Are we overstating the language learning crisis? Join Will Marks and Dr. Elsa Petit, Senior Lecturer in French Language Studies at Queen Mary University of London, for a deep dive into the state of modern language education. Dr. Petit brings 30 years of experience to a conversation about moving beyond the 'decline' narrative. We explore the role of critical AI literacy in the classroom, how to shift assessment focus from final outputs to learning processes, and why we need to stop gendering subjects like languages. We also discuss how to turn AI into a supportive, 24/7 'digital brain buddy' for students and why fun, interactive teaching methods shouldn't stop at primary school. This is a practical, candid look at how we can make language learning more inclusive, visible, and genuinely useful for the next generation of students. Visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk for more resources.

The Language Lab Podcast is back for Season 8.

After a slightly longer pause than planned, Will is joined by the wonderful Juliette Claro to open the new season with a conversation about creativity, culture, exams, music, teacher autonomy and the joy of language learning.

Juliette is a lecturer in education at St Mary’s University, lead link tutor for secondary PGCE MFL and IQTS, a fellow of the Chartered College of Teaching, a co-founder of the Creativity and MFL SIG, an experienced teacher, mentor and Ofsted inspector.

In this episode, Will and Juliette explore why creativity can feel squeezed out of modern language classrooms, how accountability and exam pressures shape what teachers feel able to do, and why language learning needs space for messiness, mistakes, problem-solving and genuine communication.

They discuss the limitations of GCSE, the possibilities of the DELF and the Common European Framework, the dangers of over-standardised lessons, and the importance of trusting teachers to adapt learning to the pupils in front of them.

There is also plenty on music, AI, Suno, sentence builders, project-based learning, noisy classrooms, mini whiteboards, and why languages should feel alive.

Season 8 will be released fortnightly.

Keep learning, keep questioning, and above all, keep the conversation going.

No full episode this week, because it is exam week and Will is currently somewhere underneath a landslide of marking, feedback sheets, revision lists and possibly a missing microphone.

In this short check-in, Will talks about the reality of exam marking, the strange things pupils write when they are trying to process language phonetically, and why looking after yourself during assessment season is not optional. There is also a thank you to recent guests, previous pupils, prospective guests and everyone who has reached out to the show.

Plus, a reminder about the upgraded Patreon, where paid subscribers will be able to submit questions for upcoming guests, and an open call for anyone interested in gaining voluntary experience with the podcast through audio editing, social media, guest support or content planning.

Normal service will resume once the microphone has been located.

For links, transcripts and more, visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Support the show:
patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

What if better language teaching is not about adding more, but stripping things back?

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Marie Massé, French and Spanish teacher, consultant, instructional coach and professional overthinker in the best possible sense.

Together, they explore what “minimalism” in MFL teaching really means: not bare lessons, not dull lessons, but more intentional teaching. Marie talks about cumulative curriculum design, why pupils can end up feeling like permanent beginners, the limits of textbook-led planning, teacher agency, GCSE grading, workload, data, and why we need to stop confusing busy classrooms with genuine progress.

There is also a powerful discussion about aspiration, class, being underestimated, and why teachers should not be the people who decide which pupils are “fit” to study languages.

A thoughtful, practical and honest conversation about teaching with less clutter and more purpose.

For links, transcripts and resources, visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk.

Support the show:
patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

What happens when language learning stops being a worksheet and starts becoming real life?

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, I’m joined by Jane Handley, founder of JLH Languages, to talk about immersive language teaching, restaurant-based learning, and why students often speak more French in one restaurant visit than they do in weeks of classroom lessons.

We explore how food, role play, sensory experiences and genuine purpose can transform reluctant learners into confident communicators. From berets and breakfast sessions to GCSE speaking anxiety, Brexit, confidence-building and the wider purpose of language education, this is a conversation about why MFL matters far beyond the exam hall.

We also get into teacher identity, why language teachers are often selling far more than vocabulary, and why relationships remain the most powerful tool in any classroom.

Sometimes all it takes is one successful order of chips in French to change everything.

Find Jane here: JLH Languages
Website: jlhlanguages.org

For transcripts, CPD tools and more:
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Support the show:
patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

What does it actually take for students to become fluent in a language?

In this episode, Will Marks is joined by Dylan Viñales, Head of Spanish in an international school in Malaysia and co-creator of the Sentence Builder books.

They explore what sits behind real fluency. Not just producing correct sentences, but building automatised language that students can retrieve and use with confidence.

The conversation covers:

• how sentence builders support automatisation rather than memorisation
• why recycling and cognitive load are essential for long-term learning
• what it takes to move from structured support to genuine communication

And at the centre of it all is one key idea.

