The Full English Podcast
Join the Pearson English Team as we invite a host of special guests to join us to discuss the important issues for English teachers in the UK.
The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the panel and guests on the show. These views and opinions do not necessarily represent those of Pearson.
You can find and subscribe to our podcast on the usual platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Soundcloud.
Latest episodes
Ep 09: Closing the Writing Gap with Alex Quigley
In this episode, Pam is joined by Alex Quigley who talks about his latest book ‘Closing the Writing Gap’. You’ll hear about the science of writing and how to further develop your students’ writing skills. Alex also shares some great ideas to use in the classroom as well as helping you to reflect on your own pedagogy, and how to support and empower your students to create effective writing.
Ep 08: Reading for Pleasure with Emma Braithwaite
Join Pam for episode 8 with guest Emma Braithwaite. Emma is Head of Skills and Engagement at The Reading Agency and leads on a range of programmes including Chatterbooks, Reading Sparks and the annual Summer Reading Challenge. Pam and Emma discuss the ‘Winter Mini Challenge’ and other innovative programmes including ‘Reading Well’ which supports readers to understand and manage their health and wellbeing.
The Reading Agency is a national charity that tackles life's big challenges through the proven power of reading. In 2020-2021, The Reading Agency reached over 1.9 million people across the UK, including more than 800,000 children and over 1 million adults and young people.
Ep 07: GCSE 2.0 and the 'Forgotten Third'
Hear about the launch of Pearson Edexcel’s new English Language GCSE qualification. Pam’s guests are Liz Slade (Senior Qualification Manager at Pearson) and Julie Hughes (English consultant/teacher).
The discussion includes issues relating to the ‘Forgotten Third’, how to support GCSE English students with resitting their GCSE English Language and ideas for supporting your students to approach the writing and reading questions.
Ep 06: Lit in Colour with Penguin and Pearson
In this episode, the discussion focuses on diversity in literature and the exciting new Lit in Colour Pioneers programme. Pam’s three guests: Katy Lewis (Head of English, MFL and Drama at Pearson Edexcel), Zaahida Nabagereka (Lit in Colour Programme Manager, Penguin Random House UK) and Suha Yassin (Diversity and Inclusion lead, Pearson UK) explain the exciting new Lit in Colour Pioneers programme from Pearson and Penguin Random House UK.
Details of how Schools can join this programme can be found on our Lit in Colour webpage or for more details of the full programme head to Penguin's website.
Ep 05: Mindfulness and wellbeing with Ashley Lodge
In this episode Pam is joined by Ashley Lodge to discuss mindfulness and the positive impact it can have on our wellbeing.
During the conversation, Ashley explains the neuroscience behind mindfulness and how to incorporate mindfulness practice into your daily life.
Later on, Ashley talks Pam through a five minute practice – so join in and see how just a few minutes of mindfulness practice can impact on your wellbeing.
Ashley is passionate about mindfulness. He’s the mindfulness Lead at Pearson and has delivered courses to hundreds of people to help them in their personal and professional lives.
Ep 04: Embedding effective revision strategies & engaging boys
In our fourth episode, Pam is joined by Mark Roberts, an Assistant Principal in a secondary school in Devon. He regularly writes for the TES as well as writing a blog about teaching English.
Mark co-wrote the acclaimed ‘Boys Don’t Try: Rethinking Masculinity in Schools’ and his latest book ‘You Can’t Revise for English: Yes You Can’ is the main topic for this episode where we discuss strategies to promote student progress through revision.
Follow Mark on Twitter: @mr_englishteach
Ep 03: Diversity is not a bolt-on with Bennie Kara
In our third episode, Pam is joined by Bennie Kara to discuss diversity and a diverse curriculum in education, the concept of ‘usualising’ diversity in the curriculum and paralleling texts and non-fiction to complement narratives.
Bennie Kara is a deputy headteacher in the East Midlands, specialising in curriculum, teaching and learning. In January 2018, she co-founded DiverseEd. She is a supporter of the grassroots online movements such as @WomenEd, @BAMEednetwork and @LGBTedUK, and has featured as a keynote speaker for @DiverseEd2020 and the Team English National Conference.
Follow Bennie on Twitter: @benniekara
Listen to more of the Full English podcast
With episodes covering topics such as diversity in literature, pedagogy, engaging readers and writers, mental health and wellbeing, why not listen to more of the Full English podcast?