Best Ell Lessons Podcasts (2025)

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Decoding Human Behavior: The Science of How We Show Up with Shaun Dyke 56:35

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27d ago56:35

56:35

What if there really was an owner’s manual for being human? In this episode, Chris sits down with one of the top executive coaches in the country Shaun Dyke, to reveal the models that billion-dollar leaders use to understand people, motivate change, and create results. They unpack the hidden psychology behind your reactions, relationships, and resu…

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200. Scaffolding Success: 5 Strategies for Newcomers in Your ELL Classroom 29:12

1M ago29:12

29:12

In this powerful episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher (formerly Boche), founder of Inspiring Young Learners, dives deep into one of the most pressing challenges facing educators today—supporting newcomer English Language Learners (ELLs) in the classroom. As classrooms across the country see a rising number of newcomer students, …

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199. Cooperative Learning Strategies for ELLs: Scaffolding for Effective Peer Interaction 27:04

2M ago27:04

27:04

Frustrated with keeping your ELL students engaged? Or struggling to give everyone the chance for output in a short amount of time? In this episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, we dive into 4 practical Kagan Cooperative Learning strategies that will help you keep every student participating. Boost engagement, scaffold activities, and empower your …

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Feeling Guilty for Hating Your Job? Here’s the Real Problem with Malissa Clark 53:13

2M ago53:13

53:13

If you’ve ever felt guilty for resenting your job—even one you worked hard to get—you’re not alone. In this episode, psychologist and author Dr. Malissa Clark breaks down why burnout and dissatisfaction aren’t always about hours worked, and why our relationship with work is more complicated than we think. We explore the hidden forces that keep us “…

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198. How to Build a Vocabulary-Rich Classroom for English Learners 25:41

2M ago25:41

25:41

In this high-impact episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, Beth Boche dives deep into one of the most loved topics by the community: teaching vocabulary that sticks. With a countdown to the 200th episode underway, we're celebrating by revisiting this listener favorite that’s packed with actionable strategies for vocabulary instruction using a tiere…

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197. ACCESS Testing Tips for ELL Teachers: How to Reduce Stress and Maximize Support 21:54

2M ago21:54

21:54

Welcome back to the Equipping ELLs podcast! As we count down to our 200th episode, we're celebrating YOU, our amazing community, with top-loved episodes and exciting giveaways. This week, we’re revisiting a listener favorite that’s packed with actionable advice: how to effectively prepare your students, colleagues, and yourself for ACCESS testing s…

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196. Mastering the 4 Language Domains: Daily Routines for ELL Success 26:32

2M ago26:32

26:32

In this special lead-up to the 200th episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher dives into one of the most requested and transformational topics for educators of multilingual learners—how to build practical, effective routines to strengthen all four language domains: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Whether you're new to sup…

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195. The 6 most common mistakes teachers make with ELLs and how to avoid them 20:54

2M ago20:54

20:54

Are your ELL students falling behind—even when you're doing everything you can to support them? Welcome back to the Equipping ELLs Podcast! In this insightful episode, host Beth Vaucher breaks down the six most common mistakes educators make when working with English Language Learners (ELLs)—and, more importantly, how to avoid them. As the school y…

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Why You’re Not As Creative As You Think and How to Actually Change That with Zorana Pringle 58:00

3M ago58:00

58:00

Think you’re a creative person? Think again. In this episode, psychologist and author Dr. Zorana Pringle explains why most of us are far less creative than we believe—and what to do about it. We explore why great ideas often die before they ever get started, how fear disguises itself as perfectionism, and why creativity has more to do with action t…

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194. Ask yourself these 3 questions to keep your lessons aligned all year 22:10

3M ago22:10

22:10

Do you ever feel like your lesson plans are just a collection of random activities—fun in the moment but not really building toward anything? You’re not alone. Many teachers, especially those working with English language learners, find themselves overwhelmed trying to fit in every domain, standard, and activity into a short block of time. The resu…

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193. The 3 essential tracking systems every ELL teacher needs, without drowning in paperwork. 19:59

3M ago19:59

19:59

Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the paperwork that comes with assessing and tracking your English learners? You’re not alone. Many ELL teachers ask the same questions: How do I assess my students without drowning in forms? How do I keep track of their growth in a way that’s meaningful and sustainable? In this episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcas…

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EP39 - Leading with Clarity, Empowering Creativity 5:52

3M ago5:52

5:52

What if the secret to unlocking teacher creativity isn't more freedom—but more clarity? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, Christina Shala explores the often-overlooked connection between structure and innovation in schools. Discover why a lack of alignment can stall creativity—and how a clear framework can actually give teachers th…

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192. Should You Translate Everything? Essential ELL Strategies for Teachers 24:37

