The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast

The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast
  • 5.0 (4)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast for reflective practice for teachers of English around the world

  1. FEB 13

    E81 – The Monolingual Bias: Advocacy for English Language Teachers (with Lillian Ardell)

    In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, co-hosts Shé and Anna sit down with Dr. Lillian Ardell—founder of Language Matters—for a timely and deeply reflective conversation about monolingual bias and how it shapes English language education around the world. Together, they unpack how the assumption that English should dominate learning environments shows up in policies, classroom practices, assessment, and even well-intentioned instructional decisions. Rather than framing monolingual bias as an abstract concept, this conversation names how it operates in real contexts—and why it persists even in institutions that claim to support multilingualism. The episode invites educators to rethink whose language practices are valued, whose are marginalized, and how teachers can act with intention and integrity within complex systems. 📚 Resources Mentioned in the Episode Language Matters (Dr. Ardell’s work and advocacy platform)Disrupting the Monolingual Bias: A Framework for Teacher Advocacy (Dr. Ardell’s book) Related Teacher Think-Aloud episodes: Episode 53 - Teachers as Advocates: You can do it too!  💡 Reflect with us: Where do you see monolingual bias showing up in your teaching context or institution? What classroom or institutional practices unintentionally reinforce English-only norms? What might quiet, everyday advocacy look like in your role? How can honoring students’ full linguistic repertoires strengthen learning rather than “distract” from it? This episode is sponsored by Ellii, one of the world’s leading content libraries for English language teachers. Looking for ready-made lessons that get students talking? Visit Ellii.com. Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. 📚 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:30 Welcome to the Teacher Think Aloud Podcast 00:42 Introducing the Topic: Monolingual Bias 02:19 Guest Introduction: Dr. Lillian Ardell 02:22 Dr. Ardell's Background and Work 05:32 The Monolingual Bias in Education 13:43 Common Classroom Manifestations of Monolingual Bias 18:00 Advocacy and Overcoming Monolingual Bias 18:31 Dr. Ardell's Upcoming Book and Advocacy Framework 25:23 Teacher Advocacy in Practice 29:24 Self-Care and Resistance Capital 34:32 Final Thoughts and Reflections 40:37 Conclusion and Call to Action

    42 min

  2. JAN 23

    E80 – Algorithms, Echo Chambers, and Critical Thinking in the English Language Classroom (with Andrea Collados)

    In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, Shé and Anna are joined by global educator and ESL teacher Andrea Collados for a timely and deeply reflective conversation about algorithms, echo chambers, and the urgent role of critical thinking in English language teaching. Together, they unpack how algorithm-driven media environments shape what our students see, believe, and share—and why the English language classroom may be one of the last spaces where learners can slow down, question information, and encounter perspectives beyond their digital bubbles. Rather than framing technology as something to reject, this episode invites teachers to interrogate it thoughtfully. Andrea shares classroom-ready ideas for embedding critical thinking into everyday lessons without overwhelming teachers or students, reminding us that language is not neutral—and that teaching English today means teaching discernment, empathy, and media literacy alongside grammar and vocabulary. 📚 Resources Mentioned in the Episode The Social Dilemma (Documentary) Teaching Critical Thinking by bell hooks 1984 by George Orwell Brave New World by Aldous Huxley The Truman Show (Film) Related Teacher Think-Aloud episodes: Episode 39 - Media Literacy 101: Bias and perspective-taking Episode 41 - Media Literacy 102: Misinformation, propaganda, and conspiracy theories… oh my! Episode 24 - Like. Share. Post. 💡 Reflect with us: How do algorithms shape the information you consume—and trust—on a daily basis? What’s one small shift you could make to encourage more critical questioning in your lessons this week? How can empathy deepen critical thinking in language learning? 🎧 SponsorThis episode is sponsored by Ellii, one of the world’s leading content libraries for English language teachers. Looking for ready-made lessons that get students talking? Visit Ellii.com. Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. 📚 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 00:29 Welcome to the Teacher Think Aloud Podcast 00:44 Critical Thinking and Algorithms 01:52 Introducing Our Guest: Andrea Collados 02:30 Icebreaker: Trusting Algorithms vs. Colleagues 03:36 The Role of Educators in Critical Thinking 05:50 Media Literacy and Bias 13:50 The Impact of Algorithms on Student Thinking 16:37 The Impact of Fake News 17:23 The Role of Critical Thinking in Education 18:54 Incorporating Critical Thinking in the Classroom 19:48 Practical Activities for Critical Thinking 24:32 Understanding Misinformation and Disinformation 26:18 Empathy and Critical Thinking 28:46 Resources and Recommendations 30:38 Conclusion and Reflections

