DEVELOPOD - The IATEFL TDSIG Podcast
Hosts Helen and Sinem from the IATEFL Teacher Development Special Interest Group discuss issues within teacher development in various contexts.
Episodes
Episode 73: Developod Episode 73 - Building the profession we want with Rachael Roberts
In this episode, Sinem and Rachael Roberts, a seasoned ELT professional with over 30 years of experience, discussed her career evolution from classroom teaching to teacher training, academic management, and materials writing. Rachael highlighted the complexity of language education and the importance of understanding its relational and contextual nature. She shared her journey into busine
Episode 72: Developod Episode 72 - Experiencing IATEFL 2026 with first-time attendee & presenter YL SEN teacher Caroline Door
In this episode, Helen and Caroline Door talk about her journey from education marketing to teaching English. At the IATEFL 2026 conference in Brighton, she presented on managing young learners' sensory needs, drawing from personal experiences and research. Caroline highlights the importance of addressing sensory factors like light and temperature to improve learning environments. She emp
Episode 71: Developod Episode 71 - Musings/Reflections on IATEFL 2026 and professional development: key takeaways with Natalia Wright
In this episode, Helen talks with Natalia Wright, an experienced ELT practitioner and academic with over 30 years in the field, outlining her professional journey and key influences. Natalia completed her BA in 1990, later earning an MA from the University of Chichester and a doctorate from the University of Glasgow. She currently teaches at the American University of the Middle East in K
Episode 70: Developod Episode 70 - Developing, supporting, and communicating in ELT with Anna Loseva
In this episode, Anna Loseva chats with Helen. She shares her ELT to EAP journey from tutoring at 19 to teaching in Moscow, Japan, and Vietnam. She highlights the impact of supportive and communicative management and workplace environments, the value of professional community (Twitter, ITDI), and her focus on academic skills in higher education. Proud of moving to Japan in 2015, she encou
Episode 69: Developod Episode 69 - Discussing growth from Teacher to Trainer with Matthew Ellman
In this episode, Helen chats with Matthew Ellman, a teacher, trainer, and author, discussing his journey from music to accounting and then ELT. He highlights his work with Cambridge University Press, focusing on teacher development and training, and they discuss Matthew's dissertation on video-supported feedback, which won the British Council's MA Dissertation Award in 2018. They also con
Episode 68: Developod Episode 68 - Becoming a freelance ELT Pronunciation Specialist with Emma Walker
In this episode, Helen interviews Emma Walker of Pronunciation with Emma, who describes her journey from early reading support work at age 16 through linguistics studies, CELTA, and a TESOL master’s to becoming a pronunciation specialist and major YouTube educator. Emma explains how her passion for phonetics and classroom experiences with learner listening difficulties led her to focus on
Episode 67: Developod Episode 67 - Keeping the ELT passion alive & adding visual sparkle with Emily Bryson
In this episode, Helen and Emily discuss her eclectic career, including teaching, teacher training, authoring books like Voices for National Geographic Learning, running online courses, and creating doodle and sketchnote visual resources. Emily describes teaching ESOL learners from refugee backgrounds and embraces a nomad lifestyle, traveling while working remotely. She highlights persist
Episode 66: Developod Episode 66 - Looking back on 40 years of Teacher Development with Adrian Underhill
In this episode, Cecilia Lemos-Harmer and Adrian Underhill explore how language learning is deeply connected to identity, emotion, and embodiment, rather than being a purely intellectual process. Adrian argues that effective language development happens when learners feel psychologically safe, engaged, and willing to experiment with new sounds and expressions. He emphasises the teacher’s