3M ago24:37

24:37

Should you translate everything for your English Language Learners? Overusing translation can actually slow down language acquisition and create over-dependence on students' first language. In this episode, Beth breaks down when translation becomes a barrier and when it can be a powerful support. You'll hear real classroom examples that show the di…

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191. Prioritize Supporting Exceptional Learners with Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh 48:10

3M ago48:10

48:10

Are your multilingual learners fluent in conversation but still struggling with academic content? In this episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher speaks with Beth Skelton and Tan Huynh, authors of Long-Term Success for Experienced Multilinguals, to unpack why fluency isn’t the finish line—and how educators can better support multil…

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How AI Is Forcing Us to Rethink Who We Are and the Future We Want with Jeff Burningham 47:49

3M ago47:49

47:49

What if the biggest challenge with AI isn’t the technology, but what it’s revealing about us? Jeff Burningham has built companies, invested in hundreds of startups, and even run for governor — but his most urgent message comes in his new book The Last Book Written by a Human: Becoming Wise in the Age of AI. He believes AI is a mirror, reflecting ou…

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190. Time-Wasters vs. What Actually Works: How to Plan ELL Lessons That Save You Time and Boost Student Success 24:18

4M ago24:18

24:18

Are you spending hours planning ELL lessons that your students don’t even seem to retain? Welcome back to the Equipping ELLs Podcast — the space where we take the overwhelm out of teaching English language learners and replace it with clarity, strategy, and confidence. In this episode, host Beth Vaucher dives deep into the common time wasters ELL t…

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EP38 - How to Bring School Values into Every Lesson 5:12

4M ago5:12

5:12

School values often look great on posters and sound inspiring in assemblies—but what happens when the bell rings and lessons begin? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we’ll explore simple, practical ways to make those values part of your daily teaching. From quick, in-the-moment connections to intentional planning strategies, you’ll…

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EP37 - The Support Staff Survival Guide: From Reactive to Ready 7:11

4M ago7:11

7:11

Support staff often find themselves reacting on the fly—stepping into lessons midstream or being handed tasks without context. In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we walk through five practical strategies to help you move from scrambling to supporting with confidence. Learn how to access the curriculum, preview resources ahead of tim…

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189. From Theory to Practice: Kelly Reider on Making Language Visible in Every Classroom 43:19

4M ago43:19

43:19

In this episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher is joined by renowned educator and language planning expert Kelly Reider for a deep dive into the world of functional language planning—a critical but often misunderstood approach to supporting multilingual learners in today’s classrooms. With over 30 years of experience in education,…

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EP36 - The Real Reading Gap: Is It in the Student or the Resource? 5:30

4M ago5:30

5:30

Are we misunderstanding what it means when a child “can’t read”? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we revisit the conversation around reading gaps—and shift the spotlight from student deficits to the materials we’re using to assess and support them. Are we combining decoding and vocabulary too early? Are our “level one” books actua…

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EP35 - Plan Your Classroom with Purpose: 8 Steps to Intentional Setup 7:26

4M ago7:26

7:26

Setting up your classroom isn’t just about where to place the tables or how to decorate the walls—it’s about designing an environment that supports learning, reflects your teaching goals, and grows with your students. In this episode, we walk through an 8-step planning process using the Classroom Setup Planner—a free visual tool that helps you orga…

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EP34 - From Pushback to Partnership: A 3-Step Plan for Leading Change 5:20

4M ago5:20

5:20

Ever pitched an idea you were sure would spark excitement—only to be met with silence or resistance? In this episode, we walk through a simple 3-step process to turn pushback into partnership and bring your team along for meaningful change. Whether you're launching something new or refining something old, this approach helps you shift from conflict…

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188. How to support ELLs through differentiated instruction without feeling overwhelmed. 16:09

4M ago16:09

16:09

Has differentiation always felt like the most overwhelming part of your lesson plan? host Beth Vaucher dives deep into one of the most pressing challenges educators face: how to differentiate instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs) without feeling overwhelmed. This episode unpacks a practical, three-step framework that empowers teachers to…

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EP33 - From Inspiration to Implementation: Turning Professional Development Into Practice 5:33

4M ago5:33

5:33

We’ve all felt the post-conference buzz—the excitement, the fresh ideas, the urge to rethink how we teach. But too often, that energy fades once we’re back in our classrooms. In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore why most professional development doesn’t stick—and what’s missing from the equation. The answer? Planners. But n…

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EP32 - Teaching Foreign Language with Purpose in the Early Years 7:16

4M ago7:16

7:16

In many Early Years classrooms, foreign language lessons feel more like standalone performances than integrated learning experiences. A teacher pops in with songs and stories—and while students enjoy the moment, the language rarely sticks. In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how to make foreign language a meaningful part o…

