Discover what's new or coming soon, including upcoming lessons and resources and product feature updates. 

Announcements

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" mozallowfullscreen="" src="https://www.loom.com/embed/d774d52971af49e881a85291f339f968" style="position: absolute; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%;" webkitallowfullscreen=""></iframe><br />
&nbsp;</div>

<p>A new and improved version of Learning Pathways goes live on Ellii Solo on Monday, October 26.</p>

<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://ellii.com/solo" target="_blank">Ellii Solo</a> is Ellii&#39;s self-study platform for English language learners. Designed for ESL programs in&nbsp;adult ed, high schools, and libraries, Ellii Solo is ideal for independent study, supplemental learning, computer labs, and distance education.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p>When students study on their own, it&#39;s not always obvious what to do next. Pathways take out the guesswork by laying&nbsp;out a clear route through each of our six levels, from Pre Beginner all the way to Advanced.</p>

<h3>What&#39;s new on Ellii Solo?</h3>

<p><strong>Progressive Ellii Up courses</strong></p>

<p>Each Pathway is now a curated sequence of Ellii Up courses. Students follow a&nbsp;clear, logical order, so they always know what to study next.</p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5817/content_01M536F258SRAQQ05W9MRSTKK8.png" style="width: 1360px; height: 881px;" /></p>

<p><strong>Level assessments</strong></p>

<p>Completing an assessment is now an optional step at the end of each level. Admins set the required passing score to unlock the next level. Students can retake an assessment as often as they&#39;d like, and their best result is saved automatically.</p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5823/content_assessment.png" /></p>

<p><strong>Ellii Solo Preferences in your admin account</strong></p>

<p>A new Ellii Solo Preferences page will soon appear in the Account section of your admin account. It lets admins and managers set whether the level assessment is required, the minimum score to pass, the order levels unlock in, and whether teachers can manually change a student&#39;s level.</p>

<p><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5824/content_settings.png" /></p>

<h3>What happens to the previous Pathways?</h3>

<p>The previous version of Learning Pathways stays available to your students until December 31, 2026, through a link on their Ellii Solo home page. All of the content from previous Pathways can still be found in the Ellii Solo Library.</p>

<p>Once the update is released, admins can adjust your program&rsquo;s Ellii Solo Preferences directly from the <a href="https://ellii.com/my_account">Account</a> page.</p>

<h3>Helpful links</h3>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://help.ellii.com/article/332-how-to-set-ellii-solo-preferences">How to Set Ellii Solo Preferences</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://help.ellii.com/article/333-how-to-change-your-students-ellii-solo-level">How to Change your Students&#39; Ellii Solo Level</a></li>
</ul>

<h3>Questions?</h3>

<div style="position: relative; height: 0;">Reach out to us at <a href="mailto:hello@ellii.com">hello@ellii.com</a>&mdash;we&rsquo;d be happy to chat with you!</div>


A New Learning Pathways Experience Is Coming to Ellii Solo

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Find quick links to each episode of the Teacher Think-Aloud podcast, hosted by Shélynn Riel and Anna Ciriani-Dean and sponsored by Ellii.  

Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast

<p dir="auto">In the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; are joined by Matt Sussman, CEO and co-founder of FLOW Speak, an AI-powered English speaking practice app, for a conversation about a problem nearly every ESL teacher recognizes: students who do everything we assign and still hesitate when it&rsquo;s time to speak. Drawing on 30 years in education and international exchange, from teaching English in Japan to working with Fulbright scholars, Matt asks what&rsquo;s really missing between knowing English and feeling ready to use it.</p>

<p dir="auto">The conversation takes on a question that&rsquo;s hard to answer honestly: what happens when practice moves beyond the classroom, and where does the teacher fit once it does? Matt, Anna, and Sh&eacute; trade ideas about what learners need before they ever hold a real conversation, and Matt shares a first-time announcement about where FLOW Speak is heading next.</p>

<blockquote dir="auto">
<p>&ldquo;Teachers, in my mind, are irreplaceable. Learning is a human endeavor.&rdquo; &mdash; Matt Sussman</p>
</blockquote>

<p dir="auto">This conversation is an invitation to rethink what speaking practice can look like in a world of AI tools, and what only teachers can do. Matt&rsquo;s work reminds us that the goal isn&rsquo;t more technology in the classroom, but more confident speakers walking out of it.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/y5INg6MVlN4?si=PRVQvtc2A2mVyaVJ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p dir="auto">🎙️ Listen now on your favorite platform:</p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a></li>
</ul>