Episode 65: Developod Episode 65 - Embracing colleagues & learners as a supportive Mentor/Communicator with Dr Harry Kuchah Kuchah
Helen and Dr Harry Kuchah Kuchah reflect on his lifelong ELT journey, beginning with helping classmates in Cameroon and moving through roles as a primary-teacher educator, UK-based researcher, Ministry of Education policymaker, IATEFL President, Chair of the British Council’s English Language Advisory Group, and Director of the University of Birmingham’s MSc TESOL programme, where he also
Episode 64: Developod Episode 64 - Being an open teacher-learner with Ana Paula Biazon Rocha
In this episode, Helen and Ana Paula Biazon Rocha discuss Ana’s journey in ELT, emphasizing her passion for pronunciation and teacher development. She started teaching at 17 in Brazil, influenced by her family of educators and legacy. Anna's interest in pronunciation stemmed from personal challenges and feedback from teacher trainers – while seeking to improve, she discovered a passion. S
Episode 63: Developod Episode 63 - From Teaching to Publishing: Jumping in and Speaking up with Dr JPB Gerald
In this episode, Helen & JPB Gerald discuss his professional foundation in ELT and his current work writing articles, essays, and books, focusing on language, race, neurodivergence, and critiquing the ELT industry. Justin talks about motivation, personal struggles, his writing process and style, and shares his evolution as a writer. He shares his perspectives on academic writing and t
Episode 62: Developod Episode 62 - Embracing a non-linear (messy) ELT CPD Journey with Laura Patsko
In this episode, Helen & Laura Patsko discuss her ELT journey, describing her career as a mix of diverse elements, like salad or spaghetti. She began in advertising, transitioned to ELT after influential conversations, and completed her CELTA and DELTA in Prague. Laura then worked in teacher training and for Cambridge University Press before going freelance. She emphasizes the evolvin
Episode 61: Developod Episode 61 - Becoming a Teacher-Researcher by asking questions in ELT with Chiara Bruzzano
In this episode, Helen and Chiara Bruzzano talk about her professional development journey, her work in teacher education, writing, and research, those who impacted her CPD, and the role of research in ELT and the importance of its accessibility. She points out that teachers are the experts in and know what’s best for their own context, and talks about keeping academic research accessible
REPOST: Episode 20 - Mental Health With Phil Longwell
On July 17th, Phil Longwell passed away. He was an extraordinary teacher and remarkable human being who often attended TDSIG events, including our PCEs and recent 40th Anniversary celebration. We will miss him.In tribute, we are reposting episode 20 of Developod, where he was interviewed by Christian to mark Mental Health Week in the UK. They discuss Phil's personal experiences with menta
Episode 60: Developod Episode 60 - Pushing for the change you want to see in ELT with Varinder Ünlü
In this episode, Didar speaks with Varinder Ünlü about her professional development journey in both teaching and training as well as the importance of inclusion and diversity in ELT at all levels. She explains how she makes an effort to stay current and aware while highlighting how things have changed. She encourages leaders and trainers to adapt to teachers’ needs and teachers to adapt t
Episode 59: Developod Episode 59 - Post-IATEFL Bonus with Wing Wu and Hang Vu
In this episode, you’re going to hear from two of our Early Career Teacher Scholarship winners. First is Wing Wu from Hong Kong. Wing actually won the award back in 2023, but was unable to attend the conference until this year. We’re delighted that he was finally able to make it!Secondly, we’ll hear from Hang Vu from Vietnam, who won the Early Career scholarship for this year. It was real
Episode 58: Developod Episode 58 - Becoming a Teacher-Leader by focusing on CPD with Jim Fuller
In this episode, Helen speaks with Jim Fuller about ways to become a leader in your educational context through your sphere of influence and understanding the culture, social skills, collaboration, and continuous professional development. He encourages us to seek out development opportunities and face challenges, and reminds leaders that the environment that they create has a huge impact
