The Motivated Classroom
Episodes
137 ¦ Starting an instructional coaching programme in your school with Nick Pointer and Jeremy Lloyd
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Instructional Coaching: A highly effective and impactful method of professional development for teachers where they work 1-on-1 with a coach to focus ...
136 ¦ Teach the Teacher: Motivation, input & acquisition in advanced classes
21 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do we keep advanced language learners motivated and how do we meaningfully use a CI approach at higher levels? In this episode, we explore the exp...
135 ¦ Principle 6: Secure attention and run routines
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Principle Six of Six for a Motivated Year in the 'Back to School' series:Principle 6: Secure attention and running routinesThe final episode i...
134 ¦ Principle 5: The CI Class Yearbook
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Principle Five of Six for a Motivated Year in the 'Back to School' series:Principle 5: The CI Class YearbookThis episode builds on the previou...
133 ¦ Principle 4: Effective pairs to boost engagement
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Principle Four of Six for a Motivated Year in the 'Back to School' series:Principle 4: Effective pairsThis episode is all about maximising the effecti...
132 ¦ Principle 3: Five-minute input blocks
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Principle Three of Six for a Motivated Year in the 'Back to School' series:- Principle 3: Five-minute input blocksIn this episode you'll l...
131 ¦ Principle 2: Getting the Motivation-Acquisition balance right
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Principle Two of Six for a Motivated Year in the 'Back to School' series:Principle 2: The Motivation-Acquisition BalanceThis episode is full o...
130 ¦ Principle 1: Embedding and assessing a CI approach within the curriculum
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Principle One of Six for a Motivated Year in the 'Back to School' series:1. Aligning a CI approach to your curriculumIn this episode we lay the founda...
129 | Back to School: Six principles for a motivated classroom
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The first in a Seven-part 'Back to School' series where I break down my Keynote speech from the Agen Conference 2025 on: Getting the Acquisiti...
128 ¦ Part 2 with Jonathan McBride: What I learned from watching six weeks of CI classes in three different countries
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Almost a year after our first conversation for episode 127, Jonathan is back in the studio for Part Two of his 2-part series focusing on what he learn...
127 ¦ Part 1 with Jonathan McBride: What I learned from watching six weeks of CI classes in three different countries
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I am joined by the wonderful, Jonathan McBride, for Part one of a two-part special series. Jonny and I met at The Agen Workshop in 202...
126 ¦ Turn and Talk: Tweaking a classic activity for maximum engagement
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 126 is all about Turn and Talk: A classic activity we all do in our classrooms to encourage student discussion, participation and idea generat...
125 ¦ Supporting language teachers' sustained motivation until retirement with Prof. Åsta Haukås
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
I had the pleasure of being joined on this episode by esteemed Åsta Haukås, a professor of language education at the University of Bergen, Norway. H...
124 ¦ Using a CI approach to boost motivation, acquisition and inclusion with Tina Abour and Grant Boulanger
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special, extended, episode I am joined by the wonderful Tina Abour and Grant Boulanger to discuss how a CI approach can boost motivation, acqu...
123 ¦ Behaviour and the CI classroom: 9 practical tips
04 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode on behaviour comes with a big caveat. I realise completely that behaviour and classroom management looks very different in each of our di...
122 ¦ Connection, community and communication with Claudia Elliott
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this special podcast collaboration episode, Claudia Elliott and I discuss the importance of community and connections for communication in the lang...
121 ¦ Nine low-prep strategies for a motivated school year
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It is August, so that must mean The Motivated Classroom is back with it's start of the school year special. In this episode I give my Top Nine low...
120 ¦ Instructional Coaching: Practice-focused professional development
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Much of professional development is useful, thought-provoking, interesting and even impactful.. but does it actually result in any changes in our prac...
119 ¦ Oral exams: Can we make them more motivating and less burdensome?
14 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After many questions about what the dreaded oral exams look like in my classroom and in my context, I've decided to do an entire episode on just t...
