Are you thinking the surge of unaccompanied minors will not affect your upcoming school year? Think again. Check out this new (albeit short) episode that reviews the news from immigrantsrefugeesandschools.org that gets you and your school prepa

How to Grade ELLs Fairly

Jun 15th, 2021 20m 53s

Hannah Benson explores the complications of grading beginner ESL students, both in the ESL classroom and in content classrooms. Colorin Colorado and Larry Ferlazzo's blog add insight to this topic as well as helpful tips from #ELLchat.

Comparing Elem, Middle, High School ESL

May 16th, 2021 24m 40s

Which grades in K-12 do you prefer teaching ESL? Hannah Benson reviews her experiences in all three teaching posts: elementary, middle and high school ESL and the differences between them.

The Native Know-How Lesson

Apr 13th, 2021 21m 52s

This time Hannah Benson gives her exclusive Native Know-How lesson which includes important tips you don't get from a book--such as how close do I stand when I talk? Should I bribe the police? And other such helpful tidbits.

Stories From the Classroom

Mar 17th, 2021 17m 38s

Join in for a story time featuring stories from Hannah Benson's ESL classroom where the cultural seclusion of countries abroad produces humor of a different variety than conversations from a classroom in the home country.

The Sweetness of Teaching Revived

Feb 16th, 2021 25m 53s

A new way for you to use your degree you never thought possible! Former public school teacher Cindy West explains how she discovered how to resurrect the sweetness of teaching.

Online Engagement

Jan 15th, 2021 23m 51s

Teachers said online engagement was the number one issue in ESL today. Hannah Benson interviews YouTuber Teacher Michael, an EFL teacher for tips on how to keep students engaged...as well as ourselves!

Christmas Recap Special

Dec 24th, 2020 25m 47s

25 minutes of 2020 recap for December 25th! Hannah Benson discusses (unscripted) her favorite episodes from this year. It's a look at lessons learned and an amazing year of stellar guests.

When Parents Opt Out

Dec 16th, 2020 21m 8s

What do you do when parents want to take their children out of the ESL program? This time Hannah Benson talks with My Adventures in ESL blogger Millie Williams to talk about Opt Out options and procedure.

Long Term ELLs

Nov 17th, 2020 22m 43s

How can we break students who have been in ESL for over 6 years and can't seem to get out? In this episode Hannah Benson explores the ESL limbo Long-Term ELLs with guest Susan Patterson.

Teacher's Unions

Oct 15th, 2020 17m 47s

With immigrant rights and current discussions about border control, ESL teachers should be the first people interested in certain aspects of education politics, right? However, this episode explores whether or not the political interests of the

Racism and ESL

Sep 16th, 2020 21m 22s

New immigrants are not always well-received into a community, even at the local education institution. This is an episode that explores what bias within ESL looks like: denied services, comments in the teacher's lounge, peer-student interaction

#teacherstyle - A Discussion of Decorum

Aug 15th, 2020 22m 22s

Hannah Benson explores the importance of teacher apparel as our field (and culture) becomes progressively more casual...and what that does to our global image as educators. Special guest Dr. Karen Swallow Prior.

Who You Gonna Call? Part II

Jul 18th, 2020 21m 17s

Why should you teach reading for elementary ESL students when they are getting that instruction from their content teacher? Why/how should you spend time on advanced vocabulary for advanced ESL learners? Hannah Benson addresses these two vital

Who You Gonna Call? (Part I)

Jun 15th, 2020 22m 12s

Hannah Benson gives the first award to Speech Language Pathology, explaining the difference between our fields, when/how to refer an ESL student to them, and giving credit for their aid in ESL advocacy, consultation, and resources. Guests Lisa

What ELSE can I do with my ESL degree

May 20th, 2020 20m 36s

Hannah Benson explores the world of immigrant advocacy outside the realm of teaching in the classroom...or not teaching at all. Guests Dr. Sandra Hemphill (YouTube's "The Language Lady") and Laura Gardner.

All That Screen Time

Apr 23rd, 2020 21m 16s

Hannah Benson talks with Dr. Maria Davou of the Glossomatheia Langauge, Learning & Research Center in Athens, Greece about her recent article, "The Child and The Screen: What Now?" Dr. Davou gives helpful tips on how to tweak the goal of our le

What ESL Licensure Programs Offer

Apr 10th, 2020 20m 55s

Hannah Benson reaches back in the files to hear again from previous guests about their educational background...and how much it actually prepared them for practical ESL teaching. Hannah outlines the "perfect" ESL certification program.

How COVID-19 Will Change ESL

Mar 27th, 2020 19m 55s

Originally a Facebook Live Event, this episode discusses the pandemic of COVID-19, how it has affected ESL education online and within the school systems, which population of ELLs we are most concerned about, and what will happen as a result of

Education...Interrupted SIFE

Mar 9th, 2020 21m 30s

Hannah Benson talks with Carol Salva about how to get students with gaps in their education reading and writing quickly. Orly Clapholz describes one school that created a system for their SIFE population--and discusses the need for a national e

Content Teachers, We Were Made for Each Other

Feb 6th, 2020 21m 14s

Hannah Benson discusses her own reservations about providing ESL PD for content teachers. Guest speaker Valentina Gonzalez gives a great argument for differentiation within the content classroom. Jody Nolf and Kelly Leguizamon give practical st

Understanding Students with Traumatic Pasts

Jan 14th, 2020 22m 21s

Hannah Benson discusses scenarios in which traumatized students end up at our door with ESL teacher Kaitlin Rodrigues. School psychologist Dr. Robyn Koslowitz talks about how to relate to these students and meet their need while not taking the

ATE- ESL Parent Engagement

Jan 14th, 2020 20m 36s

Hannah Benson discusses scenarios in which traumatized students end up at our door with ESL teacher Kaitlin Rodrigues. Dr. Robyn Koslowitz talks about how to relate to these students and meet their need while not taking the role of a social wor

ATE- ESL Parent Engagement

Dec 19th, 2019 20m 37s

Hannah Benson explores ESL parental engagement and how ESL teachers can relay our cultural expectations for their involvement at school. Also, learn how to get parents more engaged to slowly share the load for ESL student advocacy in the school