<p dir="auto">🔗 Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li value="5"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>


 AI-Powered Speaking Practice for the English Language Classroom

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<p dir="auto" id="unveiling-the-power-of-pronunciation-a-deep-dive-into-the-color-vowel-chart">In the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, co-hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; explore the dynamic world of teaching pronunciation with the insightful creator of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.colorvowel.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Color Vowel Chart&reg;</a>, Karen Taylor. The episode digs into the intricacies of teaching spoken English effectively, moving beyond phonetic transcription to engage diverse learners through vibrant, memorable visuals.</p>

<p dir="auto">Karen shares her intriguing journey into developing the Color Vowel Chart&reg;, aiming to transform the often daunting task of teaching pronunciation into an interactive and accessible experience. She frames pronunciation not just as a series of drills, but as a part of a broader ecosystem of spoken English.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote dir="auto">
<p>&quot;Pronunciation is a very limiting term. Spoken English [is] a full-bodied term that gets into the grammar, the lexis, the vocabulary, and the pronunciation, all together like a little braid.&quot; &ndash; Karen Taylor.&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p dir="auto">The episode further discusses overcoming accent bias and enhancing learners&#39; comprehensibility across different English varieties, touching on how the Color Vowel Chart&reg; supports teachers in celebrating linguistic diversity and enhancing students&#39; spoken English proficiency.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rr1GxYHX8Uo?si=YezSlIalA-_mEtK3" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p dir="auto">🎙️ Listen now on your favorite platform:</p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p dir="auto">🔗 Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>


Unveiling the Power of Pronunciation: A Deep Dive into the Color Vowel Chart®

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<section>
<p dir="auto" id="affirming-not-assimilating-a-new-approach-to-supporting-multilingual-learners">In the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; are joined by Aylin Erengul Gregg&mdash;an international school teacher with over 15 years of experience and the creator of the LEAVES approach, a framework built around a question most schools never think to ask:</p>

<blockquote>
<p dir="auto"><strong>What if multilingual learners weren&#39;t the ones expected to do all the adapting?</strong></p>
</blockquote>

<p dir="auto">Aylin traces the idea back to her own experience learning English abroad&nbsp;and to a linguist&#39;s line that stopped her in her tracks about what actually has to be true in a classroom before real language learning can happen. From there, she and the hosts dig into a distinction that sounds subtle but isn&#39;t&mdash;between a school that quietly expects students to assimilate&nbsp;and one built from the ground up to affirm who they already are. They trace how the first mindset shows up in ordinary, well-meaning staffroom language&nbsp;and what it costs students when it goes unexamined.</p>

<blockquote dir="auto">
<p>&quot;Affirmation happens when we say, &#39;We see you. We value you. We respect you with your identity and your languages, cultural backgrounds. You&#39;re welcome here, and here are the systems that we built thinking about you.&#39;&quot; &mdash; Aylin Erengul Gregg</p>
</blockquote>

<p dir="auto">The conversation doesn&#39;t stop at naming the problem. Aylin shares the BUDS&mdash;her name for a set of small, doable classroom shifts&mdash;that any subject teacher can put to use without becoming a language specialist. What they are&nbsp;and why something so simple makes such a measurable difference&nbsp;is worth hearing her explain herself.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ASgVYOGi4Q8?si=gYQV30OsMWwbqH2T" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p dir="auto">🎙️ Listen now on your favorite platform:</p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p dir="auto">🔗 Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>
</section>
</article>

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</article>
</section>
</section>


Affirming, Not Assimilating: A New Approach to Supporting Multilingual Learners

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<p dir="auto">In the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; return with their second annual summer reading list for English language teachers&mdash;a curated selection of memoirs, nonfiction, and fiction that have shaped how they think about identity, belonging, error, and what it means to be human. From grief and cultural inheritance to hidden empires and conditional citizenship, this year&#39;s picks reflect a shared desire to understand the systems and stories that shape both educators and learners.&nbsp;</p>

<p dir="auto">Anna and Sh&eacute; discuss how each book has shifted their worldview and their teaching, and offer practical ideas for bringing these texts&mdash;even as excerpts&mdash;into classrooms, book clubs, and professional development. Whether it&#39;s using memoir for personal narrative writing, exploring the politics of belonging through nonfiction, or opening up honest conversations about perfectionism and self-doubt, this episode is a roadmap for reading widely and teaching more humanly.</p>

