The Kate Languages Podcast

Welcome to my summer 2023 replay series! This summer, I'm re-releasing some of my favourite ever podcast episodes that I think are well worth a re-listen. This episode was first released as the second episode in season 1, waaaaay back in April 2021! My life has changed enormously since then, and even more so from when I was suffering from burnout, but I still think it is hugely relevant for all te...

Welcome to my summer 2023 replay series! This summer, I'm re-releasing some of my favourite ever podcast episodes that I think are well worth a re-listen. The second episode in the summer replay series is a conversation I had with Deborah Young back in October 2022 about managing your workload and remembering that teaching is just a job and shouldn't take over your whole life. From teacher workloa...

Welcome to my summer 2023 replay series! This summer, I'm re-releasing some of my favourite ever podcast episodes that I think are well worth a re-listen. First up is this one, which was episode 12 of season 1 of the podcast, first released way back in February 2022.This is one of my favourite, and most popular, episodes to date and I really need to follow my own advice from this episode! Time is...

In this episode, I discuss the changes that are coming with the new GCSE and my thoughts and opinions of it. At the time of recording, only the French Specifications and SAMs had been released, so I have only been able to comment on the French, but it's well worth a listen even if you only teach Spanish and/or German. As always, let me know your thoughts on Instagram or Facebook (I'm @katelanguage...

In this episode, I discuss social media for teachers... the good stuff, the not so good stuff and the downright awful stuff! This is a topic I feel quite strongly about (which may come across in the episode haha!) and I'd love to hear your thoughts as well. Get in touch on Facebook or Instagram (oh, the irony!) - I'm @katelanguages on both. Or you can email kate@katelanguages.co.uk Music is from P...

In this episode, Erica and I talk about our upcoming CPD on Positive Behaviour Management ( https://katelanguages.co.uk/product/positive-behaviour-management-with-erica-sanchez-online-cpd/ ). The conversation was originally an Insta Live, so apologies for the sound quality, which isn't as good as my usual podcasts! Even if you're too late to join us for the CPD, I still think this episode is well...

My first ever live podcast recording! This was such a great conversation with Debs - very funny but also such an important topic to discuss and we loved getting the feedback from the other women on the Zoom call as we were chatting. During the episode we mentioned a few things that I promised to put in the show notes so here they are: Davina McCall's Channel 4 programme about the menopause https:/...

This episode is the recording of an online CPD session I ran in December 2022 on Games in MFL. It was a show and tell CPD session in which 7 people (including myself) presented our favourite games to play in MFL lessons. The video of the recording and the PPT are available on my website for free: https://katelanguages.co.uk/games-in-mfl-show-and-tell-cpd/ Hope you enjoy listening to it as much as...

Season 4 is here! I'm kicking off with a Q&A episode in which I answer some questions from my lovely Instagram followers. Find out how I'm doing, my thoughts and plans for resources for the new GCSE, who my favourite teacher was and the most interesting place I've used my language skills! Music is from Pixabay by Coma-Media

Just a quickie to let you know that Season 4 is FINALLY on its way on 17th April 2023! Join me and some fab guests for all things MFL, plus a couple of LIVE podcast recordings on teaching through the menopause and teaching with a young family. Can't wait for lots of you to join us for those - head to https://katelanguages.co.uk/product/live-podcast-recording-with-debs-teaching-through-the-menopaus...

When teaching turns into a horror show! In this special bonus episode, I have gathered together some hilarious stories of when teaching goes a little bit wrong. From disastrous school trips to accidental swearing and inappropriate language, via some rather disgusting food-related staffroom blunders... this episode will hopefully give you a good giggle! Music is from Pixabay by Coma-Media

For the last episode in season 3, I spoke to the very lovely Janina Klimas ( @reallifelanguage on Instagram) about reading to learn languages. It was such an interesting chat and we covered so many fascinating areas, such as language acquisition, learning to read, comprehensible input and how 'reading' can incorporate so many more modalities than simply looking at words on a piece of paper. Here a...

