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Teacher Talking Time is a podcast for language teachers who want more: more clarity, more autonomy, and more lasting impact, both inside and outside the classroom.
Hosted by Leo and Andrew of Learn YOUR English, each episode features thoughtful, in-depth conversations with the educators, researchers, and teacherpreneurs shaping the future of language education. Guests have included Scott Thornbury, Bill VanPatten, David Little, Jennifer Jenkins, John Levis, Angelica Galante, Sarah Mercer, Enrica Piccardo, Claudia Fernández, Shawn Loewen, Paul Nation, Sheila Thorn, and many more.
From the latest in second language acquisition research to honest stories of teachers building lives and businesses on their own terms, every conversation invites you to think deeper, teach more intentionally, and take charge of your professional path.
We release two episodes each month - with full video versions on YouTube - to help you reflect, stay inspired, and grow as a teacher and changemaker.
Subscribe, listen, and join a global community of educators leading with intention.
Episodes
Friday Sep 19, 2025
Friday Sep 19, 2025
From beginner to intermediate in 9 months: yes, it's possible and Claudia Fernandez tells us how.
Claudia runs her Spanish program at the University of Illinois-Chicago using a task-based curriculum. One result was bringing fifteen A1 students to intermediate over 9 months. She shares her story and how others can do the same.
At the University of Illinois-Chicago, Claudia is a Clinical Associate Professor, where she directs the Spanish Basic Language Program using a task-based curriculum. Her research and teaching focus on task-based language teaching, materials development, and classroom-based language acquisition. She is an award-winning educator, published author, and active contributor to both national and international professional organizations in the field of language education.
In this episode, we dive into:
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Implementing task-based language teaching from scratch
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Why there is still pushback against TBLT
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Mindset shifts every institution needs
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Aligning tasks with assessments
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Claudia’s experience of helping students go from absolute beginner to intermediate in 9 months
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Effective task design
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How learners acquire grammar through input-based approaches
- Instruction habits that get in the way of learning
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How to create needs analyses in task-based learning
FOR MORE FROM CLAUDIA FERNANDEZ:
3. Her publication on moving from grammar to proficiency-driven programs
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