- 34 minutes119 ¦ Oral exams: Can we make them more motivating and less burdensome?
After many questions about what the dreaded oral exams look like in my classroom and in my context, I've decided to do an entire episode on just that topic! Most of us work in systems where they are a mandatory part of student assessment. So how can we make them more motivating and less scary whilst also ensuring they take the least amount of learning time possible. As always, this is just my take on it, having learned over the years from some brilliant teachers.
Please let me know what you think!
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- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com
25 May 2026, 8:59 am - 39 minutes 45 seconds118 ¦ Joy, happiness and brain breaks in the classroom with Annabelle Williamson aka La Maestra Loca
Leading on from recent episodes on raising positive emotions in the languages classroom, I am delighted to be joined by the inspirational educator, La Maestra Loca, in this episode. Annabelle talks to us about how to use a CI approach in order to build a sense of belonging, joy and happiness in the languages classroom. She also provides us with some brilliant, easy to implement, brain breaks that can be used immediately in class; providing more input and also fostering a feeling of joy and happiness in the class. This is an episode not to be missed!
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com
23 May 2026, 8:59 am - 38 minutes 11 seconds117 ¦ Raising positive emotions through co-created stories: A research study - Part 2
Part Two of the series focusing on my recent research on how using co-created stories in the language acquisition class can foster happiness, joy and other positive emotions in the classroom. In this second part of the study, we look in detail at the methodology and findings.
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com
23 May 2026, 8:58 am - 27 minutes 6 seconds116 ¦ Raising positive emotions through co-created stories: A research study - Part 1
This first in a mini-series on the importance of positive emotions in the language acquisition classroom. This episode introduces my recent research study on how using co-created stories in the class can help to foster happiness, joy and interest in the language classroom. Next week's episode looks more at the methodology and findings of the study.
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com
22 May 2026, 7:40 am - 29 minutes 8 seconds115 ¦ Seven ways to use questions to maximise acquisition and build connections
This episode focuses on classroom practice and, in particular, how we can use questions in order to both build connections and to maximise language acquisition. I take you through my favourite strategies in the classroom and those from the research about how to employ questions in the language classroom for maximum gain.
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com.
21 May 2026, 7:33 pm - 29 minutes 56 seconds114 ¦ Universal grammar: Our language learning superpower?
This third and final episode in the mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) research and theory. This one looks at Chomsky's concept of Universal Grammar; the idea that we all possess an innate mechanism that allows us to decipher and encode language with ease.
In this episode I try to look at both sides of the research on this and also at where the common ground lies. There is, always, lots of valuable practical implications for teachers too!
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com.
19 May 2026, 9:08 am - 31 minutes 47 seconds113 ¦ SLA research into practice: Is there a critical age period for language learning?
This second in a special mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) explores the Critical Period Hypothesis and language learning. Is there a critical age period for natural, easy, and effortless language acquisition or can anyone achieve success regardless of age?
We take a look at various research studies and what the evidence has to say about this key question. Of course, this has major implications for language teachers and their practice so I hope you all enjoy it!
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com.
19 May 2026, 9:08 am - 26 minutes 15 seconds112 ¦ SLA research into practice: Is using CI enough in high-stakes exam classes?
This first episode in a special mini-series on Second Language Acquisition (SLA) focuses on what approach we should use with students who are preparing for a high-stakes test such as entry to university. Is CI enough on its own?
We take a look at various aspects and theories of SLA research including the output hypothesis, the interaction hypothesis, the noticing hypothesis and the Input-Interaction-Output model of instruction.
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com.
11 May 2026, 8:16 am - 27 minutes 5 seconds111 ¦ Q&A: Online teaching, AI and stories in class
A special Q&A episode this week with some brilliant questions from the patrons of the podcast. We explore how to keep the motivation high when teaching online, making use of AI tools in the language acquisition class, how long a co-created story should take and how to get started with a free voluntary reading programme and library in class.
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com.
11 May 2026, 8:15 am - 56 minutes 49 seconds110 ¦ Story Listening: Lessons from classroom practice with Cécile Lainé
For the third in the 3-part series on "Story Listening", I am joined by the wonderful and inspirational Cécile Lainé. After Episode 108 with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel, followed by a look at the research in Ep. 109, Cécile now provides the much needed perspective on Story Listening through the eyes of a classroom practitioner.
Cécile shares her insights and research on using Story Listening in the classroom. She also provides us with many easy-to-implement classroom tools to ensure Story Listening is a success in our classrooms. A fantastic conversation with so much food for thought! Merci, Cécile.
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com.
11 May 2026, 8:15 am - 22 minutes 30 seconds109 ¦ Storytelling as pedagogy
Following on from the previous episode on Story Listening with Dr. Beniko Mason and Alice Ayel, and as a preview to Episode 110 with Cécile Lainé on applying Story Listening in the classrom, this episode looks at the research around using storytelling and stories as a core pedagogical approach in our classes.
This episode provides an overview of some of the important studies that have been conducted showing us that storytelling is a highly effective and motivational pedagogical approach to use in our languages classrooms.
Please let me know what you think!
Keep in touch and share widely!
- Full programme notes are available on www.liamprinter.com/podcast.
- Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram @themotivatedclassroom, Twitter @motclasspodcast and Facebook @themotivatedclassroom.
- I'd love to know what you think, please get in touch! Join the conversation with the hashtag #MotivatedClassroom.
- Enjoying the podcast? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Facebook.
- Become a Patron of The Motivated Classroom podcast on patreon.com.
10 May 2026, 5:29 pm - More Episodes? Get the App