Episode 57: Developod Episode 57 - Becoming a more sustainable ELT professional with Harry Waters
In this episode, Helen speaks with Harry Waters of Renewable English about his ELT journey, how he came to focus on the climate crisis, how education has been changing in response to it, and what he thinks ELT professionals could do to become more sustainable.IATEFL Conference Plenary Friday 11 April: “Five burning questions to education from a young changemaker” Harry Waters & Alicia
Episode 56: Developod Episode 56 - Becoming a Humanistic Teacher Trainer with Rachel Tsateri
In this episode, Helen speaks with Rachel Tsateri about becoming a humanistic teacher trainer. Rachel is a freelance teacher, teacher educator, and blogger based in Greece but working exclusively online. She's been involved in ELT since 2014 and holds the Cambridge CELTA, DELTA and Train the Trainer certifications. She is working on her Masters in Professional Development for Language Edu
Episode 55: Developod Episode 55 - Pre-Web Carnival
In this episode, Joint TDSIG coordinators James Taylor & Cecilia Lemos Harmer invite our listeners to come to TDSIG’s Web Carnival, on October 19 & 20. James introduces Kristina Novik and Didar Moldazhanov, who are joining Helen on the Developod Team. Helen talks about the 3rd Web Carnival Plenary Speaker Silvana Accardo and her session. Kristina introduces the 2nd Plenary Speaker
Episode 54: Developod Episode 54 - Becoming a Pronunciation Specialist while focusing on your wellbeing with Taylor Veigga
In this episode, Helen interviews Taylor Veigga, who is CELTA, CertTESOL, CertPT, Delta1, & DipTESOL tutor, writer, editor, IATEFL PronSIG Webinar Joint Coordinator, and an advocate for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in ELT. She shares her CPD journey, including people who (and training/qualifications that) influenced her career, how her focus on looking at pronunciation from a di
Episode 53: Developod Episode 53 - Becoming a Materials Writer and ELT DEI consultant with Lottie Galpin
In this episode, Helen interviews Lottie Galpin, who writes dyslexia-friendly materials, is a freelance ELT publishing professional, an ELT editor/writer, and a DEI in ELT consultant. Lottie shares her professional development journey from teacher to materials writer to DEI consultant, offering support and suggestions for teachers who want to create their own materials and/or move into pu
Episode 52: Developod Episode 52 - Becoming an ELT LGBTQIA+ DEI and materials writing/editing consultant with Peter J Fullagar
In this episode, Helen and James discuss our new theme "Teacher Change" and Helen interviews Peter J Fullagar, who is an ELT editor/writer, DEI in ELT consultant, and LGBTQIA+ champion. Peter discusses his professional development journey from teacher to editor/writer to DEI consultant to LGBTQIA+ champion, offering support and suggestions, and encourages us all to use our voices to speak
Episode 49: Episode 49 - Early Career Teachers with Jo Gakonga
Joining Christian on this episode is Jo Gakonga, a Teacher educator and online course creator, to discuss her interest in early career teachers. This episode is the final part of our Future of Teacher Development strand.Jo has worked in ELT for over 30 years in a range of countries and contexts including Taiwan, the Czech Republic, Kenya and Switzerland. She's a CELTA trainer, assessor an
Episode 48: Episode 48 - Interview with Sandy Millin
In this episode, Christian talks with Sandy Millin about the future of Teacher Development from her perspective, especially focusing on the power of blogs and social media. Read Sandy Millin's Blog here: https://sandymillin.wordpress.com/British Council Webinar with Sandy Millin: Professional development through blogs and blogging: https://www.teachingenglish.org.uk/news-and-events/webina
Episode 47: Episode 47 - TD & Tech - Interviews with Vicky Saumell & David Read
Joining us for episode 47 are Vicky Saumell & David Read. They help us to continue our investigation into the future of teacher development from a technology point of view.