Trust.

Trust in the classroom.
Trust in the process.
And trust in the language itself.

Because when that trust breaks down, particularly through the way we assess languages, confidence follows.

From GCSE listening to wider questions about testing, this is a clear-eyed look at the gap between how languages are taught and how they’re measured.

🔗 For links, transcripts and more: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
☕ Support the show: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Grammar is one of those things we assume we understand… until we try to teach it properly.

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, I’m joined by literacy educator and author Patty McGee to rethink what grammar actually looks like in the classroom. Moving away from rules, correction, and one-off lessons, Patty shares a much more practical approach — starting with sentences, building understanding over time, and focusing on how grammar helps students make meaning.

We get into why traditional grammar teaching often falls flat, how short, repeated “grammar experiences” can lead to real progress, and why teachers don’t need to know everything to teach it well.

There’s loads here for language teachers too — especially around sentence building, repetition, and how grammar transfers across languages.

If grammar has ever felt like something students should get but don’t… this one’s worth a listen.

🌐 Website: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
📚 Patty McGee: https://www.pattymcgee.org
☕ Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
🎙 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

No full episode this week… and yes, that is entirely on me.

In this short update, I explain why the usual episode isn’t dropping — and what’s coming instead. After recording a lot (read: far too much) at Language World, I’m currently deep in the edit, pulling together something a bit special.

This episode is a quick reflection on an incredible few days — from catching up with familiar faces like Jérôme Noguès, Dr Kedi Simpson, Saleh Patel, Vincent Everett, Marie Massé, Kate Clifton and Jane Driver, to the wider conversations happening across the conference.

More than anything, Language World was a reminder that language teaching is a genuinely collaborative, evolving space — and that the real magic often happens in the conversations between sessions.

Next week, you’ll hear it all:
🎙️ Exclusive recordings from the keynote
🎙️ The co-presidents’ panel
🎙️ Voices from across the conference
🎙️ And the moments that made it all matter

Trust me — it’s worth the wait.

For links, transcripts and more:
👉 www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Support the show:
👉 Spotify subscription (£2.99/month)
👉 patreon.com/thelanguagelabpodcast
👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Season 6 begins with a big question: what does it actually mean to teach languages like a global citizen?

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Amy Lennon to explore how language teaching can better reflect the wider world our pupils live in. From intercultural understanding to representation in the curriculum, Amy shares practical ways teachers can make meaningful changes without adding to an already heavy workload.

The conversation looks at the realities of primary language teaching, the role of drama in building confidence, and why starting small can often lead to the most powerful changes. As Amy explains in the episode, once you begin looking at your curriculum through this lens, it’s hard to see it any other way.

This conversation was recorded in October, so as always with the podcast there may be moments where events have moved on slightly since recording.

Season 6 is also about bringing more voices into the discussion. If you’d like to share a perspective from your classroom, you can now submit a voice note via the website and become part of the podcast.

For links from today’s episode, transcripts and more, head to
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

You can also support the show and get early access to bonus episodes:
patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Listening is often treated as passive. Dr Kedi Simpson explains why it isn’t.

In part one of this double-bill season finale, Will Marks is joined by Dr Kedi Simpson — head of languages and researcher with a doctorate from the University of Oxford — to unpack what’s really happening when students listen in a language classroom.

This episode digs into why “doing a listening” isn’t the same as teaching listening, how anxiety and segmentation shape comprehension, why mishearings are so revealing, and what practices like dictation and transcripts can tell us about learners’ thinking. It’s practical, thoughtful, and grounded firmly in classroom reality.

Part two drops next week, where the conversation turns to assessment, GCSE listening, and what listening could look like in the future.

For transcripts, links, and to send in your listener voice notes, head to
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Sound engineered by Isla McIntosh
Executively produced by Isla McIntosh & Will Marks

If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review — it really helps.
You can also support the podcast via Spotify subscriptions, buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast.

Keep the conversation going.

One Lesson a Week — and yet somehow, real progress still has to happen.

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Clare Seccombe, founder of Lightbulb Languages and one of the most influential voices in UK primary languages. Together, they dig into what effective language teaching actually looks like when time is tight, expectations are high, and you’re often the only language specialist in the building.

They explore why listening and phonics have to come first, how oracy builds literacy, and why writing works best when it earns its place rather than being forced in every lesson. Clare shares practical insights from over 30 years in education, including how she plans for progression with just one hour a week, why activities like trapdoor work so well, and what primary languages get right that secondary sometimes forgets.

The conversation also tackles bigger questions around transition from KS2 to KS3, assessment, GCSE, curriculum pressure, and why collaboration between language teachers isn’t optional — it’s essential.

