TEFL Commute

Season 8 Episode 6: Christmas

In this episode Lindsay, Shaun and James (yes we've let him on mic again) give it their best shot at a cheesy Christmas episode. After stumbling across a website that proclaims the recipe for an unforgettable Xmas lesson for adult learners we decided to put it to the test....Happy Christmas everyone.

Season 8 Episode 5: Stereotypes

In the penultimate episode of this season Shaun and Lindsay talk stereotypes. They discuss teaching stereotypes in movies and what the real-life equivalent might be. They also consider if they have any stereotypical behaviours in the classroom before touching on class materials and the students they teach.

Season 8 Episode 4: Irregular

It’s an irregular episode! First because one of the regular hosts (Shaun) isn’t here. Instead, Lindsay and Ceri sit down to talk about all things irregular in language teaching. First off, this means the infamous irregular verb list. We were both surprised at how much research and writing has been done on these approximately 180 verbs. We begin to go deep on the origins of irregular verbs and whether or not they are disappearing. We also talk about other irregular things in English grammar, and finish by looking at how English teaching is irregular in other ways - irregular hours, irregular contracts, irregular teaching style.

Season 8 Episode 3: Conversation

Inspired by James' foray into publishing the team gather to discuss conversation. Lindsay and Shaun discuss what makes a good conversation and talk all things conversation class. Are they a boon or a bane? While James joins the podcast to throw in some unusual conversation starters.

Season 8 Episode 2: Cheating

Have you ever cheated on a test? Have your students? If so how imaginatively did they do it? In this episode, the TEFLcommute team explore cheating in education. From different types of cheating through to why people do it, Shaun and Lindsay talk about it all.

Season 8 Episode 1: Family

It's the start of a new season and in episode one Shaun and Lindsay talk family. They discuss whether teaching runs in someone family before looking at how families are dealt with in ELT. Which famous family tree would use in class? Do you know what a nibling is? Just how many types of cousin are there? All this and more in our season 8 opener.

Season 7 Episode 5: Classic

Lindsay and Shaun bring the curtain down on another season by discussing the classics - not Greek or Latin but what they consider to be classic ELT books and activities. Will you agree their choices? Since it's also the last episode we let producer James have a turn on mic as well.

Season 7 Episode 4: Puzzles

In episode four Shaun and Lindsay talk puzzles. From crosswords to jigsaw reading we look at the types of puzzles we use in class and discuss the advantages of using them. Shaun takes the opportunity to puzzle Lindsay and we bring you a puzzle related timeline.

Season 7 Episode 3: Room 101 revisited

In season 4 Lindsay and Shaun sat down with James and Ceri to talk about their pet teaching peeves. Three seasons later we sit down again to discuss what irks us in three areas of language teaching. Have a listen and see if you agree with our new peeves.

Season 7 Episode 2: Accents

Have you noticed the use of the English accent in films? Lindsay has. The RP accent, once the goal of many language learners, is often used to voice 'the bad guy' or the 'fantasy character'. In this episode Shaun and Lindsay explore this use of accent.