Episoder

  • 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 Checklist

    Save 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 Learners

    Let’s connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the S

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    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 Adults

    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!Short story The Last Leaf for grammar practice (descriptive adjectives)Short story Lamb to the Slaughter for grammar practice (simple present tense)ESL songs

    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 Checklist



    Save 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 Learners

    Let’s connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on Lin

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

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  • 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 Learners

    Simply 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 Checklist

    Save 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 Group

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • Today we're diving into a crucial topic for every ESL teacher as we approach a new school year—how to set the stage for success during the first five days in the ESL classroom. In this episode, we'll explore essential strategies for building trust, setting expectations, understanding student backgrounds, establishing routines, introducing content, and fostering a positive classroom community. Whether you're a new or veteran teacher, these insights will help you create a welcoming and effective learning environment for your students right from the start. Stay tuned as we break down each day with practical tips and activities to ensure a smooth and productive start to your school year.


    Show Notes:

    Episode 123 - Kicking Off the School Year: The First Five Days in the ESL Classroom

    Simply Ieva offers:

    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 Checklist



    Save 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 78 - Starting strong: easy and fun icebreaker activities for all EL levels



    Let’s connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • Recently, I talked about the roles of the EL teacher, what our jobs entail, and how we can explain, in short, about what we do to our colleagues and administrators. Today, I wanted to go a step further and talk about a mission statement. This short, clear statement packs so much information and might be just the ticket for EL teachers and departments to feel seen and heard. In this episode, I will talk about why it is important to have a mission statement for your EL program and 3 steps to create a stellar one.


    Show Notes:

    Episode 122 - Why Your EL Program Needs a Mission Statement and How to Create One


    Simply Ieva offers:

    Professional development opportunities:

    🥳The Enlightened EL Educator - 5-week virtual program for classroom teachers with ELs🥳

    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 Checklist


    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. EMBARK™ 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 120 - The Four Roles of the ESL Teacher: What Do They Actually Do?

    Let’s connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • With the new school year kicking off, energy is buzzing through the hallways as teachers set up their classrooms and dive into mandatory trainings. Today, we’re addressing a fundamental question: Why should schools consider hiring outside educational consultants for English Learner (EL) professional development, especially when they already have in-house EL specialists?

    In this episode, we’ll explore three reasons why bringing in an external EL educational consultant can significantly benefit your school district’s teaching strategies. From tackling time constraints to navigating interpersonal dynamics within your teaching staff, and offering an objective bird’s-eye view of your EL program, hiring a consultant could be the key to successfully integrating effective EL teaching methods into your classrooms.

    Show Notes:

    Episode 121 - 3 Reasons Hiring an EL Educational Consultant is a Must for Your EL Teaching Needs

    Simply Ieva offers:

    Today’s episode:

    Professional development opportunities:

    🥳The Enlightened EL Educator - 5-week virtual program for classroom teachers with ELs🥳

    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 Checklist


    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. EMBARK™ 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 120 - The Four Roles of the ESL Teacher: What Do They Actually Do?


    Let’s connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • With the number of English learners constantly rising and permeating not only large urban areas but also spreading into suburbs and rural towns, there's a serious need for all involved in the education of those English learners to understand the role of an ESL, ELL teacher in their district. This podcast episode was inspired by observations of both the mainstream teacher and EL teacher perspectives. So today, we will dive into the 4 major roles that an EL teacher brings to the school and why those roles are so important, not only for student advancement, but also for the entire district's success.

    Show Notes:

    Episode 120 - The Four Roles of an ESL Teacher: What Do They Actually Do?

    Simply 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 Checklist

    Professional development opportunities:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳Lesson Planning Masterclass

    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. EMBARK™ 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:
    Read transcript of the episode on the blog

    Let’s connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • Today we're diving into five practical tips for newer EL teachers. Whether you're transitioning into EL teaching, getting your certification, or supporting multilingual students in your regular classroom, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you succeed.

    Show Notes:

    Episode 119 - 5 Tips for Newer EL Teachers

    Simply Ieva Offers:

    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 Checklist

    Professional development opportunities:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳Lesson Planning Masterclass

    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmThe ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. EMBARK™ Newcomer CurriculumEssential Lesson Plan BundleMy TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 97 - How Teachers Can Harness The Power Of Second Language Acquisition Stages When Working With ELsEpisode 98 - EL Newcomer To Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Language Proficiency LevelsEpisode 71 - How to Write Language and Content Objectives for EL Lessons

    Let’s Connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedIn

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • Every day, I receive several emails that share your current biggest struggles as a teacher who works with EL students, whether you're exclusively with multilingual students or you have ELs in your regular education classroom. I read every single email, and although I don't always have the time to respond to you personally, I take all things you tell me to heart and mind. And after going through the questions, I usually begin to see a pattern. Many questions fall under similar umbrellas. For example, how to help newcomers is by far the most popular question. So today, I wanted to answer 2 questions that I know many of you can relate to about this topic. How to manage the influx of newcomers at different times throughout the year, and how to address difficult group dynamics. I know that if 2 or 3 people are asking the same questions, many others are likely wondering the same thing.