<blockquote dir="auto">
<p>&quot;Every book on this list reminds us that it&#39;s hard being human. We&#39;re shaped by the empires we inherit, the grief we carry, the inner critics we can&#39;t shut up, the languages we&#39;re told are broken. And if that&#39;s true for us, it&#39;s true for every student who walks into our classroom, for every colleague that we work alongside.&quot;</p>

<p>&mdash; Sh&eacute;lynn Riel</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
</blockquote>

<p dir="auto">Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation to read with purpose, stay humble about what we don&#39;t know, and let great books leave us just a little bit changed&mdash;because the best stories do.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/syJZDxq9G30?si=_iaqpMx2XPJTNLQs" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p dir="auto"><strong>🎙️ Listen now on your favorite platform:</strong></p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p dir="auto"><strong>🔗 Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</strong></p>

<ul dir="auto">
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li value="5"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>


Books That Challenge How We See the World, Teaching, and Ourselves: Think-Aloud Podcast Shares Summer Book List

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Starter courses for each level with a suggested teaching order from the ESL Library publishing team.

Courses

Learn how to make the most of your Ellii subscription with tips from our publishing team.

Teaching with Ellii

<p>Are you teaching US history and government and/or&nbsp;preparing students for the NEW civics test (2025 version) and naturalization interview? You are changing lives, and Ellii wants to help!</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Yes! Ellii has prep materials for the US Naturalization Interview, including the new civics test, the N-400 review, and the reading &amp; writing tests.</p>
</blockquote>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RnVVjGXlWY8?si=S0nzou1pRPyNfZB9" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p>We began working on new content as soon as the notice went out about the new test (Sep&nbsp;18, 2025) and have just finished up this project (June 2026).&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What has changed with the 2025 Civics Test?</h2>

<ul>
	<li>If applicants applied before or within 30 days of the notice (Sep&nbsp;18, 2025), they take the 2008 test.</li>
	<li>If applicants&nbsp;applied 30 days or more after this notice (Sep&nbsp;18, 2025), they take the 2025 test.</li>
	<li>On the new (2025) test, the&nbsp;USCIS officer will ask applicants to answer up to 20 out of&nbsp;128 civics test questions&nbsp;to prove their&nbsp;knowledge of&nbsp;US&nbsp;history and government.</li>
	<li>USCIS officers will&nbsp;stop&nbsp;after the&nbsp;applicant answers&nbsp;12 questions correctly OR misses 9 questions.</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>Note:</strong> Scroll down to the bottom of this post for useful external links to resources regarding these updates.&nbsp;</p>

<h2>What order should I teach Ellii&#39;s US Civics &amp; Citizenship Prep content in?</h2>

<p>Here is our recommended teaching order for the Study Packs:</p>

<h2>US History &amp; Civics Test</h2>

<ol>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/principles-of-us-government" target="_blank">Principles of American Government</a>&nbsp;(Questions 1&ndash;15)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/system-of-government-1" target="_blank">System of Government 1</a>&nbsp;(Questions 16&ndash;30)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/system-of-government-b" target="_blank">System of Government 2</a>&nbsp;(Questions 31&ndash;45)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/system-of-government-3" target="_blank">System of Government 3</a>&nbsp;(Questions 46&ndash;62)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/rights-responsibilities" target="_blank">Rights &amp; Responsibilities</a>&nbsp;(Questions 63&ndash;72)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/colonial-period-independence" target="_blank">Colonial Independence</a>&nbsp;(Questions 73&ndash;89)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/the-1800s" target="_blank">The 1800s</a>&nbsp;(Questions 90&ndash;99)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/recent-american-history" target="_blank">Recent American History</a>&nbsp;(Questions 100&ndash;118)</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/symbols-holidays" target="_blank">Symbols &amp; Holidays</a>&nbsp;(Questions 119&ndash;128)</li>
</ol>

<h2>N-400 Form Interview</h2>

<ol>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/n-400-interview-parts-1-4" target="_blank">N-400:&nbsp;Part 1&ndash;4</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/n-400-interview-parts-5-8" target="_blank">N-400: Part 5&ndash;8</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/n-400-interview-part-9" target="_blank">N-400: Part 9A&ndash;9D</a></li>
</ol>

