The ESL Teaching Podcast

As teachers, we are incredibly well-trained in structure, curriculum, and how to organize the day-to-day of teaching. But what about the human side of the classroom—for both our students and ourselves?In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Riegel to explore what really drives behavior in the classroom. We go beyond strategies and into the intersection of brain science and human systems—how biology and environment work together to shape how students learn, respond, and engage.We talk about intellectual safety, what it actually means in practice, and why it’s especially critical for English learners. We also bring the focus back to you—the teacher—as a human being navigating all of this in real time.This conversation is both practical and reflective. It will invite you to look at your classroom—and yourself—through a new lens.Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:How Lisa Riegel connects brain science to real classroom experiencesWhat it means to understand behavior through the lens of biology + contextA deeper look at intellectual safety and how it impacts English learners specificallyExamples of how classroom systems can either support or block student successWhy fulfillment and growth—both for students and teachers—come from alignment, not just effortA conversation about the teacher’s internal experience and how it shapes what happens externally in the classroomSimply Ieva  offers and resources:Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)EL Newcomer curriculum guides: The EL Newcomer Teaching Compass - curriculum guide for grades 6-12EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners Edition - curriculum guide for grades K-2Take the next step: Book The Inner Classroom™ Clarity SessionSupport the time, effort and costs that go into bringing you The ESL Teaching Podcast episodes each week - consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Related episodes: When “You’re the Expert” Becomes Too Much: Decision Fatigue in EL TeachingThe First 7 Minutes: Why Your Class Needs a Better Beginning (Not a Better Lesson)Let’s connect!Connect with Lisa:https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisariegel/ https://www.epinstitute.net/ Connect with Ieva:Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!Support the show

In this episode, I’m diving into lesson planning and introducing a process called backward design, which is a truly great way to plan for our English Learner (EL) students. You will hear how backward design differs from the traditional, “build-as-you-go” approach that often leaves lessons feeling scattered and disconnected. I also share how I applied this powerful framework to update my EL newcomer curriculum guide, transforming it from an activity generator into a clear, coherent language acquisition journey.Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:My real-life example of teaching a newcomer student using a traditional planning approach and the key realization that the lesson lacked a clear ultimate goal.1A breakdown of the steps for both traditional lesson planning and backward design, which was originally developed by Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe in Understanding by Design.1A detailed comparison of the pros and cons for both traditional lesson planning (e.g., easier for quick lessons, but often scattered) and backward design (e.g., clear learning goals, but requires more upfront time).1How I used the backward design process—starting with "what do we want our newcomers to know," moving to "performance tasks," and ending with a sequenced learning experience—to update the EL newcomer curriculum guide.Join me for The First 30 Days with EL Newcomers, which will be held LIVE on April 1, 2026, where you’ll  learn:  what to teach first, how to structure those early weeks, how to build language routines, and how to plan lessons that support students who are just beginning their English learning journey.EL Newcomer curriculum guides: The EL Newcomer Teaching Compass - curriculum guide for grades 6-12EL Newcomer Compass: Little Learners Edition - curriculum guide for grades K-2Take the next step: Book The Inner Classroom™ Clarity SessionSupport the time, effort and costs that go into bringing you The ESL Teaching Podcast episodes each week - consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Related episodes: 4 Easy Ways to Differentiate the Same LessonThe Ultimate Planning Framework for ELL TeachersThe First 7 Minutes: Why Your Class Needs a Better Beginning (Not a Better Lesson)Let’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode, I dive into a common source of overwhelm for EL teachers: overplanning. The pressure to adapt content-area lesson plans for multilingual learners often leads us to try to plan everything, including both content and detailed language support. I explain that the goal of planning isn't control—it's clarity. I share my framework for simplifying this process by identifying the four critical areas that truly deserve your deep planning energy, allowing the rest of your lesson design to remain light and flexible. This approach will help you feel more grounded, make your teaching more responsive, and ultimately create better conditions for language learning in your classroom.Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:Part 1: Why Teachers Overplan: I talk about the hidden cause of planning overwhelm and why a focus on control is counterproductive to dynamic language learning.Part 2: Using WIDA to Focus Your Planning: I explain how to use WIDA language functions to shift your planning from activities to how students will actually use language.Part 3: What EL Teachers Should Plan Deeply: I break down the four essential elements that require your deepest attention and the common mistakes teachers make in each area:The Language Objective: The essential "HOW" of the lesson.Vocabulary and Language Support: Moving beyond single words to supporting the structure of ideas (modulation).The Core Language Task: Merging the content and language objectives for meaningful language use.The Opening Routine: Creating regulation and a low-pressure language activation moment.Part 5: What to Keep Light: I discuss which elements of lesson planning you can allow to remain flexible, saving your energy for where it matters most.Closing: I invite you to join my workshop, Your First 30 days with EL Newcomers, on April 1st, 2026, for a clear framework on planning those crucial first weeks of instruction.Simply Ieva free offers and resources:Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)Take the next step: Book The Inner Classroom™ Clarity SessionSupport the time, effort and costs that go into bringing you The ESL Teaching Podcast episodes each week - consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyievaRelated episodes: The Ultimate Planning Framework for ELL TeachersThe First 7 Minutes: Why Your Class Needs a Better Beginning (Not a Better Lesson)Let’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInSupport the show