    Show Notes: Episode 118 - How to Handle New Arrivals and Group Challenges Year-Round

    Simply Ieva Offers:
    Today’s episode:

    EMBARK™ Newcomer Curriculum

    Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 115 - Personalized learning for EL students: the power of choice boards

    Let’s Connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • As EL teachers, we need to possess a variety of skills, and not all of them are clear cut. Besides the obvious ones, such as being knowledgeable in teaching methodologies, standards, and educational psychology, as a teacher of multilingual learners, one must also possess acute cultural awareness. And that goes not only for EL teachers, but for all teachers whether you have multilingual learners in your classroom or whether you don't, yet. But, how do you define culture? And, why is a student's culture relevant in the classroom? Finally, what's time got to do with it? These are big questions, and each of them probably deserve a separate podcast episode. But I wanted to dive into them regardless and answer them for you right here today.

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    Different attitudes toward time and cultural impactIndividualism valued in the U.S., clashes in educationPsychologist studies how cultures view and use timeDifferent cultural understandings of time and communicationConsider cultural aspects when planning lessons


    Show Notes:

    Episode 117 - Clocking In: Cultural Perspectives on Time and Social Interactions


    Simply Ieva Offers:

    Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!


    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 110 - The Two Most Important Soft Skills for Teacher of English Learners

    Let’s Connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    Support the show

  • As the summer break is nearing, it seems that time flies faster and faster. Between all of the award ceremonies, field days, final exams, and graduations, there's no space to even breathe. In this season, the desire to put off paperwork and lesson planning for next year is sometimes irresistibly strong, and I'm saying this because I've been there. So in today's episode, I wanted to revisit some tips for teachers that will help not only to finish the school year more organized, but also come back in the fall with a fresh perspective and gratitude for yourself. For taking the time to actually do it. You will hear 5 tips on what you need to do so you can have space in your mind for a truly restful summer.

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    Importance of returning to an organized spaceImportance and timing of student rosters and ILPsChallenges ESL teachers face with room changes over the summerImportance of planning for the first week

    Show Notes:

    Episode 116 - Do These 5 Things BEFORE Summer Break to Feel More Organized and Refreshed

    Simply Ieva Offers:
    Today’s episode: Essential Lesson Plan Bundle

    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 35 - What Are ILPs and What to Include in Them

    Let’s Connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    The ESL Teaching Roadmap is your one-stop shop not only for ESL curriculum materials, but most importantly, for personalized teacher support that you will not get anywhere else. If you are ready to say “yes” to more aligned EL teaching, go to www.simplyieva.com/roadmap and join us!

    Support the show

  • With the school year almost at the end for many of us, or even finished for some, I wanted to revisit one of the episodes I recorded a while back because I know that it will really come in handy. Either now or at the start of the new school year. Honestly, anytime. What I'm talking about is how to use choice boards in your El classroom. What they are, how you can use them with your English learners and the benefits they bring to both you and your students. In this episode, I will share how I use choice boards in middle and high school and why both my students and I enjoy them. But the ideas can certainly be applied to teachers of ELs in elementary grades as well, with a little bit of tweaking.

    Show Notes:

    Episode 115 - Personalized Learning for EL Students: The Power of Choice Boards


    Simply Ieva Offers:

    EL Choice Board Bundle

    Save time and build confidence in your EL teaching with these resources:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT storeRecord a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!


    Related Episodes & Articles:

    Watch the video on how to use choice boards on YouTubeEpisode 4 - Choice Boards for ESL Students: Three Creative Ways to Use Them In the Classroom


    Let’s Connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    Support the show

  • When I ask teachers: if you could have a magic wand, what would you wish for you in your teaching situation, I get so many requests for a scope and sequence for newcomers and for a newcomer curriculum. So in today’s episode, I wanted to go back to the basics and talk a little bit about the scope and sequence for English language learners. I will be answering the questions about what the scope and sequence is, why it is an important document to have, what is included in it, and how ELL teachers can create their own, especially for newcomers. I will also be sharing an example of my scope and sequence and a link for you to grab it at the end of this episode.