<p><img alt="N-400 Study Packs" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5594/content_Screenshot_2026-06-23_at_1.44.26_PM.png" style="width: 2760px; height: 784px;" /></p>

<h2>Reading &amp; Writing Tests</h2>

<ol>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/naturalization-interview-reading-writing-test" target="_blank">Reading &amp; Writing Tests</a></li>
</ol>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/naturalization-interview-reading-writing-test" target="_blank"><img alt="" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5593/content_Screenshot_2026-06-23_at_10.01.23_AM.png" /></a></p>

<h2>About Ellii&#39;s US Civics &amp; Citizenship Interview Prep Study Packs</h2>

<p>Ellii Study Packs allow you to assign your students bundled content easily with one click. Visit our <a href="https://ellii.com/packs/?category=45&amp;page=1" target="_blank">US Civics</a> category in Courses &amp; Packs&nbsp;and watch this content&nbsp;grow.<br />
<br />
If you and your students like Ellii&#39;s videos, you&#39;ll love the NEW study packs. Each video lesson comes with practice tasks, including vocabulary review, comprehension, and speaking practice.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/colonial-period-independence/materials" target="_blank"><img alt="Colonial Period &amp; Independence Study Pack on Ellii " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5012/content_US-Civics-Test-Prep-Colonial-Period-and-Independence_OG.png" /></a></p>

<p>For example, this pack about&nbsp;<a href="https://ellii.com/packs/the-1800s/materials" target="_blank"><b>The 1800s</b></a><b>&nbsp;</b>features video lessons and practice about western expansion and the Civil War. Students practice questions <strong>90&ndash;99 </strong>of the civics test. Expand your students&#39;&nbsp;knowledge with related lessons from our library, such as lessons on historic figures from this period, including <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3185-harriet-tubman" target="_blank">Harriet Tubman</a>, <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3473-frederick-douglass" target="_blank">Frederick Douglass</a>, and <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2881-susan-b-anthony" target="_blank">Susan B. Anthony</a>.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/the-1800s/materials" target="_blank"><img alt="The 1800s US Civics Test Prep Study Pack on Ellii " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5013/content_US-Civics-1800s_OG.png" /></a></p>

<p>Another pack features video lessons and practice about conflict and change in <a href="https://ellii.com/packs/recent-american-history/materials" target="_blank">Recent US History</a> (the 1900s and early 2000s). Students practice questions <strong>100&ndash;118&nbsp;</strong>of the civics test. Expand your students&#39;&nbsp;knowledge with related lessons from our library, such as lessons on historic figures from this period, including <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1535-franklin-d-roosevelt" target="_blank">Franklin D. Roosevelt</a>, the <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2856-the-vietnam-war" target="_blank">Vietnam War,</a> and <a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1466-september-11th" target="_blank">September 11th</a>.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/packs/recent-american-history/materials" target="_blank"><img alt="Recent US History US Civics Test Prep Study Pack: The 1900s and early 2000s" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5054/content_US-Civics-Recent-US-History_OG.png" /></a></p>

<p>In addition to the history and civics packs, we have packs to prep for the N-400 interview as well as the Reading &amp; Writing test. This comprehensive package of content is all your students need to prepare for the Naturalization Civics Test.</p>

<p>Did you know? You can also send content individually to just the students who are studying for the test.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/blog/introducing-individual-student-assignments" target="_blank"><img alt="individual assignments on Ellii " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5014/content_Screen_Shot_2025-11-14_at_11.12.24_AM.png" /></a></p>

<h2>Ellii&#39;s US Civics &amp; Test Prep Videos</h2>

<p>Ellii&#39;s&nbsp;<a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep" target="_blank">US Civics &amp; Test Prep</a> videos are&nbsp;also available in our Media Gallery if you prefer not to assign the packs and tasks. These videos&nbsp;build history and government knowledge while offering practical test-taking tips. Choose from short, digestible clips or full-length video lessons with chapter divisions.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep/colonial-period-independence" target="_blank"><img alt="US Civics Test Prep videos" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5010/content_Civics-Video-Colonial-Period-and-Independence_OG-play.png" /></a></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep/the-1800s" target="_blank"><img alt="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-test-prep/the-1800s" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5011/content_Civics-Video-1800s_OG-play.png" /></a></p>