Today, I’m sharing a simple but powerful structure—the 30–60–90 Minute Planning Framework—to help EL teachers stop the spiral of overplanning and find clarity, even during busy seasons like testing. In this episode, I am unpacking why planning often feels so heavy for teachers of multilingual learners (hint: it’s rarely about time), and how you can adjust your planning depth based on the time you actually have. This framework gives you a clear answer to the question: "Given the time I actually have today, what is enough?"Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:Why planning for teachers of multilingual learners is so layered and intense.The difference between planning from anxiety and planning from clarity.A detailed breakdown of the three tiers of the 30–60–90 Planning Framework.Practical steps for achieving "Core Clarity" when you only have 30 minutes.Specific examples of how to differentiate support—not content—in the 60-minute plan.How to strategically map out your week and pre-plan formative checks with the 90-minute structure.The importance of integrating emotional regulation (Inner Classroom) into your lesson plans.Simply Ieva free offers and resources:Want someone to talk to - teacher to teacher - but are not sure if coaching is the right fit for you? Fill out this form to be selected for a free 15-minute Coaching Fit Conversation. Currently taking applicants for March - April, 2026Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)Take the next step: Book The Inner Classroom™ Clarity SessionSupport the time, effort and costs that go into bringing you The ESL Teaching Podcast episodes each week - consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Related episodes: How to teach Listening, not just speaking to ELsHow to Teach Speaking to ELs-Essential Lesson Components for Best ResultsOne EL Strategy, One Shift: How to Support ELs Without Burning Yourself OutLet’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!Support the show

Today I'm diving into a topic I believe is foundational to everything we do in our classrooms: listening. Communication breakdowns are often about what wasn't fully heard. In the first part of the episode, I break down why listening is an active, intentional skill—not passive—and review Joseph DeVito's five stages of listening.Then, in the second part, I focus specifically on our multilingual learners. You’ll learn why listening in English is heavy cognitive work. I will share six concrete strategies for teachers to adapt their instruction (like slowing my rate of speech and extending real wait time) and six ways we can explicitly teach our students how to practice strategic listening skills, such as listening for keywords and practicing prediction.Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:Why most of us are not the great listeners we think we are, according to research.The five critical stages of listening outlined by communication expert Joseph DeVito.Why listening in English is "heavy cognitive work" for multilingual learners.Six ways you can immediately adjust your teaching to reduce the cognitive load for your students.Six explicit strategies to teach your students how to be strategic listeners in a new language.Three reflection questions to help you improve communication in your classroom.Simply Ieva free offers and resources:Book a free discovery sessionGrab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)Take the next step: Book The Inner Classroom™ Clarity SessionSupport the time, effort and costs that go into bringing you The ESL Teaching Podcast episodes each week - consider making a small donation—whatever feels right for you. Thank you so much! https://www.paypal.biz/simplyieva Related episodes: One EL Strategy, One Shift: How to Support ELs Without Burning Yourself OutHow to Teach Speaking to ELs-Essential Lesson Components for Best ResultsLet’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!Support the show