118 ¦ Joy, happiness and brain breaks in the classroom with Annabelle Williamson aka La Maestra Loca
31 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Leading on from recent episodes on raising positive emotions in the languages classroom, I am delighted to be joined by the inspirational educator, La...
117 ¦ Raising positive emotions through co-created stories: A research study - Part 2
17 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Part Two of the series focusing on my recent research on how using co-created stories in the language acquisition class can foster happiness, joy and ...
116 ¦ Raising positive emotions through co-created stories: A research study - Part 1
03 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This first in a mini-series on the importance of positive emotions in the language acquisition classroom. This episode introduces my recent research s...
115 ¦ Seven ways to use questions to maximise acquisition and build connections
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This episode focuses on classroom practice and, in particular, how we can use questions in order to both build connections and to maximise language ac...
114 ¦ Universal grammar: Our language learning superpower?
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This third and final episode in the mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research and theory. This one looks at Chomsky's concept of U...
113 ¦ SLA research into practice: Is there a critical age period for language learning?
25 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This second in a special mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) explores the Critical Period Hypothesis and language learning. Is there a cr...
112 ¦ SLA research into practice: Is using CI enough in high-stakes exam classes?
15 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This first episode in a special mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) focuses on what approach we should use with students who are preparin...
111 ¦ Q&A: Online teaching, AI and stories in class
01 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A special Q&A episode this week with some brilliant questions from the patrons of the podcast. We explore how to keep the motivation high when tea...
110 ¦ Story Listening: Lessons from classroom practice with Cécile Lainé
17 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
For the third in the 3-part series on "Story Listening", I am joined by the wonderful and inspirational Cécile Lainé. After Episode 108 wi...
109 ¦ Storytelling as pedagogy
03 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Following on from the previous episode on Story Listening with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel, and as a preview to Episode 110 with Cécile Lainé on...
108 ¦ The power of Story Listening for acquisition and motivation with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel
21 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This special, extended episode of The #MotivatedClassroom was recorded in 2023 as part of the CIReboot online language teaching conference. Dr. Beniko...
107 ¦ Reading a class novel in 11 zero-prep steps
06 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After many emails and requests on the topic, this week's #MotivatedClassroom episode looks at the practicalities of how to go about teaching a cla...
106 ¦ Connections and competence: The third week of the year and beyond
22 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The third and final part in the three part mini series on how I start the year and work towards a motivated classroom: This episode focuses on how we ...
105 ¦ Relationships, relatedness and routines: The second week of the year
08 Sep 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Part two in the three part mini series on starting the year strong and building a motivated classroom: In this episode we look at what happens in week...
104 ¦ Starting strong: The first week back to school
25 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do you start a new school year? What exactly do you do in the first week or so of classes? How do you set up your class and do the boring admin ta...
103 ¦ Is Comprehensible Input enough?
11 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
A potentially controversial topic for some listeners but an important one nonetheless: Is Comprehensible Input enough on its own? What about output, g...
102 ¦ Maintaining motivation right until the end of the year
01 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One of the most frequently asked questions in the month of May is "have you any tips for keeping up the motivation at the end of the year... I...
101 ¦ Respecting and amplifying all languages in our multilingual classrooms with Dr. Eowyn Crisfield
05 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, we have the pleasure of listening to renowned expert on multilingualism, Dr. Eowyn Crisfield. Dr. Crisfield shares valuable insights ...
100 ¦ Self-determination theory, motivation and language learning with Dr. Richard Ryan
24 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode 100, I am delighted and honoured to be joined by esteemed researcher, psychologist and co-founder of Self-Determination Theory, Dr. Ri...
99 ¦ Raising language learner motivation with Dr. Kimberly Noels
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features the influential and renowned language learner motivation researcher, Dr. Kimberly Noels. Dr. Noels is a full professor in the De...
98 ¦ Three motivation-based case studies from the language classroom
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The second episode with a direct focus on the core premise of this podcast: language learner motivation. In this episode I look in detail at three cas...
