In this episode Troy and Steve discuss an episode in which Troy interpolates meaning from his kid's comments on classroom activities. It's a wild ride into the meaning one projects onto the blanks slates that all teachers are. Or something like that...

In this episode Troy and Steve discuss an episode in which Troy interpolates meaning from his kid's comments on classroom activities. It's a wild ride into the meaning one projects onto the blanks slates that all teachers are. Or something like that...

What kids can tell you about summer school

Can you learn how to do something without doing the something? Is listening to people talk about learning to do something a complex or compound sentence? To explore this topic, join us and our menagerie, flora, fauna, offspring and a cool car cameo!

Can you learn how to do something without doing the something? Is listening to people talk about learning to do something a complex or compound sentence? To explore this topic, join us and our menagerie, flora, fauna, offspring and a cool car cameo!

Episode 98: Online, offsite, remote, distance teaching teachers to teach

If you want something done right, then sometimes you have to do it yourself. But if what you want done is for someone to do your job for you, then that's kind of moot. Perhaps what you want to do is be mute, and let them do it for you. As long as they are doing it the way you want done, without you telling them how to do it, and for them to do it their own way, without you having to supervise them supervising.

If you want something done right, then sometimes you have to do it yourself. But if what you want done is for someone to do your job for you, then that's kind of moot. Perhaps what you want to do is be mute, and let them do it for you. As long as they are doing it the way you want done, without you telling them how to do it, and for them to do it their own way, without you having to supervise them supervising.

Episode 97: Teaching managers to manage teachers

A: "Did you hear that they got a new puppy?" B: "Get out of here!" A: Leaves...... B: "Oh, come on!" A: "Huh?" B: "Are you off?" A: (Sniffs own armpit) "Um, no?" B: "Are you off your wheaties?" A: ... (Gives up on English forever)

A: "Did you hear that they got a new puppy?" B: "Get out of here!" A: Leaves...... B: "Oh, come on!" A: "Huh?" B: "Are you off?" A: (Sniffs own armpit) "Um, no?" B: "Are you off your wheaties?" A: ... (Gives up on English forever)

Episode 96: Semantically speaking

Pomp! Circumstance! Flowing Gowns! Is it all worth it? Or is it all about it? Is it the icing on the cake, or being pushed to give a rating and review after a meal? A lot of people love a good celebration, and it is a nice way for them to tie up a part of life that (presumably) required some commitment. So, come along with us while we throw our hats in the air and take selfies until our faces feel frozen as we stride across the stage in our best frock coats, frilly cravats and shiny buckled riding boots. BTW, 'pomp' is a rather silly sounding word. Seriously. Say it aloud to yourself. 'Pomp'

Pomp! Circumstance! Flowing Gowns! Is it all worth it? Or is it all about it? Is it the icing on the cake, or being pushed to give a rating and review after a meal? A lot of people love a good celebration, and it is a nice way for them to tie up a part of life that (presumably) required some commitment. So, come along with us while we throw our hats in the air and take selfies until our faces feel frozen as we stride across the stage in our best frock coats, frilly cravats and shiny buckled riding boots. BTW, 'pomp' is a rather silly sounding word. Seriously. Say it aloud to yourself. 'Pomp'

Episode 95: Graduation Day

We all get a little lonely sometimes, but we get by with a little help from our friends. But what if we don't have any friends? What if nobody wants to help us? What if nobody wants our help? It's OK though, sometimes we're in a lovely egalitarian environment with a benign dictator who is willing to make sure that everybody gets a friend, such as a classroom! Surely teachers always have our best interests at heart and can foresee all possible issues with friends, partners, groupmates and coworkers. Right?

We all get a little lonely sometimes, but we get by with a little help from our friends. But what if we don't have any friends? What if nobody wants to help us? What if nobody wants our help? It's OK though, sometimes we're in a lovely egalitarian environment with a benign dictator who is willing to make sure that everybody gets a friend, such as a classroom! Surely teachers always have our best interests at heart and can foresee all possible issues with friends, partners, groupmates and coworkers. Right?

