TEFL Unlocked

Episodet

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  Social media meets the ESL classroom 19.08.2026 20min

   Join Luan and Mairead as they explore creative ways to bring social media into the ESL classroom, from videos and posts to digital storytelling, while keeping learning purposeful, engaging, and safe.
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  Fillers: Quick activities for those unexpected gaps 12.08.2026 22min

  What do you do when you have five minutes to fill? Try these quick, low-prep EFL activities designed to keep learners engaged, communicating and learning when plans change.
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  Teaching English in South Africa: Inside the language centre classroom 05.08.2026 20min

  In this episode, Luan and Mairead discuss the realities of teaching English in South African language centres, including multilingual classrooms, diverse learners and why the experience is both rewarding and deeply fulfilling.
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  Teaching in Spain: Mairead’s TEFL journey 29.07.2026 22min

  This week, Mairead steps into the guest seat to share her personal journey of teaching English in Spain. Discover what surprised her, what she learnt, and why teaching abroad can be such a rewarding experience.
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  Interviewing Luan: A day in the life of an online TEFL teacher 22.07.2026 22min

  In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Mairead puts fellow host Luan in the hot seat. Together they explore what a typical day looks like for an online English teacher, from lesson planning and student interaction to technology and teaching routines
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  Choosing the right classroom rewards 15.07.2026 20min

  Luan and Mairead discuss how rewards change with age, common mistakes teachers make, and simple ideas that keep learners motivated without distracting from the lesson.
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  Storytelling in the classroom 08.07.2026 23min

  Join Luan and Mairead as they chat about the power of storytelling in the ESL classroom, sharing practical ideas, personal experiences, and simple ways to make language learning engaging and memorable.
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  Creating an introductory video that gets noticed 01.07.2026 18min

  Not sure what to say in your teacher introduction video? Join us as we explore eight simple strategies to help you create a short, engaging and professional video that captures attention, builds trust and helps fill your classroom with eager learners.
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  What Is the CEFR? Understanding A1–C2 language levels 24.06.2026 23min

  Confused by CEFR levels? Join Luan and Mairead as they break down A1 to C2, explain learner abilities, and discuss why understanding language levels matters for teachers.
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  Classroom management: What would you do? 17.06.2026 25min

   Inspired by discussions from our practical face-to-face TTA training sessions, this episode tackles real classroom management situations and practical responses that teachers can apply immediately.
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  Beating the mid-year slump as a teacher 10.06.2026 22min

  Feeling tired, unmotivated, or stuck in a teaching rut? Luan and Mairead share practical strategies to protect your energy, prevent burnout, and rediscover balance
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  Don’t do that! – Part 2 03.06.2026 23min

  In Part 2 of Don’t do that!, Luan and Mairead explore more common teaching habits that can unintentionally hold students back — from overplanning to missing signs of confusion in the classroom.  
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  Don’t do that! - Part 1 27.05.2026 25min

  This episode is a survival guide for new English teachers. Luan and Mairead unpack six common classroom mistakes that quietly damage student confidence, participation, and progress.
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  Managing behaviour in the EFL Classroom: What Actually Works 20.05.2026 24min

   Luan and Mairead tackle one of the biggest challenges for EFL teachers—classroom management. They discuss routines, pace, instructions, and relationships, and explain why behaviour is often a symptom, not the root problem.
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  Dictionary activities that actually work in the classroom 13.05.2026 20min

  Dictionaries are often overlooked in language teaching — but they can be one of the most useful classroom tools. Luan and Mairead share simple, effective dictionary activities alongside advice on choosing the right level of challenge for your learners.
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  Using the internet with purpose in the ESL classroom 06.05.2026 23min

  How can you use the internet in your classroom without students going off-task? in this episode, we share tips to help you structure online activities, keep learners focused, and promote meaningful language use. 
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  Practical ways to teach large classes part 2 29.04.2026 23min

   In part two, Luan and Mairead further explore a range of classroom tasks designed for larger groups, showing how clear structure and peer interaction can support active communication across different activity types.
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  Practical ways to teach large classes 22.04.2026 23min

  Big groups can feel overwhelming, especially at first. This episode shares simple ways to manage noise, structure your lessons, and keep students speaking without trying to control every moment.
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  Real TEFL questions from you, our listeners 15.04.2026 21min

   In this special Q&A episode, we answer real questions from TEFL teachers worldwide—covering first jobs, post-certification uncertainty, and how to move forward with confidence in a changing industry.  
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  Peer teaching in the classroom: Strategies that work. 08.04.2026 21min

  In this episode, Luan and Mairead explore the benefits of peer teaching and share practical strategies that boost engagement, encourage interaction, and bring more fun into the classroom.