<p>Videos include a real teacher from Ellii, real&nbsp;photographs, useful drawings, and real questions and possible answers from the test.</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/video/recent-american-history" target="_blank"><img alt="Recent US History video " src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5055/content_Screen_Shot_2025-11-19_at_3.11.32_PM.png" /></a></p>

<p>You can also find the complete collection of <a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/us-civics-citizenship">N-400 Interview Prep videos</a> in our Media Gallery. These video lessons&nbsp;cover every question from Parts 1 to 9 of Form N-400 and include&nbsp;mock dialogues, interview tips, vocabulary explanations, and plenty of&nbsp;speaking and listening practice.</p>

<h2>Ellii&#39;s Collections</h2>

<h3><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics" target="_blank">US Citizenship &amp; Naturalization</a></h3>

<p>This<strong> </strong>collection category<strong> </strong>offers six ready-made collections of EL Civics content focusing on US law, government, history, and culture. This content will help prepare ELLs for life and citizenship in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lessons/american-presidents" target="_blank">American Presidents</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/american-institutions" target="_blank">American Institutions</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/american-trailblazers" target="_blank">American Trailblazers</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/american-holidays" target="_blank">American Holidays</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/us-history" target="_blank">American History</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/us-civics/us-landmarks" target="_blank">American Landmarks</a></li>
</ul>

<h3><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/el-civics" target="_blank">EL Civics</a></h3>

<p>This collection category features curated content for pre-approved civics objectives <strong>(COAAPs)</strong> selected by California agencies supporting adult ed. Search for content that is specifically related to the needs assessment of your students and use this content toward&nbsp;the 30 hours of instruction your learners need before doing related assessments.</p>

<h3><a href="https://ellii.com/collections/nations-regions/americana" target="_blank">The United States</a></h3>

<p>Our content library is full of lessons about American facts, figures, and firsts. This collection highlights some of our most popular lesson content related to the US, including presidents, famous people, and holidays.</p>

<h2>Popular Ellii Lessons</h2>

<p>Use the <strong>Search</strong> field on Ellii to find lessons on topics you are covering, and reach out to us if you can&#39;t find what you&#39;re looking for. Here are some popular US civics lessons:</p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/5757-us-immigration-rights" target="_blank">US Immigration Rights</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2277-american-citizenship" target="_blank">American Citizenship</a>&nbsp;</li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3836-n-400-vocabulary" target="_blank">N-400 Vocabulary</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2676-the-united-states" target="_blank">The United States </a>(Listening in English)</li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2263-map-of-the-us" target="_blank">Map of the US</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/1505-george-washington" target="_blank">George Washington</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2779-trail-of-tears" target="_blank">Trail of Tears</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3172-the-us-constitution" target="_blank">The US Constitution</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/5636-the-bill-of-rights" target="_blank">The Bill of Rights</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/4037-the-declaration-of-independence" target="_blank">The Declaration of Independence</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/2764-the-supreme-court-us" target="_blank">The Supreme Court</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://app.ellii.com/lesson/3381-election-day-us" target="_blank">Election Day</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://ellii.com/video/republicans-democrats" target="_blank">Republicans &amp; Democrats</a> (explainer video)</li>
</ul>

<h3>Useful External Resources for 2025 Updates</h3>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/18/2025-18050/notice-of-implementation-of-2025-naturalization-civics-test" target="_blank">Notice of Implementation of 2025 Naturalization Civics Test</a> (09.18.2025)</li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/brochures/USCIS-2025-Civics-Test-Study-Guide.pdf" target="_blank">One Nation, One People Study Guide (2025)</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/questions-and-answers/2025-Civics-Test-128-Questions-and-Answers.pdf" target="_blank">128 Civics Questions (2025)</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship/find-study-materials-and-resources/check-for-test-updates" target="_blank">USCIS Comparison of 2008 / 2025 Test</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/5n2h5rdfojhykxegok15a/Natz_Test_Comparison_A_2008-2025.pdf?rlkey=47rpmtohvcrqazh1uf17h8o7k&amp;e=1&amp;st=r1lxr88r&amp;dl=0" target="_blank">Bill Bliss&#39;s Comparison Chart of 2008 / 2025 Test</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship" target="_blank">USCIS Citizenship Resource Center</a></li>
</ul>

