Best TEFL Org Podcasts (2024)

1
From the priesthood to the classroom 1:01:42

5M ago1:01:42

1:01:42

When Seth Knight left seminary after training for the priesthood in Milan for 3 years, he wasn’t quite sure what he’d do next. Qualified in music, and a former professional dancer, Seth knew he loved working with people and performing. Teaching came calling, and a truly unique story followed. In this fascinating episode, we deal with spirituality, …

1
It all started when she pressed ‘play’ 52:38

5M ago52:38

52:38

Rachael McGettigan had pretty much put any plans to teach and explore Asia aside. It just wasn’t a priority, nor something that seemed realistic - until she happened upon the ‘I Taught English Abroad’ podcast. After listening to our first-ever episode, Rachael caught the travel and teaching bug and hasn’t looked back. We talk about changing career,…

1
Finding identity through teaching 40:36

5M ago40:36

40:36

It can be difficult when you have parents from two different cultures. Growing up, Lucia identified as both a Londoner and a Canarian, spending different periods of time across the capital of England and Spain, but what was once a tricky balancing act among peers has become a huge strength, and now she teaches English. We caught up with Lucia to fi…

1
Hello, and hola: The American teacher breaking down barriers 52:15

6M ago52:15

52:15

Through her own company, English With Grace, and from her career in working with refugees, asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups, it’s no exaggeration to say that Grace Davis has opened doors for all kinds of people through immersive language lessons. We talked about how bilingualism can help in English teaching, putting textbooks to the side …

1
Lessons from a podcasting polymath 56:15

6M ago56:15

56:15

We love a unique perspective on ‘I Taught English Abroad’, and if you do, too, try this on for size: Frank Carrizo Zirit has more qualifications than you can shake a stick at, was accepted into university at 16, is a bilingual Venezuelan-American and has both a popular podcast about English teaching, and a considerable following on social media. Su…

1
Test tubes to bookshelves: A Brazilian teacher’s unlikely journey 59:45

6M ago59:45

59:45

Fernanda Cwiertnia had planned for a career in chemistry, but after finding herself dissatisfied with life amongst the test tubes and periodic tables, she opted for a career in teaching English, and the results have been fantastic. We talk about teaching approaches, teaching in Brazil, mentoring English teaching talent and more! --- Visit the episo…

1
From the pitch to pronunciation 48:46

6M ago48:46

48:46

Benjamin Robson dreamt of Premier League stardom growing up - who doesn’t? - and even played in a couple of notable soccer academies. Now, though, he’s one of the preeminent stars of English pronunciation online, with a formidable following across YouTube and TikTok. We spoke to Benjamin about his teaching journey, life in Valencia and Hamburg, and…

1
How “getting geeky” with English language sparked a successful career 52:38

6M ago52:38

52:38

Pronunciation is an integral part of learning a language, and there are so many different accents, types of English and ways to perceive phrasing. Ellie Caudwell Casey, a linguistics expert so enthusiastic that she wrote 25,000 words on the /r/ sound alone, tells us about finding an audience online, how drilling into the specifics of linguistics an…

1
From leaving Iran to La Dolce Vita 45:27

7M ago45:27

45:27

We don’t meet many TEFL teachers who start in Iran, take online classes with American universities, and then opt to live and work in Italy. But then, we don’t meet many teachers like Roya Abedi. The definition of a determined self-starter, Roya has used social media and online word-of-mouth to start a very popular English teaching business. We hear…

1
How TEFL started a journey to every peak, every nation and both poles 47:57

7M ago47:57

47:57

Johnny Ward is a one-of-a-kind. Growing up poor in Ireland, Johnny made it his mission to make a career out of doing things that he loved. To say he succeeded is an understatement; Johnny’s been to every nation on earth, climbed the highest peaks, rowed across the Atlantic, visited both Poles, dodged bullets in warzones, lived it up in Turkmenistan…

1
Meet Japanese TikTok’s favourite English teacher 56:57

7M ago56:57

56:57

When he joined TikTok during the pandemic, Michigan-born TEFL teacher Patrick Smith thought it’d be a fun way to kill some time while teaching in Japan. Instead, it turned into an amazing platform for Patrick to share fantastic teaching stories, with over a million followers keeping up with his updates. We talked about the African-American teacher …

1
S5: I Taught English Abroad - trailer 2:23

7M ago2:23

2:23

How could I Taught English Abroad possibly go bigger than it did last season? How can we outdo ourselves after reaching lots of new listeners, recording in person and even doing some travelling of our own for season 4? Well, it was simple. We stuck to what we do best: great chats with amazing guests. We meet a man who’s travelled to every country, …

