This blog post is part of the Sponge Chats video series.
We’re back again with another Sponge Chat, and this time I was lucky enough to sit down with not just one amazing guest – but two! Laura Broadbent and Billie Jago from OtterELT took some time out of their busy schedules to speak with me for an hour or so. Both Laura and Billie are really experienced in the materials writing field (and teacher education!), and with their latest venture, OtterELT – a digital content creation agency – they had a lot to share!
I won’t ruin the chat for you, but some of the things we spoke about include Laura and Billie’s journeys into materials writing, the what, how and why of OtterELT, the realities of being freelance, and some advice for teachers looking to move into materials writing. I really do think there will be something for everyone.
As always, there were some book recommendations. Here they are:
ELT Teacher2Writer How to Write series – numerous authors (check out the Sponge Chat with two of the ELT Teacher2Writer series editors, Sue and Karen)
ETPedia series – numerous authors
The Delta Ideas in Action in series – numerous authors (check out the Sponge Chat with Ethan and Riccardo, authors of Activities for Mediation here)
Work it out with Phrasal verbs – Billie Jago and Monica Ruda-Peachey (you can see the Sponge Chat with Monica here)
Peter Clements and Paul Murphy – IELTs Reading Practice: Academic
I had loads of fun with this chat – Laura and Billie were fab guests. If you enjoy the chat, please do let me know!
Feel free to get in touch with Laura and Billie through their Instagram, LinkedIn page or the main OtterELT site.
SPONGE ELT 
Materials writing sounds so interesting. When I was learning to teach I never had the time to do that …
LikeLiked by 1 person
It is something that is often left to a little later, I’ve found. But I do think that many teachers at the start of the career start to think about how they would like to adapt certain materials, make them their own, etc. and this really is the start of moving into materials writing. I hope you explore it in more detail!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes that sounds perfectly plausible. I appreciate your support 🙂
LikeLike
Nicely wrriten 🙂🌹!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!!
LikeLike