🎙️How To English – S06E09: “I” Is for Intonation, Icebreakers & Inspiration! Join Em and Gav as they explore all things “I” in this insightful, fun, and packed episode of How To English TEFL Pod. From intonation exercises to inspiring students, surprising teacher roles, and even a lively information gap activity, this episode is full of ideas and laughs for English teachers and learners alike. 💬Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/howtoenglishpod
Reflection Questions:
Self-Awareness
1. What aspects of my teaching practice reflect my cultural background or values?
2. Have I ever assumed my way of doing things is “normal” or “universal”?
3. How do my personal beliefs influence the way I respond to student behavior or feedback?
Perspective
4. How might this lesson be experienced differently by a student from a collectivist culture vs. an individualist one?
5. If I were a newcomer or international student in this class, how welcome or included would I feel?
6. How do I create space for different communication styles—direct vs. indirect, expressive vs. reserved?
Bias and Areas for Improvement
7. Are there cultural groups or accents I subconsciously associate with “higher ability” or “better behaviour”?
8. When was the last time I challenged a cultural stereotype—my own or someone else’s?
9. Do I ever misinterpret silence, disagreement, or eye contact based on my own cultural expectations?
Classroom Practice
10. Do my teaching materials and examples reflect a variety of cultural contexts and perspectives?
11. What strategies do I use to learn about my students’ backgrounds without stereotyping them?
12. How do I handle culture-related misunderstandings or conflicts when they arise in class?
Growth and Intention
13. What have I learned from a student who challenged my assumptions?
14. How do I stay open and curious when something feels unfamiliar or uncomfortable?
15. What one thing can I do this week to increase inclusivity and cultural awareness in my teaching?
Timestamps
00:00 – Welcome!
00:59 – Capital “I” as a pronoun
03:00 – Inspiring students
08:16 – Intonation and Em's bike
11:44 – I didn’t sign up for this!
18:30 – Information gap
24:03 – Intercultural Reflection Questions
29:39 – Interaction
32:27 – Icebreakers
35:20 – Wrap-up & a nice cuppa tea/KO-FI