US Naturalization Interview & Civics Test Prep Curriculum Now on Ellii

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<p id="unlocking-ai-use-in-the-english-language-classroom">In the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; are joined by Rachel Toncelli and Ilka Kostka&mdash;seasoned educators at Northeastern University and co-authors of&nbsp;<a href="https://press.umich.edu/Books/A/Artificial-Intelligence-Real-Teaching2" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Artificial Intelligence, Real Teaching: A Guide to AI in ELT</a>&mdash;for an honest and practical conversation about what it really looks like to bring AI into language teaching. From their initial intrigue with ChatGPT in late 2022 to the development of a full framework for AI integration, Rachel and Ilka exemplify what happens when educators meet new technology with curiosity rather than panic. As they see it, every challenge AI presents is a teaching problem&mdash;not a reason to ban or retreat.</p>

<p>The conversation tackles widespread misconceptions head-on, particularly the fear that AI might replace language learning altogether. Both guests advocate for transparency and dialogue with students, sharing how critical analysis of AI-generated output can deepen learner engagement and help students recognize what makes their own voices distinctive.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>&quot; If teachers are worried that their students are gonna outsource everything, then you need to be having regular conversations about how to use AI, how not to use AI, and the purpose of schooling. What are we here to do?&quot; &mdash; Rachel Toncelli</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation to start small, collaborate with colleagues, and approach AI with a mindset of exploration. Rachel and Ilka&#39;s work reminds us that as AI technology evolves, our teaching must adapt alongside it&mdash;keeping human interaction and cultural learning at the center.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ypEj-OmXRro?si=-VPW4ZjeghwVKf2m" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p><strong>🎙️ Listen now on your favorite platform:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p><strong>🔗 Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li value="1"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li value="2"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li value="3"><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
	<li value="4"><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li value="5"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>


Unlocking AI Use in the English Language Classroom

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<p>On the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>, hosts Anna and Sh&eacute; are joined by Dr. Linh Phung&mdash;language educator, researcher, and creator of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eduling.ai/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Eduling app</a>&mdash;for a grounded and practical exploration of Task-Based Language Teaching (TBLT). At its core, TBLT shifts teaching away from isolated grammar and vocabulary instruction and toward meaningful, goal-oriented communication. As Dr. Phung explains, not every classroom activity qualifies as a &ldquo;task.&rdquo; True tasks require a focus on meaning, a communicative gap, the use of learners&rsquo; existing language resources, and a clear outcome. This reframing challenges teachers to move beyond practice for its own sake and instead design opportunities where language is used to do something purposeful.</p>

<p>Drawing on second language acquisition research, Dr. Phung connects TBLT to key principles such as input, output, interaction, and corrective feedback. The conversation also addresses common implementation concerns, including how to adapt TBLT for beginner learners, large classes, exam-driven contexts, and varying participation norms.</p>

<blockquote>&quot; When the students learn a language by engaging in communicative tasks, then the chance of transferring the skills during learning activities to real life is higher because the conditions in which they perform the tasks or the activities are similar to real life tasks.&quot;<br />
&mdash; Dr. Linh Phung</blockquote>

<p>Ultimately, this conversation invites educators to reconsider not just what they teach, but why and how. By positioning language as a tool for communication rather than an end in itself, TBLT opens the door to more engaging, effective, and human-centered learning experiences.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eThdBEC0NoU?si=Zt_Q0I840A4Ip9YG" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

<p><br />
🎙️&nbsp;<strong>Listen now on your favorite platform:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>🔗&nbsp;<strong>Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>


Task-Based Language Teaching in Real Classrooms

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Ellii & the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS) for Adult Education

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<p>Join Anna and Sh&eacute; on the latest episode of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a>&nbsp;as they explore a practical and research-informed approach to grammar instruction with ESL teacher and founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.eslgrammargallery.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The ESL Grammar Gallery</a>, Audrea Gold. Together they unpack the NUFU framework&mdash;Noticing, Understanding, Forming, and Using&mdash;and what it offers teachers who want to move beyond rule-based grammar teaching toward more meaningful, communicative practice.</p>

<p>This conversation challenges the idea that grammar should be taught as isolated structures to memorize, instead positioning it as a tool for meaning-making and expression. Audrea walks listeners through each stage of the NUFU framework, showing how intentional sequencing&mdash;from exposure to application&mdash;can help learners not only understand grammar, but actually use it with confidence.&nbsp;</p>

<blockquote>&ldquo;The NUFU framework asks how we can put less of the onus on teachers and more on the students so that they take more responsibility for their learning and are more engaged as a result.&rdquo; &mdash; Audrea Gold</blockquote>

<p>Through concrete examples, reflective insights, and classroom-ready ideas, this episode invites educators to rethink how grammar is introduced, practiced, and applied&mdash;offering a clear pathway toward instruction that truly sticks.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Abv-cwwCP9Q?si=6rrKUZ80PZ8rNNNL" title="YouTube video player" width="640"></iframe></div>

<p>🎙️&nbsp;<strong>Listen now on your favorite platform:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>🔗&nbsp;<strong>Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>


Rethinking Grammar Instruction with the NUFU Framework

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These posts are written for learners of English themselves. Find learning tips and ideas for learning English.

