Teaching Teens Keeping It Real and Relevant

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▶ Playlists to Explore
🎙 Real Talk in ELT Podcast →    • Real Talk in ELT (The Podcast)  

📘 CELTA Survival Kit →    • CELTA Survival Kit  

🌱 New Teacher Life →    • New Teacher Life  

🛠 Methodology That Works →    • Methodology That Works  

🏫 For Schools & DoS →    • For Schools & DoS (Directors of Studies)  

🎓 Becoming a CELTA Tutor →    • Becoming a CELTA Tutor  

Content in this episode:
00:00 Intro – Why Teaching Teens Feels So Tough
00:43 Teens in Transition – Independence vs Structure
01:12 Why Teaching Teens Can Be Rewarding
01:32 Quick Disclaimer – No Hacks, Just Real Talk
02:05 Why Teens Behave the Way They Do (Brain Development)
02:27 Executive Function Still Developing – “Download in Progress”
02:56 Peer Approval and Social Pressure
03:27 Identity Building and Pushing Back Against Authority
03:50 Reframing Teen Resistance as Developmental Practice
04:18 Activity Idea #1: Debate Club “Light” with Hot Takes
05:19 Flipping Sides to Challenge Opinions
05:40 Activity Idea #2: Remix a Boring Assignment (Email → DM)
06:05 Activity Idea #3: Teach the Teacher (Slang, Gaming, Memes)
07:31 Anecdote – Teens Snapchats & Teacher Reactions
07:53 Why “Teach the Teacher” Validates Their World
08:14 Activity Idea #4: Roleplay with a Twist (Curfews, Netflix Pitches)
09:20 Making Roleplays Relatable (Food Apps & Friends)
09:37 Bridge TEFL Plug – Certifications & Micro-Credentials
09:58 Tip #3: Keep It Real, Not Cool
10:27 Accept You’re Not Cool – Teens See Through It
10:58 How to Be Real: Admit Awkwardness & Ask About Trends
11:42 Anecdote – Post-Match Interviews for Soccer-Obsessed Teens
12:33 Anchor Lessons in Real-World Topics (Music, Memes, Stress)
13:00 Let Teens Bring the Culture – You Just Frame It in English
13:27 Tip #4: Protect Your Sanity (Boundaries & Routines)
13:57 Why Consistency Matters More Than Mood Swings
14:25 Recap – Understand, Be Relevant, Be Real, Protect Yourself
15:00 Bridge TEFL Plug – Teaching Teens Micro-Credential & Certs
15:49 Why Kelly Loves Teaching Teens (and Their Sass)
16:11 Teaching Teens Isn’t Survival – It’s About Energy & Creativity
16:37 Closing Notes – Courses, Mentoring, Links Below
16:58 Wrap-Up – Playlists, Resources, Social Links

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