1
Goodbye boredom, hello Cambodia 46:15

10M ago46:15

46:15

The idea of the career changer is something we talk about a lot at The TEFL Org. We like to imagine that teaching English can be a get-out from the tiresome commute, the job that remains unfulfilling, the same old. For Andy Korterling, of Can Travel Will Travel and the Pigs on Bikes YouTube channel, that’s exactly what TEFL became. And while it was…

1
Transcribing Spider-Man to blazing a trail in Iran 50:56

10M ago50:56

50:56

How determined does a person have to be to achieve their goals? How highly must the odds be stacked against you for you to give up? Sara Alami, an English teacher from Iran, couldn’t have had a more difficult road to where she is now. She’s the co-founder of an Iranian English language school, teaches online to students around the world and has a m…

1
As real as it gets: TEFL in Los Angeles 44:56

10M ago44:56

44:56

Imagine your first ever teaching experience was in a purpose-built Korean village, where everything was in English. Even if you’ve worked on film or TV sets, or in the entertainment industry in some form, it’d be quite a jarring experience. Well, that’s what happened to Angie White, our next guest, who decided to explore the world of TEFL teaching …

1
There is room for us: deconstructing native speakerism, leading the discussion 51:30

11M ago51:30

51:30

Let’s be clear - the English language can be difficult. Whether it’s on a conversational level, where idioms stalk almost every sentence, or at the academic level. So, imagine navigating English for both casual chats and textbooks when it’s not even your mother tongue? Our next guest, Cecilia Nobre, grew up in Brazil, absolutely fascinated by langu…

1
Who runs the world? 56:03

11M ago56:03

56:03

We love confidence here on I Taught English Abroad. The confidence to say “I’m going to be a teacher”, for example. The confidence to travel to entirely new places, either having gained employment, or just going to see what you can find. The sheer - as we call it in Scotland - gallus to say “I’m going to do this, and what’s more, I’m going to be go…

1
Comfort in the unknown: turning down Seoul for smalltown Korea 54:50

11M ago54:50

54:50

When it came time to pick somewhere to live and teach in South Korea, Ilsa Strough had loads of options. Seoul and Busan, for example, represent two buzzing, sprawling choices where expat communities are widespread and jobs are plentiful. Except, doing the expected isn’t exactly Ilsa’s way. Hear about how she built an online audience, inspired coun…

1
First China, then the world 52:52

11M ago52:52

52:52

Like many TEFL teachers, Dan Wharton once found himself looking out his window and dreaming of being somewhere else. Somewhere new, somewhere exotic, somewhere totally outside of his previous experiences. He trained as a TEFL teacher, and moved to China - so far, so exciting. The next chapter of his life, however, sets him apart from any other gues…

1
From art school dreams to teaching teens 1:01:08

12M ago1:01:08

1:01:08

Gav and Em, of the How To English Podcast, first met in art school with designs on breaking into the world of fine art. Over 20 years later, they’ve travelled the world side-by-side as intrepid world explorers and teachers of excellent repute. The duo tell us all about their travels, the challenges they’ve encountered, building a podcast audience a…

1
Tales from Tinseltown: The Hollywood TEFL teacher 56:33

12M ago56:33

56:33

I Taught English Abroad has gone Hollywood, as we meet LA English Tutor, known to her friends as Anne Crutchfield. Anne, originally from Illinois, tells us all about teaching the diverse and exciting population of Los Angeles, her experience working for the government, the challenges facing modern teachers, as well as much more. If you’ve ever wond…

1
Setting off sparks: A constantly creative teacher explains her method 49:07

12M ago49:07

49:07

You probably remember your favourite teacher. If that’s the case, chances are they’re the one who gave you creative freedom and let you express yourself. It could’ve been art, stories, songs; whatever it took to get you feeling inspired, they did it. For many, that teacher will have been our next guest, Betsy Potash. American, but now based in Buda…

1
The teacher, the Messi shirts and the world map 1:01:41

1y ago1:01:41

1:01:41

They don’t have pictures in the dictionary, but if they did, you’d maybe see Matt Mitzel’s face under the word ‘Wanderlust’. Matt, a qualified and experienced TEFL teacher, has made it his personal mission to travel to every country in the world, and he’s already made impressive inroads. We cover the niceties of Istanbul, the career of Lionel Messi…

1
S4: I Taught English Abroad - trailer 1:45

1y ago1:45

1:45

Your favourite TEFL podcast is back for a fourth season! Yes, once again, ‘I Taught English Abroad’ is back to tell the most compelling stories from the world of English teaching, filled with valuable insights, scarcely believable career trajectories and the best stories you’ll hear on any podcast. Meet the Hollywood-based teacher working with acto…

