Best Esl/ell Lesson Plans Podcasts (2025)

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

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21h 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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194. Ask yourself these 3 questions to keep your lessons aligned all year 22:10

1h 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

6d 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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192. Should You Translate Everything? Essential ELL Strategies for Teachers 24:37

19d 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

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

1M 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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189. From Theory to Practice: Kelly Reider on Making Language Visible in Every Classroom 43:19

1M 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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188. How to support ELLs through differentiated instruction without feeling overwhelmed. 16:09

1M 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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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

2M 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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186. The secret ingredient to making your ELLs feel seen, valued, & confident from day one 17:19

2M 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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185. Feeling Uncertain? How to Lead with Confidence in the Classroom 19:52

2M 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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Episode 161 - Announcement + Big News About the Roadmap 7:48

3M 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…

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Episode 160 - Your First Year as an EL Teacher- What Matters Most 21:14

3M ago21:14

21:14

Starting your first year as an EL teacher can feel both exciting and overwhelming. Especially if you're stepping into a new building, new subject, or working with newcomers for the first time. In this episode, I’m answering a listener question from a music teacher-turned-EL teacher who’s just beginning this journey. I’m walking you through five thi…

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184. From Exhausted to Energized: Movement Strategies for Busy Educators 17:28

3M ago17:28

17:28

In this inspiring episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher wraps up her empowering series on habits that support a healthy, balanced life... this time focusing on physical movement and fitness for educators. As a former athlete turned busy educator and parent, Beth shares a deeply personal yet practical approach to staying active, e…

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Episode 159 - What to Do When a Newcomer Walks Through Your Door: The First 30 Days 19:41

3M ago19:41

19:41

You’re in the middle of your school day when the front office calls: “You’re getting a new student tomorrow. They don’t speak any English.” Cue the racing heart and rising questions. In this episode, I’m sharing exactly what to do during those critical first 30 days after a newcomer walks into your classroom. Whether you're an ESL teacher or a clas…

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183. Fuel Your Mind and Body: 10 Simple Healthy Eating Habits for Educators 21:14

3M ago21:14

21:14

In this special summer wellness series, host Beth Vaucher explores how to apply simple, intentional habits to transform your health, starting with what you eat. If you're an educator, parent, or busy professional who often finds nutrition falling to the bottom of your priority list, this episode is a must-listen. Beth shares her personal journey fr…

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Episode 158 - What They Wish You Knew: Muslim Students in the Classroom 44:29

3M ago44:29

44:29

I’m joined today by Farhana N. Shah - an experienced educator, instructional specialist, and advocate for Muslim students. Farhana brings over two decades of expertise in teaching, professional development, and equity work. Together, we explore what real inclusion looks like for Muslim students in today’s classrooms. Farhana shares powerful stories…

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182. 5 Daily Mindset Habits Every Teacher Should Start This Summer 20:01

4M ago20:01

20:01

In this powerful episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher dives into the transformative role of mindset and how intentional daily habits can help educators feel more grounded, focused, and emotionally regulated—especially during the hectic school year. While it’s summer, Beth challenges listeners to leverage this calmer season to bu…

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Episode 157 - Here is Why You're Drained (or Energized) by Teaching 28:34

4M ago28:34

28:34

Have you ever walked out of your classroom at the end of the day feeling completely drained by teaching, even when everything went “according to plan”? Or maybe you’ve had days where tossing the plan aside and following your gut left you feeling more energized by teaching than ever before. What’s really going on? In this episode, we dive deep into …

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181. Summer Habits That Stick: How Small Routines Lead to Big Changes 15:23

3M ago15:23

15:23

Are you heading into summer feeling burnt out and overwhelmed, wishing there was a way to reset before the next school year sneaks up on you? In this energizing kickoff to a new series on the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher dives into the transformational power of habits, routines, and rhythms—especially for educators navigating the uniqu…

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Episode 156 - The Hidden Key to Engagement: Learning Rhythms You've Probably Never Considered 20:53

4M ago20:53

20:53

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 whe…

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180. Collaboration in ELL Classrooms: Expert tips from Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld 35:29

4M ago35:29

35:29

Struggling to foster effective collaboration in your ELL classroom? In this episode of Equipping ELLs, host Beth Vaucher sits down with renowned expert Dr. Andrea Honigsfeld to explore the transformative power of collaboration among teachers. Discover practical strategies for co-teaching, building professional learning communities, and differentiat…

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Episode 155 - How to use AI to Personalize Learning, Boost Engagement and Assess Multilingual Learners (Part 2) 26:09

4M ago26:09

26:09

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 …

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179. Translanguaging and Literacy: Helping Multilingual Learners Thrive with Sara Knigge 43:44

4M ago43:44

43:44

In this powerful and practical episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher welcomes Sarah Knigge, an independent consultant and co-author focused on bilingual literacy, to unpack the essential role native language plays in developing English literacy for Spanish-speaking students. With years of experience as a bilingual teacher and pro…

