The Language Lab Podcast

The Language Lab Podcast

di Will Marks
Educazione
Stagione 8

Dr. Elsa Petit Rethinking the Language Crisis

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.
S8 · E2
1 ott 2026
56:43

Juliette Claro: Bringing the Joy Back to MFL

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.
S8 · E1
11 giu 2026
52:24
Stagione 7

Marking Mayhem Meltdown

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
S7 · E4
14 mag 2026
8:44

Marie Massé: Less Clutter, More Purpose

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
S7 · E3
7 mag 2026
1:01:36

Jane Handley: Immersive Languages and the Power of Purpose

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
S7 · E2
30 apr 2026
55:25

Dylan Viñales: Fluency, Trust, and the Problem with Testing

Esplicito
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 memorisation why recycling and cognitive load are essential for long-term learning what it takes to move from structured support to genuine communication And 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
S7 · E1
23 apr 2026
55:00
Stagione 6

Patty McGee: From Correction to Construction

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
S6 · E5
2 apr 2026
41:20

This Is Not the Episode You Were Promised

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
S6 · E3
19 mar 2026
3:24

Amy Lennon Teaching Languages Like a Global Citizen

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
S6 · E1
5 mar 2026
1:01:53
Stagione 5

Season 5 Finale Double Bill: Dr Kedi Simpson: Listening isnt Passive

Listening is often treated as passive. Dr Kedi Simpson explains why it isn’t. In part one of this double-bill season finale, Will Marks is joined by Dr Kedi Simpson — head of languages and researcher with a doctorate from the University of Oxford — to unpack what’s really happening when students listen in a language classroom. This episode digs into why “doing a listening” isn’t the same as teaching listening, how anxiety and segmentation shape comprehension, why mishearings are so revealing, and what practices like dictation and transcripts can tell us about learners’ thinking. It’s practical, thoughtful, and grounded firmly in classroom reality. Part two drops next week, where the conversation turns to assessment, GCSE listening, and what listening could look like in the future. For transcripts, links, and to send in your listener voice notes, head towww.languagelabpodcast.co.uk Sound engineered by Isla McIntoshExecutively produced by Isla McIntosh & Will Marks If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate, and review — it really helps.You can also support the podcast via Spotify subscriptions, buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast. Keep the conversation going.
S5 · E6
12 feb 2026
47:50
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