1
Bonus episode: Season 3 roundup with Euan Davidson and David Foster 33:07

1y ago33:07

33:07

We take a look back through Season 3 with The TEFL Org’s social media and marketing guru, David Foster. In this episode we tackling subjects as diverse as apparitions, Liverpudlian accents, and travelling as a couple, all while shattering some long-held TEFL myths.By The TEFL Org

1
The teacher flipping the script in China 54:04

1y ago54:04

54:04

Jema Perry (Mooncake English) hadn’t always planned on being a TEFL teacher, but the mark she’s made - and continues to make with her work online - is impossible to argue. Enthusiastic, charming and inspiring, Perry’s stories of climbing the career ladder in China are infinitely inspiringBy The TEFL Org

1
Teaching English in Asia as a couple 43:37

1y ago43:37

43:37

Travelling the world, finding work as a teacher and assimilating to new cultures can be difficult solo. As a couple? It’s a different story, as Celi Reeder tells us all about living and working in South Korea, Vietnam, Thailand and more!By The TEFL Org

1
From fleeing revolution in Egypt to haunted farms in Spain 46:47

1y ago46:47

46:47

Now an online TEFL sensation, it’d be quicker to list what the amazing Jamie Gajewski (also known as ESL Teacher 365) hasn’t experienced in her career thus far. From fleeing revolution in Egypt, to haunted farms and teaching in castles, to changing her approach after illness, this episode makes for a truly fascinating listen.…

1
Korea, Romania and academia 52:25

1+ y ago52:25

52:25

When you have the experience of teaching young learners in countries as diverse as South Korea and Romania, you probably make some pretty astute observations along the way. This episode’s guest, Martin Sketchley, has lots of them; he tells us all about applying his theories in the classroom, publishing, and more.…

1
15 years as an English teacher in Spain 41:32

1+ y ago41:32

41:32

It started with some curiosity about teaching in Spain, and now Mrs A is one of the leading lights in English and Spanish teaching in the country. Mrs A tells us all about establishing an awards ceremony, publishing and so much more in this action-packed episode.By The TEFL Org

1
How a Brazilian TEFL teacher ripped up the rulebook 58:25

1+ y ago58:25

58:25

It all began with a voracious hunger to learn English phrases and a love of the Backstreet Boys. Today, Lachesis Braick is an amazing example of how non-native English-speaking teachers can thrive in countless arenas.By The TEFL Org

1
An unforgettable Chinese TEFL experience 1:00:11

1+ y ago1:00:11

1:00:11

Imagine going from disillusionment with civil engineering to flying around China as an English teacher within 5 years? Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction, as TEFL expert Ross Thorburn recounts in this episode of I Taught English Abroad.By The TEFL Org

1
How a Hungarian-Romanian teacher used TEFL to launch a business 54:27

1+ y ago54:27

54:27

If you’re looking for a podcast episode that namechecks Stirling, Romania, Hungary and Beverley Hills, you’re in luck. Kitti Majorán takes us through her fantastic career to date, from watching English language TV throughout her childhood to empowering entrepreneurs today.By The TEFL Org

1
S3: I Taught English Abroad - trailer 1:18

1+ y ago1:18

1:18

‘I Taught English Abroad’ is back; bigger and better than ever. Our award-nominated podcast returns for Season 3, and has some of the most dramatic, inspiring and insightful accounts of teaching abroad you’ll ever hear. We have fantastic guests from the TEFL world, telling us about everything from escaping revolution, turning long-term illness into…

1
Bonus episode: Season 2 roundup with Euan Davidson and Erin MacKenzie 57:19

1+ y ago57:19

57:19

Join host Euan Davidson and Erin MacKenzie, Content Marketing Manager at The TEFL Org, for a roundup of the second season of 'I Taught English Abroad'. They discuss their favourite moments, misconceptions about TEFL, hip-hop, and Erin tests Euan's memory.By The TEFL Org

1
From the bottom of the garden to the top of the industry: Meet The TEFL Org co-founder Jennifer MacKenzie 1:08:31

1+ y ago1:08:31

1:08:31

How did a politics student become co-founder of an industry-leading TEFL course provider and an influential ambassador for Scottish women in business? Via a garden shed, of course. Find out how Jennifer MacKenzie built a TEFL titan.By The TEFL Org

1
Titanic, Iraq and Moulding TEFL Talent: Around the world with Carl Cameron-Day 55:24

1+ y ago55:24

55:24

Carl’s ruthless academic determination and wanderlust has seen him teach in some of the less-heralded but most eye-catching locales in the world, including Iraq, Azerbaijan, plenty of East Asia and now, from the comfort of his home office.By The TEFL Org

