The Language Lab Podcast

The Language Lab Podcast

by Will Marks
Education
Season 5

Clare Seccombe: One Lesson a Week Done Properly

One Lesson a Week — and yet somehow, real progress still has to happen. In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Clare Seccombe, founder of Lightbulb Languages and one of the most influential voices in UK primary languages. Together, they dig into what effective language teaching actually looks like when time is tight, expectations are high, and you’re often the only language specialist in the building. They explore why listening and phonics have to come first, how oracy builds literacy, and why writing works best when it earns its place rather than being forced in every lesson. Clare shares practical insights from over 30 years in education, including how she plans for progression with just one hour a week, why activities like trapdoor work so well, and what primary languages get right that secondary sometimes forgets. The conversation also tackles bigger questions around transition from KS2 to KS3, assessment, GCSE, curriculum pressure, and why collaboration between language teachers isn’t optional — it’s essential. Thoughtful, practical, and refreshingly honest, this episode is essential listening for anyone teaching languages in the real world. 👉 Find transcripts, show notes, and send in a voice note atwww.languagelabpodcast.co.uk ☕ Support the show and keep it going:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
S5 · E5
Feb 5, 2026
1:02:03

Vincent Everett: The Language Snowball, Why Language Only Sticks When It’s Used

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, I’m joined by Vincent Everett to explore The Language Snowball — a simple but powerful way of thinking about how language learning actually sticks, grows, or quietly melts away over time. We talk about curriculum design, communication, spontaneity, GCSE reform, and why learning to use language matters far more than simply learning more of it. Vincent unpacks what happens when pupils don’t have the chance to practise language meaningfully, and what teachers can do to build momentum that lasts beyond the lesson — and beyond the exam. This is a thoughtful, practical conversation about memory, trust, and what it really means to teach for communication in a system that doesn’t always make that easy. 🎧 Get involvedYou can now leave a short voice note via the Language Lab Podcast website — a question, a reflection, something that worked this week, or something you’re still wrestling with. It only takes a couple of minutes and can be completely anonymous. 🔗 Episode links, full transcripts, and voice notes:www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk ☕ If you’d like to support the podcast:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
S5 · E4
Jan 29, 2026
1:20:45

Megan Crean: From Belper to Bogotá - Teaching Languages Abroad

Teaching abroad gets talked about a lot — but what does it actually change about the way you teach languages? In this episode, I’m joined by Megan Crean, who began her career teaching in Belper before moving to the Cayman Islands and is now teaching IB French in Bogotá. Together, we talk honestly about what teaching abroad really looks like beyond the Instagram version: the paperwork, the uncertainty, the culture shock, and the professional growth that comes with stepping outside the UK system. We explore the differences between GCSE, IGCSE and IB, why culture and geography aren’t optional extras in language teaching, and what international education can offer teachers who feel ready for something different. Megan also shares practical advice for anyone considering a move abroad, from recruitment agencies to mindset shifts, and reflects on how teaching in different contexts has reshaped her classroom practice. If you’ve ever wondered whether teaching abroad is for you, or what languages education looks like beyond UK borders, this conversation offers a grounded, thoughtful starting point. You can find all episodes, transcripts, show notes and submit a listener voice note to join the conversation at www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk If you enjoy the show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. You can also support the podcast via Buy Me a Coffee at buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast.
S5 · E3
Jan 22, 2026
53:41

Dr. Liam Printer: Motivation, Storytelling, and What Actually Works in the Language Classroom

In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Dr Liam Printer (International School of Lausanne, Switzerland) — French and Spanish teacher, instructional coach, researcher, and host of The Motivated Classroom podcast. Liam unpacks why story, narrative and co-creation are far more than “fun activities” and how, through the lens of Self-Determination Theory (autonomy, competence, relatedness), they can dramatically shift motivation, classroom culture and even behaviour. We talk about how he discovered TPRS / comprehensible input approaches in an international school setting, what his doctorate revealed (including a surprising turnaround in a famously demotivated IB class), and why he’d happily wave a magic wand and bin testing for grammatical accuracy (at least in the early years). You’ll also get loads of practical, teacher-realistic takeaways: low-prep routines, brain breaks vs body breaks, choral response, and quick retrieval ideas that don’t require laminating your life away. We finish with what’s next for Liam: a children’s book project (Captain Super Sleep) and his upcoming Hachette Learning book Motivation Matters: Practical Solutions for the Languages Teacher (expected around summer 2026). LinksThe Language Lab Podcast website (episodes, transcripts, resources): https://www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
S5 · E2
Jan 15, 2026
40:07

