In this episode, Ixchell & Brent launch the show and discuss the many acronyms involved in the field of English Language Learning. They also take a look at best practices for listening in an ESL class, and offer some advice on getting students to build their listening skills beyond the classroom walls.

Alphabet Soup

If you’d like to play along, here are some of the acronyms we discuss in this episode, all relating to the field of ESL (etc). How many of them can you name? Test yourself to see how well you do!

  • ESL
  • ESOL
  • EAL
  • EFL
  • TESL 
  • TESOL
  • TEAL
  • TEFL
  • EMLL
  • EMLW
  • EL
  • ELLs
  • LTLs
  • L2
  • LEPs
  • IEP
  • EAP
  • AESL
  • CALL
  • ESP
  • VESL

How many others are you aware of? Leave notes in the comments if you have heard any that we didn’t include, We’re sure there are plenty!

Listening Skills

The Research:

Ixchell and Brent talk about podcasting, jigsaw listening, and more in order to enhance the classroom experience for students and to encourage them to be more proactive listeners outside of the class.

Do you have your own ideas on how you can use technology to help your students improve their English? Leave us a note in the comments below!

Fun Finds

Ixchell: Musixmatch – a shazaam-like app that also translates lyrics into multiple languages

Brent: Dreyer’s English – an utterly correct guide to clarity and style. The title says it all

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