1
Dancing across borders: Cheryl Obal’s incredible career 1:19:37

1+ y ago1:19:37

1:19:37

From Pennsylvania to the rest of the world, Cheryl Obal turned TEFL into performance art, combining world-renowned choreography and dancing skills, English teaching and a nous for business. This fascinating episode covers working for NGOs, settling in India, Saudi Arabia and Italy, and how truly transferable TEFL skills are.…

1
From busy Hallowe’ens to teaching Teens: Sophie Oliver’s TEFL journey 51:02

1+ y ago51:02

51:02

From feeling aimless and working as a Hallowe’en “scarer” in Cornwall, Sophie Oliver used the momentum from a trip to Barcelona to motivate her to finish a TEFL course. Her journey since has been inspiring.By The TEFL Org

1
Oregon to Saigon: How Arthur turned despondency into opportunity 50:25

1+ y ago50:25

50:25

Arthur’s story is a perfect example of changing both career and fortunes. From despondency in Portland during the global financial crisis, Arthur truly turned his life around, teaching across Asia, meeting his wife, and providing fantastic lessons for prospective TEFL teachers.By The TEFL Org

1
It was all a dream: How Ellie Rayner made it happen in Japan 54:33

1+ y ago54:33

54:33

When the Covid-19 pandemic forced a change of plans, Ellie Rayner went from working on cruise ships to achieving what had seemed impossible; uprooting to Japan and establishing herself as a teacher. We discuss turning long-term goals into an idyllic existence.By The TEFL Org

1
From Hobnobs to Shaping the Future: Melissa Thomson’s worldwide whirlwind ride 59:44

1+ y ago59:44

59:44

Melissa Thomson tells us all about changing careers; from the world of PR to teaching everywhere from Bilbao to Japan, via a spell working with asylum seekers and refugees in Glasgow’s old biscuit factories.By The TEFL Org

1
Of Mics and Mentors: How rapping turned Jason Levine from TEFL teacher to Fluency MC 59:26

1+ y ago59:26

59:26

To kick off season 2, we’ve got a real treat: Fluency MC. Jason Levine, a former music industry worker and hip-hop DJ, was filmed by one of his students rapping a lesson. It completely changed his life. We talk about going viral, staying relevant in the TEFL world and so much more with Fluency MC.By The TEFL Org

1
S2: I Taught English Abroad - trailer 2:51

2y ago2:51

2:51

Welcome back to ‘I Taught English Abroad’, a podcast series by The TEFL Org. For season 2, we’ve continued to source some of the most interesting stories the TEFL industry has to offer, from teachers only just starting to realise their dreams to people who’ve turned their English teaching knowledge into international businesses. In this series, we …

1
From first-time nerves to leading the industry - a chat with The TEFL Org co-founder Joe Hallwood 40:02

2y ago40:02

40:02

In the season finale of 'I Taught English Abroad', we talk to The TEFL Org’s co-founder, Joe Hallwood. He explains how teaching in France and Greece provided the spark to found a TEFL course company that’s gone from very humble beginnings to leading the industry.By The TEFL Org

1
Fish Fingers, Grammar Books and Madrileños with Thomas Kerr 39:06

2y ago39:06

39:06

Thomas Kerr, Online and Academic Courses Manager with The TEFL Org, talks us through his impromptu first English lesson, how it led to living in Madrid, and his whirlwind fortnight taking TEFL online.By The TEFL Org

1
Sarcastic students, wanderlust and climbing the ladder with Richard Cullen 1:02:49

2y ago1:02:49

1:02:49

In this fascinating episode, experienced teacher and TEFL advisor at The TEFL Org, Richard Cullen, talks through his nomadic career, climbing up the educational ladder and appreciating fearless, sarcastic students wielding tubs of ice cream.By The TEFL Org

1
Culture shock, Covid-19 and Career Trajectory with Luke Bartsch 50:08

2y ago50:08

50:08

When Luke Bartsch graduated with a degree in music production, he wasn’t sure what he’d do next. So, he went to China and loved it. In this episode, Luke tells us about the importance of atmosphere in the classroom, navigating the Covid-19 pandemic and extolling the virtues of TEFL for a living.By The TEFL Org

1
Professional development & Vietnamese street fashion with Frances Fraser-Reid 41:36

2y ago41:36

41:36

Six years ago, Frances Fraser-Reid took the TEFL plunge and moved out to Vietnam after graduating in Biology and has never looked back. In this action-packed episode, Frances tells us about Vietnamese street fashion, getting started in teaching, and moving into teaching science in a foreign language.…

1
Transatlantic TEFLing with Jenny Hilder 25:02

2y ago25:02

25:02

England, North Carolina, and Italy have all been home to Jenny Hilder, and in this episode we discuss online teaching, using puppets and stick figures to get vital language lessons across, and where the best food is. Jenny, primarily an online teacher, has some great advice about getting into the business, what course worked for her and what she’s …

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