Hoops of Steel

Haley talks with Mel about what it takes to make English classrooms inclusive for students with language and attentional difficulties. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to transform access for students who struggle to translate ideas into words, without adding to the pressure of your already too-busy working life. Show notes: Find out more about Haley’s scholarly and professional w...

Jane Harper speaks with Julie Arnold at the ETAQ State Conference about all things gothic and crime, story and language. From her debut The Dry to her popular forward catalogue of the Aaron Falk and standalone novels, we learn about what makes her tick as a writer and how English teachers can make the most of popular fiction in the senior English classroom. Bio : Jane Harper is internationally bes...

Joanna Erskine talks with Mel about why we must bother with the Bard and lifts the curtain on the emerging Bell Shakespeare method — a joyful, practical, deeply human way to engage students with English’s most revered playwright’s oeuvre. If you’re ready to ditch the 40‑slide PowerPoint and teach Shakespeare with purpose and power, this one’s for you. Joanna Erskine (she/her) is an award-winning p...

Why do big feelings matter in English, and what happens when teachers make space for them? In this episode of Hoops of Steel , Mel is joined by educator and researcher Alice Elwell to explore the transformative potential of emotional inquiry in the English classroom. Alice frames affect not as something to manage or minimise, but as a vital force. Students’ (and teachers’!) emotions can be an ener...

Why do gothic and speculative stories grip young people, and what do they offer students in uncertain times? In this episode of Hoops of Steel , Melanie Ralph is joined by Brisbane writer and academic Kim Wilkins, also known as Kimberley Freeman. Kim has published more than 30 books in over 20 languages and is a Professor of Writing and Associate Dean of Humanities Research at the University of Qu...

Turn closed questions into open doors: Marcus Luther shows how to fuel thinking, talking, and learning. In this episode, Julie Arnold speaks with Oregon-based English teacher and podcaster Marcus Luther about building classrooms where curiosity crackles and every student’s voice matters. From quick wins that draw even the quietest students into conversation, to feedback moments that shift self‑bel...

What stories shape us — and how do we learn to tell our own? In this episode, Julie Arnold speaks with playwright, director and creative leader Wesley Enoch about the power of storytelling in education, the importance of honouring lived experience, and the joy of building spaces where students feel seen and heard. This episode is a warm, wise, and energising conversation for teachers who want to h...

How does a English teacher transform professional learning into great classroom practice? How do you take a set text, pick the bits that are going to engage your students and prepare them for what comes next? From medieval Icelandic sagas to Hannah Kent’s Burial Rites, Dan joins Julie to talk about how deep reading, writing, and meaningful classroom encounters help students grow and keep teachers...

How can literature help students see history as something alive and full of meaning for our present? In this episode, recorded at the ETAQ State Conference, Julie Arnold speaks with acclaimed author Anna Funder about the joy and challenges of writing stories that bring the past into sharp, human focus. In a conversation ranging through her best known work, they explore how literature can uncover h...

Teaching poetry is a balancing act—can we nurture intellect and emotion while tackling curriculum and student pushback? Sarah Holland-Batt and Kelli McGraw explore the challenges of teaching poetry—how it tests us, yet sparks creativity, deep thinking, and meaningful connections. Sarah Holland-Batt is an award-winning poet, editor and critic. Her books have received a number of Australia’s leading...

It feels risky to invite students to experiment and make choices when there's so much pressure on student performance. Jeffrey Lewis talks about how to make space in the curriculum for students to find their own ways to get inspired. Jeffrey Lewis is currently Assistant Head of English at Brisbane Grammar School. He has previously held positions on the ETAQ Management Committee, including Dir...

"Booklets... stay with me". Melanie Ralph believes that keeping things simple is the key to creating a joyful classroom. Her innovative teaching resources help lighten the load for her colleagues. Mel's values-driven, pragmatic approach is great for students; and it can help teachers hold onto the joy and the point of learning in English. Show notes: Mel's Website Bare Bones Te...