TEFL Unlocked

The TEFL Academy

Dive into the world of Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) with TEFL Unlocked, the ultimate podcast for aspiring and seasoned educators. Whether you're just starting your journey or looking to enhance your teaching skills, this podcast offers a wealth of knowledge and inspiration.

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21 episodes
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Avg 22 min
English

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#100
Yesterday · 30 min
We've reached episode 100!!!:We got 100 questions. Here’s 10.
It’s our 100th episode! To celebrate, we’re answering 100 questions from our listeners. Well… sort of. We’ve actually picked ten questions from the 100, with possibly another 100 questions hiding inside them.
#99
September 16 · 17 min
TEFL as a side hustle: Why online teaching works
You don't have to leave your day job to become a TEFL teacher. Luan and Mairead explore how online teaching can fit around your existing work, family, studies, and commitments
#98
September 9 · 14 min
Mindfulness in the ESL classroom: Simple strategies that work
Breathe, focus and learn! Luan and Mairead discuss how simple mindfulness activities can help learners manage anxiety, improve concentration, and communicate with greater confidence in the classroom.
#97
September 2 · 21 min
Art meets English: Creative ideas for ESL teachers
Join Luan and Mairead as they explore practical ways to use art in the ESL classroom to develop speaking, vocabulary, grammar, storytelling, creativity and cultural awareness.
#96
August 26 · 22 min
Making poetry accessible in the ESL classroom
Is poetry too difficult for ESL learners? Luan and Mairead explain how teachers can make poems accessible, enjoyable and useful for developing vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking and creativity
August 19 · 20 min
Social media meets the ESL classroom
Join Luan and Mairead as they explore creative ways to bring social media into the ESL classroom, from videos and posts to digital storytelling, while keeping learning purposeful, engaging, and safe.
#94
August 12 · 22 min
Fillers: Quick activities for those unexpected gaps
What do you do when you have five minutes to fill? Try these quick, low-prep EFL activities designed to keep learners engaged, communicating and learning when plans change.
#93
August 5 · 20 min
Teaching English in South Africa: Inside the language centre classroom
In this episode, Luan and Mairead discuss the realities of teaching English in South African language centres, including multilingual classrooms, diverse learners and why the experience is both rewarding and deeply fulfilling.
#92
July 29 · 22 min
Teaching in Spain: Mairead’s TEFL journey
This week, Mairead steps into the guest seat to share her personal journey of teaching English in Spain. Discover what surprised her, what she learnt, and why teaching abroad can be such a rewarding experience.
#91
July 22 · 22 min
Interviewing Luan: A day in the life of an online TEFL teacher
In this episode of TEFL Unlocked, Mairead puts fellow host Luan in the hot seat. Together they explore what a typical day looks like for an online English teacher, from lesson planning and student interaction to technology and teaching routines
#90
July 15 · 20 min
Choosing the right classroom rewards
Luan and Mairead discuss how rewards change with age, common mistakes teachers make, and simple ideas that keep learners motivated without distracting from the lesson.
July 8 · 23 min
Storytelling in the classroom
Join Luan and Mairead as they chat about the power of storytelling in the ESL classroom, sharing practical ideas, personal experiences, and simple ways to make language learning engaging and memorable.
#88
July 1 · 18 min
Creating an introductory video that gets noticed
Not sure what to say in your teacher introduction video? Join us as we explore eight simple strategies to help you create a short, engaging and professional video that captures attention, builds trust and helps fill your classroom with eager learners.
#87
June 24 · 23 min
What Is the CEFR? Understanding A1–C2 language levels
Confused by CEFR levels? Join Luan and Mairead as they break down A1 to C2, explain learner abilities, and discuss why understanding language levels matters for teachers.
#86
June 17 · 25 min
Classroom management: What would you do?
Inspired by discussions from our practical face-to-face TTA training sessions, this episode tackles real classroom management situations and practical responses that teachers can apply immediately.
#85
June 10 · 22 min
Beating the mid-year slump as a teacher
Feeling tired, unmotivated, or stuck in a teaching rut? Luan and Mairead share practical strategies to protect your energy, prevent burnout, and rediscover balance
#84
June 3 · 23 min
Don’t do that! – Part 2
In Part 2 of Don’t do that!, Luan and Mairead explore more common teaching habits that can unintentionally hold students back — from overplanning to missing signs of confusion in the classroom.
#83
May 27 · 25 min
Don’t do that! - Part 1
This episode is a survival guide for new English teachers. Luan and Mairead unpack six common classroom mistakes that quietly damage student confidence, participation, and progress.
#82
May 20 · 24 min
Managing behaviour in the EFL Classroom: What Actually Works
Luan and Mairead tackle one of the biggest challenges for EFL teachers—classroom management. They discuss routines, pace, instructions, and relationships, and explain why behaviour is often a symptom, not the root problem.
#81
May 13 · 20 min
Dictionary activities that actually work in the classroom
Dictionaries are often overlooked in language teaching — but they can be one of the most useful classroom tools. Luan and Mairead share simple, effective dictionary activities alongside advice on choosing the right level of challenge for your learners.

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