Episode 94: The man without a group

To homework, or not to homework. That is the question. Do you think Mr Wilkins will remember to check the assignment? Can I copy yours? Sorry, my dog ate my pencil.. In this episode, Troy and Steve facilate on this rather (un)important question. Both have long histroies of avoiding homework -  as students and as teachers. But both also have a long history of dealing with people who believe that it is important; other teachers, for instance. So. Before you listen, do the worksheet attached below, and you'll find the task sheet in the second attachment that you can complete once you have finished listening.

To homework, or not to homework. That is the question. Do you think Mr Wilkins will remember to check the assignment? Can I copy yours? Sorry, my dog ate my pencil.. In this episode, Troy and Steve facilate on this rather (un)important question. Both have long histroies of avoiding homework -  as students and as teachers. But both also have a long history of dealing with people who believe that it is important; other teachers, for instance. So. Before you listen, do the worksheet attached below, and you'll find the task sheet in the second attachment that you can complete once you have finished listening.

Episode 93 - Did you do your homework Johnny?

In this episode, Troy and Steve ask whether teachers can ever not be teachers. What happens to us after the lessons end? Can we turn all that teacher stuff off? Or do we carry it around like a bad backpack with all the important stuff in it that one can't possibly do without? Or, as we kind of hope, are we just normal people with a job and a life outside the job? Troy and Steve kind of agree for a change. For that reason, there is no arguing, bickering or death in this show.

In this episode, Troy and Steve ask whether teachers can ever not be teachers. What happens to us after the lessons end? Can we turn all that teacher stuff off? Or do we carry it around like a bad backpack with all the important stuff in it that one can't possibly do without? Or, as we kind of hope, are we just normal people with a job and a life outside the job? Troy and Steve kind of agree for a change. For that reason, there is no arguing, bickering or death in this show.

Episode 92: Teachers outside the classroom

To teach, or not to teach, the question is, is that a complete sentence, seeing as the rule dictates that sentences should contain a subject, verb, and object. Also, when is the correct time to use a semi colon; that is, is it correct to join the clauses as was done when it also includes a zero relative clause? Oh, and never and a sentence with a preposition. Because it's just wrong! I hope this episode is something you can put up with.

To teach, or not to teach, the question is, is that a complete sentence, seeing as the rule dictates that sentences should contain a subject, verb, and object. Also, when is the correct time to use a semi colon; that is, is it correct to join the clauses as was done when it also includes a zero relative clause? Oh, and never and a sentence with a preposition. Because it's just wrong! I hope this episode is something you can put up with.

Episode 91: Descriptively prescribed

Are you comfortable? Are you happy? Is this activity pleasing you? Troy and Steve don't care, really. Nevertheless should you feel these things are important, you are a humanist. And if you teach lessons with these concerns in mind you are a teacher who worries about classroom atmosphere. Actually, Troy and Steve do care - we lied. Atmosphere is really really important and how you feel matters a lot. It really does. Tell us about your relationship with your mother.  Extension task: put commas in where you think they belong, Great job!

Are you comfortable? Are you happy? Is this activity pleasing you? Troy and Steve don't care, really. Nevertheless should you feel these things are important, you are a humanist. And if you teach lessons with these concerns in mind you are a teacher who worries about classroom atmosphere. Actually, Troy and Steve do care - we lied. Atmosphere is really really important and how you feel matters a lot. It really does. Tell us about your relationship with your mother.  Extension task: put commas in where you think they belong, Great job!

Episode 90: Atmosphere

Steve and Troy waffle about the exciting and wonderful world of Teaching English in a foreign country.