97 ¦ The motivation-engagement-acquisition cycle
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are going back to the roots and core premise of this podcast: language learner motivation. This episode focuses on what we have lea...
96 ¦ Interrupting misogyny and toxic masculinity with Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez
16 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we are joined by the wonderful and inspiring educator, Abelardo Almazán-Vázquez. Abelardo shares with us his journey and testimony a...
95 ¦ Trauma-informed teaching with illiterate students with Janique Vanderstocken
02 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features one of the most impactful & inspiring interviews I've ever done, by far! The inspirational educator, Janique Vanderstocken, ...
94 ¦ Advanced students: Keeping the inputs comprehensible through increased autonomy
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Teachers frequently ask about how we can continue to use a compelling, comprehensible inputs, approach with advanced learners. The key is to relinquis...
93 ¦ Why grammar instruction is impeding acquisition
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Following up on the extended episode 92 on maximising our target language use in class, this episode goes a little deeper and discusses how an over-em...
92 ¦ Maximising your target language use with Alina Filipescu and Jason Fritze
28 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A special, extended, episode focusing on the why and how of target language use in the language acquisition classroom with the brilliant Alina Filipes...
91 ¦ Error correction, motivation and examination
14 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Error correction in the language acquisition classroom is one of those topics that always results in divided opinion. So what can the research tell us...
90 ¦ Differentiation in the language acquisition classroom
07 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The second in a two-part series focusing on equity and access to learning for all. Following up on Episode 89 on 'Universal Design for Learning' (UDL)...
89 ¦ UDL: Access for all through a Universal Design for Learning
23 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this first of a two-part series focusing on differentiation, equity and how to ensure all learners have access to the learning, we look at the Univ...
88 ¦ Q&A: New students entering a CI class, adult learners & difficult classes
09 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This question and answer episode features some great questions from listeners about: What we do when new students come into our CI or acquisition focu...
87 ¦ Back to school: Eight strategies for a motivated year
26 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode of The Motivated Classroom podcast focuses on going back to school. I go through eight of my top strategies or goals to ensure both we, t...
86 ¦ Eight zero-prep classroom activities to instil a love of reading
12 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode focuses on eight of my favourite activities designed to instil a love of reading among your language acquisition students, including a pa...
85 ¦ Motivating beginners through easy-to-read novels with Margarita Pérez García
29 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The wonderfully talent teacher, presenter and author of easy-to-read literature, Margarita Pérez García, joins us in the episode of The Motivated Cl...
84 ¦ Comprehensible Input (CI) teaching with intermediate & advanced learners
15 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
As a follow-up to the interview with Dr. Stephen Krashen, in this episode we look at a very common question among language teachers: Can we use a Comp...
83 ¦ Language acquisition through compelling, comprehensible input with Dr. Stephen Krashen
01 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Professor Emeritus Dr. Stephen Krashen is one of the most important and influential language acquisition researchers in history. His research over 40 ...
82 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI) Q&A: Inclusion, parents and missing class
17 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The third episode in the mini-series on "Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI)" is a Q&A episode with some great questions from you wonderful li...
81 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI): Is it more inclusive but less authentic?
10 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this second episode in the mini-series on "Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI)", we discuss the big debates around CI teaching: Whether it is i...
80 ¦ Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI): Overcoming the obstacles
03 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The first in a five-part series on "Teaching with Comprehensible Input (CI)", focuses on the obstacles and resistance many of us face in our journey t...
79 ¦ Motivation and Extensive Processing Instruction (EPI) with Dr. Gianfranco Conti
27 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Motivated Classroom podcast, Dr. Gianfranco Conti joins us to discuss acquiring languages through 'Extensive Processing Instruc...
78 ¦ Setting, streaming and separating by ability
13 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Should we separate our learners by ability? Setting, streaming or separating by ability is common practice in most schools in some way or form. But is...