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EP31 - Building Better ELL Support: Which Comes First—Systems or Students? 5:50

4M ago5:50

5:50

In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we unpack one of the biggest questions in ELL program design: Should we start with student needs—or fix the system first? Host Christina Shala reflects on key insights that emerged after attending an ELL conference in the UK and explores how bottom-up and top-down approaches each shape the kind of …

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EP30 - Hallways That Teach: Turning Transitions Into Learning Opportunities 5:47

4M ago5:47

5:47

What if your school hallways could do more than just showcase student work—what if they could teach? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how to turn transitional spaces like hallways into interactive, meaningful learning environments. From math challenges and comment-ready displays to collaborative art and outdoor learning…

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187. If I wanted to go from now to confidently supporting ELLs within the first month, here are the exact steps I would take. 31:05

4M ago31:05

31:05

Do you feel lost on how to support your English learners in the first month of school without a clear plan? In this episode of Equipping ELLs, host Beth Vaucher delivers an empowering and actionable roadmap for teachers stepping into the school year with multilingual learners. Whether you're a brand new ESL teacher, juggling a multi-building caselo…

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Episode 29 - From Unit Plans to Rubrics: Making Transdisciplinary Assessment Happen 7:32

4M ago7:32

7:32

Is your IB team planning transdisciplinarily—but assessing in isolation? In Episode 29 of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how to move beyond beautifully connected unit plans to create assessments that truly reflect the same level of integration. From collaborative summative task design to shared rubrics and cross-subject standards, this …

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What If DMT Isn’t a Hallucination But a Message From Our Creator: A Neuroscientist Makes His Case - Dr. Andrew Gallimore 1:01:27

4M ago1:01:27

1:01:27

What if the most powerful psychedelic on Earth isn’t just a hallucination—but a message? Neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Gallimore joins us to explore the mind-bending world of DMT, a molecule found in both nature and the human body that seems to reliably transport users to an alien-like realm filled with intelligent beings. In this episode, we dive into…

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EP28 - From Team to Teacher: Making Transdisciplinary Planning Work 11:23

4M ago11:23

11:23

You’ve brainstormed as a team. You’ve filled out the team planner. But what happens next? In this follow-up to Episodes 26 and 27, we shift to the individual side of transdisciplinary planning—where teachers take team ideas and turn them into weekly lessons that actually connect. Using a storytelling unit as our example, this episode walks through …

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EP27 - Transdisciplinary Teamwork: Leading IB Meetings That Stick 11:00

4M ago11:00

11:00

If your IB planning meetings feel productive—but the next day everyone’s unsure where to begin—it’s time to rethink your structure. In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we unpack how to lead IB transdisciplinary planning meetings that actually stick. From setting a clear vision and designing a shared team planner to ensuring every con…

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EP26 - Making Transdisciplinary Work: A Practical Framework for IB Schools 6:59

4M ago6:59

6:59

What does “transdisciplinary” really look like in practice—and why do so many IB schools struggle to implement it? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore the missing link: a practical, school-wide framework that moves beyond vision statements and turns cross-subject planning into a cohesive system. Looking for visuals? This e…

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EP25 - Are We Teaching ELLs Backwards? The Case for Input Before Output 5:58

5M ago5:58

5:58

When supporting English language learners, it’s easy to focus on what they can produce—speaking, writing, visible progress. But what if we’re starting in the wrong place? This episode explores why listening and reading—the input side of language—may be more critical than we think. If your ELLs seem to be participating but still struggling to keep u…

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186. The secret ingredient to making your ELLs feel seen, valued, & confident from day one 17:19

5M ago17:19

17:19

In this heart-centered episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, Beth Vaucher dives into one of the most overlooked yet powerful strategies for supporting English Language Learners (ELLs): intentional connection. As the new school year begins, Beth emphasizes the importance of creating an environment where students feel seen, valued, and confident fro…

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EP24 - Capturing the Learning That Matters: Practical Tips for Reggio-Inspired Assessment 9:25

5M ago9:25

9:25

How do you assess learning in a classroom designed for exploration, creativity, and student-led inquiry? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we walk through practical tips for documenting and reporting student learning in a Reggio Emilia-inspired environment. From intentional classroom setup to flexible observation tools, you’ll lear…

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EP23 - Curriculum Gaps: It’s Not Just What’s Missing, It’s Why 6:30

5M ago6:30

6:30

Curriculum gaps don’t just appear out of nowhere. In this episode, we look beyond surface-level causes and uncover how inconsistent teaching methods may be quietly contributing to missed outcomes. If your school is seeing recurring gaps year after year, it might be time to rethink more than just the curriculum map. We’ll also explore how schoolwide…

