How much should a teacher actually talk in an English lesson — and when should they simply get out of the way?
In S07E15, Gav and Em discuss what teachers really do in the classroom (and what they don’t!).
We explore whether a lesson should ever become “The Teacher Show”, how teachers can guide conversations without dominating them, when to jump into a discussion, and why timing matters when correcting errors.
We also talk about supporting lower-level learners, encouraging students to help each other, and remembering that while teachers may think about English all day, an English lesson might be just one small part of a student’s busy week.
Plus: a simple tip for learners — keep notes of interesting English you hear, read or see during the week and bring those questions to your teacher.
⏱️ KEY MOMENTS
00:00 – What do teachers really do in the classroom? 02:26 – Why your lesson shouldn’t be “The Teacher Show” 03:57 – Do students actually need a teacher? 06:26 – Should teachers give their opinions? 07:15 – Stepping back and delayed error correction 09:54 – The teacher as an orchestra conductor 11:43 – When should you correct errors? 13:05 – Getting a speaking activity started 13:58 – Supporting lower-level learners 16:04 – What does “lower-level” actually mean? 20:52 – Students teaching students 24:01 – The lesson from the student’s perspective
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How to English: Teach & Learn with Gav & Em — a podcast about teaching and learning English as a foreign language.
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