This is an extremely informative podcast for any teachers of English. A big problem is that there are simply too many books to read for practicing teachers. Waffling around about big (and little) topics in EFL/ESL is really helpful. Most of what we take for granted in teaching English is a product of our times and fashionable in our own local contexts. Steve and Troy seem to be clued into this idea. They have a solid grounding in key concepts with Second Language Acquisition and teaching, but they are also experienced practioners who constantly try out new things. For anyone who is feels they may be stagnating in their current teaching position, I strongly suggest you &#34;cherry pick&#34; some episodes to listen. This is a very productive use of any &#34;dead time&#34; you have--washing dishes, commuting, or even brushing your teeth. 
I think there is something here for both newer and more experienced teachers. I&#39;m a CELTA tutor and this station has got me thinking a lot...

CELTA tutor in Beijing

A friendly chat podcast for teachers in general but more specifically for TEFL - great ideas

Great teaching tips and talk

TEFL Waffle

Troy, and sometimes Steve, waffle(s?) about making mistakes when we teach, train or just generally live. Is it humble and noble to admit you're, oops, your mistakes? Is it better to remain a bastion of perfection and never make mistakes at all? This podcast is absolutely mistake free.

Troy, and sometimes Steve, waffle(s?) about making mistakes when we teach, train or just generally live. Is it humble and noble to admit you're, oops, your mistakes? Is it better to remain a bastion of perfection and never make mistakes at all? This podcast is absolutely mistake free.

Making mistakes in the classroom

It's time for an analysis of a teacher in the movies, and it's 'Fast Times at Richmond High' this time around. And our fantastic teacher is Mr Hand, whose first words we hear are "Aloha. I am Mr. Hand." Pretty cool, huh? If you haven't met Mr. Hand, let Evets and Yort lead you through the intricate pedagogy of this teacher at Richmond High, as seen through the lens of a bunch of teens. He is a fascinating teacher, and this is a fascinating school, and only one podcast doesn't allow these two pod wafflers to fully explore the depth and breadth of what he has to offer his poor classroom. Spoiler alert - Mr. Hand is liked by TEFLWaffle, in spite of his interesting foibles. And who the heck was the weird kid who obeys Hand's finger snapping? And how in the world did he manage to get kids to obey him at a snap of the fingers? (Yes, that literally happens!)

It's time for an analysis of a teacher in the movies, and it's 'Fast Times at Richmond High' this time around. And our fantastic teacher is Mr Hand, whose first words we hear are "Aloha. I am Mr. Hand." Pretty cool, huh? If you haven't met Mr. Hand, let Evets and Yort lead you through the intricate pedagogy of this teacher at Richmond High, as seen through the lens of a bunch of teens. He is a fascinating teacher, and this is a fascinating school, and only one podcast doesn't allow these two pod wafflers to fully explore the depth and breadth of what he has to offer his poor classroom. Spoiler alert - Mr. Hand is liked by TEFLWaffle, in spite of his interesting foibles. And who the heck was the weird kid who obeys Hand's finger snapping? And how in the world did he manage to get kids to obey him at a snap of the fingers? (Yes, that literally happens!)

Episode 50: Teachers in the Movies - Fast Times at Richmond High

If you listened to our last podcast about lesson planning, you'll remember Steve planned a lesson for Troy, who then taught it and reported it to be a disaster of Pompeii-an proportions. This time, you can listen to Troy and Steve doing it the other way around. Troy is planning and Steve is commenting inanely in the background.  To make things more complicated, they don't know the students nor the location they will be teaching. That means they will have to prepare a nice, juicy ice-breaker to get all the students ready for the class and give everyone a chance to find out who is who. Let's be clear - planning is one of the most boring parts of a teacher's existence, but somehow Steve and Troy seem to have a lot of fun doing it. Who knows how!! Although, come to think of it, ice-breakers are actually pretty cool, especially the way Troy does them - big fat ones with gravy and pickles. Linky

