Esmeralda Salgado is one of the most influential voices in UK language teaching — and not just because she’s been writing game-changing blog posts since the days of OHPs and cassette tapes. Head of MFL, lead practitioner, curriculum designer, and the generous mind behind MFL Craft, she’s been quietly reshaping how teachers across the country plan, teach, and inspire.

In this Season 2 finale of The Language Lab Podcast, Will sits down with Esme to talk about:

– 25 years of classroom experience (and what’s changed for the better)
– How simplifying your curriculum can actually increase GCSE uptake
– What lexicogrammar really means (and why the misconceptions miss the mark)
– AI tools like Mizu and how to scaffold speaking without burning out
– Her favourite digital tools (including the mighty Wheel of Names)
– Making languages accessible for all learners — not just the top set
– Why some kids need a sentence builder, and some just need a Haribo
– The new GCSE, what’s different (and what’s not), and how she’s responding
– The power of scaffolding, celebration, and students seeing real success
– Plus how to sell your subject to parents, SLT, and yes — even Ofsted.

This episode is full of practical advice, gentle provocations, and plenty of joy — the kind that reminds us why this job is still worth doing.

🎧 Listen, follow, and share now. And don’t forget — Season 3 launches Thursday 11th September with a special double bill.

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📚 Find Esmeralda’s blog and resources: https://mflcraft.blogspot.com
🌐 Show notes and transcripts: https://www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💛 Support the podcast: https://www.patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

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🎵 Theme music: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks, via Uppbeat (uppbeat.io)

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🧪 The Language Lab Podcast is hosted by Will Marks — language teacher, curriculum nerd, and host of mildly chaotic educational conversations with the people shaping modern MFL.

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New to the pod? Start with:
– Joe Dale on AI and tech in the MFL classroom
– Gianfranco Conti on EPI, cognitive load, and teacher sanity
– Claire Cuminatto on employability, theatre, and the modern language degree

In this episode, I’m joined by Darren Paffey Mp - newly elected MP for Southampton Itchen and one of the very few members of Parliament with a serious background in language education. Before his move into politics, Darren was an Associate Professor of Spanish and Linguistics at the University of Southampton, a city councillor, and a longstanding advocate for inclusive, multilingual education.

We discuss:

• The current state of language learning in UK schools

• What real policy change could look like

• How accountability systems shape (or strangle) curriculum

• The potential of AI in the classroom

• What Darren misses about academia—and what he’s learning on the green benches

This is a conversation about education, policy, identity, and why languages are far more than just a school subject. Darren brings both lived experience and political insight to the table - and doesn’t shy away from tough questions.

🔗 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

🎶 Theme: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – copyright-free music for creators.
💬 Keep the conversation going at languagelabpodcast.co.uk or support us on Patreon at patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

Steve Smith — MFL veteran, author, blogger, and founder of FrenchTeacher.net — joins Will Marks for a full-throttle deep dive into how we teach languages, why we might be getting some of it wrong, and how to do it better.

From his early fascination with Stephen Krashen and language acquisition theory to co-authoring Breaking the Sound Barrier with Gianfranco Conti, Steve walks us through decades of research and reflection on what works — and what doesn’t — in the classroom.

Topics include:

• Input vs. grammar: What actually drives language acquisition?

• Sentence builders, repetition, and building linguistic self-efficacy

• Why GCSE reform still misses the mark

• Vocab tests and the illusion of mastery

• AI as a teacher’s assistant, not enemy of creativity

He also shares how AI is saving him hours writing resources — and what teachers can do to keep their lessons engaging without burning out.

📚 Steve’s blog: frenchteachernet.blogspot.co.uk
📖 Breaking the Sound Barrier
🎒 Resources: frenchteacher.net
🎵 Theme: “Jump and Jive” by All Good Folks via Uppbeat
🔗 Support us: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
💡 Our Website: languagelabpodcast.co.uk

In this episode, Will catches up with Claire Cuminatto, Associate Professor at the University of East Anglia—and, memorably, one of his own former lecturers.

