Ep215. ft. Larisa Zepeda - Why Russian Feels Impossible—And How to Finally Break Through | The Truth About Learning Russian (Part 1)

Ep217. ft. Yulia Akhmetova - The Hidden Crisis of Multilingual Families: Why Children Lose Their Home Language (Part 1)

Your child can speak your language today… and slowly lose it tomorrow. In this powerful episode, Yulia Akhmetova joins the Languages Pedagogy Podcast to unpack the hidden crisis many multilingual families face: children gradually abandoning their home language, and with it, part of their identity. We explore why language loss is not just about vocabulary, but about family roots, culture, memory, emotional connection, and belonging. Yulia breaks down major bilingualism myths, including whether two languages confuse children, why kids mix languages, what translanguaging really means, and why screen time can never replace real human interaction. For parents, teachers, and serious language learners, this episode is a necessary conversation about heritage language preservation, multilingual parenting, bilingual children, and the emotional power of speaking the language of home. Wanna know more about Yulia Akhmetova and her work on Multilingual learners? Check on the links below and let’s keep learning together: Website: https://hellomultilinguals.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yulia-akhmetova-ab56a6175/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hello.multilingualclassroom/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hello.multilingualclass Learn more and connect with Mike: www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #multilingualfamilies #bilingualchildren #heritagelanguage #languagelearning #home language #translanguaging #languageidentity #bilingualism

Ep216. ft. Larisa Zepeda - Why Russian Feels Impossible—And How to Finally Break Through | The Truth About Learning Russian (Part 2)

The breakthrough in Russian starts when you stop trying to understand everything at once. In Part 2, Larisa Zepeda goes deeper into practical strategies: how to learn grammar without panic, why beginners should speak from day one, how music and Soviet films can train your ear, and why consistency beats intensity every time. This episode is a direct roadmap for learners who want real Russian fluency—not textbook confusion. Start building stronger language habits today: www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #learnrussian #russianfluency #languagelearning #russianforbeginners #speakingrussian #languagepedagogy #mikenglishonline

Ep215. ft. Larisa Zepeda - Why Russian Feels Impossible—And How to Finally Break Through | The Truth About Learning Russian (Part 1)

Russian feels impossible until someone finally explains what really matters. In Part 1, Larisa Zepeda breaks down why Russian intimidates learners: grammar, cases, pronunciation, Cyrillic, word stress, and the fear of sounding “wrong.” But this episode reveals the truth: Russian is hard, yes—but not unbeatable. A powerful conversation for serious language learners, Russian beginners, teachers, and anyone trying to move from fear to real communication. Listen now and keep building your fluency with purpose: www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #learnrussian #russianlanguage #languagelearning #fluency #russianforbeginners #languagepedagogy #mikenglishonline

Ep214. ft. Kate Grimes - Dyslexia & Neurodiversity in the Language Classroom: Why Traditional Teaching Fails—and What Actually Works (Part 2)

Inclusion is not lowering standards. It is building learning that more brains can actually access. In Episode 214, Kate Grimes returns to discuss practical classroom strategies for neurodivergent learners: visual supports, movement breaks, predictable routines, flexible assessment, parent communication, and the emotional safety students need to keep trying. This is the episode for teachers who want learning that works — not just lessons that look good on paper. Wanna know more about Kate Grimes: Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/kategrimes_psychology⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/kategrimes_psychology] LinkedIn in is: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-grimes-63543649⁠ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-grimes-63543649] Website: ⁠www.inspiretherapy.ae⁠ [http://www.inspiretherapy.ae/] YouTube: ⁠https://youtube.com/@kategrimes7354?si=AAWyHaE6-lNcOXnx⁠ [https://youtube.com/@kategrimes7354?si=AAWyHaE6-lNcOXnx] Explore more: www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #dyslexia #neurodiversity #inclusiveeducation #languagelearning #elt #teachertraining #learningdifferences

Ep213. ft. Kate Grimes - Dyslexia & Neurodiversity in the Language Classroom: Why Traditional Teaching Fails—and What Actually Works (Part 1)

Traditional teaching doesn’t fail because teachers don’t care. It fails when every brain is expected to learn the same way. In Episode 213, Mike Llerena sits down with psychologist Kate Grimes to unpack dyslexia, neurodiversity, reading difficulties, working memory, early intervention, and why many struggling learners are often mislabeled as “lazy” or “not trying.” A must-listen for teachers, parents, and serious educators. Wanna know more about Kate Grimes: Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/kategrimes_psychology [https://www.instagram.com/kategrimes_psychology] LinkedIn in is: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-grimes-63543649 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-grimes-63543649]Website: www.inspiretherapy.ae [http://www.inspiretherapy.ae/]YouTube: https://youtube.com/@kategrimes7354?si=AAWyHaE6-lNcOXnx [https://youtube.com/@kategrimes7354?si=AAWyHaE6-lNcOXnx] Learn more: www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #dyslexia #neurodiversity #languagelearning #elt #tesol #inclusiveeducation #teachertraining