Adventures in ESL: A Podcast for K-12 ESL Teachers

Ep. 172 My Plan to increase student engagement this year!

Welcome to the My Adventures in ESL podcast—the show dedicated to helping ESL teachers like you feel confident, supported, and inspired in your classroom. I’m so excited you’re here! As ESL teachers, we know how much time and energy goes into planning lessons, organizing materials, and meeting our students’ diverse needs. But even the best lesson plan can fall flat if students aren’t engaged. In this episode, I’m sharing three practical and easy-to-implement strategies that will help you create an engaging classroom where students are excited to participate and eager to learn. Here’s what you’ll discover in today’s episode: Strategy #1: Quick, structured student talk activities – how to get every student speaking and practicing language without overwhelming them. Strategy #2: Student choice – simple ways to give students ownership over their learning, increase motivation, and build confidence. Strategy #3: Movement and interactive games – low-prep, high-energy activities that bring lessons to life and keep students actively involved. These strategies are designed to work for all grade levels and language abilities, and you can start using them immediately in your classroom. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with practical tools to boost engagement, increase participation, and bring more joy into your teaching. 💡 Resources Mentioned in This Episode: If you’re ready to take your classroom organization and engagement to the next level, be sure to check out my Teacher Pay Teachers store, My Adventures in ESL. You’ll find lesson plans, organizational tools, and ready-to-use resources designed specifically for ESL teachers. Visit My Adventures in ESL on TPT here ✨ Encouragement for You: Remember—your hard work matters. Every smile, every “aha!” moment, every student who feels seen and included is because of the effort and heart you bring to your classroom. You don’t have to have it all figured out—you’re doing an amazing job.

Ep. 171 What do I teach next month? October Edition

October can feel like a turning point in the school year. Your routines are set, your students are finding their rhythm—but sometimes, the excitement from August and September starts to fade. If you’ve ever stared at your lesson plans this month thinking, “I need something fresh!”—this episode is for you. In this episode of My Adventures in ESL, I’m sharing three simple, seasonal, and interactive lesson ideas that you can start using in your classroom right away. These activities are designed to save you time, engage your students, and make learning fun again—without adding hours of planning to your already full plate. Here’s what you’ll discover in today’s episode: ✨ Lesson Idea #1: Take your students on a virtual field trip to a pumpkin patch—integrating culture, science, and math while practicing essential language skills. ✨ Lesson Idea #2: Celebrate International School Library Month by turning your classroom into a mini-library exploration and helping students fall in love with reading. ✨ Lesson Idea #3: Dive into spooky folktales and legends from around the world to inspire storytelling, collaboration, and creativity in your ESL classroom. October is the perfect time to bring energy, curiosity, and collaboration back into your lessons. These ideas will help you keep students engaged while giving you back a little peace of mind. 🎧 Listen now and try one (or all three!) of these lesson ideas this month. Your students—and your future self—will thank you. 📌 Resources Mentioned: My Adventures in ESL Teacher Pay Teachers Store – for ready-to-use lesson plans and templates to save you time.  

Ep. 170 Where do I Start? Tips to get you started

Welcome back, amazing teachers! 🎉 The beginning of the school year is here, and if you’re anything like me, you know it can feel like a whirlwind. Between screening new students, managing schedules, creating lessons, writing language plans, and juggling everything else on your plate—it’s a lot! In this episode, I’m sharing three practical, high-impact strategies that will help you start the school year feeling calm, confident, and organized. My goal is to take some of the overwhelm off your shoulders so you can focus on what truly matters—supporting your students and building a strong classroom community. You’ll learn how to: Design a compliance system that keeps paperwork organized and stress-free. Create a classroom management plan that sets clear routines and expectations for your students. Build a simple pacing guide so your instruction stays focused and consistent all year long. These strategies are designed to save you time, reduce stress, and give you a strong foundation for the rest of the school year. Resources and Links Mentioned: 📂 Teacher Tools: Grab my ready-to-use student supply organizers, compliance trackers, and lesson planning templates to make these systems easy to implement → My Adventures in ESL 💡 Follow Me: 📸 Instagram: @myadventuresinesl 🌐 Website: www.myadventuresinesl.com 🎧 Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode! Key Takeaway: Starting the school year strong doesn’t mean being perfect—it means being prepared. When you set up your systems, routines, and pacing in advance, you create calm for yourself and your students, allowing everyone to thrive.

