Episode 156 - The Hidden Key to Engagement: Learning Rhythms You've Probably Never Considered
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
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Episode 155 - How to use AI to Personalize Learning, Boost Engagement and Assess Multilingual Learners (Part 2)
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
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Episode 154 - Smarter Planning for ELs: AI Prompting & Differentiation Made Easy (Part 1)
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
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Episode 153 - 5 Must-Know Tips for New EL Teachers
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
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Episode 152 - 5 Simple Wins for the Days You’re Just Done
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
Welcome to The ESL Teaching Podcast, a place for K-12 teachers of English learners who are looking for simple and easy-to-implement ways to engage their students and for inspiration and empowerment in their day-to-day teaching. Whether you need a boost of confidence in reaching ESL/ELL newcomers, students in mixed proficiency level classes, or clarity in how to help them access content in the mainstream classrooms, this podcast will quickly become your go-to spot for inspiration and support. Each week, you will hear actionable and easy-to-implement tips and strategies from me, your host, as well as interviews with amazing ESL teachers, and educational consultants around the country so you can leave inspired and ready to rock on. For more teaching tips, strategies and teaching resources, go to www.simplyieva.com. And to connect with other like-minded educators of English learners, join us over at our Facebook group Helping ESL/ELL Teachers K-12 where you can find support, ask questions, and share your expertise.I always say: teaching English learners is the best job in the world. And even though it’s sometimes hard, by staying open and learning together, we make it a path of discovery and adventure. I will see you inside the show!www.simplyieva.com/apple
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