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Episode 154 - Smarter Planning for ELs: AI Prompting & Differentiation Made Easy (Part 1) 24:20

4M ago24:20

24:20

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, differenti…

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178. Creating Safe Classrooms: Trauma-Informed and Restorative Practices with Marg Thorsborne & Joe Brummer 55:24

4M ago55:24

55:24

In this powerful episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher sits down with two leading voices in trauma-informed and restorative education, Marg Thorsborne and Joe Brummer, for a deeply transformative conversation on rethinking student behavior, discipline, and classroom culture. Marg, a global pioneer in restorative practices, and Jo…

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Episode 153 - 5 Must-Know Tips for New EL Teachers 20:49

4M ago20:49

20:49

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 …

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177. How Digital Portfolios Drive Student Success: Insights from Kelly Aldinger 21:33

5M ago21:33

21:33

How can I effectively track and showcase the progress of multilingual learners across all language domains when traditional assessments often fail to capture their growth? In this episode of Equipping ELLs, host Beth Vaucher is joined by Kelly Aldinger, a bilingual learning and development expert with a passion for fostering educational equity for …

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Episode 152 - 5 Simple Wins for the Days You’re Just Done 18:37

5M ago18:37

18:37

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 e…

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176. Reimagining Literacy: Prioritizing Family Collaboration with Nawal Qarooni 40:40

5M ago40:40

40:40

How can educators overcome the challenge of engaging multilingual families in their child's literacy development, especially when language barriers or cultural differences exist? In this enlightening episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher is joined by Nawal Qarooni, an educator, writer, and adjunct professor who’s reshaping the ap…

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Episode 151 - The Big 5: Key Pillars of EL Inclusion in Mainstream Classrooms 18:31

5M ago18:31

18:31

When it comes to teaching English learners, there's no question that EL specialists are trained to meet their unique language and learning needs. But what about regular classroom teachers, the ones juggling 25 different needs in one room and suddenly faced with students who speak little or no English? It can feel overwhelming, confusing, and even a…

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175. Talk for Writing: The Scaffolding Secret to Confident ELL Writers 24:42

5M ago24:42

24:42

In this episode of the Equipping ELLs podcast, host Beth Vaucher dives into one of the most transformative and practical frameworks for supporting English Language Learners (ELLs): Talk for Writing. Beth introduces listeners to this British-based strategy that builds students’ confidence in all four language domains - listening, speaking, reading, …

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Episode 150 - Rooted in Success: 5 Reasons to Teach Greek & Latin Roots in Any Classroom 33:07

5M ago33:07

33:07

Today's episode is all about building vocabulary in a powerful and lasting way. We're diving into something that often gets overlooked, Greek and Latin root words. I am so excited because we have a special guest joining us who's incredibly passionate about this topic. My dear friend, Laura Kebart from Language Arts Teachers is on the podcast today …

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174. Making Language Accessible: Using GLAD to Support ELLs with Bridget Dale 45:54

5M ago45:54

45:54

Are you struggling to support your English Language Learners without sacrificing academic rigor or adding more to your already full plate? In this powerful episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher welcomes Bridget Dale, a Tier 4 OCDE Project GLAD trainer, educational consultant, and founder of Elevated Language Development, LLC. Bri…

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Episode 149 - Why Social-Emotional Learning Matters Just as Much as Academics 18:08

5M ago18:08

18:08

The world needs emotional intelligence. We need emotional intelligence. Our students need emotional intelligence. Intellectual knowledge is great, but by itself, it wreaks havoc, as without emotional depth and experiences, we're not able to engage in meaningful conversations, discussions, learning, and problem solving. In today's episode, I'm going…

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173. Unlocking Student Potential through Visible Thinking with Shelley Love de Feliú 26:02

5M ago26:02

26:02

In this episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, host Beth Vaucher is joined by Shelley Love de Feliú, an experienced educator and math instructional coach with over 18 years of experience in the field. Shelley is the founder of Raising Thinkers and Raising Mathematicians, where she focuses on helping parents and educators nurture curiosity and criti…

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Episode 148 - How to Teach ELs When You Don't Speak Their Language 19:55

6M ago19:55

19:55

You just found out you have English learners in your classroom, but you don't speak their language. Now what? Should you Google translate your entire lesson? Mime your way through the day? Don't worry. You don't have to speak their language to be an effective and impactful teacher. In today's episode, we're going to talk about the mindset shift tha…

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172. Simplifying ELL Instruction: A Series on Effective Teaching Frameworks for All Four Domains 5:30

6M ago5:30

5:30

Do you feel like instruction for your ELLs is overwhelming and complicated? Welcome to a brand-new series from the Equipping ELLs podcast! In this exciting kickoff episode, host Beth Vaucher sets the stage for a transformative journey designed to empower educators of multilingual learners. Whether you're teaching kindergarten or high school, this s…

