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Teaching English to Kids: A Journey of Fun Learning
"Teaching English to Kids: A Journey of Fun Learning" is the podcast that bridges the gap between rigorous methodology and engaging practice.
Each episode delves into the core foundations of ELT – from SLA theory and classroom management techniques to curriculum planning and phonics fundamentals – and translates them into practical, game-based learning activities you can use immediately. Discover creative strategies for immersive storytelling, effective song use, and designing lessons that spark curiosity and build genuine confidence in your young learners.
Whether you're a seasoned teacher or new to the classroom, join a community of dedicated educators who are transforming language learning. Move beyond the theory and find actionable inspiration to make your classroom more effective and incredibly fun.
Subscribe now for your weekly dose of evidence-based strategies and playful teaching inspiration!
Episodes
28 episodes
Curriculum that teaches itself – Smart design for more impact and less stress.
Does lesson planning drain your energy before you even step into the classroom? What if your curriculum could do more of the heavy lifting, freeing you to focus on what matters most – your students?In this milestone episode, we bring tog...
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Universal Design for Learning + Individualised Education Plan: Not Opponents. Partners. 🧩
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) asks: “How can I design for the many?” An individualised education plan (PEI/IEP) asks: “How can I support the one?” Are these two frameworks opponents – or partners?In this episode, ...
IEP Explained: When one student needs their own roadmap
What happens when Universal Design for Learning (UDL) isn't enough? For most students, a well-designed, inclusive classroom provides the pathways they need. But some learners—those with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, or other learning differences—requ...
The Sustainable Classroom: Building Systems That Last Beyond the Lesson
You have the tools from Season 1. You have the Mindful Facilitator's mindset from Season 2. Now, how do you sustain this high-quality practice without burning out? In this episode, we tackle the essential question of teacher sustainability thro...
The Power of We: Understanding peer scaffolding and collaborative learning
What if the most powerful teaching resource in your classroom wasn't you—but the students themselves? In this episode of "The Mindful Facilitator," we explore the transformative power of peer learning. Discover how mirror neurons create ...
The Delicate Dance of Fading: When to step back so they can step up.
You've built the scaffolds. You've supported their every step. Now comes the hardest part: letting go. In this pivotal episode of "The Mindful Facilitator," we explore the art and science of fading—the deliberate, strategic withdrawal of...
The Gift of Error: Understanding Interlanguage and Responding with Purpose
What if a student's mistake wasn't a failure, but a window into their developing brain? In this enlightening episode of "The Mindful Facilitator," we reframe errors as essential data for responsive teaching. Explore Larry Selinker's foundationa...
The power of scaffolding: Knowing when to hold on and when to let go
What is the perfect amount of help to give a struggling student? How do we support them without doing the work for them? In this crucial episode of "The Mindful Facilitator," we dissect the art and science of Scaffolding—the core skill o...
The grammar of movement: Teaching language through action.
Total Physical Response (TPR) is so much more than "Simon Says." In this episode of "The Mindful Facilitator," we explore TPR as a profound, neuroscience-backed strategy for teaching complex grammar. Discover the concept of Embodied Cognitio...
The Observant Teacher: Formative Assessment as your superpower.
Welcome to Season 2 of "Teaching English to Kids: A Journey of Fun Learning"! This season, we're shifting our focus to you, The Mindful Facilitator. Building on the foundational toolkit from Season 1, we now hone our most powerful instru...
A year of insight - 2026 Teaching Resolutions
As we close a remarkable year of discovery, join Paola Pando for a special reflective finale. This is not a typical episode; it’s a celebration and a synthesis of our entire journey together.In this powerful season wrap-up, we rev...
Grammar Unboxed: Teaching structure through meaning to Young Learners.
Is teaching grammar to children about rules or patterns? In this transformative episode, we dismantle the traditional approach and rebuild it through the lenses of neuroscience and the Natural Approach. Join host Paola Pando as we explore why e...
The Playful Lexicon: Using games to build deep, lasting vocabulary.
Are vocabulary lists leaving your students bored and forgetful? What if play was the most serious teaching strategy you could use? In Episode 16, we dive into the compelling research behind using games as a primary tool for vocabulary acquisiti...
Cracking the code with joy: Embedding phonics in meaningful practice
How can we transform essential phonics instruction from a rote exercise into a joyful, integral part of a dynamic language classroom? In Episode 15 of "Teaching English to Kids: A Journey of Fun Learning," we perform the perfect synthesi...
Beyond the ABCs - Differentiated Phonics for Powerful EFL Literacy
Is teaching phonics to English language learners just about repeating sounds? What if a one-size-fits-all approach is actually holding your students back? In this transformative episode of Teaching English to kids: A journey of fun learning<...
Ten Timeless Principles for Teaching English to Young Learners
What are the foundational, non-negotiable principles that every teacher of young learners needs to know? After exploring specific strategies from storytelling to learning centers, this episode distills decades of expert wisdom into ten powerful...
The Power of Stations: Creating dynamic language centers for differentiated learning.
Are you looking for a sustainable way to move beyond whole-class instruction and truly meet the diverse needs of every student in your classroom? In this essential episode of Teaching English to Kids: A Journey of Fun Learning, we take a...
The Playful Classroom: Why games are a power tool for vocabulary building
Ready to transform vocabulary lessons from tedious memorization to joyful, effective learning experiences? In this energizing episode of Teaching English to Kids: A Journey of Fun Learning, we dive deep into the powerful role of games in...
The great debate: Teaching rules vs. Letting kids discover the language
Should we explicitly teach grammar rules to children, or should we let them discover patterns naturally through context and experience? This fundamental question lies at the heart of effective language teaching for young learners.In this...
Designing for All: How UDL transforms your ESL classroom.
What if you could plan your lessons to reach every learner from the very start—without last-minute adjustments or feeling stretched thin? Imagine a classroom where barriers to learning are minimized, and every student has a clear path to engage...
Reaching every learner: Practical strategies for mixed-ability classrooms.
Do you find yourself teaching to the "middle" of your class, leaving both advanced learners bored and beginners behind? You're not alone. Managing a classroom where students learn at different paces is one of the most common yet challenging asp...
The rhythm of learning: Why music is a powerful tool for young English brains.
Ready to make English vocabulary and phrases stick in your students' minds like their favorite song? In this energizing episode of Teaching English to Kids: A Journey of Fun Learning, we explore one of the most powerful and underutilized...
The ultimate guide to choosing & using storybooks in ELT for kids
You know storytelling is powerful for language acquisition. But with so many children's books available, how can you be sure you're picking the most effective one for your students' specific level? The wrong choice can lead to frustration or bo...
The Storytelling Brain: How reading aloud unlocks language acquisition
What if one of the oldest, most joyful activities you do with your students is also the most scientifically powerful method for language learning?In this episode, we move beyond seeing storytelling as just a "fun activity" and reveal it ...