In this episode we tackle the pervasive issue of decision fatigue among educators, specifically focusing on teachers of multilingual learners (ELs). We redefine decision fatigue not as a result of being disorganized, but as a rational response to working within a system that demands constant decisions without providing sufficient structural clarity—what is called "Ambiguity disguised as autonomy." To combat this overload, the episode introduces and explores the five steps of the our Inner Classroom framework: Awareness, Regulation, Clarity, Aligned Action, and Renewal, offering practical ways to reclaim internal capacity and prioritize self-preservation.Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:A clear definition of decision fatigue and why it's a common experience for teachers, often showing up as mental fog or irritation.How the concept of "You’re the expert" often masks a lack of necessary systemic support and structure.A breakdown of the five steps in the Inner Classroom framework—Awareness, Regulation, Clarity, Aligned Action, Renewal—and how to use them daily.Practical ways to apply The Eisenhower Matrix to teaching tasks to prevent burnout.The three powerful questions you can ask yourself to stop emotionally carrying decisions that are outside your authority and confuse responsibility with accountability.Simply Ieva Offers:The Inner Classroom™ Clarity 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 websiteMy TpT storeFree resource:Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)Related episodes: One EL Strategy, One Shift: How to Support ELs Without Burning Yourself OutSelf Management Techniques for the EL Classroom. Let’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInSupport the show

In this episode, we address the overlooked emotional dimension of language testing, exploring why English Learners (ELs) may "freeze, shut down, or give up" during high-stakes assessments like ACCESS. ACCESS and other language tests don’t just measure English as they touch the themes of identity,  confidence, and belonging. In this episode, we offer a framework for shifting from a state of urgency to one of grounded presence to support the student's emotional well-being first, which then allows them to access their language and learning.Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:Why language testing can feel heavy for multilingual learners.What is actually happening beneath the behavior when students freeze, shut down, or give up.How our presence as teachers can either intensify pressure or create enough safety for students to access what they know.A personal story about where the host first learned what it truly means to hold space.A classroom moment that changed the host's approach to assessments, involving a student overwhelmed during ACCESS testing.Practical ways you can support students when anxiety shows up—without rushing, fixing, or pushing through.An invitation to download the free resource, The First 7 Minutes, designed to help teachers intentionally reset their classrooms.Simply Ieva Offers:The Inner Classroom™ Clarity 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 websiteMy TpT storeFree resource:Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)Related episodes: One EL Strategy, One Shift: How to Support ELs Without Burning Yourself OutPreparing ELs for State and Language Proficiency Tests. Part 1: Listening and SpeakingLet’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!Support the show

ACCESS season can quietly shift the energy in our classrooms—bringing urgency, pressure, and the feeling that we should be doing more. More prep. More drills. More fixing. But let's talk about preparing ELs for ACCESS without panic.In this episode, we slow the entire conversation down.Instead of panic-driven test preparation, we focus on what actually supports English learners during ACCESS—and how your own regulation as a teacher directly impacts student language performance.This episode is about preparing ELs for ACCESS without cramming, without overload, and without sacrificing nervous-system safety—for you or your students.Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:The 3–4 language behaviors ACCESS measures across listening, speaking, reading, and writingWhy understanding the task matters more than perfect grammarHow expansion (adding a reason, detail, or example) impacts scoresWhy language acquisition doesn’t respond to last-minute intensityA simple Inner Classroom check for awareness and regulation during testing seasonFour low-stress, high-impact prep routines that actually support ELsWhat to intentionally let go of during ACCESS seasonA grounded reframe of ACCESS as information—not judgmentSimply Ieva Offers:The Inner Classroom™ Clarity 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 websiteMy TpT storeFree resource:Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)Related episodes: Reading and Writing Practice for State and Proficiency TestsPreparing ELs for State and Language Proficiency Tests. Part 1: Listening and SpeakingLet’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Facebook Follow me on LinkedInSupport the show