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EP22 - One Reading Block, Many Teachers: A Collaborative Model for Guided Reading 6:29

5M ago6:29

6:29

What if Guided Reading groups weren’t confined by grade level? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how cross-classroom collaboration can transform your literacy block. Discover how to group students by need—not just by homeroom—and how shared planning, consistent tools, and flexible scheduling can make Guided Reading more …

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EP21 - Structuring Success: Best Practices for ELL Program Setup 7:06

5M ago7:06

7:06

What does it take to build an ELL program that actually supports learners—in every classroom, every subject, every day? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore best practices for setting up a school-wide ELL program that goes beyond surface-level fluency. From understanding the difference between conversational and academic En…

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185. Feeling Uncertain? How to Lead with Confidence in the Classroom 19:52

5M ago19:52

19:52

Welcome back to Equipping ELLs! In Episode 185, host Beth Vaucher delivers an empowering and practical message tailored to ESL and ELL educators navigating the often-overwhelming world of multilingual teaching. This episode, titled “How to Lead with Confidence in the Classroom,” tackles the ever-present feeling of imposter syndrome and the unrealis…

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Why Normal People Do Horrific Things: The Neuroscience of Revenge with James Kimmel Jr. 59:50

5M ago59:50

59:50

What if the desire for revenge wasn’t just emotional—but biological? In this gripping conversation, Yale-trained lawyer and researcher James Kimmel Jr. explains how the brain processes revenge, why it feels so satisfying in the moment, and why it rarely brings the peace we expect. Drawing from neuroscience, psychology, and his own powerful personal…

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EP20 - Beyond the Download: Choosing Resources With Purpose 5:13

5M ago5:13

5:13

With textbooks taking a back seat, many teachers now turn to the internet for lesson materials. But what happens when a resource that looks “good enough” ends up hindering learning instead of supporting it? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, Christina shares a classroom story that highlights why ease and effectiveness aren't always …

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EP19 - From Paper to Practice: Designing Planners That Actually Work 9:56

5M ago9:56

9:56

Is your school struggling with inconsistent instruction, teacher frustration, or unclear expectations? The culprit might be hiding in plain sight—your planners. In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how the design of unit and day planners can make or break a school’s cohesion. From split-class challenges to specialist integr…

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EP18 - The Alignment Advantage: 4 Insights For Foreign Language Teachers 6:09

5M ago6:09

6:09

What happens when foreign language instruction isn’t aligned with the way students are learning language in their mainstream classrooms? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore four key insights that can help foreign language teachers make their lessons more relevant, connected, and effective. While the strategies were origina…

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EP17 - Mismatch in the Middle: Where Reading Gaps Begin 7:35

5M ago7:35

7:35

Teachers are following research-based phonics programs. Students are participating, practicing, and progressing. So why—when it’s time to read—do they struggle? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore a common but often overlooked problem: the misalignment between early literacy programs and the readers used to assess learning…

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EP16 - Designing a Living Curriculum: A Reggio-Inspired Framework for Early Years 13:23

5M ago13:23

13:23

How do you capture a curriculum that’s constantly evolving? This episode explores a practical framework that helps early years educators document emergent learning using Reggio-inspired class planners. From inquiry-based documentation to integrating specialists and foreign language lessons, discover how to turn your school into a living, breathing …

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EP15 - Beyond the Basics: Are We Teaching ELL Students the Right Words? 6:34

5M ago6:34

6:34

What if spelling wasn’t just one thing—but two? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore the idea that spelling for English Language Learners might need to serve more than one purpose. As students move through school, the vocabulary they encounter becomes more complex and subject-specific. So how should our spelling instruction…

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EP14 - The Role Reversal Experiment: What Teachers Learn by Becoming Students 5:35

5M ago5:35

5:35

What if you could see your classroom through your students’ eyes? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore a practical, eye-opening strategy that helps teachers do just that. By stepping into the learner’s role, you might just uncover surprising insights about your teaching, your planning—and your students. Ready to experience …

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EP13 - Don’t Just Decorate—Educate: The Power of Purposeful Walls 5:23

5M ago5:23

5:23

What if your classroom walls could do more than just decorate? In this episode of Empowering the Educator Within, we explore how educators can turn wall space into purposeful learning tools. From interactive displays to thought-provoking question walls, discover creative ways to make every inch of your classroom count. 📘 This episode is inspired by…

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Episode 161 - Announcement + Big News About the Roadmap 7:48

5M ago7:48

7:48

Today’s episode is short, sweet, and exciting! I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes update and big news about the ESL Teacher Roadmap. Whether you're new to the ESL Teaching Podcast or you’ve been listening since day one, this quick episode is for you. I’ll walk you through a few upcoming changes, a big shift I’ve been planning, and how it will impact t…