Thoughtful, practical, and refreshingly honest, this episode is essential listening for anyone teaching languages in the real world.

👉 Find transcripts, show notes, and send in a voice note at
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

☕ Support the show and keep it going:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, I’m joined by Vincent Everett to explore The Language Snowball — a simple but powerful way of thinking about how language learning actually sticks, grows, or quietly melts away over time.

We talk about curriculum design, communication, spontaneity, GCSE reform, and why learning to use language matters far more than simply learning more of it. Vincent unpacks what happens when pupils don’t have the chance to practise language meaningfully, and what teachers can do to build momentum that lasts beyond the lesson — and beyond the exam.

This is a thoughtful, practical conversation about memory, trust, and what it really means to teach for communication in a system that doesn’t always make that easy.

🎧 Get involved
You can now leave a short voice note via the Language Lab Podcast website — a question, a reflection, something that worked this week, or something you’re still wrestling with. It only takes a couple of minutes and can be completely anonymous.

🔗 Episode links, full transcripts, and voice notes:
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

☕ If you’d like to support the podcast:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Teaching abroad gets talked about a lot — but what does it actually change about the way you teach languages?

In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Crean, who began her career teaching in Belper before moving to the Cayman Islands and is now teaching IB French in Bogotá. Together, we talk honestly about what teaching abroad really looks like beyond the Instagram version: the paperwork, the uncertainty, the culture shock, and the professional growth that comes with stepping outside the UK system.

We explore the differences between GCSE, IGCSE and IB, why culture and geography aren’t optional extras in language teaching, and what international education can offer teachers who feel ready for something different. Megan also shares practical advice for anyone considering a move abroad, from recruitment agencies to mindset shifts, and reflects on how teaching in different contexts has reshaped her classroom practice.

If you’ve ever wondered whether teaching abroad is for you, or what languages education looks like beyond UK borders, this conversation offers a grounded, thoughtful starting point.

You can find all episodes, transcripts, show notes and submit a listener voice note to join the conversation at www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

If you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can also support the podcast via Buy Me a Coffee at buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast.

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Dr Liam Printer (International School of Lausanne, Switzerland) — French and Spanish teacher, instructional coach, researcher, and host of The Motivated Classroom podcast.

Liam unpacks why story, narrative and co-creation are far more than “fun activities” and how, through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness), they can dramatically shift motivation, classroom culture and even behaviour. We talk about how he discovered TPRS / comprehensible input approaches in an international school setting, what his doctorate revealed (including a surprising turnaround in a famously demotivated IB class), and why he’d happily wave a magic wand and bin testing for grammatical accuracy (at least in the early years).

You’ll also get loads of practical, teacher-realistic takeaways: low-prep routines, brain breaks vs body breaks, choral response, and quick retrieval ideas that don’t require laminating your life away.

We finish with what’s next for Liam: a children’s book project (Captain Super Sleep) and his upcoming Hachette Learning book Motivation Matters: Practical Solutions for the Languages Teacher (expected around summer 2026).

Links
The Language Lab Podcast website (episodes, transcripts, resources): https://www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

In this season premiere, Will Marks is joined by Dr Andy Goldhawk — lecturer at the University of the West of England, teacher educator, and author of The Language Teacher Toolkit — for a grounded conversation about what really makes learning stick.

Together, they explore:

• why so much CPD fails to change classroom practice

• the gap between learning theory and day-to-day teaching

• time pressure in language classrooms

• rehearsal, retrieval, and practice

• and why enjoyment isn’t a soft extra, but a serious part of learning

As Andy puts it:
“Fun and enjoyment aren’t trivial – they’re part of how learning works.”

A thoughtful, practical episode for language teachers, teacher educators, and anyone interested in professional learning that actually makes a difference.

Links and extras:
Website, transcripts, and more: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
Support the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Andy's Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/learning.theories.shared

The Language Teaching Toolkit:

https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/the-language-teaching-toolkit

What happens when we stop chasing frameworks and start asking more careful questions?

In this season-finale episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Silvia Bastow for a reflective conversation about language education, professional identity, and the human side of teaching that rarely makes it into policy documents or CPD slides.

This episode explores why teaching languages is never just technical, why not everything that matters can be measured, and how reflection, values, and lived experience shape what happens in classrooms every day. It’s a calm, thoughtful discussion for anyone who wants to think more deeply about their practice — without the pressure of quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions.

🎧 A reflective end-of-season conversation for language teachers and educators.