For Students

Find fun games and activities for teaching English to young learners and middle schoolers. 

Young Learners

<h2>Behind the Scenes at Ellii</h2>

<p>At Ellii, there are a few lesson sections that started out as passion projects for our Publishing team members.&nbsp;Our Young Learner section called&nbsp;<a href="https://ellii.com/lessons/picture-stories" target="_blank">Picture Stories</a>&nbsp;is one of these sections. You might know this section better as &quot;Benji stories.&quot;<br />
<br />
These stories, about an adorable bear who happens to have the same name as our founder and CEO,&nbsp;are written and illustrated by our in-house designer, Saori.</p>

<p>Saori is from Brazil and her&nbsp;first language is Portuguese! In the early days, Saori had a lot of help from our editor, Tanya. Over the years, while working closely with the English materials developed by our in-house writers and editors,&nbsp;Saori&#39;s English improved immensely, and she was able to starting writing&nbsp;these lessons more independently!&nbsp;Meanwhile, Tanya took on a new role as our head of video and began overseeing the development of Benji <a href="https://ellii.com/media/videos/stories-songs/picture-stories" target="_blank">videos</a>. The amazing videos have brought even more fans to this fun series!</p>

<p><a href="https://ellii.com/video/spring" target="_blank"><img alt="Benji Picture Stories and Videos" src="https://esllibrary.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/ckeditor/pictures/5353/content_Screenshot_2026-04-08_at_10.48.49_AM.png" /></a></p>

<h2>Fan Fiction</h2>

<p>As you can imagine, if you see how much <a href="https://ellii.com/collections/new-content" target="_blank">new content</a> we put out each month,&nbsp;Saori has a very busy job as the lead designer on Ellii&#39;s Publishing team. Though she&nbsp;doesn&#39;t have a lot of time for her passion project, Saori tries to add at least a few new Benji stories and lessons&nbsp;each year.</p>

<p>For some Benji fans, however, this is not enough! In fact, a recent young reader named Olivier (age 8) took this into his own hands and submitted his own&nbsp;Benji story. He asked that we publish it, so we&#39;ve decided to put it on our blog.<br />
<br />
With the World Cup coming soon, we hope your young soccer fans and early readers&nbsp;enjoy Olivier&#39;s Benji Soccer Story, our first &quot;fan fiction&quot; submission! We think Olivier got the tone just right for Benji. He even invented his own new Benji &quot;friend&quot; named Banjo. (Move over, Yumi and Onyx!)&nbsp;<br />
<br />
If your students love Benji and his friends, you can encourage them to write their own fan fiction and submit it below in the comment section.</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Olivier is very excited that Benji has a friend Banjo. They sound like maybe they&#39;re twins. We hope you like the story and will publish it! Cheers!</p>

<p>~ Ezri (teacher) &amp; Olivier</p>
</blockquote>

<h1>Benji Soccer Story</h1>

<h2>Hi, my name is Benji.</h2>

<h2>Today I am playing soccer with my friend Banjo.</h2>

<h2>Banjo and I like to play drums too.</h2>

<h2>My friend Banjo and I played a soccer match, and Banjo won the match 2 to 1.</h2>

<h2>We played another match, and this time&nbsp;I won 3 to 2.</h2>

<h2>We continued to practice soccer by doing free kicks.</h2>

<h2>After the game, we went to get pizza&nbsp;and played drums.</h2>

<h2>&quot;See you next time!&quot;</h2>

<p>By Olivier, age 8</p>

<blockquote>
<p>Oh my god, that&#39;s so sweet! 🥹 I can picture Banjo as a fluffy black bear, ha!&nbsp;<br />
<br />
~ Saori, author of Ellii&#39;s Benji Picture Stories</p>
</blockquote>