If you’re listening today and you feel like you’re constantly trying to do more—more scaffolds, more supports, more differentiation—yet still wondering if you’re doing enough for your English learners, this episode is for you. In today’s episode, I want to do something very simple and very intentional.I’m going to share:One practical EL strategy you can use tomorrowAnd one Inner Classroom takeaway that will help you actually sustain your teaching—without burning yourself outI have shared a lot about EL teaching strategies in some of my previous episodes on this podcast and I can link a few episodes for you to peruse below. But today’s episode is going to go a little deeper rather than wider - no overload, no long list.  Just one solid instructional move and one internal shift. If 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 Related episodes: Seeing is Understanding: 5 Visual Strategies for Supporting ELs4 Strategies for Teaching Math to ESL StudentsCultivating Comprehension: The Art of Strategic Questioning for English LearnersSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Let’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

Today, I want to do an official introduction. An introduction to the new layer of Simply Ieva ESL, the addition that I believe is so so important in teaching yet is so frequently overlooked. That addition is the Inner Classroom™ framework. The Inner Classroom is what is happening inside of your mind and your emotional landscape and how it affects your environment and your perceptions. In today’s episode, I will talk about how taking care of this inner classroom helps teachers prevent burnout before it happens—and recover from it when it does—by strengthening emotional regulation, clarity, and self-leadership. If you enjoy this podcast and would like to support the time, effort, and costs that go into bringing you these episodes each week, you can now do so through a pay-what-you-can contribution. You can pay by clicking HERE—just choose an amount that feels right for you. Your support helps keep this podcast accessible and sustainable for teachers.Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)1:1 EL Teacher Clarity Power-Up SessionSave time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:Simply Ieva websiteMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Let’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

Stop focusing only on the lesson plan and start focusing on the most critical moments of your class: the first seven minutes.In this episode, we dive into the powerful shift that happens when teachers prioritize grounding the room over pushing through. We explore why those initial moments set the tone for all the learning that follows, especially for multilingual learners.Key Takeaways:It's about the Nervous System, Not Competence: The class often feels "off" not due to a classroom management failure, but because students (and you) are still transitioning and their nervous systems are activated. Learning can't fully land until the room settles.The Power of Grounding: Learn what "grounding" actually means—it's not about silence or perfect behavior. It's an invitation to settle, which can be physical (a breath, a stretch), emotional (naming the room's energy), or cognitive (a predictable routine).Save Time Later: Grounding the first seven minutes saves time later in the lesson because you spend less time redirecting, repeating yourself, and trying to recover attention.If you are ready to change how you begin class, grab your free resource, The First 7 Minutes: Start the Class Grounded (Even If Your Students Aren’t). Find the link below..I want to hear from you!What is your biggest challenge when it comes to transitioning from one class to the next? Share with us in the comments or send a message on Instagram, Facebook, or email!Here is What You Will Hear in This Episode:Three ways of grounding and what they can look like at the start of the classWhy it is incorrect to assume that chaotic start of class is always classroom management failureThe First 7 Minutes practice that you can use in your classroom right awaySimply Ieva Offers: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 websiteMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: Here is Why You’re Drained (or Energized) by TeachingHow to Beat the Mid-Year Slump in the EL 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

Today’s episode "When the Strategies Aren’t Enough: Teaching ELs without Losing Yourself," is a reintroduction to The ESL Teaching Podcast, marking a new season of growth and transformation.Here are a few key ideas you'll here: A Personal Break and Burnout: I am sharing why I stepped away from the podcast for several months (July through December 2025) - to recover from complete burnout from teaching, over-giving, and grieving the loss of a loved one. This break prompted a necessary pause and a shift in perspective.The 'Inner Classroom': We are shifting focus from solely teaching strategies and lesson plans to the internal state of the teacher, which I call the "inner classroom." The argument is that no external strategy will be enough if the teacher's inner state is chaotic, exhausted, or depleted.The Podcast's New Direction: The podcast will continue to cover practical EL teaching strategies, scaffolding, and effective instruction, but it will also become a "bridge between pedagogy and self-preservation." Topics will expand to include:Teacher energy and boundaries.Sustainability in teaching.Coaching (professional and personal).Acknowledging teaching as emotional, relational, and human work.Invitation and Free Resource: I am inviting you to stay, subscribe, and be part of a space where you don't have to pretend you are fine. Grab my free practice titled "The First Seven Minutes: How to Start Class Grounded (even if your students aren’t)," which is designed to help teachers slow down, reset, and reconnect.Grab your free practice The First 7 Minutes: How to Start the Class Grounded (Even if Your Students Aren’t)Simply Ieva Offers: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 websiteMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: Rewriting the Script of Negative Self-Talk for TeachersHow to Beat the Mid-Year Slump in the EL 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