Ep. 169 Effective Organization Tips

Hey there, amazing ESL teachers! 🎉 A brand-new school year is here, and I know you’re already working hard to create a classroom where your students feel safe, supported, and ready to learn. But let’s be real—these first few weeks can feel like a whirlwind. That’s why today’s episode is all about practical, effective organization strategies that will save you time, reduce stress, and create the calm, focused classroom your students need to thrive. In this episode, I’m sharing simple systems that actually work—without adding more to your plate. From student bins that keep supplies in check, to compliance folders that make documentation a breeze, you’ll learn how to set up routines and spaces that support both you and your students. By the end of this episode, you’ll walk away with: ✨ Easy-to-implement strategies that cut down on clutter ✨ Tips for creating student-friendly systems that build independence ✨ Ways to streamline compliance paperwork without stress ✨ Organization hacks that stand the test of time Whether you’re a first-year ESL teacher or a seasoned pro, these ideas will help you feel more in control, more focused, and more energized to do what you do best—support your students. Resources & Links: Check out my Teacher Pay Teachers store for ready-to-use organizers, lesson planning templates, and compliance trackers that make organization simple. Follow me on Adventures in ESL for more practical ESL teaching tips Key Takeaways: Start with a purge – Clear out old papers, broken supplies, and clutter. Create zones – Assign specific spaces for student supplies, work turn-in, and your teacher workspace. Keep it simple – Use labels, bins, and color-coding to make organization intuitive. Student bins – Give each student a personalized space for their supplies and materials. Compliance folders – Organize required documents with color-coded,  easy-to-access systems. Final Thoughts: Remember, organization isn’t just about neat shelves—it’s about saving time, reducing stress, and building a classroom environment where both you and your students thrive. Take it one step at a time, celebrate small wins, and watch how a calmer classroom transforms your teaching.

Ep. 168 First Two Weeks of School

Welcome, ESL educators! In today’s episode, we’re diving into the real, unfiltered experience of your first two weeks back in the classroom. Whether you’re brand new to teaching English learners or a seasoned pro, this episode will help you walk into the school year with clarity, confidence, and calm. 💡 Before we get started—don’t forget to sign up for my FREE professional development training: 3 Simple & Powerful Secrets to a Successful School Year You’ll walk away with practical tools to reduce overwhelm, simplify planning, and build meaningful connections with your students—plus a PD certificate just for attending! 🗓️ Episode Summary The first two weeks of school can feel like a whirlwind, especially for ESL teachers juggling new students, changing schedules, and multiple responsibilities. In this episode, I’m sharing a realistic, heart-centered look at what to expect during this time—so you can set the tone for a successful year ahead. 🔑 Key Takeaways: 🌟 Why the First Two Weeks Matter Sets the tone for classroom culture and relationships Helps students feel seen, safe, and supported Allows you to build structure before diving into academics 🗓️ Week 1 Focus Get to know students, families, and your teaching team Begin establishing routines to create consistency and safety Start (or prepare for) initial assessments Expect to feel overwhelmed—it’s normal! Focus on small wins to build momentum 🧘🏽 Tip: When things feel messy, pause and reset. Flexibility is your superpower. 📚 Week 2 Focus Introduce light academic content Continue building and reinforcing routines Strengthen student relationships and classroom community Adjust what’s not working—pivoting is part of the process Finalize scheduling and student files 🧩 Goal: By the end of Week 2, your class will begin to feel like a true learning community. 💬 Reflect & Take Action If this episode helped you feel more grounded and prepared, take a small step today: Outline your classroom routines Set one goal for relationship-building Share this episode with a fellow ESL teacher who could use support And remember—you are doing incredible work. 📌 Mentioned in This Episode: ✨ FREE PD Training: 3 Simple & Powerful Secrets to a Successful School Year ✔️ Includes PD Certificate ✔️ Actionable strategies for planning & mindset ✔️ Designed for ESL teachers like you! 🙌 Stay Connected Subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode Follow @myadventuresinesl on Instagram Visit myadventuresinesl.com for more resources 🎉 You’ve got this—and I’m cheering you on every step of the way. If you are looking for a community of dedicated and motivated educators, who support Language Learners, join us here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/adventuresinesl