APPI Talks

In this inspiring episode, we chat with Nayr Ibrahim about multilingualism in the classroom and the importance of “demonolingualising” English—a powerful call to acknowledge and embrace the linguistic diversity our learners bring with them. We explore how current curricula often operate under the assumption of monolingualism, limiting learners’ potential rather than empowering them. Nayr also shares insights from her co-authored book, Teaching Children How to Learn, and reminds us why making time for reflection, feedback, and reviewing the learning process is essential—regardless of age. A must-listen for any educator ready to shift perspectives and reimagine how we teach language in a multilingual world.

In this episode, we take you inside the 38thAnnual APPI Conference – “ELT in a Multimodal World”, held at ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon on April 25th–27th, 2025. We reflect on what made this year’s conferencetruly unique—from the inspiring talks to the vibrant exchange of ideas in the ELT community. The introduction of a fantastic new conference app, making it easier than ever to connect and engage, fostering a stronger sense of community. We share highlights of our own sessions - exploring how AI and music can transform classroom engagement (suno.com / ilovesong.com). With Anna Pires, the Culturally connected classroom. 🎧 Tune in for highlights, takeaways, and a spark ofinspiration for your own teaching practice

🎙️ Oldie but Goodie: Rediscovering a Classic Teaching Tool In this throwback episode, we’re dusting off a tried-and-true classroom favorite— Padlet, a tool that may have faded into the background but still has plenty of untapped potential. Whether you’ve used it before or it’s completely new to you, we’re diving into creative, modern ways to bring it back to life in today’s classrooms. www.padlet.com Join us as we explore: 
✔️ Fresh, innovative ways to use it today
 ✔️ Why it still deserves a place in your teaching toolkit Sometimes, the best resources aren’t the newest ones—they’re the ones we just need to see in a new light. Tune in and get inspired! 🎧 Listen now!

What if picture books were more than juststories for young learners? In this episode, we sit down with Sandie Mourão, a passionateadvocate for picture books in language education.Her lifelong dedication to this field grew from a genuine need—one that led tothe creation of APPInep SIG,a special interest group that recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Along theway, she launched a blog, collaborated on numerous projects, and took part ininitiatives that have had a lasting impact on English language teaching.   Far from being limited to pre-primary and primary students,picture books are an invaluable resourcefor secondary learners and even adults. They promote visual thinking, critical literacy, andintercultural awareness, making them a powerful tool to explorecomplex themes—including taboo topics often avoided incoursebooks (PARSNIP topics).   Sandie shares insights from her pioneeringprojects, including: 🔗Sandie’s Blog: Picture Books in ELT 📚 PEPELT – Picture Books inPrimary English Language Teaching https://www.facebook.com/PEPELT21 🌍 ICEPELL – InterculturalCitizenship Education through Picturebooks in Early English Language Learning,an award-winning initiative that has transformed teaching practices acrossEurope. https://icepell.eu/ ICEPELL was recognized with the European Language Labelin 2022, and in November 2024, its OpenAccess Resources won the prestigious ELTonsAward for Innovation in Teacher Resources, also receiving acommendation for its young learner courses and materials. We also talk about ICEKITS, a resource thathelps teachers structure effective read-aloud sessionsand expand them into intercultural projectsthrough Taking Action activities. And of course, Sandie doesn’t just talk theory—she sharespractical ideas, specific book recommendations, and creative strategiesto bring picture books to life in your classroom. Want to find out which books and techniques could transform your teaching? Tunein now! 🎧✨ 📖Discover the Words and Pictures Online Librarycreated by Gail Ellis and Tatia Gruenbaum: www.wordsandpictureslibrary.com  

In this episode, we dive into the power of storytelling in language teaching. We explore the key elements of storytelling and discuss how it can be an engaging tool not just for primary learners but especially for secondary students, who have more language to create and share their own stories. Stories are a fantastic way to develop listening, speaking, and writing skills, making language learning more meaningful and memorable. We also share practical classroom ideas to help you bring storytelling to life with your students. There’s bound to be at least one idea that sparks your interest—why not give it a try? And if you do, we’d love to hear about your experience! 🎙️✨

In this episode we have a special guest joining us, Carlos Lindade. 🤖📚 Carlos is here to help us navigate the ever-evolving world of artificial intelligence. If you’ve been hesitant about incorporating AI into your teaching practice, this episode is for you. 🛠️💡 Carlos will share practical tips to get started with AI and how to use it effectively in the classroom. From user-friendly apps like Sumo and Magic School to AI tools to save time on repetitive paperwork, there’s something for everyone to take away. 🖥️✅ But it’s not just about convenience. We also explore how AI can help your students develop a critical eye, encouraging them to question, analyze, and engage with content in more meaningful ways. 🧠🔍 So, grab your headphones 🎧 and get ready to be inspired. Let’s dive in! 🚀

After a rocky start to the school year, Anabel and Shawn are back in action—and more energized than ever! In this exciting episode, they reveal the details of an upcoming event you won’t want to miss. To keep things fresh, they spotlight two fantastic apps every teacher should know about—because, sometimes, you need a little something just for yourself! Stick around until the end, where they share two inspiring teaching ideas: one tailored for primary teachers and the other perfect for secondary classrooms. 🎙️✨📚 Elevate - https://elevateapp.com Balance - https://balanceapp.com

🎙️ Podcast Announcement: Engaging the Classroom with Graphic Novels! Welcome to our latest podcast episode, where we dive into the world of graphic novels and their powerful impact on classroom learning. 📚✨ Graphic novels, combining visual art with written text, have gained significant recognition and popularity. These engaging tools can boost both reading and writing skills, particularly for reluctant readers and visually oriented learners. Our guest today – Alex Popovski – will give us a few tips on how we can effectively incorporate graphic novels into our curriculum, transforming the way students interact with literature. Alex, who is also the current president of IATEFL, will also give us some information on the upcoming annual conference in 2025 which will take place in Scotland. Stay tuned, and discover how graphic novels can revolutionize your teaching methods and enhance your students' learning experience. 🎧 Listen now on your favorite podcast platform! .

In this episode we explore the power of threes – We have a lineup of three educators named Anna, each sharing their unique experiences and perspectives. First, we’ll delve into the magic of motivating very young learners with story books, revealing how storytelling can spark a lifelong love of learning. Then, we’ll see how important it is to do something “new” when you go to a conference to enhance your professional development and to do a bit of networking as well as talk about the advantages of applying mindfulness in the classroom. Finally, we’ll introduce the concept of interculturalism and discuss its crucial role in today’s diverse classroom and how you can use projects to expand this concept in the classroom. From practical tips to thought-provoking discussions, this episode has it all. Stay tuned and enjoy the chat.

In this episode, Anabel and Shawn interview Annie Altamirano, who gives an amazing overview of what Formative Assessment is while at the same time giving practical considerations for Formative Feedback, promoting student awareness of their abilities and the right feedback for them to build on the strengths and overcome their weaknesses.

Anabel and Shawn whip up a wonderful recipe for classroom enjoyment. This is a discussion of some tips for promoting the best classroom atmosphere possible. Challenge and fun can go hand in hand!

This podcast give some key information on the 37th Annual Conference. See you there!

In this episode, you can learn a little more about the history of APPI, hear a personal story about being passionate about English and becoming a teacher.

Anabel and Shawn talk about the aim of APPI Talks - This is a podcast for teachers by teachers. Along the way, they share an idea for pair and group work.