If you listened to our last podcast about lesson planning, you'll remember Steve planned a lesson for Troy, who then taught it and reported it to be a disaster of Pompeii-an proportions. This time, you can listen to Troy and Steve doing it the other way around. Troy is planning and Steve is commenting inanely in the background.  To make things more complicated, they don't know the students nor the location they will be teaching. That means they will have to prepare a nice, juicy ice-breaker to get all the students ready for the class and give everyone a chance to find out who is who. Let's be clear - planning is one of the most boring parts of a teacher's existence, but somehow Steve and Troy seem to have a lot of fun doing it. Who knows how!! Although, come to think of it, ice-breakers are actually pretty cool, especially the way Troy does them - big fat ones with gravy and pickles. <a href="https://de62ca98-ad8f-4d68-a2bc-5a0a218f3de7.filesusr.com/ugd/a3fa9b_5aa25586093e42f58916595b56960562.doc?dn=Troys%20lesson%20for%20steve%20podcast.doc" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Linky</a>

Episode 49: Planning an ice-breaker

Steve read an interesting paper and wants to share it with everyone - and you are included. The paper really is interesting, he isn't wrong, though Troy has some things to say about what Steve finds interesting and how sad his life is generally. Anyway, the thrust of the paper, and this podcast episode, are the really useful tricks and tips for how to be a boring teacher. Trust us, these are the best list of tips you'll come across, and you can depend on them being all you need to become the best boring teacher and achieve all your boring teacher aims. And who ever said lists of '10 tips for...' were just clickbait!?

Steve read an interesting paper and wants to share it with everyone - and you are included. The paper really is interesting, he isn't wrong, though Troy has some things to say about what Steve finds interesting and how sad his life is generally. Anyway, the thrust of the paper, and this podcast episode, are the really useful tricks and tips for how to be a boring teacher. Trust us, these are the best list of tips you'll come across, and you can depend on them being all you need to become the best boring teacher and achieve all your boring teacher aims. And who ever said lists of '10 tips for...' were just clickbait!?

Episode 48: How to be a boring teacher

We waffle about staffrooms and the culture of being a professional teacher around other teachers. Should we zealously hoard all our best stuff so that we can be the star teacher of the school, or should we be lovely and egalitarian to bring up the capabilities of the staff room as a whole? Which is more important? Your students? Or the school?

We waffle about staffrooms and the culture of being a professional teacher around other teachers. Should we zealously hoard all our best stuff so that we can be the star teacher of the school, or should we be lovely and egalitarian to bring up the capabilities of the staff room as a whole? Which is more important? Your students? Or the school?

Sharing and caring in the staffroom

We aren't in the mood to write this blurb. 

We aren't in the mood to write this blurb.

Episode 52: Student motivation

Teacher's sometime forget to do writing tasks in class. Or maybe they don't like doing them because they involvement so much marking. Or maybe they think they aren't important. Anyway, when we do do them, how important is it it it it for the writing to me accurately? If their are mistakes, will it distract the reader? Is it the teacher's job to encourage, or discouraging mistakes? Who's brain broken after this paragraph?

Teacher's sometime forget to do writing tasks in class. Or maybe they don't like doing them because they involvement so much marking. Or maybe they think they aren't important. Anyway, when we do do them, how important is it it it it for the writing to me accurately? If their are mistakes, will it distract the reader? Is it the teacher's job to encourage, or discouraging mistakes? Who's brain broken after this paragraph?

Episode 53: Demanding accuracy

How experienced do you have to be to be considered experienced? This is the circular kind of question that Steve and Troy love waffling about. So, are you experienced? What does it mean to be experienced? When exactly did you become experienced? What changed when you suddenly became experienced? Do experienced teachers help students and other teachers more than inexperienced teachers? We waffle about this, and much much more. Oh, and Steve says some bad words - watch out for that.

How experienced do you have to be to be considered experienced? This is the circular kind of question that Steve and Troy love waffling about. So, are you experienced? What does it mean to be experienced? When exactly did you become experienced? What changed when you suddenly became experienced? Do experienced teachers help students and other teachers more than inexperienced teachers? We waffle about this, and much much more. Oh, and Steve says some bad words - watch out for that.

