The rhythm of teaching with Clélia Daniel – Episode 20
Host Luísa Geão chats with Clélia Daniel in France about teaching with rhythm, movement, and joy. Clélia shares how short, dynamic activities and daily dance rituals energise young learners, and why teamwork and continuous learning are key in primary education. Plus, hear a top tip from Cambridge’s Professional Learning and Development team on delivering actionable feedback.
Teaching English across different learning environments with Peter McMahon – Episode 19
Host Joel Cutting chats with Peter McMahon in his classroom in Liverpool, UK about his journey from primary classrooms to adult language teaching. Peter shares insights on adapting to different contexts, the impact of CELTA, and his passion for languages, along with practical strategies for balancing workload and celebrating student progress.
Host Rebecca Rios visits Fernanda Maria Parente Batalha in her classroom in Brazil to explore how she connects with learners through stories, empathy, and real-life examples. Fernanda shares her honest challenges and creative strategies for engaging students of all ages from primary through to adults.
For this episode we are in France with Csilla Ducrocq, a Professor at Université Paris-Saclay. Csilla’s story is one of resilience, creativity and the impact of human connection in education. She has transformed her multicultural experiences into innovative teaching methods including her “crazy science” activities that make language learning engaging and memorable.
Miguel Espinosa Flores, a teacher at Universidad del Valle de México shares how he grew from a nervous 19-year-old teacher to a confident educator driven by purpose. He offers practical advice for building rapport, engaging students through their interests, and creating a positive classroom culture. He also explores how teaching can go beyond language to instil life skills and values, and why leaving a positive mark through education matters deeply to him.
In this episode, we meet CELTA trainer and EFL teacher John Slade in London. John shares his journey from language enthusiast to global educator, offering practical advice for new teachers on building school relationships, embracing opportunities, and staying present in the classroom. He also reveals creative techniques inspired by his background in dance and acting, and highlights the importance of collaboration in the wider ELT profession.
In this episode, we meet primary teacher Amanda Benites in her classroom in São Paulo, Brazil. Amanda shares her inspiring journey from shy language learner to confident educator, and how she helps students build self-awareness, confidence, and essential life skills. She also offers practical strategies using mindfulness, technology, and positive reinforcement in bilingual classrooms.
In this episode, we meet primary teacher Sylvie Canal in her classroom in Chantilly, France. Sylvie shares the joy of working with young learners and the special moments that make education so rewarding. She also offers practical approaches for engaging children through games, songs, stories, and interactive methods that make learning both fun and meaningful.
In this episode, we meet Laurie Chase at LILA* in Liverpool, UK to explore how personal challenges can shape powerful teaching practices. From navigating imposter syndrome to championing staff wellbeing and embracing neurodiversity, Laurie shares how reflection and resilience have helped them grow as a teacher and leader. With warmth and honesty, they reveal how small changes – and a strong support network – can make a big difference in the classroom and beyond.
We're reflecting on some of our favourite moments from the first ten episodes of Grow: A podcast from Cambridge. In this first series, we visited classrooms in Italy, Spain, and The Netherlands, uncovering inspiring stories, practical advice, and valuable insights. Tune in to hear proud teaching moments, favourite English expressions, and the powerful impact English has on students’ lives.