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Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! It's half term, so there's no full conversation this week. Instead, a short one from Will Marks: why this is the break to actually take, and why rest isn't the reward for surviving the term, it's how you survive the next one. There's an update on the show's new guest blog, with pieces from past guests including Steve Smith, Juliette Claro and Dr Elsa Petit, a push for listener voice notes (staff-room phone quality is fine), and a small, honest ask about Patreon and sponsorship. The next full episode lands on Thursday 5 November at the usual time. Until then: look after yourselves, and keep the conversation going.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Are languages fighting a losing battle against the rise of STEM? In this episode, host Will Marks is joined by MFL consultant Sohelie Zafar to discuss how we can raise the profile of languages in an increasingly pressurized curriculum. Moving away from the 'Parisian cafe' stereotype, Sohelie offers practical advice on decolonising the curriculum, making trips more than just a 'jolly', and why language teachers need to be the chief advocates for their own departments. Whether you are a department head or a classroom teacher looking for ways to make your lessons more impactful, this conversation digs into the messy, unexpected realities of modern language teaching. We also reflect on the formative power of the year abroad and why, despite the challenges, there has never been a more important time to be a linguist.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! Are your primary language lessons a fragile house of cards? If the lead teacher leaves, does the provision collapse? In this episode, Will Marks sits down with Will Lloyd, director of the Primary Languages Network, to discuss how schools can move from 'here-today-gone-tomorrow' quick fixes to sustainable, embedded language culture. We dive deep into the 'momentum method,' a five-step framework designed to stabilize foundations, upskill non-specialist teachers, and create a shared responsibility model across the staffroom. Will Lloyd explains why honesty about teacher anxiety is the most effective starting point for any school, how we can effectively bridge the gap between primary and secondary, and why we should stop obsessing over elite-level delivery in favour of consistent, confident communication. If you are a language coordinator looking for practical, long-term strategies that don't burn out your staff, this is an essential listen. Will also mentions the ELLiE study (Early Language Learning in Europe): https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/publications/case-studies-insights-and-research/ellie-early-language-learning-europe

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! In this episode, Will Marks is joined by Juliet Park, Director of Modern Foreign Languages at The Share Trust. Tired of seeing language education confined to dry grammar drills and distant academic theory, Juliet shares her vision for 'Business Pathways'—a curriculum that treats language as a genuine career superpower. We discuss the disconnect between the classroom and the adult world, the importance of fostering speaking confidence over seeking perfection, and why the current GCSE and A-level model might be underserving our students. Juliet offers concrete insights into how teachers can integrate vocational skills into their classrooms, help students recognise the value of their linguistic ability in sectors like healthcare, football, and video gaming, and navigate the pressures of modern school league tables. Whether you are an MFL leader or a classroom teacher looking for ways to make your curriculum feel more alive and relevant, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on the future of language learning.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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/TheLanguageLabPodcastbuymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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/TheLanguageLabPodcasthttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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 LanguagesWebsite: jlhlanguages.org For transcripts, CPD tools and more:www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk Support the show:patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcasthttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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 memorisationwhy recycling and cognitive load are essential for long-term learningwhat it takes to move from structured support to genuine communicationAnd 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

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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/

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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.

Got something to say to this podcast? Send a voicemail, and you might hear yourself on the next episode! 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 towww.languagelabpodcast.co.uk You can also support the show and get early access to bonus episodes:patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcasthttps://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast