Ep227. ft. Lara Barnes - When Misbehavior Is a Neurological Signal: What Teachers Are Missing (Part 1)

Ep227. ft. Lara Barnes - When Misbehavior Is a Neurological Signal: What Teachers Are Missing (Part 1)

What teachers call misbehavior may be a child’s nervous system asking for help. Before we punish the behavior, we need to understand what the brain may be communicating. In Part 1 of this powerful conversation, Mike sits down with Lara Barnes, founder of Brain Development UK, to examine why difficulties with attention, movement, emotional regulation, communication, reading, and classroom participation are often misunderstood as laziness, defiance, or poor motivation. Lara explains her bottom-up perspective on brain development and explores the possible roles of primitive reflexes, sensory processing, balance, eye tracking, body awareness, and nervous-system regulation in a child’s readiness to learn. The conversation also challenges familiar assumptions surrounding ADHD, dyslexia, autism, and other neurodevelopmental labels. Rather than defining children by a diagnosis, Lara encourages educators and parents to examine each learner’s individual functional needs. This episode invites teachers to replace judgment with observation and ask a more useful question: If today's conversation with Lara Barnes challenged the way you think about behavior, learning, and brain development, don't let the learning stop here. Connect with Lara and explore her work at Brain Development UK. You can visit her website at braindevelopment.co.uk and follow her on Instagram @braindevelopmentuk for practical insights, resources, and evidence-based strategies to better understand how children's brains develop and how we can support every learner to reach their full potential. And if you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to subscribe to the Languages Pedagogy Podcast, leave us a review, and share this episode with fellow educators, parents, therapists, and school leaders. One conversation can change the way someone sees a child forever. What might this behavior be communicating? For language-learning resources, professional coaching, and more conversations transforming education, visit: www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #neurodiversity #studentbehavior #braindevelopment #inclusiveeducation #teachertraining #learningdifficulties #educationpodcast

Ep226. RECAP - Make Learning Magical: Teach Like A Pirate

What separates a good teacher from an unforgettable one? In this special recap of Episodes 221 and 222 of the Languages Pedagogy Podcast, we revisit an inspiring conversation with Tisha Richmond and Dave Burgess about what truly transforms learning. Extraordinary classrooms aren’t built by accident. They’re created by educators who design experiences, ignite curiosity, embrace creativity, and make students feel seen, challenged, and inspired every single day. In this episode, we explore why presentation matters as much as pedagogy, how joy and rigor can coexist, why textbooks should be tools rather than limitations, how AI can amplify teacher creativity, and why every educator has their own unique kind of magic. Whether you’re a language teacher, school leader, parent, pre-service teacher, or passionate lifelong learner, this recap will remind you why teaching remains one of the most meaningful professions in the world. 🎙️ Listen now and rediscover the joy of teaching. 🌍 Learn more at www.mikenglishonline.com #education #teachers #teaching #pedagogy #languagelearning #teacherlife #professionaldevelopment #podcast

Ep225. RECAP - ADHD, education and misunderstandings

What if the biggest problem with ADHD isn’t the child… but the way schools understand the child? In this powerful recap episode of the Languages Pedagogy Podcast, we revisit one of our most impactful conversations with Eliza Dadson from Episodes 219 and 220. This episode explores why ADHD is far more than hyperactivity or inattention. We unpack executive functioning, emotional regulation, sensory processing, movement, creativity, classroom design, and why traditional education often misunderstands neurodiverse learners. Discover why movement can improve attention, why intelligence and executive function are not the same, and why compassion—not compliance—should be at the center of education. Whether you’re a teacher, school leader, parent, psychologist, language educator, or someone living with ADHD, this episode offers practical insights and a new perspective on what inclusive education should look like. 🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation shaping the future of education. 🌍 Learn more at www.mikenglishonline.com #adhd #education #teachers #neurodiversity #languagelearning #inclusiveeducation #pedagogy #learning

Ep224. ft. Luana Borges - The Future Teacher: AI, Branding & Survival Skills in a Changing Education Market (Part 2)

Being a great teacher is no longer enough. The future belongs to educators who know how to adapt. In Part 2, Mike continues his fascinating conversation with educator and entrepreneur Luana Borges. They discuss the practical side of surviving—and thriving—in the rapidly changing education industry. Topics include: • Why teachers need a digital presence • The role of AI in modern education • Building a personal brand • Why specialization beats generalization • How school leaders are getting the business of education wrong • The future skills every educator needs This isn't just another conversation about teaching. It's a roadmap for staying relevant in one of the fastest-changing professions in the world. Wanna know more about Luana and her work in Nitoris. Check on the links below and let’s keep learning together: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/luanaborgeseller/ Personal Social media IG: @luanabes Internatinal company IG: @nitorisincubator Brazilian Company IG: @nitorismentoria Wechat Channels: NitorisIncubator Red Note: Nitoris Douyin: Nitoris 🌍 www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #teachers #education #aiineducation #teacherbranding #elt #languagelearning #podcast #futureofeducation

Ep223. ft. Luana Borges - Why Falling Birth Rates Are Reshaping Education Forever | The Future of Schools Explained (Part 1)

What happens when there simply aren't enough children to fill classrooms? The future of education isn't coming—it's already here. In Part 1 of this eye-opening conversation, Mike sits down with educator and entrepreneur Luana Borges to explore one of the biggest challenges facing education worldwide: declining birth rates. From China's rapidly changing education landscape to school closures, demographic shifts, changing family values, and the economic realities behind the global baby bust, this episode reveals why educators, school leaders, policymakers, and parents should be paying attention now—not ten years from now. Inside this episode: • Why birth rates are collapsing worldwide • China's education system as a preview of the future • Why schools are already competing for fewer students • How declining enrollment is changing the teaching profession • The economic forces driving educational transformation • Why the next decade could redefine education forever Whether you're a teacher, school owner, policymaker, parent, or language educator, this conversation offers valuable insights into the future of our profession. 🎙️ Listen now and join the conversation. Wanna know more about Luana and her work in Nitoris. Check on the links below and let’s keep learning together: LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/luanaborgeseller/ My personal Social media IG: @luanabes My Internatinal company IG: @nitorisincubator My Brazilian Company IG: @nitorismentoria Wechat channels: NitorisIncubator Red Note: Nitoris Douyin: Nitoris 🌍 Learn more: www.mikenglishonline.com [http://www.mikenglishonline.com/] #birthrates #education #teachers #educationfuture #schoolleadership #languagelearning #elt #podcast