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 DilemmasEllii 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 Message01:12 Welcome to the Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast01:23 Meet Ben Buckwold and Tara Benwell from Ellii02:07 The Origin of Ellii Dilemmas04:06 How Ellii Dilemmas Works11:27 Real-Life Examples of Ellii Dilemmas19:44 The Impact of Ellii Dilemmas on Teaching22:13 Conclusion and Free Resources#ElliiDilemmas #ELTPodcast #LanguageTeaching #TeacherThinkAloud #ClassroomDialogue #EdTech #TESOL #EFLteachers #ESLteachers #ReflectivePractice #CriticalThinking #EmpathyInEducation #EdTechInnovation #GlobalEd #TeacherGrowth #ELTchat #EdChat