DEVELOPOD - The IATEFL TDSIG Podcast

IATEFL TDSIG
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Hosts Helen & James from the IATEFL Teacher Development Special Interest Group talk about issues within teacher development in various contexts.

  1. JAN 26

    Developod Episode 67 - Keeping the ELT passion alive & adding visual sparkle with Emily Bryson

    In this episode, Helen and Emily discuss her eclectic career, including teaching, teacher training, authoring books like Voices for National Geographic Learning, running online courses, and creating doodle and sketchnote visual resources. Emily describes teaching ESOL learners from refugee backgrounds and embraces a nomad lifestyle, traveling while working remotely. She highlights persistent issues in ELT like native speakerism and lack of LGBTQ+ representation, though she notes growing awareness of diverse Englishes and localisation in teaching materials. Looking ahead, Emily will continue visual recording and write about her digital nomad experiences. Emily emphasises how supportive the ELT community is and encourages us to: embrace creativity and messiness in teaching and learning, network and take opportunities, and feel the fear, turn off your inner troll, and draw anyway! Emily’s website: www.EmilyBrysonELT.com   www.EmilyBrysonELT.com/freebies/    www.EmilyBrysonELT.com/all-courses/  www.EmilyBrysonELT.com/resources/  Contact Emily via LinkedIn or Instagram and Facebook @emilybrysonelt or via her website www.EmilyBrysonELT.com/contact In this episode, Emily references: Voices & Impact: https://www.eltngl.com/sites/Voices/home & https://www.eltngl.com/sites/impact/home    Chia Suan Chong - Successful International Communication: https://chiasuanchong.com/about-me/ Rachael Roberts, Business Coaching: www.EarnLiveThriveinELT.com Jennifer Murray, Copywriting Support: https://www.bestwordscopywriting.com/    Canva: www.canva.com   To find the complete archive of Developod episodes, go to tdsig.org/developod-tdsigs-podcast

    33 min

  2. 2025-12-29

    Developod Episode 66 - Looking back on 40 years of Teacher Development with Adrian Underhill

    In this episode, Cecilia Lemos-Harmer and Adrian Underhill explore how language learning is deeply connected to identity, emotion, and embodiment, rather than being a purely intellectual process. Adrian argues that effective language development happens when learners feel psychologically safe, engaged, and willing to experiment with new sounds and expressions. He emphasises the teacher’s role in creating conditions for learning by managing attention, presence, and classroom energy, rather than simply delivering content. He also highlights pronunciation and voice work as gateways to confidence, self-expression, and communicative competence, noting that learners often need permission to “be different” in another language. This conversation between Ceci and Adrian reframes language teaching as a human, relational practice, where awareness, trust, and physical engagement are central to meaningful learning. Visit Adrian’s website: https://adrianunderhill.com/  To find the complete archive of Developod episodes, go to tdsig.org/developod-tdsigs-podcast

    49 min

  3. 2025-11-24

    Developod Episode 65 - Embracing colleagues & learners as a supportive Mentor/Communicator with Dr Harry Kuchah Kuchah

    Helen and Dr Harry Kuchah Kuchah reflect on his lifelong ELT journey, beginning with helping classmates in Cameroon and moving through roles as a primary-teacher educator, UK-based researcher, Ministry of Education policymaker, IATEFL President, Chair of the British Council’s English Language Advisory Group, and Director of the University of Birmingham’s MSc TESOL programme, where he also mentors four PhD students in multilingual education. Guided by the Ubuntu idea that “I am because you are,” he values community and collective work. Harry notes that ELT is becoming more context-sensitive and globally connected, and he advocates for deeper engagement with multilingualism and how languages enrich one another. Seeing language as a tool rather than a product, he argues for assessment that recognises meaningful, culturally situated communication instead of standard RP norms. Though he never sought leadership, relationships led him there, and he views education as a calling rooted in care, mentorship, and human connection. Harry at the University of Birmingham: https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/education/staff/profile?Name=dr-harry-kuchah-kuchah&ReferenceId=206555 Harry’s Plenary Session on 'Teaching English in Difficult Circumstances at 2015 IATEFL Conference in Manchester: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/news-and-events/iatefl-online/2015/plenary-harry-kuchah   Harry’s contribution to the British Council Podcast series ‘Our World Connected’  on the theme: What role does English play in our multilingual world? https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/our-world-connected-podcast/english-multilingual-world Harry’s autobiographical chapter in Alan Maley's open access edited book is available here: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/case-studies-insights-and-research/developing-expertise-through-experience The Publication from the Africa ELTA Teacher Research mentoring programme can be found here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UIKoFKdwynMvNs4Mj5FyaZZioMgwwBPE/view To find the complete archive of Developod episodes, go to tdsig.org/developod-tdsigs-podcast