🔗 Episodes, transcripts and more:
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

☕ Support the podcast:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

In this episode, Will is joined by Hannah White — languages teacher, EAL lead, international schools coordinator, School of Sanctuary coordinator, trainer and co-founder of the Bristol ALL Primary Languages Hub.

Together they dig into what EAL really looks like beyond the label, how multilingual learners enrich a school community, and the tiny but powerful adjustments that make classrooms feel genuinely welcoming. Hannah talks about peer tutoring, Schools of Sanctuary, why primary languages deserves far more attention, and how technology can support inclusion when used thoughtfully.

It’s a grounded, practical conversation full of real classroom experience and useful takeaways for any teacher working with multilingual learners.

For transcripts, links and more: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

In this episode, Will sits down with Tom Sherrington, better known as Teacherhead, to explore what great teaching really looks like. From evidence informed practice to curriculum overload, from target language debates to the joy of short books, Tom cuts through the noise with clarity, humour and a deep understanding of how children learn.

They discuss the Learning Rainforest, Walkthrus, the tension between templates and autonomy, why some CPD works and some doesn’t, and how schools can build a culture where every student genuinely thinks hard and succeeds. They also take a look at AI in education: when it helps, when it hinders and why the audio revolution might be one of the biggest wins for language learning.

A thoughtful, practical and very human conversation with one of education’s most influential voices.

For transcripts, links and more visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
https://walkthrus.co.uk/

Support the show via Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast | buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

This week in The Language Lab, technology staged a quiet rebellion.
A key piece of hardware and a key piece of software decided they would no longer speak to each other, which means the full episode could not be released on time. Everything is now sorted and the scheduled episode with Tom Sherrington will be out next week as normal.

In this short update, Will shares a few quick thoughts for the final stretch of the winter term. How do you keep your own energy up when the days are dark and the classes are tired. How do you help students stay focused without burning through your last reserves. And what simple, low effort routines can make the difference when everyone is running on fumes.

For links, transcripts and more visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
Support the show on Patreon at patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast or on Buy Me a Coffee at buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Next week: Tom Sherrington. It will be worth the wait.

What does a high-quality Primary French curriculum actually look like in 2025? In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, host Will Marks sits down with Ellie Chettle Cully, primary languages specialist and coordinator of the ALL Primary Languages Hub. Together they explore how to build meaningful, sustainable KS2 language learning—from phonics and progression to cultural understanding, global citizenship and decolonising the curriculum.

Ellie shares practical strategies for teaching French across Key Stage 2, explains why phonics is essential for confident pronunciation, and discusses how to support non-specialist teachers in delivering effective MFL lessons. They also look at the realities of transition into secondary languages and how early language learning shapes long-term success.

Perfect for primary teachers, secondary MFL departments, curriculum leads and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of what “good” looks like in Primary Languages today.

Explore Ellie’s blog:
https://myprimarylanguagesclassroom.wordpress.com

For transcripts, links and resources:
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Support the podcast:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

What happens when a city decides that languages belong to everyone?

In this episode, Declan Baharini (CEO of International Newcastle) and Sarah Edgar (Schools of Sanctuary and EAL Lead) join Will to share how Our Newcastle, Our World and the Express Yourself Festival of Languages have turned partnership and passion into a movement.

From international school links and heritage language projects to 94,000 pupils singing in 25 languages, Newcastle’s story shows how inclusion, creativity, and collaboration can reshape how we teach — and why we teach.

🎙️ A must-listen for anyone who believes language learning should build bridges, not tick boxes.

🎧 Listen now, and check out the festival at

www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

expressyourselfne.com

Support the show:
☕ buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
🎧 patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

In the second half of her conversation with Will Marks, Maud Waret turns from curriculum to culture — asking what schools could look like if they were built around people, not policy.

Together they explore wellbeing, empathy, equity and design: from nutrition and architecture to the way classroom spaces shape learning itself. Maud argues for an education system that nurtures curiosity and humanity as much as knowledge, and one that sees pupils as whole people rather than statistics.

A calm, hopeful and deeply human conversation about the future of teaching, learning and belonging in our schools.

🎧 Listen, read and find more at www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
💡 Join early access and bonus content: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

What does it really mean to decolonise the curriculum — and why is it important?

In this first part of Will’s conversation with Maud Waret, French and Spanish teacher, curriculum developer and writer, they explore how the stories we tell in classrooms shape what pupils learn about themselves and the world. From growing up in France to researching representation during lockdown, Maud shares her reflections on teaching, assessment and the invisible narratives that run through our subjects.

A thoughtful and inspiring look at what happens when we ask who gets to tell the story — and how we might widen the lens.

