The Language Lab Podcast

The Language Lab Podcast

di Will Marks

Stagione 4

Our Newcastle, Our World: Declan Baharini & Sarah Edgar on Building a City of Languages

What happens when a city decides that languages belong to everyone? In this episode, Declan Baharini (CEO of International Newcastle) and Sarah Edgar (Schools of Sanctuary and EAL Lead) join Will to share how Our Newcastle, Our World and the Express Yourself Festival of Languages have turned partnership and passion into a movement. From international school links and heritage language projects to 94,000 pupils singing in 25 languages, Newcastle’s story shows how inclusion, creativity, and collaboration can reshape how we teach — and why we teach. 🎙️ A must-listen for anyone who believes language learning should build bridges, not tick boxes. 🎧 Listen now, and check out the festival at www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk expressyourselfne.com Support the show:☕ buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast🎧 patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

Maud Waret Pt. 2 Teaching in Colour: Space, Equity and the Future of Learning

In the second half of her conversation with Will Marks, Maud Waret turns from curriculum to culture — asking what schools could look like if they were built around people, not policy. Together they explore wellbeing, empathy, equity and design: from nutrition and architecture to the way classroom spaces shape learning itself. Maud argues for an education system that nurtures curiosity and humanity as much as knowledge, and one that sees pupils as whole people rather than statistics. A calm, hopeful and deeply human conversation about the future of teaching, learning and belonging in our schools. 🎧 Listen, read and find more at www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast💡 Join early access and bonus content: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

Season Premier Maud Waret Pt 1 Decolonising the Curriculum: Who Gets to Tell the Story

What does it really mean to decolonise the curriculum — and why is it important? In this first part of Will’s conversation with Maud Waret, French and Spanish teacher, curriculum developer and writer, they explore how the stories we tell in classrooms shape what pupils learn about themselves and the world. From growing up in France to researching representation during lockdown, Maud shares her reflections on teaching, assessment and the invisible narratives that run through our subjects. A thoughtful and inspiring look at what happens when we ask who gets to tell the story — and how we might widen the lens. 🎧 Listen, read and find more at www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk☕ Support the show: buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast💡 Join early access and bonus content: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

Stagione 3

Carmen Santos: Teaching the World in One Classroom

In the Season 3 finale, Will Marks is joined by Carmen Santos, former Head of Languages at Queen Katharine Academy, to explore what inclusion really looks like in one of the UK’s most linguistically diverse schools. From teaching Roma and EAL learners to creating predictable routines that build confidence, Carmen shares practical strategies for making every student feel seen and supported — without losing the humour, energy, or joy that make great teaching sustainable. They talk candidly about behaviour, differentiation, and the myth of “low ability”, as well as the pressures of workload, marking, and the need to protect teacher wellbeing. A thoughtful and uplifting conversation about what it means to teach every child — and to stay human while doing it. 💻 For links, transcripts and bonus content visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk.☕ Support the show via Spotify Subscriptions (£2.99/month), Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee.

Martin Lapworth: TaskMagic to Textivate – The Quiet Revolution in MFL

In this episode, Will Marks sits down with Martin Lapworth, the quiet innovator behind TaskMagic, Textivate, TeachVid, and Sentence Builders — the tools that quietly transformed how modern languages are taught across the UK and beyond. Martin shares how a single Visual Basic manual turned him from an overworked teacher into one of MFL’s most influential creators. Together, they unpack the evolution of teacher-led EdTech, the power of context in language learning, and how software born from classroom frustration can reshape an entire profession. This is a story about creativity, problem-solving, and the quiet persistence of a teacher who built what he couldn’t find — and in doing so, changed the way languages are taught. 💻 For links, transcripts and bonus content visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk.☕ Support the show via Spotify Subscriptions (£2.99/month), Patreon, or Buy Me a Coffee.SentenceBuilders - HomeTeachVid - LoginTextActivities - Home

Jonathan Mumford: Whiteboards, Workload, and Why Teaching Still Matters

In this extended episode, Jonathan Mumford joins Will Marks to explore the realities of language teaching in 2025. Together they discuss how audio feedback and mini whiteboards can transform lessons, why marking policies need a rethink, and how to build a curriculum that balances rigour with accessibility. The conversation ranges from behaviour and emotional intelligence to leadership, student motivation, and the role of research in keeping lessons fresh. With nearly twenty years in the classroom, Jonathan brings a chill, practical perspective that makes big challenges feel manageable. A fantastic episode full of insights, stories, and ideas you can take straight into your own teaching. Find out more about Jonathan’s work and CPD sessions at jmumfordteachertraining.com.

Julia Vogado: Bringing the World Into the Classroom

Founder of the All Abroad Bus project, Julia joins me to talk about immersive pop-up language and culture experiences that use VR, food, smells, sounds, and role-play to make languages real. We discuss equity in access, the role of culture in the curriculum, and why resilience and joy matter more than perfection. Julia’s work proves that sometimes the best way to learn a language is to step into a market, festival, or café — even if it’s inside your school hall. Find the All Abroad Bus at www.allabroadbus.org

Ben Levi: Teaching Languages for Real Life

Teacher and Language Sofa host Ben Levi joins me to cut through MFL myths and argue for languages as life skills, not tick-box exams. We talk about why vocab lists don’t work, how scaffolding supports SEN and mixed-ability groups, the power of humour and games, curriculum design headaches, and what GCSEs might look like if teachers were in charge.

Ryan Smith: What Students Really Think About Languages

Season 3 kicks off with a double drop. In this episode, I chat with Ryan Smith — one of my former students who’s gone from GCSE Spanish to living in Zaragoza, back as a TA, and now working in cover and adult ESL. We talk about cultural engagement, the EAL reality, GCSE speaking exam nerves, and why learning a second language lets you try on a whole new persona. 🎧 Don’t miss the companion episode out this week too: S3 E1b with Jane Driver, Headteacher and President Elect of ALL.

Jane Driver: Hope for the Future of Languages

Season 3 begins with a double drop! In this episode I’m joined by Jane Driver — Headteacher, mentor, innovator of Spelling Bees and Eurovision phonics projects, and now President Elect of the Association for Language Learning. We talk about enrichment, target-language teaching, community, and why the future of languages still looks bright — if we back our students. Jane was also my Head of Department when I first started out, so expect a mix of professional insight and a few personal throwbacks. 🎧 Episode 1a with Ryan Smith is also out now.

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