77 ¦ Increasing uptake and decreasing dropout in our language programmes
06 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sadly, more and more language students around the world are dropping their world language courses as soon as they get the chance. Retaining students i...
76 ¦ Q&A: Assessing writing, use of English & not overwhelming beginners
22 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Another question and answer episode, and another set of brilliant questions from the listeners. Should we assess writing or just do formative tasks wi...
75 ¦ Centring our language class around Black & Brown identities with Ben Tinsley
08 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Following up on the social justice focus in episodes 73 and 74, in this episode the wonderful Ben Tinsley joins The Motivated Classroom podcast to dis...
74 ¦ The languages classroom as a vehicle for social justice
01 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episode follows up on the previous episode with Françoise Thenoux about bringing a diversity, equity, inclusion and social justice lens to our l...
73 ¦ Language, identity and inclusion with Françoise Thenoux
25 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the brilliant Françoise Thenoux speaks to us about the inextricable links between language, identity and inclusion. Françoise share...
72 ¦ Using the target language: When, why and how
11 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The target language: How much should we use as teachers? When should we use it? How should we use it? The debate around target language use, translati...
71 ¦ Q&A: Starting class, taking notes and building on class stories
04 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this question and answer episode, we discuss the most motivational and effective ways to start class, how often students should take notes in the l...
70 ¦ Six easy steps for an effective parent-teacher meeting
18 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Parent-teacher meetings: A part of every teacher's year but often one that causes anxiety, stress and worry. In this episode I present six, easy, date...
69 ¦ Towards an evidence-informed school with Jade Pearce
04 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The last in the three part mini series on professional development and the importance of being an evidence-informed teacher. In this episode I am join...
68 ¦ Developing evidence-informed pedagogy through internal professional development
28 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This episodes builds upon and follows on from Ep. 67 with Darren Leslie of Becoming Educated podcast focusing on our roles as 'teaching and learning r...
67 ¦ Collaboration podcast: Motivating, school based professional development with Darren Leslie
21 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this first podcast collaboration, I chat with Darren Leslie of the wonderful Becoming Educated podcast. We talk about our roles as 'teaching and le...
66 ¦ Q&A: Sharing classrooms, minimum contact time & creating a class motto
14 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This question and answer episode looks at how to overcome the difficulties of moving classrooms, what we can and should teach when we only see student...
65 ¦ Motivational lessons from the elementary classroom
07 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
The final episode in the three-part series on motivating young language learners following up on the interviews with researcher Dr. Quint Oga-Baldwin ...
64 ¦ Practical strategies to both reach & teach young language learners with Marianne de Best
31 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this second episode in the 3-part series on motivating young language learners, Dutch teacher and author, Marianne de Best, tells us all about prac...
63 ¦ Classroom approaches for motivating young language learners with Dr. Quint Oga-Baldwin
17 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, I had the absolute pleasure to be joined by eminent Self-Determination Theory researcher, Dr. Quint Oga-Baldwin. Professor Oga-Baldwi...
62 ¦ Motivation and culture through music in the classroom
10 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Music! A key component in every language acquisition classroom but what are the most effective ways to implement it! In this episode I discuss how I b...
61 ¦ 12 motivating, zero-prep listening activities
03 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This practical episode is all about listening activities in the language classroom that are designed to motivate and engage our students. Listening ac...
60 ¦ Going deskless and using classroom displays in the language classroom
19 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What does the physical learning environment do for motivation and engagement of our language learners? In this episode, the idea of 'going deskless' i...
59 ¦ Q&A: Student resistance, online translators and teaching spelling
12 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to all the listeners who submitted questions for this Q&A episode. We are discussing how to reach and motivate those particularly resist...
58 ¦ Parental engagement and motivated language learners with Dr. Chris Martin
05 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
I'm joined by the fantastic Dr. Chris Martin in this episode to discuss the importance of positive parental engagement and how this can impact upon la...