    32 min
  3. E79 — 2026 Friends of the Podcast: Back to Basics

    JAN 2

    E79 — 2026 Friends of the Podcast: Back to Basics

    On this episode, co-hosts Shé and Anna take us back to the roots of the podcast: reflection. The episode integrates the voices of teachers around the world, who reflect on their teaching goals for the new year—from addressing student motivation and needs assessments to integrating AI tools and promoting trauma-informed teaching. Each contributor offers a unique insight, making this episode a treasure trove of practical advice and inspiration for educators seeking to enhance their teaching practice in 2026. Happy New Year and happy teaching! 💡 Reflect with us: What are your teaching goals for 2026? Leave us a comment! 🎧 Further listening:  E7 – Building Rapport on Day 1 E73 – Foundations of Reflective Practice, with the DIESOL Pod E78 – Training the Trainers, with Tabitha Kidwell 2024 Friends of the Podcast: AI in ELT E34 – Trauma-sensitive teaching, with Sherry MacKay 🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. 📚 Chapters: 00:00 Sponsor Message from Ellii 00:57 Introduction to the Episode 01:27 Reflective Practice and Voice Memos 02:39 Michelle Land on Individualizing Lessons for SLIFE Students 04:30 Lauren Johnson on Needs Assessments in Business Tutoring 08:06 Andrea's Mission: Lifelong Learning and AI Integration 10:31 Stephanie Hanson on Teaching with AI 12:08 Tabitha Kidwell on Supporting Full Class Discussions 13:58 Luz María Parra on Student Motivation in K-12 Classrooms 16:03 Sherry MacKay on Trauma-Informed Teaching 17:32 Lorena Ojeda on Mindfulness and Universal Design for Learning 21:06 Lewis on Lesson Planning Post-Master's 22:48 Joel Tillman on Building a Resource Library 24:45 Conclusion and Listener Engagement #TeacherThinkAloud #TeachingGoals #NewYearsReflection #ReflectivePractice #TeacherGrowth #AIinEducation #TraumaInformedTeaching #SLIFEstudents #NeedsAssessment #UDL #MindfulnessInTeaching y #LessonPlanning #ELTcommunity #TESOL #EFLteachers #ESLteachers #ReflectivePractice #Reflection #GoalSetting

    26 min

  4. 12/05/2025

    E78 — Training the Trainers: Building the Next Generation of Teacher Educators (with Tabitha Kidwell)

    In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, Shé and Anna interview Tabitha Kidwell, an esteemed teacher educator, about her research on the preparation and professional development of teacher trainers. The conversation explores various models and approaches for teacher training, the need for formalized support, and the essential skill sets for effective teacher training. The episode also emphasizes the importance of ongoing professional development and the role of professional learning communities in supporting teacher trainers. This episode is a must-listen for anyone leading—or aspiring to lead—professional learning in ELT. Gain insight into how intentional mentorship, structured preparation, and reflective networks can transform teacher development for the better. 💡 Reflect with us: What skills or mindsets do new teacher trainers need most? How can institutions better prepare and mentor those who facilitate PD? What forms of teacher learning—beyond workshops—have most influenced your own practice? Contribute to our 2026 Friends of the Podcast episode!🧰 Resources & Tools: I Shouldn’t Have to Fumble My Way Around: Supporting TESOL Teacher Educators Kidwell, T. (2021). Train-the-Trainer Course by TESOL International AssociationThe benefits of formal TESOL training🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii: Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. 📚 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 01:13 Welcome to the Teacher Think Aloud Podcast 01:26 Today's Topic: Training Teachers 02:43 Meet Tabitha Kidwell 03:35 Tabitha's Academic Pet Peeves 05:33 Discussing Tabitha's Study 08:21 Study Design and Methodology 10:43 Central Findings and Reflections 13:55 The Importance of Structured Support in TESOL 14:38 Essential Skills for Teacher Trainers 16:22 Formal Preparation and Induction Programs 20:58 Alternative Forms of Teacher Training 27:33 Institutional Support for Teacher Educators 31:24 Conclusion and Final Thoughts #TeacherTraining #TrainingOfTrainers #ELTPodcast #TESOL #TeacherEducators #ProfessionalDevelopment #ReflectivePractice #TeacherThinkAloud #TeacherGrowth #ELTcommunity #EdChat #TeacherPD #MentorshipInELT #TESOLTraining #GlobalEd #TeacherAgency #EFLteachers #ESLteachers