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Episode 147 - Hooked on Books! How Novels Can Supercharge EL Vocabulary and Thinking 19:05

6M ago19:05

19:05

Reading is always a hot topic for good reason, and it's something every teacher thinks about no matter the grade level. But when it comes to teaching reading to English learners, there are extra layers to consider, especially around language proficiency and age. I'm excited to share something I've been trying out with my middle schoolers, something…

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171. Building Writing Confidence: 5 Fun Routines for ELL Students 25:22

6M ago25:22

25:22

Welcome back to Equipping ELLs! In this final episode of our language domain series, host Beth Vaucher dives into one of the most challenging yet rewarding skills for English Language Learners: writing. If you’ve missed our previous episodes on listening, speaking, and reading, be sure to check them out, as all language domains build on each other …

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Episode 146 - Digging Deeper: How the 5 Whys Can Transform Your Teaching and Life 18:50

6M ago18:50

18:50

Have you ever felt like you're constantly putting out fires in your classroom? Redirecting behavior, reteaching concepts, or dealing with burnout without really solving the root problem? Sometimes it feels like we are running around in circles and nothing changes our lives, in our classrooms, in our professional development even though we seem to d…

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170. 5 Essential Reading Routines for Supporting ELL Readers 27:03

6M ago27:03

27:03

Do your ELL students struggle with reading comprehension, vocabulary, and fluency—leaving you unsure how to support them? In this episode of the Equipping ELLs Podcast, Beth Vaucher tackles one of the toughest challenges for English learners: developing strong reading skills. As part of our series on supporting ELLs, Beth shares why reading is not …

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Episode 145 - It’s Not Just About Language! The 2 Soft Skills Every EL Teacher Should Have 13:32

6M ago13:32

13:32

In education, we often focus on the hard skills, the academic knowledge of our subject, the instructional strategies, the assessment methods, and the pedagogy that shape effective teaching. These are the measurable, tangible aspects of our profession, and they are absolutely essential. But today, I want to shift the focus to something just as impor…

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169. Empowering ELLs Through Speaking: 5 Practical Oracy Routines 30:18

7M ago30:18

30:18

Are your ELL students staying silent during class discussions no matter how much you encourage them to participate? After laying the groundwork with listening in our previous episode, today’s spotlight is on the speaking domain—arguably one of the most intimidating and vulnerable areas for ELL students. Speaking out loud in a new language can bring…

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Episode 144 - 3 Myths About Teaching Newcomers - And What Actually Works 13:22

7M ago13:22

13:22

Let’s talk about three common myths about teaching newcomers. Teaching English learners is really not as complicated as many think, yet I hear from so many overwhelmed teachers who have lost sight of the forest for the trees. Schools are notorious for grasping onto the newest programs and ideas for teaching English learners, which sometimes work ou…

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Episode 143 - How to Beat the Mid-Year Slump in the EL Classroom for Both Students and Teachers 21:03

7M ago21:03

21:03

Welcome to the mid-year slump. Whether you live in a colder climate like I do or anywhere else, the middle of the school year can get hard for so many reasons. February and March in particular can be especially tough months in the school year. Students and teachers are tired, motivation is dipping, and standardized testing is looming. If you are fe…

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168. The Power of Listening: 5 Simple Routines to Help ELLs Thrive 24:13

7M ago24:13

24:13

Have you ever wondered why your ELL students struggle with speaking, reading, or writing? The answer often comes down to one foundational skill: listening. In this episode, Beth Vaucher explores why listening is the gateway to all language learning, what makes it so challenging for English Language Learners, and—most importantly—five simple and eff…

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Episode 142 - The Secret to Effective EL Lessons? Start at the End! 17:31

7M ago17:31

17:31

I am very excited about today's episode because I know it will bring so much value to you. I've talked about lesson planning before, but today, I wanted to share a process that has been very helpful and, honestly, is truly a great way to plan for our EL students. So in today's episode, I will be sharing all about backward design and lesson planning…

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167. Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing: Simple Routines to Boost ELL Learning 14:00

7M ago14:00

14:00

Welcome back to the Equipping ELLs Podcast! In this episode, host Beth Vaucher kicks off a powerful new series designed to help you maximize the last few months of the school year without adding to your workload. If you’re feeling exhausted but still want to give your English Language Learners (ELLs) the best support possible, this episode is for y…

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166. The Power of Being Bicultural: Lessons for Educators & Multilingual Learners with Gabby Rivera 32:07

7M ago32:07

32:07

Did you know that supporting your students' growth goes far beyond bilingualism and language itself? In this episode of Equipping ELLs, host Beth Vaucher welcomes Gabby Montenegro Rivera, a bilingual and bicultural educator with a powerful personal story. Gabby, who grew up in Panama with Colombian and Panamanian roots, shares her journey of embrac…