    What you will hear about a scope and sequence for newcomers:

    What is included in a scope and sequenceHow to create a scope and sequence when you don’t have a curriculum or a teamThe best ways to incorporate Common Core State Standards, ELD standards, and WIDA standards into your scope and sequenceMy process for creating academic and social emotional goals for my studentsUsing my grammar teaching sequence available for free on my website

    Resources:

    As mentioned in the episode, here is the:

    Year Long Scope and Sequence

    Below you will find some useful resources!

    EMBARK™ Newcomer curriculum grades 6-12 The ESL Teaching Roadmap – monthly membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmSimply Ieva ESL Teachers Pay Teachers StoreFollow me on Instagram Join the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    Support the show

  • Technology has increasingly become an integral part of teaching, and honestly, I cannot imagine teaching a lesson without it. Of course, I would if I needed to and I would have to adapt, but it just makes things so much faster and easier. From pulling up an image to complement the topic, to checking the correct MLA format, to grabbing precise definitions for the vocabulary words you want your students to learn. And with the advent of AI last year, the technology game has become an even more intricate dance. We ask ourselves which tools are reliable, how to use them ethically, what can our students use, and how we can make AI work for us, not the other way around. So in today's episode, I want to share with you 3 AI tools that have made my teaching life easier this year and how I use them to move my students forward in their English learning journey.


    What you will hear about in this episode:

    The AI tools I useCreating vocabulary lists and example sentencesAdapting complex texts to student-friendly versionsComprehensive tool used for creating and managing assignmentsFeatures and benefits of AI tools


    Show Notes:

    Episode 113 - How to Use AI to Help Your Students Access Content Plus My Favorite Tools


    Simply Ieva Offers:
    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT store


    Previous Episode:

    Episode 112 - 5 Non-Negotiables for Integrating ELs in Regular Education Classroom

    Let’s Connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    Support the show

  • When it comes to teaching English learners, some things come naturally for EL teachers, while regular education teachers might be wondering how they can reach their multilingual students. I have several episodes about teaching all ELs, but I wanted to distill this information into even more practical and really actionable advice that all teachers can take whenever they have an English learner in their classroom. In today's episode, I will be talking about 5 non-negotiables for integrating ELs in your regular education classroom. No matter what subject or what grade level you teach. They may be new to you or you may have already heard them many times. But as we say, the more times you hear it, the more you internalize the information and the more it can become natural to you to implement.

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    Importance of reaching out to EL specialists for proficiency assessmentsThe four main language functions: inform, narrate, argue, and explainImportance of speech adjustment to assist EL comprehensionStrategies for teaching newcomers with overwhelmed capacities

    Show Notes:

    Episode 112 - 5 Non-Negotiables for Integrating ELs in Regular Education Classroom

    Simply Ieva Offers:
    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT store

    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 98 - EL Newcomer to Experienced Multilingual: A Journey Through Proficiency Levels

    Let’s Connect!

    Follow me on InstagramFollow me on LinkedInJoin the Simply Ieva Facebook Group

    Support the show

  • I don't know about you, but every year around April, I feel like my energy is drained. I can no longer focus, and the feeling of inadequacy begins to creep in. The students have absorbed as much as they could. We all are just counting the days until that summer break when we all can recharge and look at things from a different perspective. But we have to somehow get through those last weeks of school. I want to share some of the end of year hacks that I use to feel like I'm still making a difference in my teaching and student learning and, what I do to not lose my own sanity in the process.

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    Shifting focus from new material to reviewing past lessonsStrategies to handle waning student focus and increased energyThe impact of changing environment on teacher motivation and creativityThe importance of self-care and maintaining personal well-being


    Show Notes:

    Episode 111 - 5 End of the Year Hacks to Finish the School Year With Sanity


    Simply Ieva Offers:
    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT store

    Related episodes and articles:

    Shinrin Yoku: The Japanese Practice that Could Transform Your DayEpisode 74 - Why Teachers Should Embrace Meditation as Part of Their Daily RoutineEpisode 64 - 3 Ways to Finish Your School Year Meaningfully


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  • In education, hard skills such as the academic knowledge of the subject and the know-how of teaching in general, the strategies, the methodology, the assessment are the focal point. But today, I wanted to talk about the soft skills that are much more difficult to define and quantify because they are less concrete, but have been proven time and time again just as important as the know-how. These skills involve interpersonal and interpersonal communication, being flexible, cultural awareness, and others. And they help us forge meaningful relationships, as well as allow us to live a more fulfilling life. And, in particular, I wanted to touch upon two aspects of those soft skills, communication and cultural awareness, and why they are extremely important when you're working with English learners.