    32 min

  5. 11/14/2025

    E77 - Ellii Dilemmas: Sparking Real Dialogue in the ELT Classroom (with Ben Buckwold & Tara Benwell)

    In this lively episode, Shé sits down with Ben Buckwold (Founder & CEO of Ellii) and Tara Benwell (VP of Publishing at Ellii) to explore the story behind one of Ellii’s most creative classroom tools: Ellii Dilemmas. The discussion centers on Ellii’s newly introduced interactive classroom tool designed to foster critical thinking and discussion among students. Listeners get insights into the development of Ellii Dilemmas, its practical applications in diverse teaching contexts, and the unique features of this tool, including its roots in teacher feedback and informal brainstorming sessions. Tune in and discover how play, curiosity, and compassion can turn classroom conversation into authentic connection. Contribute to our 2026 Friends of the Podcast episode! 💡 Reflect with us: How do you create space for genuine dialogue in your classroom? What kinds of dilemmas—ethical, cultural, or social—could spark meaningful language use for your learners? How can teachers balance linguistic goals with the development of empathy and critical thinking? 🧰 Resources & Tools: Ellii Dilemmas Ellii Polls 🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. 📚 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 01:12 Welcome to the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast 01:23 Meet Ben Buckwold and Tara Benwell from Ellii 02:07 The Origin of Ellii Dilemmas 04:06 How Ellii Dilemmas Works 11:27 Real-Life Examples of Ellii Dilemmas 19:44 The Impact of Ellii Dilemmas on Teaching 22:13 Conclusion and Free Resources#ElliiDilemmas #ELTPodcast #LanguageTeaching #TeacherThinkAloud #ClassroomDialogue #EdTech #TESOL #EFLteachers #ESLteachers #ReflectivePractice #CriticalThinking #EmpathyInEducation #EdTechInnovation #GlobalEd #TeacherGrowth #ELTchat #EdChat

    24 min

  6. 10/24/2025

    E76 - Unpacking the Lexical Approach (with Erin O’Byrne)

    In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, Shé and Anna discuss the importance of the Lexical Approach in teaching English, featuring insights from guest Erin O’Byrne. They explore how focusing on lexical chunks—common phrases and expressions—rather than isolated words or strict grammar rules can enhance both learner autonomy and teacher effectiveness. Erin shares her journey of adopting the Lexical Approach, practical strategies for classroom implementation, and the significance of allowing students to notice and internalize language patterns.  💡 Reflect with us: How often do you teach words in isolation rather than as part of a chunk? What “Matrix moment” have you had in noticing patterns of real-world English? How might creating more space for emergent language shift your classroom dynamic? 🧰 Resources & Tools: Contribute to our 2026 Friends of the Podcast episode! Everything EFL Podcast by Erin O’Byrne The No Nonsense Lexical Toolkit (Erin’s 4-week practical course) Google NGram Books Viewer – for exploring word frequency and corpus data Eduling App - “The hub for task-based teaching and learning”  Four Idioms with Tasks with Dr. Linh Phung English Vocabulary with Eduling: Flourish with Dr. Linh Phung 🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. 📚 Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 01:12 Welcome to the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast 01:24 Exploring Teaching Strategies 02:32 Introducing the Lexical Approach with Erin O'Byrne 03:16 Icebreaker: Favorite English Phrase or Idiom 04:40 Teaching Idioms and Cross-Cultural Communication 05:14 Corpus Linguistics in Language Teaching 09:01 Empowering Teachers and Learners with the Lexical Approach 16:19 Embracing the Lexical Approach in Practice 18:55 Recognizing Lexical Patterns in Everyday Language 19:19 Practical Strategies for Teaching Lexical Chunks 20:40 The Importance of Noticing in Language Learning 22:22 Reusing Materials for Better Retention 22:59 Balancing Receptive and Productive Knowledge 28:21 Guiding Teachers to Shift from Rules to Real Language 34:30 Introducing the No Nonsense Lexical Toolkit 36:50 Building a Supportive Teaching Community 37:49 Reflecting on the Lexical Approach #LexicalApproach #ELT #LanguageTeaching #ReflectivePractice #TESOL #TeacherThinkAloud #EFLteachers #TEFL #TeacherDevelopment #EmergentLanguage #Chunking #VocabularyTeaching #EverythingEFL #TeacherGrowth #AppliedLinguistics #ELTCommunity

    39 min

  7. 10/03/2025

    E75 - Generative AI in Education: A Teacher’s Guide (with Sara Davila)

