Listening to podcasts is an ideal way to develop skills for anyone busy. Most importantly, especially for English teachers, it’s a fantastic way to find a great combination of work and pleasure at any time. Go ahead and treat podcasts as a handful of inspiration! With new ideas, you can approach lesson planning differently and make the lessons more entertaining with selected elements. Here are some suggestions!
Why podcasts?
Podcasts have become popular not only among students but also teachers. Their general accessibility and growing popularity are certainly due to the fact that they can be listened to anywhere: in the car while doing everyday activities and anywhere we want. While students consider podcasts as an attractive way to learn new things, teachers can use them to pick up a lot of methodological tips in an easy and enjoyable way. Here are four suggestions that we find particularly appealing.
TEFL Commute
This is the perfect podcast if you want to relax and have a short break! Don’t expect lectures on English language teaching and methodology in it. The humorous, objective approach to teaching is an inspiration to look at your work from a different point of view and perhaps from a greater distance. Something perfect not only on the way to work or before a lesson but also after a hard day.
Pearson English Podcast
This is a series of thought-provoking conversations with various guests. All of this is designed to tackle different aspects of teaching English. The series of conversations with a variety of people provides a glimpse into the world of teaching from several perspectives. Many of the topics sound promising: Professional development, Storytelling, and Native Speakerism. These are just some of the suggestions. In our opinion, one of the most outstanding advantages is the diversity that results from inviting many very different people to the studio so that a broad cross-section of themes has been created. Give this podcast a try and discover more suggestions!
The House of EdTech
This is a podcast series with no shortage of innovative topics. These certainly include those related to new technologies, which show how to combine them with teaching practice. The engaging discussions and observations can be a portion of valuable inspiration for all language teachers. It is a great help and a mine of knowledge, especially for those who want to implement new technologies and social media into their lessons, such as the increasingly popular TikTok. You will discover the latest trends and will certainly learn many interesting facts about how to combine education and new technology. This podcast proves that difficult questions can be answered in an easy and enjoyable to listen to way.
The TEFLology Podcast
This podcast has been running since 2014 and is produced by three English teachers. You can find out here about current events, a bit of teaching history, and techniques. All of these are to demonstrate the versatility of the English language best. There is also space for interviews with leading figures in the field of English language teaching.
Why can listening to podcasts pay dividends in a teacher’s work?
Every teacher is looking for inspiration, for new ideas to improve the lessons and thus increase student engagement. However, the teacher often lacks ideas for their own development, a kind of springboard. It is with this in mind that podcasts were created. They are often light and enjoyable to listen to and, most importantly, we can do it wherever we wish! Podcasts also have the potential to be educational, providing a handful of inspiration regarding methodology, the organisation of classes, as well as ways to use new technologies. This is a nice alternative to several-hour courses or extensive books. However, it is essential to remember to be systematic. Another good practice is to listen to multiple podcasts to find the perfect option.
