Teaching English Today- The 4 Cs and beyond

In this podcast we'll be exploring the art of listening, a skill that many people feel is sorely neglected today. We'll be looking at what makes a good listener, why active listening is key, and how to help students to hone the skill that is at the root of all (language) learning.

Today, we are used to communicating across a range of media on a regular basis. But this does not mean that it’s something we do well. Join me to find out what happens to our brains when we communicate, which factors hinder effective communication and what this means for the English classroom.

Collaboration is about the process of working together towards a common goal, and it’s essential in today’s world. But working well in a team and having a shared mindset do not necessarily come naturally to us. This is because effective collaboration requires a range of qualities and skills. The good news is that students can already begin to hone them in the classroom. Listen in to find out more!

Creativity is central to who we are as humans. It’s not only essential for our personal and social wellbeing but is also a skill that is in great demand. Come and join me as we look at different levels and kinds of creativity, ways we can cultivate it (yes, everyone is creative!) and what we can do to foster it in schools and the English classroom!

Critical thinking is one of the most in-demand skills for the workplace today. But what does it actually entail, and how can we train ourselves to become better at it? In this episode, I’ll also be talking to the English teacher Jürgen Thamerus to find out how he hones his students’ critical thinking skills in the classroom. So why not come and join us?

As humans, we are driven by curiosity, the urge to answer the question why. But why is this? What does research tell us about its importance for learning? What can we do to create an environment that fosters curiosity? And what are some of the consequences for teaching English? Come and join me to find out more!

Who came up with the idea for the 4 Cs? Why are they so important for today’s students? Which other skills and qualities will they need? And how does this all inform English teaching today? Come and join me as we explore the answers in this inaugural podcast in the series Learning English Today – the 4 Cs and beyond!