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How to English TEFL Podcast

How to English TEFL Podcast

Gav and Em 181 Episodes Aug 14, 2026

How To English TEFL Podcast is a weekly show offering teaching inspiration for TEFL teachers and English learners. Hosts Gav and Em, two experienced English teachers, discuss practical teaching techniques, learning tips, and real classroom stories. Each episode aims to provide useful and actionable advice for improving teaching and learning.

Episodes

Should TEFL Teachers Use the Teacher’s Book? Do Students Really Learn Grammar? | Gav & Em Answer Your TEFL Questions – S07E14
Should TEFL Teachers Use the Teacher’s Book? Do Students Really Learn Grammar? | Gav & Em Answer Your TEFL Questions – S07E14 Aug 14, 2026 00:34:26 In this episode, Gav and Em tackle the real questions TEFL teachers ask every day:What exactly is a student’s book supposed to do?Is the teacher’s book worth using — or is it overwhelming?How do you fix confusing coursebook tasks?Do students actually learn grammar from lessons, or somewhere else entirely?Why do learners forget grammar rules even after you’ve taught them?Where does real learning ha
Speak with Confidence: The Mindset Every TEFL Teacher Needs | Helen von Dadelszen - S07E13
Speak with Confidence: The Mindset Every TEFL Teacher Needs | Helen von Dadelszen - S07E13 Jul 31, 2026 00:28:46 Build Real Speaking Confidence with Helen von Dadelszen | TEFL Tips, Communication Skills & Classroom CourageIn this episode of How to English: Teach & Learn with Gav & Em, we welcome communication coach, vocal trainer, and author Helen von Dadelszen, who shares practical, science‑backed strategies for speaking with confidence — whether you’re a teacher, learner, or anyone who wants to
Will AI Replace English Teachers? The Future of TEFL - S07E12
Will AI Replace English Teachers? The Future of TEFL - S07E12 Jul 17, 2026 00:29:27 Will AI replace English teachers? What is the future of TEFL in a world of AI language-learning apps, instant translation and artificial intelligence tutors?In this episode of How to English: Teach and Learn with Gav & Em, we explore how AI is changing English language learning and ask what human TEFL teachers can offer that technology can’t. We also share practical teaching ideas for giving c
English Teaching Tips: Correcting Student Mistakes, Lesson Efficiency & Common Errors -TEFL - S07E11
English Teaching Tips: Correcting Student Mistakes, Lesson Efficiency & Common Errors -TEFL - S07E11 Jul 3, 2026 00:32:56 How can English teachers make lessons more efficient? When should you correct a student’s mistakes? And what do you say when a learner responds, “But you understand me, though?”In this episode, Gav and Em explore practical TEFL and English teaching questions from the classroom. We discuss maximizing valuable teaching time, increasing student participation, lesson planning (and whether not planning
The Perfect Lesson Recipe: Homework, Holidays & When Students Don’t Get It - S07E10
The Perfect Lesson Recipe: Homework, Holidays & When Students Don’t Get It - S07E10 Jun 19, 2026 00:39:03 What are the ingredients of a great English lesson? In this episode of How to English TEFL Pod, Gav and Em cook up their perfect lesson recipe — with interesting content, a pinch of challenge, plenty of practice and, of course, a sprinkling of homework.Along the way, they ask what actually makes a good homework task, why taking a holiday can help teachers hear their students with fresh ears, and w
Does CELTA Really Prepare You to Teach English? | TEFL Teacher Reflections - S07E09
Does CELTA Really Prepare You to Teach English? | TEFL Teacher Reflections - S07E09 Jun 5, 2026 00:33:21 What stays with you after years of teaching English? And how much of the teacher you become comes from your original training?In this episode of How to English: Teach and Learn with Gav & Em, we look back at our TEFL journeys and the experiences that have shaped us as English teachers.We revisit our CELTA training and talk about what we still use today, what frustrated us, and whether teachers
How Can You Make English Lessons More Creative? | Spontaneous TEFL Ideas & Teaching Tips - S07E08
How Can You Make English Lessons More Creative? | Spontaneous TEFL Ideas & Teaching Tips - S07E08 May 22, 2026 00:33:42 How can you make your English lessons more creative, spontaneous and engaging? And what should you actually do in the first five minutes of a class?In this episode of How to English TEFL Podcast with Gav & Em, we share practical TEFL ideas for English teachers and learners, including how we start our lessons, how to avoid classroom monotony, and why teaching English gives us so much freedom to
TEFL Teacher Strengths & Weaknesses | Distracted Students, Error Correction & Praise - S07E07
TEFL Teacher Strengths & Weaknesses | Distracted Students, Error Correction & Praise - S07E07 May 8, 2026 00:34:14 What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses as an English teacher? 🎓In this episode of How to English: Teach and Learn with Gav & Em, we take an honest (and occasionally uncomfortable!) look at our own teaching styles. Em loves organisation, structure and a clear plan, while Gav thrives on creativity, flexibility… and sometimes preparing a worksheet just minutes before class. 😅We also tackl
AI for English Teachers, Student Talk Time & Classroom Management | TEFL Podcast - S07E06
AI for English Teachers, Student Talk Time & Classroom Management | TEFL Podcast - S07E06 Apr 24, 2026 00:34:26 Why do students really come to English classes? How can teachers increase Student Talk Time (STT), reduce Teacher Talk Time (TTT) and make sure everyone gets a chance to speak? And how can AI tools like ChatGPT actually help with everyday English teaching?In this episode of the How to English TEFL Podcast, Gav and Em chat about the practical realities of teaching English as a foreign language (TEF
TEFL Teaching Tips: Translation Apps, L1 in Class & Getting Students to Answer Questions - S07E05
TEFL Teaching Tips: Translation Apps, L1 in Class & Getting Students to Answer Questions - S07E05 Apr 10, 2026 00:40:04 What should you do when students keep using translation apps in English lessons? How can you encourage learners to speak English instead of switching back to their first language? And why do students sometimes give perfectly good answers — but not actually answer the question you asked?In S07E05 of Gav & Em's How to English TEFL Podcast, we discuss practical TEFL and ESL teaching problems that
How Long Should English Lessons Be? Small Talk, Teacher Breaks, Grammar, and Classrooms - S07E04
How Long Should English Lessons Be? Small Talk, Teacher Breaks, Grammar, and Classrooms - S07E04 Mar 27, 2026 00:37:02 How long should an English lesson be: 60 minutes or 90 minutes? How much teaching is sustainable in a week? And is spending 30 minutes on small talk valuable language practice — or a waste of lesson time?In S07E04 of the How to English TEFL Podcast, Gav and Em compare their approaches to lesson length and workload. Gav explains why he prefers 60-minute lessons, while Em makes the case for 90 minut
Books, Yawns and Fresh Faces
Books, Yawns and Fresh Faces Mar 13, 2026 00:34:48 In this episode of How To English Pod, Gav and Em dive into the ups and downs of teaching. From juggling long‑term classes and welcoming new students, to grammar slip‑ups, medical vocabulary surprises, and the eternal mystery of whether books are brilliant or boring. They also chat about remembering (and forgetting!) student details, merging groups, and why a single yawn might say more about a les

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