Benji Fan Fiction

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<section>
<p>Great teaching grows through reflection and conversation. That&#39;s the heartbeat of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank"><em>The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</em></a>&nbsp;&mdash; and as it celebrates five years, the podcast is spotlighting&nbsp;<a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCuUBia4J9i-lOLm-uUR2Nm5Kwv5Hg5KZ&amp;si=eNjq1xqxbbR2gxwS" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">five episodes</a>&nbsp;that continue to resonate with English language educators everywhere.<br />
Ellii is proud to sponsor&nbsp;<em>The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</em>&nbsp;&mdash; a leading voice in ELT professional development today.</p>

<h2><strong>1. Episode 14 &ndash; Representation: More Than Just a Stock Photo</strong>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>In this episode, Anna and Sh&eacute; explore how materials, narratives, and classroom examples shape students&#39; sense of belonging. Whose voices are centered? Whose identities are erased? This conversation challenges teachers to move from surface-level diversity to meaningful inclusion, and remains one of our most-shared free ELT resources for opening up conversations about equity in the classroom.</p>

<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/NpUmrnbUJo8?si=KqNJR1X4VN3_T3Rv" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

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<h2><strong>2. Episode 34 &ndash; Trauma-Sensitive Teaching</strong>&nbsp;<em>(with Sherry MacKay)</em>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>In this episode, guest Sherry MacKay discusses how trauma may show up in the classroom and what it means to respond with compassion rather than control. The takeaway is simple but powerful: behavior is communication, and safety is foundational to learning.</p>
<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vCiyPTgqfcs?si=071YassbcrIwS1bm" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

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<h2><strong>3. Episode 44 &ndash; Global Citizenship: Opening the View to the Possible</strong>&nbsp;<em>(with Brantley Turner)</em>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>In this episode, guest Brantley Turner explores the role of English language teaching classrooms in fostering global citizenship. From intercultural communication to critical awareness and empathy, she reflects on how teachers can move beyond transactional language instruction and create spaces where students grapple with global issues, multiple perspectives, and their own responsibilities as members of an interconnected world.</p>
<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kpb6zt7Cnck?si=pWGld0L4adyIAa2k" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

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<h2><strong>4. Episode 56 &ndash; Building a Sustainable PD Practice</strong>&nbsp;<em>(with Yulia Kharchenko)</em>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>How do you sustain your professional development as an educator? In this episode, guest Yulia Kharchenko shares a framework she and her colleagues have developed to ensure future teachers are prepared for future challenges in the teaching profession.</p>
<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Gs_kjYqRa4M?si=aP11sm4JvEH2IbLI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

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<h2><strong>5. Episode 66 &ndash; &quot;Being a Native Speaker Isn&#39;t a Qualification&quot;</strong>&nbsp;<em>(with Meri Maroutian)</em>&nbsp;</h2>

<p>Native speakerism continues to shape hiring practices, pay structures, and perceptions of competence in ELT. In this episode, Anna and Sh&eacute; dive into the pervasive issue of native speakerism in English Language Teaching with educator and advocate Meri Maroutian, unpacking accent bias and challenging the assumption that nativeness equals qualification. The focus shifts toward credentials, intelligibility, and professional expertise as the true markers of effective teaching.</p>
<div class="videoWrapper"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/91XXrBvpn7g?si=armTwcwODKN-I3R6" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></div>

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<p>Five years in,&nbsp;<em>The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</em>&nbsp;continues to be a space where English language educators can work to think more deeply, teach more equitably, and grow more sustainably. Tune in and keep the conversation going.</p>

<p>🎙️&nbsp;<strong>Listen now on your favorite platform:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.teacherthinkaloud.com/episodes" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">YouTube</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/2zv5mVNpSqkDNiNbQlnm7B" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Spotify</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-teacher-think-aloud-podcast/id1629819608" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Apple Podcasts</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<p>🔗&nbsp;<strong>Follow The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast on social media for more updates:</strong></p>

<ul>
	<li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/teacherthinkaloud" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Facebook</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thinkaloud_pod/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Instagram</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://bsky.app/profile/thinkaloudpod.bsky.social" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">Bluesky</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@thinkaloud_pod" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">TikTok</a></li>
	<li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/teacher-think-aloud/" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">LinkedIn</a></li>
</ul>
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5 Years of Thinking Aloud: 5 Episodes Worth Revisiting

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