    In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, we sit down with Sara Davila, a self-described “learning alchemist,” to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education. With her trademark mix of research, theory, and classroom pragmatism, Sara takes us on a journey from the evolution of AI and deep learning to the practical ways teachers can use large language models (LLMs) today. Together, we dig into questions educators everywhere are asking: What exactly can AI do for teachers? How can we use it responsibly? And what frameworks can guide us as we experiment and adapt? Sara shares practical applications—from using AI as a personal assistant to update lesson plans, to managing schedules and streamlining teacher workflows. She also addresses the ethics of AI, the role of professional development, and why experimentation and play are essential in this new era. 💡 Reflect with us: How do you see AI supporting your role as a teacher? What frameworks of reference do you have in place to ensure effective and ethical implementation? What excites you most—and what worries you most—about AI in education? Where might AI help you reclaim time or energy in your teaching practice? 🧰 Resources & Tools: History of AI graphic by Sara Davila AI Timeline 2022-Present When to Use Predictive AI vs. Generative AI How AI Chatbots Work The Algorithmic Future of Education – Audrey Watters From Revolution to Evolution: What Generative AI Really Means for Language Learning (Cambridge) AI and English Language Teaching: Affordances and Challenges (BJET) Using Early LLMs for Corpus Linguistics (ScienceDirect) What We Talk About When We Talk About AI in Education – Audrey Watters 🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. 📚 Chapters: 00:00 Sponsor Message 01:12 Introduction to the Podcast 01:23 Episode Overview 04:02 Meet Our Guest: Sarah Davila 05:55 Understanding Large Language Models (LLMs) 06:23 The Evolution of AI 08:07 Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing 10:55 Generative AI and Transformers 17:29 Recap and Key Concepts 20:30 Frameworks for Teachers Using AI 21:37 Understanding the Rapid Evolution of AI 21:53 Introducing UNESCO's AI Framework for Teachers 22:37 Human-Centered AI: The Core Principle 23:15 Ethics in AI: Teacher Responsibility 26:13 Practical Use Cases for AI in Education 28:09 Leveraging AI for Personal and Professional Development 34:36 Exploring AI Tools in Microsoft and Google Ecosystems 38:41 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Educators #AIinEducation #EdTech #AIforTeachers #TeacherThinkAloud #LanguageTeaching #ReflectivePractice #TESOL #ELT #TEFL #AItools #EdTechInnovation #FutureofEducation #TeacherPD #ESLteachers #DigitalPedagogy #EduAI #ClassroomInnovation #TeacherGrowth #LLM #TeacherReflection #ProfessionalGrowth #TeacherDevelopment #TeacherAgency #ELTcommunity #EFLteachers #ELTchat #TEFLlife #EdChat #TeacherLife #EduGrowth #GlobalEd #TeachersOfInstagram #TeachersOfLinkedIn

    41 min

  8. 09/15/2025

    E74 - Foundations of Reflective Practice with the DIESOL Podcast, Part 2

    In Part 2 of our collaboration with the DIESOL Podcast, we reunite with Brent and Ixchell, this time with our signature Teacher Think-Aloud style, with more narrative and reflective interruptions as we delve into actionable strategies. In this episode, we explore the practical side of reflective pedagogy in English language teaching: How to implement tech tools to enhance reflection The balance between spontaneous and intentional reflection Building a sustainable reflective practice that prevents burnout This episode is packed with hands-on inspiration and strategies, designed to empower teachers to bring meaningful reflection into their classrooms. 🎧 Join us as we uncover ways to stay connected, nurture professional growth, and keep the joy of teaching alive through reflection. 💡 Reflect with us: Have you had any ‘aha’ moments during unplanned reflection? What are your favorite strategies for reflection? (How) do you integrate technology into reflection?  What tools or tips have helped you sustain reflection over time?  🧰 Resources & Tools: YouTube Playlist: Introduction to Reflective TeachingDIESOL PodcastReflective Practice Starter KitReflective Practice Resources🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Sponsor Message 01:12 Welcome to the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast 01:46 Reflective Practice: Part Two 02:23 Meet Brent and Ixchell 02:41 Unplanned Reflection Moments 03:53 Intentional Reflection Strategies 08:45 Reflection in Action vs. Reflection on Action 09:51 Using Reflection for Goal Setting 18:48 Integrating Technology in Reflection 23:49 Using Commute Time for Reflection 24:33 Marco Polo for Teacher Collaboration 26:06 The Role of Accountability Partners 27:16 Tech Tools for Reflective Teaching 33:04 Collective Reflection and PLNs 36:55 Avoiding Teacher Burnout 41:27 Final Thoughts and Resources

    44 min
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A podcast for reflective practice for teachers of English around the world

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  • Creator
    The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    84
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast