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