🎧 Listen, read and find more at www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
💡 Join early access and bonus content: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

In the Season 3 finale, Will Marks is joined by Carmen Santos, former Head of Languages at Queen Katharine Academy, to explore what inclusion really looks like in one of the UK’s most linguistically diverse schools.

From teaching Roma and EAL learners to creating predictable routines that build confidence, Carmen shares practical strategies for making every student feel seen and supported — without losing the humour, energy, or joy that make great teaching sustainable.

They talk candidly about behaviour, differentiation, and the myth of “low ability”, as well as the pressures of workload, marking, and the need to protect teacher wellbeing.

A thoughtful and uplifting conversation about what it means to teach every child — and to stay human while doing it.

💻 For links, transcripts and bonus content visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk.
☕ Support the show via Spotify Subscriptions (£2.99/month), Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee.

In this episode, Will Marks sits down with Martin Lapworth, the quiet innovator behind TaskMagic, Textivate, TeachVid, and Sentence Builders — the tools that quietly transformed how modern languages are taught across the UK and beyond.

Martin shares how a single Visual Basic manual turned him from an overworked teacher into one of MFL’s most influential creators. Together, they unpack the evolution of teacher-led EdTech, the power of context in language learning, and how software born from classroom frustration can reshape an entire profession.

This is a story about creativity, problem-solving, and the quiet persistence of a teacher who built what he couldn’t find — and in doing so, changed the way languages are taught.

💻 For links, transcripts and bonus content visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk.
☕ Support the show via Spotify Subscriptions (£2.99/month), Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee.SentenceBuilders - HomeTeachVid - LoginTextActivities - Home

In this extended episode, Jonathan Mumford joins Will Marks to explore the realities of language teaching in 2025. Together they discuss how audio feedback and mini whiteboards can transform lessons, why marking policies need a rethink, and how to build a curriculum that balances rigour with accessibility.

The conversation ranges from behaviour and emotional intelligence to leadership, student motivation, and the role of research in keeping lessons fresh. With nearly twenty years in the classroom, Jonathan brings a chill, practical perspective that makes big challenges feel manageable. A fantastic episode full of insights, stories, and ideas you can take straight into your own teaching.

Find out more about Jonathan’s work and CPD sessions at jmumfordteachertraining.com.

Founder of the All Abroad Bus project, Julia joins me to talk about immersive pop-up language and culture experiences that use VR, food, smells, sounds, and role-play to make languages real.

We discuss equity in access, the role of culture in the curriculum, and why resilience and joy matter more than perfection.

Julia’s work proves that sometimes the best way to learn a language is to step into a market, festival, or café — even if it’s inside your school hall.

Find the All Abroad Bus at www.allabroadbus.org

Teacher and Language Sofa host Ben Levi joins me to cut through MFL myths and argue for languages as life skills, not tick-box exams. We talk about why vocab lists don’t work, how scaffolding supports SEN and mixed-ability groups, the power of humour and games, curriculum design headaches, and what GCSEs might look like if teachers were in charge.

Season 3 kicks off with a double drop. In this episode, I chat with Ryan Smith — one of my former students who’s gone from GCSE Spanish to living in Zaragoza, back as a TA, and now working in cover and adult ESL.

We talk about cultural engagement, the EAL reality, GCSE speaking exam nerves, and why learning a second language lets you try on a whole new persona.

🎧 Don’t miss the companion episode out this week too: S3 E1b with Jane Driver, Headteacher and President Elect of ALL.

Season 3 begins with a double drop! In this episode I’m joined by Jane Driver — Headteacher, mentor, innovator of Spelling Bees and Eurovision phonics projects, and now President Elect of the Association for Language Learning.

We talk about enrichment, target-language teaching, community, and why the future of languages still looks bright — if we back our students.

Jane was also my Head of Department when I first started out, so expect a mix of professional insight and a few personal throwbacks.

🎧 Episode 1a with Ryan Smith is also out now.

Esmeralda Salgado is one of the most influential voices in UK language teaching — and not just because she’s been writing game-changing blog posts since the days of OHPs and cassette tapes. Head of MFL, lead practitioner, curriculum designer, and the generous mind behind MFL Craft, she’s been quietly reshaping how teachers across the country plan, teach, and inspire.

In this Season 2 finale of The Language Lab Podcast, Will sits down with Esme to talk about:

– 25 years of classroom experience (and what’s changed for the better)
– How simplifying your curriculum can actually increase GCSE uptake
– What lexicogrammar really means (and why the misconceptions miss the mark)
– AI tools like Mizu and how to scaffold speaking without burning out
– Her favourite digital tools (including the mighty Wheel of Names)
– Making languages accessible for all learners — not just the top set
– Why some kids need a sentence builder, and some just need a Haribo
– The new GCSE, what’s different (and what’s not), and how she’s responding
– The power of scaffolding, celebration, and students seeing real success
– Plus how to sell your subject to parents, SLT, and yes — even Ofsted.

