The final installment of our Barcelona series looks at Scott Thornbury's plenary on a performance-based approach to language teaching. Mike, Leo, and Andrew ponder the differences between competence and performance, or, as Chomsky says, the difference between "knowing" about a language and the ability to put it in to use. The guys then discuss if it's important for teachers to distinguish between the two, and what impact that has - or should have - on the classroom. They also wonder why many curriculum and syllabi do not focus much on performance (as Thornbury defines it) and what the implications of that are.

In this episode, Leo chats with teacher and teacher trainer Neil McCutcheon. Neil lives in Strasbourg, France and is the head of CELTA and DELTA training at the ELT Hub in both Strasbourg and Leon. He began teaching in 1991 and has taught in Ghana, Hungary, the UK, and now in France. His main interests are teacher education and developing materials that reflect what we know about second language acquisition. 

In this episode, Mike, Leo, and Andrew discuss the theme of a recent Learn YOUR English workshop: Language Awareness. What is Language Awareness? Does it matter? Is it only important for teachers? For students? Does it actually improve proficiency? Do conventional textbooks advocate language awareness and choices or only "McNuggets"? Are there drawbacks to having a high level of language awareness? How can teachers increase their language awareness?

At the IH Conference in Barcelona, Dr. Maldarez spoke about the need for teacher's to be able to respond in real time to what is happening in the classroom. She highlighted that this is something that needs to be developed, and is much more difficult than it seems. Maldarez identified common "blinkers" and touched on the difference between observing and noticing, and how teachers very rarely give "feedback" in the conventional sense.

In this episode, Andrew talks to language teacher and advocate Aileen Bowe. Aileen is from Ireland and advocates for fairness and regulation in the ELT industry. As a result of her work with ELT Advocacy and Manchester Advocacy, she has seen legislation pass which will provide language teachers in Ireland and the UK with the working conditions they have long been waiting for. Aileen shares her stories of below-average working conditions, job loss, and questions why the industry has so few regulations globally. Her message? If teachers work together, they can achieve not only what they want, but what they deserve. 

Andrew asks Barbara about her experience, how she got started in the industry, about the characteristics she looks for when hiring new teachers, and how she is trying to impart a new mindset when it comes to professional development at ILAC. 

Part II is a special edition of Teacher Talking Time and is dedicated to those who love learning all over the world. In this episode, Andrew and Leo continue their travels and conduct three separate interviews, focusing on the differences and challenges in learning in different parts of the world. The first (8:23) tackles Germany and German; in the second (18:00), the boys participate in a high school project in Barcelona, and, finally, they sit down with good friends Claudia and Victor to dive into the Catalan-Spanish debate (33:05

In Part I, we hear from them at different stages of their trip as they discuss their challenges with jetlag, settling into Spanish culture, and what they are anticipating from the conference. Mike also makes an appearance as he sits down with Andrew to go over the plenary talks from Day 1 of IHBCNELT 19. 

In this episode, Andrew sits down with teacher, author, and advocate Marek Kiczkowiak. They talk about the long-standing bias against non-native speaker teachers in the English training industry. As Marek explains, it has been a significant problem for a long time, but it doesn't need to be. Through his organization - TEFL Equity Advocates - and his Academy where he runs his own courses for tackling the stigma - TEFL Equity Academy - Marek has made quite a positive impact. And he's only just getting started. 

In this episode, Leo, Mike, and Andrew discuss the failings of their New Year's Resolutions one month into 2019. They ponder why resolutions don't work, why we put so much pressure on ourselves to make them, and if "cultvating habits" would be more fruitful, especially as teachers. They conclude by asking the listeners how they plan to create better habits in their personal and professional lives.

In this episode, Andrew speaks with English teacher and school owner Fabi Neves. Fabi, a native of Brazil, has lived and taught in many countries over her 12 year career. She tells Andrew about her experience, her views on learning - and the teacher's role in it - challenges Brazilians are facing in terms of their acquisition of the English language, and also about her institute, The Buxton School, located near Rio de Janeiro.

In Teacher Talking Time's inaugural episode, Leo, Mike, and Andrew discuss how Learn YOUR English came to be, its goals - including its different approach to teacher and student education - and how developing a growth mindset is crucial to being a lifelong learner.

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Teaching Talking Time is an English Language podcast aimed at teaching professionals and learners. Leo, Mike, and Andrew bring you discussions, interviews, and debates on English language training and learning. From approaches, misconceptions, and successful and failed case studies, each episode is dedicated to their vision: continual growth. They interview teachers and learners from around the world, and also debate the merits of common teaching approaches.

We release two episodes a month: one for teachers and one for students.