Are you experienced?

This time, Steve and Troy (not in that order) waffle about whether language teachers should love languages, or perhaps English, or whether they should just love teaching. This is very exciting stuff; to us anyway.

This time, Steve and Troy (not in that order) waffle about whether language teachers should love languages, or perhaps English, or whether they should just love teaching. This is very exciting stuff; to us anyway.

Loving languages

Troy has a problem. That's not really true - he has many, but this is one particular problem with one particular group of students. Can Steve help him solve this problem in any meaningful way? Can Steve even understand what the problem is? Along the way, we discuss the nature of teens, the ego of a dedicated teacher, the bizarre relationships between teachers and teen classes, and the importance of persistence as a way of dealing with the vagaries of the students' response to our efforts as teachers. 

Troy has a problem. That's not really true - he has many, but this is one particular problem with one particular group of students. Can Steve help him solve this problem in any meaningful way? Can Steve even understand what the problem is? Along the way, we discuss the nature of teens, the ego of a dedicated teacher, the bizarre relationships between teachers and teen classes, and the importance of persistence as a way of dealing with the vagaries of the students' response to our efforts as teachers.

Episode 46: Persistence

Troy and Steve waffle about those awkward questions students sometimes ask that stump, confuse or otherwise bewilder the unsuspecting teacher. "Teacher, what does unsuspecting mean?" As usual Troy waffles much more blithely than Steve, but Steve's quickly catching on. 

Troy and Steve waffle about those awkward questions students sometimes ask that stump, confuse or otherwise bewilder the unsuspecting teacher. "Teacher, what does unsuspecting mean?" As usual Troy waffles much more blithely than Steve, but Steve's quickly catching on.

Unexpected and difficult student questions

Teachers have to focus on both content and methodology. For our learners, which is more important? What do you think? What does Troy think? Does Steve even think at all?  As a fun drinking game, don't take a shot everytime you hear a response token like 'um, er, ah, erm', unless you're really looking to get alchohole piosening.

Teachers have to focus on both content and methodology. For our learners, which is more important? What do you think? What does Troy think? Does Steve even think at all?  As a fun drinking game, don't take a shot everytime you hear a response token like 'um, er, ah, erm', unless you're really looking to get alchohole piosening.

What or How - What's more important?

Today Bob's not around so Steve and Troy waffle about substituting and why it's good for your proessional health. Notice, as an asside, that Troy's responses are muted in today's episode, and relfect on possible reasons for that. 

Today Bob's not around so Steve and Troy waffle about substituting and why it's good for your proessional health. Notice, as an asside, that Troy's responses are muted in today's episode, and relfect on possible reasons for that.

Substituting

Yort and Evets are lovers of movies. This time, it's a movie about a school, some teachers, and a bunch of amazing students. The basic premise, which they don't waffle about at all, is school corruption. We all hate corrupt schools, don't we? No wait, this is a movie about a good teacher gone bad and going back to good. Oh no, wait. It's about a school which needs an injection of life and energy. Oh hang on - it's about a music teacher who needs help with his job. So, listen along as we talk about this movie about the power of one teacher to save a school and see if you agree that this MMA movie is boomful.

Yort and Evets are lovers of movies. This time, it's a movie about a school, some teachers, and a bunch of amazing students. The basic premise, which they don't waffle about at all, is school corruption. We all hate corrupt schools, don't we? No wait, this is a movie about a good teacher gone bad and going back to good. Oh no, wait. It's about a school which needs an injection of life and energy. Oh hang on - it's about a music teacher who needs help with his job. So, listen along as we talk about this movie about the power of one teacher to save a school and see if you agree that this MMA movie is boomful.