This episode is full of practical advice, gentle provocations, and plenty of joy — the kind that reminds us why this job is still worth doing.

🎧 Listen, follow, and share now. And don’t forget — Season 3 launches Thursday 11th September with a special double bill.

—

📚 Find Esmeralda’s blog and resources: https://mflcraft.blogspot.com
🌐 Show notes and transcripts: https://www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💛 Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

—

🎵 Theme music: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks, via Uppbeat (uppbeat.io)

—

🧪 The Language Lab Podcast is hosted by Will Marks — language teacher, curriculum nerd, and host of mildly chaotic educational conversations with the people shaping modern MFL.

—

New to the pod? Start with:
– Joe Dale on AI and tech in the MFL classroom
– Gianfranco Conti on EPI, cognitive load, and teacher sanity
– Claire Cuminatto on employability, theatre, and the modern language degree

In this episode, I’m joined by Darren Paffey Mp - newly elected MP for Southampton Itchen and one of the very few members of Parliament with a serious background in language education. Before his move into politics, Darren was an Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at the University of Southampton, a city councillor, and a longstanding advocate for inclusive, multilingual education.

We discuss:

• The current state of language learning in UK schools

• What real policy change could look like

• How accountability systems shape (or strangle) curriculum

• The potential of AI in the classroom

• What Darren misses about academia—and what he’s learning on the green benches

This is a conversation about education, policy, identity, and why languages are far more than just a school subject. Darren brings both lived experience and political insight to the table - and doesn’t shy away from tough questions.

🔗 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🎶 Theme: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – copyright-free music for creators.
💬 Keep the conversation going at languagelabpodcast.co.uk or support us on Patreon at patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

Steve Smith — MFL veteran, author, blogger, and founder of FrenchTeacher.net — joins Will Marks for a full-throttle deep dive into how we teach languages, why we might be getting some of it wrong, and how to do it better.

From his early fascination with Stephen Krashen and language acquisition theory to co-authoring Breaking the Sound Barrier with Gianfranco Conti, Steve walks us through decades of research and reflection on what works — and what doesn’t — in the classroom.

Topics include:

• Input vs. grammar: What actually drives language acquisition?

• Sentence builders, repetition, and building linguistic self-efficacy

• Why GCSE reform still misses the mark

• Vocab tests and the illusion of mastery

• AI as a teacher’s assistant, not enemy of creativity

He also shares how AI is saving him hours writing resources — and what teachers can do to keep their lessons engaging without burning out.

📚 Steve’s blog: frenchteachernet.blogspot.co.uk
📖 Breaking the Sound Barrier
🎒 Resources: frenchteacher.net
🎵 Theme: “Jump and Jive” by All Good Folks via Uppbeat
🔗 Support us: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
💡 Our Website: languagelabpodcast.co.uk

In this episode, Will catches up with Claire Cuminatto, Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia—and, memorably, one of his own former lecturers.

They explore how university language degrees are evolving to meet a new generation of learners:

• Applied language learning and real-world skills

• Employability and the value of language graduates

• Study abroad after Brexit (goodbye Erasmus, hello Turing)

• The role of AI in language education

• Creating safe spaces to fail, improv games, podcast assessments, and more

Plus: a trip down memory lane to Sacré Théâtre, UEA’s long-running French-language theatre company. Find out more at sacretheatre.co.uk

🔗 Explore more at languagelabpodcast.co.uk
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🎵 Theme music: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks via Uppbeat — copyright-free music for creators.

This week, Will sits down with Dr. Rebecca Mitchell — Cambridge lecturer, sociolinguist, and founder of National Linguistics Day — for a conversation that ranges from Saussure to slang, AI to accent bias, and endangered languages to elderly karaoke. (Yes, really.)

We explore how linguistics can transform classrooms, challenge stereotypes, and make education genuinely inclusive. Rebecca shares how a late-night idea became a grassroots movement, why she’s on a mission to get heritage languages into schools, and how you can get involved — without needing a PhD or a government grant.

Topics include:

• Why linguistics matters (and why it’s still overlooked)

• How AI is changing how we think

• Accent bias, language policy, and decolonising the curriculum

• Simple ways to celebrate National Linguistics Day in your school

🔗 Resources and contact info: linguisticshq.co.uk
🌐 More from us: languagelabpodcast.co.uk

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To kick off Season 2, Will is joined by consultant, author and languages powerhouse Crista Hazell to talk all things MFL — from building student confidence to what SLT need to understand about the classroom.