    34 min

  4. 2025-10-27

    Developod Episode 64 - Being an open teacher-learner with Ana Paula Biazon Rocha

    In this episode, Helen and Ana Paula Biazon Rocha discuss Ana’s journey in ELT, emphasizing her passion for pronunciation and teacher development. She started teaching at 17 in Brazil, influenced by her family of educators and legacy. Anna's interest in pronunciation stemmed from personal challenges and feedback from teacher trainers – while seeking to improve, she discovered a passion. She highlights her shift from a teacher-centered to a student-centered approach, the importance of human connection in learning, and the need for us teachers to feel that we’re not alone but  part of a teaching community. Ana's career evolved through self-study, workshops, and courses, including a Cambridge Delta and an MA in TESOL. She says that students become teachers who become students… The learning cycle is ongoing! Ana advises novice teachers and those coming to another country to learn, grow, and teach to believe in themselves, study, and embrace continuous learning. Be an open teacher-learner and find your passions! Ana mentions:- Cambridge Delta - MA in Applied Linguistics - University of Sheffield - MA in TESOL - University of Sheffield (Ana completed the MA in Applied Linguistics with TESOL in the academic year 2017-2018. After the COVID pandemic, this course was split into two: MA in Applied Linguistics and MA in TESOL, so her original Masters course does not exist anymore at the University of Sheffield. Students choose one or the other now.) - An article Ana wrote: MA student Ana Paula Biazon Rocha on why she chose Sheffield (Side note: This goes back when she was interviewed by the University of Sheffield to talk about my life as an MA student in 2018. After she finished her MA course, she started working as an English Language Tutor at the English Language Teaching Centre (ELTC) at the University of Sheffield and has been doing so for nearly seven years. So she was a student who became a staff member at the university.) - IATEFL PronSIG blog Listeners can contact Ana by email: a.p.biazon-rocha@sheffield.ac.uk or on social media: 1. LinkedIn: (her full name: Ana Paula Biazon Rocha) 2. Instagram: @anapaulabiazonrocha 3. Facebook: Ana Paula Biazon Rocha To find the complete archive of Developod episodes, go to tdsig.org/developod-tdsigs-podcast

    34 min

  5. 2025-09-29

    Developod Episode 63 - From Teaching to Publishing: Jumping in and Speaking up with Dr JPB Gerald

    In this episode, Helen & JPB Gerald discuss his professional foundation in ELT and his current work writing articles, essays, and books, focusing on language, race, neurodivergence, and critiquing the ELT industry. Justin talks about motivation, personal struggles, his writing process and style, and shares his evolution as a writer. He shares his perspectives on academic writing and the importance of grounding theory and personal connections in research. He also discusses slavery along with overt and subtle racism and oppression. and self-identifies as a "heckler", pointing out that if we don’t jump in and speak out, nothing will change.  Check out his website: https://jpbgerald.com/ To find the complete archive of Developod episodes, go to tdsig.org/developod-tdsigs-podcast

    33 min

  6. 2025-08-25

    Developod Episode 62 - Embracing a non-linear (messy) ELT CPD Journey with Laura Patsko