They explore how university language degrees are evolving to meet a new generation of learners:

• Applied language learning and real-world skills

• Employability and the value of language graduates

• Study abroad after Brexit (goodbye Erasmus, hello Turing)

• The role of AI in language education

• Creating safe spaces to fail, improv games, podcast assessments, and more

Plus: a trip down memory lane to Sacré Théâtre, UEA’s long-running French-language theatre company. Find out more at sacretheatre.co.uk

🔗 Explore more at languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💡 Support the show on Patreon or subscribe on Spotify for £2.99/month.

🎵 Theme music: Jump and Jive by All Good Folks via Uppbeat — copyright-free music for creators.

This week, Will sits down with Dr. Rebecca Mitchell — Cambridge lecturer, sociolinguist, and founder of National Linguistics Day — for a conversation that ranges from Saussure to slang, AI to accent bias, and endangered languages to elderly karaoke. (Yes, really.)

We explore how linguistics can transform classrooms, challenge stereotypes, and make education genuinely inclusive. Rebecca shares how a late-night idea became a grassroots movement, why she’s on a mission to get heritage languages into schools, and how you can get involved — without needing a PhD or a government grant.

Topics include:

• Why linguistics matters (and why it’s still overlooked)

• How AI is changing how we think

• Accent bias, language policy, and decolonising the curriculum

• Simple ways to celebrate National Linguistics Day in your school

🔗 Resources and contact info: linguisticshq.co.uk
🌐 More from us: languagelabpodcast.co.uk

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💡 Support the podcast on Spotify for £2.99/month or join us on Patreon for bonus episodes and warm fuzzy feelings. All support helps keep the show indie, ad-free, and slightly less reliant on caffeine.

To kick off Season 2, Will is joined by consultant, author and languages powerhouse Crista Hazell to talk all things MFL — from building student confidence to what SLT need to understand about the classroom.

They explore teacher wellbeing, trust, and why real connection always beats rigid checklists.

📘 Independent Thinking on MFL:

https://www.independentthinkingpress.com/books/teachingskills/independent-thinking-on-mfl/

Use code ITL20 at check out for 20% off and free P&P

🔗 More: languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💬 Bonus episodes + early access: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast

In our final episode of Season 1, we’re looking at what actually makes students engage with language learning – beyond the data points, initiatives, and well-meaning gimmicks.

First, we hear from Lara Callow, an associate tutor in a pupil referral unit, who shares how one teacher changed her view of Spanish entirely. Then we’re joined by David Binns, Director of UK Operations at Sanako and long-time advocate for language education, who brings four decades of no-nonsense wisdom on tech, oracy, SLT, and what needs to change if languages are going to survive – let alone thrive.

👋 As this is our season finale, a huge thank you to all our listeners, guests, and supporters. We’ll be back with Season 2 on June 12th, kicking things off with the one and only Crista Hazell.

🎧 For more episodes, resources and extras, visit: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk
💬 Support us on Patreon: patreon.com/TheLanguageLabPodcast
📲 Follow us on Instagram, Threads, LinkedIn, and Bluesky: @TheLanguageLabPod

🎵 Music: "Jump and Jive" by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – Copyright free music for creators.

Guests: Isla McIntosh & Alasdair Harris

In this episode of The Language Lab, we speak to two people at very different ends of their teaching journeys — and both with powerful perspectives on what the future of language education might look like.

First, Will catches up with Isla McIntosh, a former student turned trainee teacher and music graduate. Isla shares honest reflections on student engagement, the role of wellbeing in education, and how technology is shifting what it means to be an inspiring teacher in today's classroom.

Then we dive into the world of AI with Alasdair Harris, founder of LingoTeach.ai, a platform built by teachers, for teachers. Alasdair shares how LingoTeach uses AI to dramatically reduce teacher workload, streamline lesson creation, and keep classroom content dynamic and personalized. But the conversation goes further—into digital ethics, the human side of teaching, and how to reclaim energy, creativity, and balance in a high-pressure profession.

From green screen weather forecasts to AI-generated rap battles, from mental health advocacy to the rise of classroom bots—this episode explores how teachers can stay grounded while innovating with purpose.

Links & Resources:

Our Website: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Try LingoTeach: https://lingoteach.ai/

Music Credit:“Jump and Jive” by All Good Folks via Uppbeat – Copyright Free Music for Creators uppbeat.io