They explore teacher wellbeing, trust, and why real connection always beats rigid checklists.

📘 Independent Thinking on MFL:

https://www.independentthinkingpress.com/books/teachingskills/independent-thinking-on-mfl/

Use code ITL20 at check out for 20% off and free P&P

🔗 More: languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💬 Bonus episodes + early access: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

In our final episode of Season 1, we’re looking at what actually makes students engage with language learning – beyond the data points, initiatives, and well-meaning gimmicks.

First, we hear from Lara Callow, an associate tutor in a pupil referral unit, who shares how one teacher changed her view of Spanish entirely. Then we’re joined by David Binns, Director of UK Operations at Sanako and long-time advocate for language education, who brings four decades of no-nonsense wisdom on tech, oracy, SLT, and what needs to change if languages are going to survive – let alone thrive.

👋 As this is our season finale, a huge thank you to all our listeners, guests, and supporters. We’ll be back with Season 2 on June 12th, kicking things off with the one and only Crista Hazell.

🎧 For more episodes, resources and extras, visit: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
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🎵 Music: "Jump and Jive" by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – Copyright free music for creators.

Guests: Isla McIntosh & Alasdair Harris

In this episode of The Language Lab, we speak to two people at very different ends of their teaching journeys — and both with powerful perspectives on what the future of language education might look like.

First, Will catches up with Isla McIntosh, a former student turned trainee teacher and music graduate. Isla shares honest reflections on student engagement, the role of wellbeing in education, and how technology is shifting what it means to be an inspiring teacher in today's classroom.

Then we dive into the world of AI with Alasdair Harris, founder of LingoTeach.ai, a platform built by teachers, for teachers. Alasdair shares how LingoTeach uses AI to dramatically reduce teacher workload, streamline lesson creation, and keep classroom content dynamic and personalized. But the conversation goes further—into digital ethics, the human side of teaching, and how to reclaim energy, creativity, and balance in a high-pressure profession.

From green screen weather forecasts to AI-generated rap battles, from mental health advocacy to the rise of classroom bots—this episode explores how teachers can stay grounded while innovating with purpose.

Links & Resources:

Our Website: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Try LingoTeach: https://lingoteach.ai/

Music Credit:“Jump and Jive” by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – Copyright Free Music for Creators uppbeat.io

In this episode of the Language Lab Podcast, I’m joined by Jérôme Noguès – a teacher, AI advocate, and all-round creative force in the MFL world. We talk about what actually gets students engaged, from using tools like Suno to write original French songs, to building lessons around student voice, gamification, and the EPI approach. There’s also a healthy dose of honesty about phones in classrooms, AI ethics, and why mini whiteboards are still undefeated.

If you’re looking for ways to make your language classroom more dynamic, tech-savvy, and just plain fun (without losing the grammar), this one’s for you.

You can also check out Jérôme’s own podcast, The AI Language Lab, for bite-sized insights on how technology is reshaping MFL:
The AI Language Lab on Spotify

Find more from us at: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Support the podcast and access bonus content over on Patreon:
The Language Lab on Patreon

In this episode of The Language Lab, I engage with Kate Clifton, founder of Kate Languages, as she shares her transition from traditional classroom teaching to becoming a resource creator and trainer for Modern Foreign Language (MFL) educators. We explore her journey through burnout in the high-stakes education system and the importance of mental well-being for teachers. Kate reflects on the current challenges facing MFL teachers in the UK, including the pressures of grading and societal attitudes towards language learning. She also discusses the integration of AI tools in the classroom and how they can enhance lesson planning. Throughout our conversation, Kate emphasizes the significance of community and support among educators, offering practical advice to help them advocate for language teaching and nurture a love for languages in their students.

The Language Lab Website

https://www.katelanguages.co.uk/

The KateLanguages Podcast

In this episode of The Language Lab, I discuss Extensive Processing Instruction (EPI) with Dr. Gianfranco Conti, a prominent figure in language education. We examine how EPI, using the Mars Ears framework, enhances language learning by establishing a structured approach that prepares students with essential vocabulary and grammar before engaging in communicative tasks. Dr. Conti highlights the method's effectiveness in mixed-ability classrooms, focusing on systematic recycling and practice to build linguistic capacity. Our conversation covers practical implementation strategies for educators, the importance of contextualizing instruction, and fostering engagement through meaningful activities. We conclude by underscoring the need for collaboration among teachers and ongoing professional development to inspire a passion for language and communication among students.

www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

https://uk.language-gym.com/

https://gianfrancoconti.com/

Welcome to the very first episode of The Language Lab – the podcast for language teachers who love their job (most of the time) and wouldn’t mind a few fresh ideas to make things easier, smarter, and, let’s be honest, a bit more fun.

