Episode 1. John Marks, Joe Dale Technology in the MFL Classroom

Welcome to the very first episode of The Language Lab – the podcast for language teachers who love their job (most of the time) and wouldn’t mind a few fresh ideas to make things easier, smarter, and, let’s be honest, a bit more fun.

We’re kicking off the series with one of education’s biggest debates: Is technology helping or hindering language learning?

First up, Will Marks chats with John Marks, a primary school governor (and also Will’s dad!), for a no-nonsense take on smartphones, safeguarding, and meaningful tech use in schools. Then, we dive into a dynamic, idea-packed conversation with Joe Dale, a leading voice in MFL EdTech, about the real potential – and pitfalls – of AI in the classroom.

From Padlet and AI tutors to workload hacks, CLIL, digital ethics, and saving time with feedback tools, this episode is a treasure trove for both tech-curious teachers and digital skeptics alike.

🔍 Topics include:

• Smartphones: ban them or manage them?

• AI in MFL: game-changer or gimmick?

• How to prompt AI for great resources

• Joe’s top tools for language teaching

• The future of teacher creativity in an AI-driven world

Whether you’re planning lessons, dodging cover, or hiding in the department office with a biscuit and a thousand-yard stare – this one’s for you.

Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share with your department (and that one colleague who’s still not convinced about using EdTech).
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Visit: www.languagelabpodcast.co.uk

Music Credit:Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/jump-jive