    In this episode, Helen & Laura Patsko discuss her ELT journey, describing her career as a mix of diverse elements, like salad or spaghetti. She began in advertising, transitioned to ELT after influential conversations, and completed her CELTA and DELTA in Prague. Laura then worked in teacher training and for Cambridge University Press before going freelance. She emphasizes the evolving acceptance of English as a Lingua Franca (ELF) and the impact of technology, particularly messaging apps, on remote professional development. Laura advocates for embracing the “mess” of non-linear "squiggly" career paths following personal interests and values over a rigid career trajectory, if that is right for you. You can find Laura on LinkedIN. Laura’s Portfolio:https://blackbirdlxd.com/?page_id=494 The “Continuing Professional Development through mobile messaging apps” project Laura did in 2023 with BC Argentina:  https://americas.britishcouncil.org/sites/default/files/0412_cpd_report_eng.pdf Laura mentions:Sandy Millain’s Take your Time DELTA: https://www.takeyourtimedelta.com/NILE’s distance teacher training: https://www.nile-elt.com/catalog?pagename=NILE-Online To find the complete archive of Developod episodes, go to tdsig.org/developod-tdsigs-podcast

    33 min
  7. Developod Episode 61 - Becoming a Teacher-Researcher by asking questions in ELT with Chiara Bruzzano

    2025-07-28

    Developod Episode 61 - Becoming a Teacher-Researcher by asking questions in ELT with Chiara Bruzzano

    In this episode, Helen and Chiara Bruzzano talk about her professional development journey, her work in teacher education, writing, and research, those who impacted her CPD, and the role of research in ELT and the importance of its accessibility. She points out that teachers are the experts in and know what’s best for their own context, and talks about keeping academic research accessible to ensure it isn’t overly-complex or opaque. She shares how ELT has changed over the 13 years she’s been immersed in the work, and how she’s witnessed a shift in nativespeakerism. She shares her passion for her freelance LanguageED work and pursuing her PhD research into the role of standardised tests and their impact on communities such as refugees, asylum seekers, and forced migrants. She wants teachers to always ask “the big questions” because they/you have the power and are the experts.LanguagEd blog: https://languaged.org/blog  LanguagEd YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@languaged  Modern English Teacher blog: https://www.modernenglishteacher.com/blog-by-chiara-bruzzano?page=1 Sign up link for Chiara’s newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ha8EaResearch project for the British Council: https://forcedmigrantsielts.weebly.com/Chiara’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiarabruzzano/Also, feel free to get in touch via email: chiara@languaged.org Chiara reached out to us at Developod after listening to Episode 56 “Becoming a Humanistic Teacher Trainer with Rachel Tsateri”, and from that email and written discussion came this episode!If YOU want to talk to us about Developod, email: tdsig.podcast@iatefl.org To find the complete archive of Developod episodes, go to tdsig.org/developod-tdsigs-podcast

    33 min

  8. 2025-07-21

    REPOST: Episode 20 - Mental Health With Phil Longwell

    On July 17th, Phil Longwell passed away. He was an extraordinary teacher and remarkable human being who often attended TDSIG events, including our PCEs and recent 40th Anniversary celebration. We will miss him.In tribute, we are reposting episode 20 of Developod, where he was interviewed by Christian to mark Mental Health Week in the UK. They discuss Phil's personal experiences with mental health issues, what ELT employers can do to help their employees, and what teachers can do to manage their own well being. It's a great example of how Phil used his own struggles to selflessly support teachers around the world.Phil's blog: https://teacherphili.com/IATEFL Q&A on Phil Longwell’s Webinar on Mental Health in ELT:https://www.iatefl.org/news-views/q%26-phil-longwell%E2%80%99s-webinar-mental-health-eltScreencast Recording from Phil Longwell on Improving the Mental Health of English Language Teachers:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijFMplEgKWsBlog from Phil Longwell on Covid-19 Mental Health and Wellbeing:https://teacherphili.com/2020/03/21/covid-19-mental-health-and-wellbeing/Mental Health First Aid Training Courses e.g.:https://www.sja.org.uk/courses/workplace-mental-health-first-aid/Free courses:Understand the Physiological impact of lockdown on our Wellbeing and Mental Health on Maudsley Learning and Tavistock & Portman NHS Foundation Trust’s course (the UK's premier mental health training organisation): https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/psychological-impact-of-covid-19Help Young People Manage Low Mood and Depression with the University of Reading: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/low-mood-during-covid-19Manage Mental Health and Stress on Coventry University's course: https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/managing-mental-health

    42 min
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Hosts Helen & James from the IATEFL Teacher Development Special Interest Group talk about issues within teacher development in various contexts.

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