We’re kicking off the series with one of education’s biggest debates: Is technology helping or hindering language learning?

First up, Will Marks chats with John Marks, a primary school governor (and also Will’s dad!), for a no-nonsense take on smartphones, safeguarding, and meaningful tech use in schools. Then, we dive into a dynamic, idea-packed conversation with Joe Dale, a leading voice in MFL EdTech, about the real potential – and pitfalls – of AI in the classroom.

From Padlet and AI tutors to workload hacks, CLIL, digital ethics, and saving time with feedback tools, this episode is a treasure trove for both tech-curious teachers and digital skeptics alike.

🔍 Topics include:

• Smartphones: ban them or manage them?

• AI in MFL: game-changer or gimmick?

• How to prompt AI for great resources

• Joe’s top tools for language teaching

• The future of teacher creativity in an AI-driven world

Whether you’re planning lessons, dodging cover, or hiding in the department office with a biscuit and a thousand-yard stare – this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share with your department (and that one colleague who’s still not convinced about using EdTech).
Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheLanguageLabPodcast
Visit: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Music Credit:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/jump-jive

Coming soon… Welcome to Language Lab — the podcast where language teachers get real.

We’re diving into the classroom, the staffroom, and the big debates — from AI and target language struggles to what’s actually working in UK language education.

You’ll hear from voices that matter — like Joe Dale, Gianfranco Conti, Kate Languages, and more.

Fresh ideas, honest chats, and a little mischief along the way.

Language Lab — hitting your feed soon. Subscribe now and let’s keep the conversation going.

This week’s episode is something a little different.

Recorded live at ALL Language World 2026, we’re bringing you voices, reflections and moments from across the weekend — from teachers, trainees, researchers and leaders in language education.

You’ll hear what stood out, what people are taking back into their classrooms, and what makes Language World such a unique space for collaboration.

We’ve also got exclusive recordings from the conference itself, including:

The official openingReflections from attendees across the event

And the keynote from Ian Gilbert, exploring motivation, learning, and what sits at the heart of education

As always, it’s a reminder of the energy, generosity and thinking that runs through the languages community.

🔗 Links & More:Find transcripts and more at:👉 www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

💬 Get involved:Send in a voice note and be part of the conversation.

☕ Support the show:Spotify subscription (£2.99/month), Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee:https://www.patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcasthttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Next week: Patty McGee on literacy journeys.

If you want it even leaner (Spotify character cap safe), I can compress it further.

Thank you so much to Ian Gilbert of Independent thinking, for his contributions. Please visit his website

https://www.independentthinking.co.uk/

Thank you so much for the support of the ALL for making this episode happen!

Become members below:

https://www.all-languages.org.uk/

German has been declining in UK schools for years — but in many classrooms the fightback is already underway.

In this episode, Will speaks to Isla MacEachern, a German teacher with nearly two decades of experience, contributor to BBC Bitesize, and recipient of the German Embassy Teacher of German Award.

Together they explore what it really takes to keep languages thriving in schools.

They discuss:

• why authentic materials matter in language teaching
• how culture can bring language learning to life
• the realities of German in UK schools today
• how teachers can boost engagement at Key Stage 3
• and why mistakes are essential to language learning

Isla also shares insights from her work writing new BBC Bitesize GCSE German resources, and reflects on how teachers can keep languages relevant, accessible and exciting for pupils.

It’s a conversation about culture, curiosity and the quiet work teachers do every day to keep languages alive.

Next week: a special episode from Language World, including exclusive audio from the President’s Panel.

In Part 2 of my conversation with Kedi Simpson, we move from theory to classroom reality.

We dig into segmentation — what it actually means, why students struggle to “hear” words in the stream of speech, and how listening tasks can either build processing… or just create the illusion of it. We talk about cognitive load, noticing, task design, and why ticking the box isn’t the same as understanding.

If Part 1 challenged how we think about listening, this episode pushes us to rethink how we teach it.

This is also the Season Finale of The Language Lab Podcast. We’re taking a short break and will return on 5th March for Season 6, with exciting news around Language World and some brilliant guests lined up.

During the break, you can submit your own voice note via the website and become part of the conversation next season.

🎙 Links, transcripts, all past episodes and voice note submissions:
www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

☕ Support the show:
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

If this episode made you rethink listening, leave a review and share it with a colleague — it really helps us grow the community.

Season 6 starts 5th March.