Episode 55: TITM - Here comes the boom

We worry, waffle, wonder and whine about the nature of the English that teachers speak (or are supposed to speak) in the classroom. How much is there to waffle about on a topic like this? Well, come find out!

We worry, waffle, wonder and whine about the nature of the English that teachers speak (or are supposed to speak) in the classroom. How much is there to waffle about on a topic like this? Well, come find out!

How English is your English

We waffle around the issue of whether teachers should, must, ought to or (add in a modal auxiliary of your choice) use metalanguage when teaching. How do students respond to the teacher talking about past participles? Can teachers handle students asking questions about subjunctives? Do we tell the students about bilabial plosives? We also waffle about guitars and cars because they make cool analogies.

We waffle around the issue of whether teachers should, must, ought to or (add in a modal auxiliary of your choice) use metalanguage when teaching. How do students respond to the teacher talking about past participles? Can teachers handle students asking questions about subjunctives? Do we tell the students about bilabial plosives? We also waffle about guitars and cars because they make cool analogies.

Metalanguage - should we use it in the classroom?

One characteristic of an accomplished teacher is the size of their repertoire. No, that is not a euphamism. Really. Anyway, Troy has a big one and likes to waffle about it and it makes him really awesome. Almost perfect. Is a repertoire as important as we make it out to be? 

One characteristic of an accomplished teacher is the size of their repertoire. No, that is not a euphamism. Really. Anyway, Troy has a big one and likes to waffle about it and it makes him really awesome. Almost perfect. Is a repertoire as important as we make it out to be?

Teacher repertoire

Today our special guest Stuart softly cajoles us into the meaningful and exciting world of soft skills in the classroom. An exerienced motivational speaker and general British fellow, Stuart has been a language teacher for quite a while now, and brings to his teaching his perspective that people are, in fact, people and should be treated as such. What does it mean when a students asks 'Teacher, can yoiu help me prepare my presentation that I have to present presently?' Oh, and Stu also waffles pretty well too.

Today our special guest Stuart softly cajoles us into the meaningful and exciting world of soft skills in the classroom. An exerienced motivational speaker and general British fellow, Stuart has been a language teacher for quite a while now, and brings to his teaching his perspective that people are, in fact, people and should be treated as such. What does it mean when a students asks 'Teacher, can yoiu help me prepare my presentation that I have to present presently?' Oh, and Stu also waffles pretty well too.

Soft skills and the language classroom

Can teachers even technology?? Especially old teachers like Steve, and also ones that are teaching an experientially orientated thing like language. It's so bewlideringly complex, but it's also so breathtakingly attractive at the same time. What on earth should we do? Giggle and chortle along as Troy as he recounts his opinions, and roll your eyes in despair as Steve tries to sound intelligent on this topic.

Can teachers even technology?? Especially old teachers like Steve, and also ones that are teaching an experientially orientated thing like language. It's so bewlideringly complex, but it's also so breathtakingly attractive at the same time. What on earth should we do? Giggle and chortle along as Troy as he recounts his opinions, and roll your eyes in despair as Steve tries to sound intelligent on this topic.

Technology and the classroom

Steve tells a lot of boring stories, Troy tells a lot of boring stories, but somehow we create some meaning about the beliefs held by teachers (and management) about children in the classroom, movement, noise and acitivities. Waffle on!

Steve tells a lot of boring stories, Troy tells a lot of boring stories, but somehow we create some meaning about the beliefs held by teachers (and management) about children in the classroom, movement, noise and acitivities. Waffle on!

Movement and learning

The best podcast episodes of the most interesting stories and things. From skyping someone while they're in space, to tracking down and meeting a telephone scammer in person, to the story of a Galapagos. These episodes will keep you and all your friends entertained and captivated for hours. Learn something new in every episode! Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Episodes: Interesting Stories & Things

The best podcast episodes on parenting. Interviewing experts and talking through common issues surrounding parenting. This topic is filled with important lessons and insights for anyone listening. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!