Today’s episode is short, sweet, and exciting! I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes update and big news about the ESL Teacher Roadmap.Whether you're new to the ESL Teaching Podcast or you’ve been listening since day one, this quick episode is for you. I’ll walk you through a few upcoming changes, a big shift I’ve been planning, and how it will impact the content, resources, and support available to ESL teachers just like you.If you’ve ever wished there was a clear, practical path to follow as an EL teacher - one that balances pedagogy, language acquisition, and real-world support - then this update will speak to you. Be sure to listen to the end so you don’t miss what’s coming next.Show Notes:Episode 161 - Announcement + Big News About the RoadmapHere is What You Will Hear in This Episode:A special announcement about the future of the ESL Teaching PodcastExciting updates to the ESL Teacher Roadmap and what’s coming nextWhy this change matters for new and experienced EL teachers alikeHow to stay connected and make the most of upcoming resourcesSimply Ieva Offers:New and improved:  The ESL Teaching Roadmap membership for teachers of English learners1:1 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 CurriculumMy TpT storeAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist Related episodes: What to Do With a Newcomer in the First 30 DaysYour First Year as an EL Teacher- What Matters MostLet’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

Starting your first year as an EL teacher can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Especially if you're stepping into a new building, new subject, or working with newcomers for the first time. In this episode, I’m answering a listener question from a music teacher-turned-EL teacher who’s just beginning this journey. I’m walking you through five things that matter most in your first year as an EL teacher with concrete examples, approachable strategies, and encouragement. If you're a newer EL teacher (or just want a back-to-basics refresher), this episode will help you feel more grounded and prepared for the year ahead.Show Notes:Episode 160 - Your First Year as an EL Teacher- What Matters Most Simply Ieva Offers:*** Your First 30 Days with EL Newcomers - online LIVE workshop on June 26, 2025***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: What to Do With a Newcomer in the First 30 DaysBeyond Buddies: How Peer Pairing Empowers 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

You’re in the middle of your school day when the front office calls: “You’re getting a new student tomorrow. They don’t speak any English.” Cue the racing heart and rising questions. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what to do during those critical first 30 days after a newcomer walks into your classroom. Whether you're an ESL teacher or a classroom teacher supporting English learners, you’ll leave this episode with clarity and calm.Show Notes:Episode 159 - What to Do When a Newcomer Walks Through Your Door: The First 30 Days Simply Ieva Offers:*** Your First 30 Days with EL Newcomers - online LIVE workshop on June 26, 2025***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: How Teachers Can Harness the Power of Second Language Acquisition Stages when working with ELsBeyond Buddies: How Peer Pairing Empowers 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

I’m joined today by Farhana N. Shah - an experienced educator, instructional specialist, and advocate for Muslim students. Farhana brings over two decades of expertise in teaching, professional development, and equity work. Together, we explore what real inclusion looks like for Muslim students in today’s classrooms.Farhana shares powerful stories and actionable tips for educators: how to build trust with students from diverse backgrounds, how to honor religious and cultural practices like Ramadan and Eid, and why visibility and empathy matter more than ever. Whether you're new to supporting Muslim learners or want to deepen your understanding, this conversation will leave you with clarity, compassion, and real-world strategies.Show Notes: Episode 158 - What They Wish You Knew: Muslim Students in the ClassroomSimply 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/simplyievaSave 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:Cultural Perspectives on Time and Social InteractionsHere is Why You’re Drained (or Energized) by TeachingConnect with Farhana:Email - [email protected] - @farhanashahLet’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 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 GroupSupport 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 LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupSupport 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 LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook GroupSupport 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 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 LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group 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 Facebook Group 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 GroupSupport 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 Group 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 LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group 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 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 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 InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group 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 LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group 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 levelsEpisode 64 - How to pre-teach vocabulary to ELs in the mainstream classroomLet’s connect!Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInSupport 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 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 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 Simply Ieva Facebook Group 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 LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group 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 GroupSupport the show