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    The crucial role of soft skills in effective communication and relationship buildingList of Essential Soft Skills for EducatorsThe impact of teacher communication on student connection and content accessibilityDefinition and significance of cultural awareness


    Show Notes:

    Episode 110 - The Two Most Important Soft Skills for Teachers of English Learners


    Simply Ieva Offers:
    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT store



    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 106 - Common SEL Challenges ELs Face in the Classroom



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  • Welcome back to another episode of The ESL Teaching Podcast. Today we're tackling an issue that's close to the heart for so many of us educators: the challenge of negative self-talk. As teachers, we navigate not only academic pressures but also the emotional and mental weight of our personal lives. Recognizing our humanity is crucial to maintaining not just our performance in the classroom but our overall well-being. In this episode, we explore practical strategies and self-reflection tools designed to transform our inner dialogue. From identifying types of negative thoughts to embracing moments of quiet and mindfulness, join us as we unpack five powerful practices that can uplift our spirits and reshape how we perceive and respond to stress.

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    Overcoming the feelings of mental exhaustionThe parallel between the struggles of students and teachersFive practices to combat negative self-talk and mental health challengesThe necessity of self-care for effective teaching and personal well-beingFour types of negative self-talkReframing thoughts for mental well-being


    Show Notes:

    Episode 109 - Rewriting the Script of Negative Self-Talk for Teachers


    Simply Ieva Offers:
    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT store



    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 74 - Why teachers should embrace meditation as part of their daily routine



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  • Welcome to Episode 108 of The ESL Teaching Podcast! In this episode, I share my go-to activities for those "I can't even" days, when exhaustion and lack of inspiration make lesson planning a struggle. I candidly discuss my own experiences with feeling tired and bored while teaching, and offer practical, low-prep activities to reignite the classroom's energy. From engaging listening and speaking activities like back-to-back drawing and interviewing, to creative writing prompts using social media and vocabulary categorization, these tips are designed to invigorate both teachers and students. So, if you're looking for innovative teaching strategies to combat those off-days, stay tuned for some valuable insights!

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    Dealing with exhaustion and lack of creativity as a teacherThe need to teach regardless of challengesActivities to boost classroom energy and learningTeaching persuasive speech and helping ELLs think on their feetWriting activities for ELLs

    Show Notes:

    Episode 108 - No Plan? No Problem! 5 Activities for those "I can't even" days

    Simply Ieva Offers:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT store

    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 64 - How to pre-teach vocabulary to ELs in the regular education classroomEpisode 88 - How to use novel study to enrich vocabulary and speaking

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  • My guest Zach Camenker, and I explore the challenges and joys of teaching English learners in a regular classroom. Zach, an English Language Arts teacher, shares his struggle with the repetition of the curriculum and his passion for reading instruction. The importance of adaptability, feedback, and collaboration in setting up a successful classroom environment for diverse learners is stressed. We discuss the need for better preparation for teachers facing ELL students and Zach's personal reasons for pursuing a master's in TESOL. Both of us reflect on the value of making connections with students and the pressures of meeting curriculum standards. Zach expresses his career aspirations towards leadership, illustrating his extensive involvement in educational extracurricular activities. The episode highlights the complex balance between following the curriculum and addressing the individual needs of English learners.

    What you will hear about in this episode:

    Challenges faced by mainstream teachers with ELL studentsBenefits of feedback and suggestions from colleagues and studentsChallenges due to students' lack of cultural and historical background knowledgeThe balance between connecting with students and delivering curriculum

    Show Notes:

    Episode 107 - The Heart and Art of Teaching ELs in Regular Education Classrooms with Zach Camenker

    Simply Ieva Offers:

    🥳 On-Demand Digital Library “Light The Way to EL Teaching Success” 🥳

    Record a comment for us - click HERE. We can’t wait to hear from you!

    Free Audio Training - 3 Mindset Shifts for Instilling and Living Out a Belief that All Teachers are Teachers of Language.Book a $0 Consult Call - Lead ELs to Progress without OverwhelmAccommodate and Modify Your Lessons for ELs with Less than 1 Hour of Planning a Week - classroom teacher and admin checklist The ESL Teaching Roadmap – membership community for middle and high school ESL/ELL teachers. As a thank you for listening, use code ESLPODCAST for 10% off when you join. My TpT store

    Related/Previous Episodes:

    Episode 81 - Unlocking ESL Success: the top 5 questions every general ed teacher asksEpisode 99 - Why Less is More when Teaching EL Newcomers and Beginners

    Connect with Zach:

    Zach’s LinkedIn [email protected]

    Let’s Connect!

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