Andy Goldhawk Effective Professional Development for Language Teachers

In this season premiere, Will Marks is joined by Dr Andy Goldhawk — lecturer at the University of the West of England, teacher educator, and author of The Language Teacher Toolkit — for a grounded conversation about what really makes learning stick. Together, they explore: why so much CPD fails to change classroom practice the gap between learning theory and day-to-day teaching time pressure in language classrooms rehearsal, retrieval, and practice and why enjoyment isn’t a soft extra, but a serious part of learning As Andy puts it:“Fun and enjoyment aren’t trivial – they’re part of how learning works.” A thoughtful, practical episode for language teachers, teacher educators, and anyone interested in professional learning that actually makes a difference. Links and extras:Website, transcripts, and more: www.languagelabpodcast.co.ukSupport the podcast: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast Andy's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/learning.theories.shared The Language Teaching Toolkit: https://www.crownhouse.co.uk/the-language-teaching-toolkit
S5 · E1
Jan 8, 2026
1:03:00
Season 4

Season Finale Reflections on Language Education with Silvia Bastow

What happens when we stop chasing frameworks and start asking more careful questions? In this season-finale episode of The Language Lab Podcast, Will Marks is joined by Silvia Bastow for a reflective conversation about language education, professional identity, and the human side of teaching that rarely makes it into policy documents or CPD slides. This episode explores why teaching languages is never just technical, why not everything that matters can be measured, and how reflection, values, and lived experience shape what happens in classrooms every day. It’s a calm, thoughtful discussion for anyone who wants to think more deeply about their practice — without the pressure of quick fixes or one-size-fits-all solutions. 🎧 A reflective end-of-season conversation for language teachers and educators. 🔗 Episodes, transcripts and more:www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk ☕ Support the podcast:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
S4 · E8
Dec 18, 2025
57:28

Multilingual Classrooms, Real-Life Teaching: With Hannah White

In this episode, Will is joined by Hannah White — languages teacher, EAL lead, international schools coordinator, School of Sanctuary coordinator, trainer and co-founder of the Bristol ALL Primary Languages Hub. Together they dig into what EAL really looks like beyond the label, how multilingual learners enrich a school community, and the tiny but powerful adjustments that make classrooms feel genuinely welcoming. Hannah talks about peer tutoring, Schools of Sanctuary, why primary languages deserves far more attention, and how technology can support inclusion when used thoughtfully. It’s a grounded, practical conversation full of real classroom experience and useful takeaways for any teacher working with multilingual learners. For transcripts, links and more: www.languagelabpodcast.co.ukbuymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
S4 · E7
Dec 11, 2025
1:00:03

A WalkThru the Rainforest with Tom Sherrington

In this episode, Will sits down with Tom Sherrington, better known as Teacherhead, to explore what great teaching really looks like. From evidence informed practice to curriculum overload, from target language debates to the joy of short books, Tom cuts through the noise with clarity, humour and a deep understanding of how children learn. They discuss the Learning Rainforest, Walkthrus, the tension between templates and autonomy, why some CPD works and some doesn’t, and how schools can build a culture where every student genuinely thinks hard and succeeds. They also take a look at AI in education: when it helps, when it hinders and why the audio revolution might be one of the biggest wins for language learning. A thoughtful, practical and very human conversation with one of education’s most influential voices. For transcripts, links and more visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.ukhttps://walkthrus.co.uk/ Support the show via Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast | buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
S4 · E6
Dec 4, 2025
52:08

The One Where the Laptop Quit

This week in The Language Lab, technology staged a quiet rebellion.A key piece of hardware and a key piece of software decided they would no longer speak to each other, which means the full episode could not be released on time. Everything is now sorted and the scheduled episode with Tom Sherrington will be out next week as normal. In this short update, Will shares a few quick thoughts for the final stretch of the winter term. How do you keep your own energy up when the days are dark and the classes are tired. How do you help students stay focused without burning through your last reserves. And what simple, low effort routines can make the difference when everyone is running on fumes. For links, transcripts and more visit www.languagelabpodcast.co.ukSupport the show on Patreon at patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast or on Buy Me a Coffee at buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast Next week: Tom Sherrington. It will be worth the wait.
S4 · E5
Nov 27, 2025
5:00

Ellie Chettle Cully: Beyond Bonjour, The Real KS2 Languages Curriculum

What does a high-quality Primary French curriculum actually look like in 2025? In this episode of The Language Lab Podcast, host Will Marks sits down with Ellie Chettle Cully, primary languages specialist and coordinator of the ALL Primary Languages Hub. Together they explore how to build meaningful, sustainable KS2 language learning—from phonics and progression to cultural understanding, global citizenship and decolonising the curriculum. Ellie shares practical strategies for teaching French across Key Stage 2, explains why phonics is essential for confident pronunciation, and discusses how to support non-specialist teachers in delivering effective MFL lessons. They also look at the realities of transition into secondary languages and how early language learning shapes long-term success. Perfect for primary teachers, secondary MFL departments, curriculum leads and anyone wanting a deeper understanding of what “good” looks like in Primary Languages today. Explore Ellie’s blog:https://myprimarylanguagesclassroom.wordpress.com For transcripts, links and resources:www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk Support the podcast:https://www.buymeacoffee.com/languagelabpodcast
S4 · E4
Nov 20, 2025
1:03:26
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