Teachers Talk Radio

We talk mental health (of course) and how we can be more compassionate in the classroom, alongside all those regular features you know and love.

In this show, Timea talks with lecturer Rafael Dos Santos about the role of humour in higher education: why it works (neuroscience, dopamine, belonging and retention), how to use it intentionally (timing, storytelling, affiliate/self‑deprecating humour, props, games and icebreakers), and how to avoid pitfalls (sarcasm, cultural sensitivity and targeting humour). They share practical tips for starting small, building confidence and using tools like AI to brainstorm suitable, safe ideas.

The show also highlights partners and resources, including AQA examiner opportunities and Hachette Learning professional development titles; catch the full episode and other Teachers Talk Radio shows at ttradio.org.

In this show, Sarah speaks with Head of Year Jack Macey about transforming the dreaded phone call home into a tool for building relationships and improving student outcomes.

They discuss practical tips for teachers - especially early career teachers - including making positive calls, keeping conversations factual and brief, scripting key phrases, using colleagues for support, and handling defensive or disengaged parents. The episode highlights research linking parental engagement to better progress and stresses that consistent, warm communication can build trust between school and home.

Darren looks into recent research published by Liang et al into the role that personality plays in online language learning and considers how we can apply the concept of "personality types" to our own teaching and learning.

Carl chats to experienced Head of Year, Adam Perry about what they job is really like. A really interesting insight for anyone who is or has been head of year, is thinking they might like to be a year head or is in need of appointing one. 

Is it the toughest job in the school?

Why do people still do it?