Episode 46: Episode 46 - Bottom up Teacher Development with Claire Steele and Sarah Smith
Joining Christian in this latest episode of Developod are Claire Steele and Sarah Smith, Directors of Eltonix. They discuss the future of teacher development with a focus on 'bottom-up' teacher development, and in particular 'classroom-based inquiry' (or 'action research'), which they argue is both more teacher-centred and student-centred than most current forms of prescriptive profession
Episode 45: Episode 45 - Web Carnival 2023 Preview
Join us as we preview this weekend’s annual TDSIG online conference, the Web Carnival. In this episode, James interviews two of our plenary speakers, Michelle Worgan and Cesar Correa Larroca, to find out more about their talks.Register for the Web Carnival at tdsig.org/web-carnivalMichelle and Eloise’s The Teaching Lab: facebook.com/groups/eltteachinglab
Episode 44: Episode 44 - Teacher Development for Young Learner Teachers
Joining Christian in the latest episode of Developod is David Valente, primary English teacher educator and researcher. They take a look at how the future of teacher development will affect young learner teachers.USEFUL LINKS: CEPELL resources: https://icepell.eu/ ICEKit materials: https://icepell.eu/index.php/icekits/Reading for in-depth learning (Ridl) framework: https://site.nord.no/el
Episode 43: Episode 43 - The climate crisis and teacher development with Colm Downes
In the latest episode of Developod, James is joined by Colm Downes to discuss how the climate crisis should be a central part of our teacher development.About Colm:ELT Assessment and Teacher Education, ESP, EAP, CLIL, Project Management & Climate Change Education Specialist.Based in Jakarta, Indonesia - Colm is currently working on a range of projects as a freelance consultant for a v
Episode 42: Episode 42 Interview with Silvana Richardson
The third in the series on 'The Future of Teacher Development in ELT', this episode hears from Silvana Richardson.
Episode 41: Episode 41 - TDSIG Catch Up & Conference News
In episode 41 of Developod, James is joined by Cecilia Lemos and they discuss their new roles as coordinators of TDSIG. We also hear from Taiza Lombardi, the winner of this year's Michael Berman Scholarship, about her experiences at this year's IATEFL Conference in Harrogate.To apply for our scholarships in 2023, go to https:// tdsig.org/scholarship/. The deadline is 21st of June.
Episode 40: Episode 40 Interview with Richard Chinn & Danny Norrington-Davies
The second in the series on 'The Future of Teacher Development in ELT', this episode hears from Richard Chinn and Danny Norrington-Davies, two teacher trainers and developers who have recently published a cutting edge book called 'Working with Emergent Language'.
Episode 39: Episode 39 Interview with Gabriel Diaz Maggioli.
This episode kickstarts a series of podcasts on The Future of Teacher Development in ELT. The interview is with Gabriel Garcia Maggioli, or "Gabo", the current President of IATEFL.
Episode 38: Episode 38 IATEFL Conference with Helen Slee
Helen, the winner of the Michael Berman scholarship 2022, tells us all about their take-aways from the IATEFL conference in Belfast and offers useful tips for those going to a conference for the first time.https://tdsig.org/scholarship/https://www.iatefl.org/resources
Episode 37: Web Carnival Reflections
Join Christian, Tania and James as they discuss the Web Carnival that took place earlier this year. Find out more about the theme, critical pedagogy, and three of the talks from the event. Antoine Marcq: https://youtu.be/AqGLYCl0akcLinda Ruas: https://youtu.be/Jy2VYvHY9F4Panel discussion: https://youtu.be/VjThS2H1Y1MWatch all the talks from the conference here: https://youtube.com/playlis
Episode 36: Episode 36: Classroom-Based Inquiry
Christian talks to Petra and Eliška, two primary school teachers of English in the Czech Republic. Their classroom-based inquiry projects centre around the topics of differentiation and motivation in the classroom, and their findings reveal how relatively small changes can have a very profound impact.
Episode 35: Episode 35: TDAJ Review
In this episode of TDSIG’s Developod, James, Christian and Tania discuss Race and Queerness in ELT, via their review of three articles from the recently published second volume of the TDAJ (Teacher Development Academic Journal). TDSIG held a web carnival in December 2020 on the theme of 'Race and Queerness' and speakers contributed to this edition of TDAJ, a publication which is available