Let's talk about workload! And a whole lot more! In this episode, I chat to Deborah Young, my old head of department from my second year of teaching, which was... er... about 15 years ago now! We had such a good chat, most of which wasn't recorded or fit for public consumption, sorry... but the bits we did record were absolute gold, I'm sure you'll agree. From teacher workload, to building great r...

In this episode, I had a fascinating chat with Elizabeth Swan (@Elizabeth_swan_uk on Instagram or https://elizabethswan.co.uk ) about teaching MFL to people with ADHD and autism. Elizabeth Swan is a teacher, coach and consultant, who draws upon lived experience and professional expertise from over 20 years as a qualified teacher, SENDCo, and headteacher in secondary and special schools as well as...

In this episode, I discuss topics that we regularly teach in MFL that are potentially difficult for some students and need to be handled sensitively. I outline the reasons why these topics, such as family, food and holidays can be hard for some students to talk about and give my ideas on how to deal with them mindfully and sensitively. As always, I'd love to hear your ideas, so do get in touch on...

In this episode, I chat to the wonderful Julie (@teachingplanninglanguages on Instagram) about how to plan your lessons in the most efficient way possible. We talk about finding reliable teaching resources, classroom routines, PowerPoint slide templates and her amazing backwards planning method, with which she can plan 6 weeks of lessons with a class in just 20 minutes! During the chat, we referen...

Season 3 is here! I'm kicking off this season with my 2nd ever Q&A episode, in which I talk about my September resolutions and answer a couple of great questions from my lovely Instagram followers! Listen out to find out if your question was chosen for this episode! In the podcast, I reference my online CPD and language courses, which can all be found here: https://katelanguages.co.uk/courses/...

Season 3 of the Kate Languages Podcast kicks off with a Q&A episode on 5th September 2002!! Subscribe now to make sure you hear it first. Music is from Pixabay by Coma-Media

In the fifth and final episode of this mini-series, I talk about ending a lesson well. I discuss why it's important and describe some of my favourite plenary activities to do at the end of an MFL lesson. Keep an eye on my website https://katelanguages.co.uk and social media (I'm @katelanguages on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter) for details of upcoming CPD, including more chances to join me for so...

In the fourth episode of this mini-series, I discuss some great ideas for speaking and writing in the languages class, from how to bridge the gap between the passive and active skills, to my favourite ways of scaffolding and extending for students of differing abilities! In the episode, I mention Mary Myatt's amazing Curriculum book (again!) and also my CPD course, which I ran on 7th May 2022. Alt...

In the third episode of this mini-series, I discuss listening and reading in MFL lessons and talk you through how to exploit one text in lots of different ways. I go through various listening and reading tasks that you can do in lessons, and what pitfalls to avoid when you're choosing appropriate texts and activities for your students! If you want to go into this in more depth, then join my Lesson...

In the second episode of this mini-series, I talk about how to introduce vocabulary and phrases in MFL lessons. I describe different effective activities you can do on a whiteboard and on paper, and give some examples of my own favourite ways of introducing new language to your pupils. In the episode, I mention a sample lesson about pets in French, which can be found on my website: https://katelan...

In this episode, I talk about how to start an MFL lesson effectively. I give some tips on getting the students settled, which type of starter activities I think are the best and what to avoid! In the episode, I mention Kate Jones' excellent Retrieval Practice book, which you can get here: https://www.johncattbookshop.com/retrieval-practice If you want my MFL version of Kate Jones' retrieval practi...

Just wanted to let you know what's coming up in season 2 of The Kate Languages Podcast and try out my new jingle! Season 2 is a mini-series of 5 episodes dedicated to the fundamentals of lesson planning in MFL - starters, introducing vocabulary, listening/reading, speaking/writing and finishing a lesson effectively. Subscribe now to make sure you get each episode the minute they are released! Musi...

In the last episode of season 1, I'm talking about saving time! If feels like there is simply not enough time in the day to do everything you need to do... so here are my top 5 tips to avoid wasting time. Hopefully, they will also help you to be more productive and, more importantly, allow you to spend precious time with loved ones, rest and recharge! From saying "no" to being confident that good...