Article: Is RP outdated?
Article: Why people will beat machines in recognising speech for a long time yet
Article: Australian English in the 20th century
CHAPTERS
0:20 – What’s TeaBreak?
1:03 – Introductions (Jaz, Alice, Ella and Rosie)
1:40 – Word (antipodean)
Australia
2:21 – Alice’s Australian accent (8:45)
2:41 – Alice’s Background
3:12 – British and American spellings and pronunciations
3:53 – Non-English speakers and non-British
4:41 – Australian vs British words
8:08 – Australian stereotypes
8:22 – Australian word (galah)
Scotland
8:59 – Rosie’s Scottish accent
9:39 – Alice’s Australian accent
10:02 – Is this a ‘dialect’ thing or a ‘my family’ thing?
America
10:52 – Ella’s American background
Received Pronunciation (RP)
11:23 – What is RP and why can it be problematic?
11:46 – Class and region divides in pronunciation
12:42 – Issues with digital activities
Is there a ‘correct pronunciation’?
15:24 – Regional accent differences
16:02 – Slang and class
17:26 – Voice recognition and audio issues
19:02 – Students mimicking accents
19:49 – American media
20:07 – Australian word (Manchester)
21:00 – Australian idiom (shag on a rock)
21:34 – Final thoughts
In the third episode of ELTtime, we speak to Nicola Meldrum to dispel the myth that non-native speakers can’t teach pronunciation. Expect discussions about the validity of all teachers and accents, some useful tips for teaching pronunciation, and some practical advice to take back to your classroom.
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode! Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
Nicola and Mark’s blog all about teaching pronunciation
Teach Pronunciation Facebook Page
Teach Pronunciation Instagram
21st Century Skills in the ELT Classroom – coming soon!
CHAPTERS
0:20 – Intro
0:46 – Nicola’s background in ELT
2:57 – Diverse nationalities of students and teachers Nicola works with in Barcelona
4:50 – Programme of pronunciation training Nicola offers
7:55 – Bridging the gap between accessibility for the student and clear pronunciation
9:20 – Being intelligible vs. being effective
11:47 – Assessing effective pronunciation
14:32 – Correcting pronunciation
16:51 – Tips for non-native teachers
18:55 – Common pronunciation issues in Middle Eastern students
21:14 – Practical classroom advice
25:53 – Outro
In the second episode of ELTtime, our Senior Editor, Chris, dives into the importance of teacher well-being with teacher and life coach Rachael Roberts. Expect some helpful tips for incorporating mindfulness into your teaching day, insights into the science of the brain, as well as a discussion about the responsibility of teacher well-being on the employer.
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode! Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
ELT-resourceful.com – Rachael’s ELT website
life-resourceful.com – Rachael’s life coaching and training website. Her mindfulness eBook is available to download there, just scroll to the bottom of the page.
Join Rachael’s Life-Resourceful Lightbulb Moments Facebook group for lots of videos, discussions, and a book club!
CHAPTERS
- 0:00 – Intro
- 0:55 – Rachael’s Current Work
- 2:29 – Rachael’s Personal Experiences
- 4:00 – Understanding Mindfulness
- 8:06 – Mindfulness for Teachers and Educators
- 10:45 – The Brain
- 16:40 – Tips and Techniques for Mindfulness Practice
- 22:42 – Responsibility: Employer vs. Personal
- 27:28 – Technology
- 30:35 – Mindfulness in Schools
- 34:43 – Outro
In the very first episode of ELTtime, our Digital Manager, Matt, chats with Nik Peachey, a well-known teacher trainer and learning technology consultant. Expect inspiring discussions about creativity and innovation in the classroom, recommendations for handy apps to use, as well as hidden pitfalls to avoid when using tech in the classroom.
Let us know if you enjoyed the episode! Get in touch with any suggestions or questions – you can find us at @garneteducation everywhere!
LINKS
- Nik’s publications: – Digital Video a Manual for Language Teachers, Hacking Creativity, Digital Tools for Teachers and Thinking Critically through Digital Media
- Nik’s EdTech and ELT blog
- Nik’s Learning technology and ELT newsletter
- 21st Century Skills in the ELT classroom – Coming soon. Nik wrote chapter 2: Creativity and Innovation in ELT classes
- Shot clip – a social movie making app with different templates.
- Lyrics training – You can watch music videos and recreate the lyrics
- Hypersay – Nik uses this in presentations and conferences
CHAPTERS
- 0 – 0:19 – Intro
- 0:19 – 5:20 – ELTons and blended learning
- 5:20 – 9:48 – Creativity and innovation in the classroom
- 9:48 – 12:13 – How to create videos in a classroom setting
- 12:13 – 13:44 – Recommended resources, apps and websites for teachers to use
- 13:44 – 16:35 – Classroom management and video making
- 16:35 – 18:49 – Do activities such as video making favour outgoing students?
- 18:49 – 21:49 – Music podcasts
- 21:49 – 24:39 – Creative writing and texting
- 24:39 – 27:29 – Pitfalls to avoid when using tech
- 27:29 – 28:56 – Digital divide between teachers and students
- 28:56 – 30:28 – Do teachers actually want to use tech in their classroom?
- 30:28 – 32:00 – Have attention spans been ruined by social media?
- 32:00 – 35:38 – Are translation apps putting teachers out of business?
- 35:38 – Outro
An introduction to our new ELT podcast – ELTtime. The first episode will be available on 29th January.
Visit www.garneteducation.com/podcast to sign up for podcast updates.
LINKS
There are no links for this episode
CHAPTERS
There are no chapters for this episode