57 ¦ The impact of parental beliefs on language learning motivation
22 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we look at the research around parental beliefs, and the impact the words parents use have on the motivation for learning among their ...
56 ¦ Making homework motivational
15 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores some of the recent research about homework and how we can apply this to the language acquisition classroom. Should we even give ...
55 ¦ Finding the common ground between language acquisition research and classroom practice with Dr. Florencia Henshaw
08 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we speak to the inspirational Dr. Florencia Henshaw about Second Language Acquisition theory, recent research in the area and how we c...
54 ¦ Implicit and explicit knowledge in the language classroom
24 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode explores the current debates around implicit and explicit knowledge in the language classroom; should we be focusing on meaning or form, ...
53 ¦ Q&A: Aligning an acquisition based approach within the curriculum & girls v. boys motivation
10 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this Question & Answer episode the questions focus on girls v. boys motivation, how to structure a class with no textbook and how to align a mo...
52 ¦ Setting up your language class in 12 zero-prep steps
03 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is another practical, classroom, based episode for language teachers looking for the best ways to set up their class for the year. This episode c...
51 ¦ Using classroom jobs to provide more input & build relationships
27 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is very much focused on your classroom and how to use classroom jobs to provide more interesting input whilst building bonds with your cl...
50 ¦ Translating second language acquisition research into motivational practice with Dr. Karen Lichtman & Dr. Bill VanPatten
20 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Special Extended Episode! To mark episode 50 of The #MotivatedClassroom we have a special extended episode with Dr. Karen Lichtman and Dr. Bill VanPat...
49 ¦ Motivational strategies part two: The role of the teacher
06 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the second part of two-part episode on motivational strategies. In this episode we build upon the research around motivational strategies that...
48 ¦ Motivational strategies part one: From research to classroom practice
23 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ep. 48 of The #MotivatedClassroom marks the podcast's 1-Year anniversary with a jam-packed programme on 'motivational strategies', the research behind...
47 ¦ Q&A: Surviving as a student-teacher, the curriculum & writing notes in class
09 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this question & answer episode we discuss how to survive as a student-teacher, what to do with an overly prescriptive curriculum, what would I ...
46 ¦ The motivational impact of decolonising our languages curriculum with Maud Waret
25 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The fantastic Maud Waret shares her personal learning and classrooms experiences as a mixed race French woman growing up in France and then moving to ...
45 ¦ Motivating multilinguals through inclusion, diversity & pride with Tan Huynh
18 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, the inspirational Tan Huynh speaks about the use of Larry Ferlazzo's framework for empowering multilingual students as well as how we...
44 ¦ From retrieval to review: Structuring a motivated language lesson
11 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is a follow up to Ep. 43 on 'Structuring a language curriculum without a textbook' and focuses on the individual language acquisition les...
43 ¦ From August to June: Structuring a language curriculum without a textbook
04 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Thank you to The #MotivatedClassroom patron, Margit Alexy, for prompting me to do an episode on how I structure a year of language acquisition curricu...
42 ¦ The power of positive emotions in the language classroom
28 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Anxiety, stress, nervousness and a high 'affective filter' is often discussed around language learning, but what happens when you focus on positive em...
41 ¦ What every teacher needs to know about memory and motivation with Steve Smith
21 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode I am joined by the fascinating, knowledgeable and highly inspirational, Steve Smith, to talk about memory and motivation in the langua...
40 ¦ Active learning strategies: 12 zero-prep activities for the classroom
14 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sitting all day is exhausting! This episode is full of practical ideas for active learning in the language classroom. Getting students up and out of t...
39 ¦ Q & A: Reluctant colleagues, what to prioritise and how to build confidence
07 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this question and answer episode there are some wonderful questions from listeners on how to prioritise our class time, coping with colleagues who ...
38 ¦ Motivational strategies for teaching grammar
30 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
"How do you teach grammar in a motivational way?" is a question we all face as language teachers. In this episode we explore some of the research arou...