Sponge Chats – Training, Materials Writing and Freelancing with Nik Peachey

This blog post is part of the Sponge Chats video series.

Some time ago I had the pleasure to speak to someone who really needs no introduction – Nik Peachey from PeacheyPublications Ltd. Nik was kind enough to spend part of his Friday evening talking about teaching, training, materials writing and, of course, technology with me. We also looked at numerous aspects of the freelancer life – with some very important tips for those thinking about moving into it.

This is the first Sponge Chat of the 21/22 academic year, and I am so happy that I was able to get Nik. It was very insightful and I am sure that there will be many of you out there who will enjoy it as much as I did.

If you do like this Sponge Chat, please let me know with a like, comment, subscribe, or all three! Remember to check it out on YouTube and on Spotify.

Book recommendations

Nik Peachey – Digital tools for teachers

Nik Peachey – Hacking creativity

Martin Parrot – Tasks for Language Teachers

Scott Thornbury – About Language

Christine Frank, Mario Rinvolcuri and Marge Berer – Challenge to think

John Morgan and Mario Rincolcuri – Once Upon A Time – Using Stories in the Language Classroom

Stephen Neale, Lisa Spencer-Arnell and Liz Wilson – Emotional Intelligence Coaching

BTW, this is the teaching machine that Nik was talking about in the video. Very interesting indeed!

Sponge Chats – Materials writing and OtterELT with Laura Broadbent and Billie Jago – SPONGE ELT

In this Sponge Chat, I was lucky enough sit down with Laura Broadbent and Billie Jago from OtterELT to speak about their journeys into materials writing as well the what, why and how of OtterELT. Be sure to watch and let me know your thoughts!    OtterELT's website: https://www.otterelt.com/  00:00 Introduction   01:50 Sponge Chats   03:30 Who are Laura and Billie?   08:45 Motivations for moving into materials writing   17:00 What is OtterELT?  22:00 Were there any problems with setting up OtterELT?   27:20 How to get involved with OtterELT?   32:00 Some differences between digital and print  45:00 The importance of support from management   49:00 Advice for teachers looking to move into materials writing   55:30 The realities of being a freelancer  01:01:00 Book recommendations

1. Sponge Chats – Materials writing and OtterELT with Laura Broadbent and Billie Jago 01:09:14
2. Sponge Chats – Perspectives on TBLT with TBLT expert Martin East 51:10
3. Perspectives on money management and investing for ELT professionals with Nicola Prentis (The Chilled Investor) 45:28
4. Sponge Chats – Teacher Training with Adrian Tennant 01:11:46
5. Sponge Chats – Teacher Training with Matt Ellman 56:56