The Kate Languages Podcast

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I discuss the ways in which I think language learning and teaching help us to bridge the divides in an increasingly polarised world. My arguments are based on the core principle of "it's just different, it's not bad or stupid", and that language learning can help us all to embrace this attitude more. From understanding how different cultures and histo...

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I talk about how I use AI to help me create teaching resources, but I'm also very candid about its limitations! My three main arguments are that AI is still quite time consuming, it can get it wrong and hallucinate quite a lot, plus people are craving more human contact at the moment, and want to know that there is a human behind the resources, not ju...

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I reflect on 2025 and look ahead to 2026. From not moving house, to the impulsive decision that cost me £20k, and how I'm having to learn to how to start from scratch again, this episode is an honest reflection of some of the things that didn't go so well in 2025. But it's not all doom and gloom! I've learnt some important lessons from these three thi...

This podcast episode is the one I needed to hear 6 years ago, when I was pregnant with my son! I often see amazing women building incredible careers and I often want to ask them "but how do you fit it in around your family?!" So today, I'm giving my take on how I've built Kate Languages around my family, how the business and my working patterns have changed over the years, and how my child's sleep...

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I'm releasing the audio of a workshop I ran in August 2024 all about the AQA GCSE speaking exams. In this workshop, I went through the different elements of the speaking exams, looked at the differences between foundation and higher, and answered some great questions at the end. To get your hands on an exclusive bundle of my French, German and Spanish...

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I'm releasing the audio of a workshop I ran in August 2024 all about the Edexcel GCSE speaking exams. In this workshop, I went through the different elements of the speaking exams, looked at the differences between foundation and higher, and answered some great questions at the end. To get your hands on an exclusive bundle of my French, German and Spa...

In this episode of the Kate Languages podcast, I describe 3 of my favourite MFL retrieval activities - What do you already know?, the 54321 Quiz and Odd one out. For more details and for a couple more of my favourite retrieval activities, have a look at my free ebook. Download it here: https://www.katelanguages.co.uk/retrieval-ebook Music is by Coma Media from Pixabay.

In today's episode, I answer a listener question all about delegating. Whether you're a classroom teacher, a head of subject/department, or an education business owner, there are lots of great tips in this episode for you! From knowing what to delegate, when is the right time to do it, how to communicate clearly with the person you're delegating to, and what to do when it feels like it would be qu...

The Kate Languages Podcast is back! After a break of a few months, I'm so excited to be back this week with Season 10 of the podcast. This episode is a Q&A episode, with a bit of an update from me going into the new academic year, plus a couple of questions about the new GCSE speaking exams and my thoughts on using AI for my work. In the episode, I mentioned my Facebook group, which you can fi...

This episode is all about writing! Specifically, how to ensure your students are acing their writing in MFL lessons. Taken from my self-paced online course "Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson" ( https://www.katelanguages.co.uk/offers/joEeNHLn/checkout ), this episode outlines how to use a model answer as a basis for a writing task in a lesson. I also describe why it's so important to allow stud...

This episode is the recording of my show and tell webinar, from December 2024. In the webinar, lots of amazing people shared their ideas for activities to help teach phonics in MFL. We had some great AI ideas from Joe Dale, Crista Hazell shared some brilliant tips, and Jerome Nogues popped along at the end to share more fab ideas as well! Plus, lots more wonderful teachers, and a few games and act...

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I talk about the things I would do differently if I were to start a new business, knowing what I know now. From niching down more quickly, to showing up more confidently on social media and sorting out my pricing, I describe some of the mistakes I've made along the way and give you advice on setting up your own business or side hustle. If you'd like m...

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I talk about how important it is for us as educators to continue on a journey of lifelong learning. Not only for our own interest and enjoyment, but as role models for your students as well. I outline 5 ways in which I continuously learn - while none of them are groundbreaking, I think it's good to have a reminder sometimes of the simple things we can...

In this brilliant chat with Dylan and Hayden from the Teach Sleep Repeat podcast, we discussed all things MFL in primary schools. What's actually going on with language teaching in primary schools? How do primary teachers feel about languages? Is there a solution?! We also talked about leaving teaching and setting up your own tuition business, which is something Dylan and Hayden are on the path to...

Season 9 of the Kate Languages Podcast is here! As always, we're kicking off the season with a Q&A episode. In this episode, I talk about my words of the year for 2024 and 2025, plus I answer a few questions from my lovely Instagram community. Tune in to find out if I answered your question! Music is by Coma-Media from Pixabay and I edited and produced this episode myself (apologies if the qua...

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, my second Q&A episode of the season, I answer lots of brilliant questions from my fabulous Instagram community. From what is the best thing about MFL teaching, to dealing with unmotivated, low-ability students, via a detailed description of how I manage my to-do list, and many more in between, have a listen to find out if your question was include...

This episode was a difficult one to record, but I’m so glad I did! In the episode, I describe three of my biggest failures in my professional life, and (more importantly) what I have learnt from each one. From my failure to get a teaching job when I was doing my PGCE, to the way I quit teaching, and a more recent failure within my business, this is a super personal and honest episode! I hope that...

In this episode, I'm talking about how to make money while you sleep! More specifically, how to generate some passive income to supplement your teaching salary, or income from tuition. I explain what is meant by passive income, how it has enabled me to grow my business, and I also outline 5 great ideas for making passive income of your own, from selling resources and digital courses, to online wor...

In this episode, I outline three great activities that you can do to practise dictations with your students. These low-prep activities work with beginners and more advanced students alike, and can be easily adapted for any language and topic. The activities I talked about in the episode were: paired reading aloud/dictation, running dictation and picture dictations. If you’d like to delve deeper in...

This was my second conversation with the brilliant Joe Dale (check out Season 5 Episode 2 for the first interview with him) all about AI in MFL lessons. Joe needs little introduction to the majority of MFL teachers, particularly in the UK, but to those who don't know him, he is an independent ICT/MFL consultant. He's the go-to expert for anything to do with tech in the MFL classroom, and has prese...

Season 8 of the Kate Languages podcast is here! As always, the first episode of the season is a Q&A episode. Let me know if you agree or disagree with any of my answers - get in touch on social media (I’m Kate Languages on Facebook and Instagram) or through my website https://katelanguages.co.uk/ In this episode, you can find out my “new year” resolutions (I always set intentions for the acade...

This was my 4th live podcast recording and is absolutely packed to the brim with fantastic advice about running a school trip abroad! Claire has tons of experience running trips to France and Germany, and we talked about so many essential (if seemingly minor) details about how to plan and execute a brilliant trip. During the recording, we answered lots of great questions from the audience - have a...

This is a bit of a different episode of the Kate Languages Podcast. I have been running my education business for 7 years now and I wanted to take this opportunity to reflect on my top 5 tips for making it a success! If you’re thinking of leaving teaching and want to set up your own business, you need to have a listen to this first! From figuring out your niche, to being prepared to invest in your...

The new MFL GCSE specification is almost upon us! I’ve spent a LOT of time this academic year reading, researching and making resources for the new specs (AQA and Edexcel) and in this episode, I outline three of the key things I think you need to know. I talk about how it’s not actually as different as I had initially feared, which textbooks are now available and my thoughts on them, plus what I b...

In this episode, I outline my five favourite activities to get students talking in MFL lessons. From whole class games like Connect 4 to pair activities like trapdoor, have a listen for details of some great activities that you can try in your own lessons today! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts on the episode, so get in touch on Facebook and Instagram (I’m Kate Languages on both) or e...