Let’s Talk English resources
Boosting engagement in the English classroom
Across the country, we’ve been hearing calls from secondary teachers for English content that’s real and relevant; for texts and tasks that students can relate to and want to engage with.
In this video series, we’ve brought together English practitioners, sector leaders, students and influencers to share their views and top tips on what we can collectively do to spark engagement in English classrooms across the UK.
Preparing students for the future with real world tasks and activities
How English can give students the skills they need for the workplace
Sarah Latimer
Sarah Latimer, Senior Education and Careers Lead at Youth Employment UK, shares the skills that employers are looking for today, and how studying real and relatable content in English lessons can help to increase engagement and prepare students for the future.
Introducing real world tasks and activities in to the classroom
Diane Lee
English teacher, Diane Lee, shares how she has adapted her classroom activities to be more relevant to her students, including bringing TikTok and diverse texts in to the classroom, and how she has helped to encourage a love of reading.
The impact of writing for pleasureÌý
Julie Hughes
Julie Hughes, English teacher and Subject Specialist, discusses why some students struggle with writing and how encouraging writing for pleasure can help to prepare students for success in the future.
How to make writing enjoyable for all
Julie Hughes
Julie Hughes, English teacher and Subject Specialist, shares her top tips on how to support students with writing and how make it more enjoyable with some great ideas you can put into action.
Incorporating old and new texts in the classroom
How to incorporate new and old texts in the classroom
David Lowbridge-Ellis
David Lowbridge-Ellis, Director of Improvement at Matrix Academy, discusses the need for a more representative curriculum and shares his tips for how to incorporate new and old texts.
How to ensure longevity for Diversity in English
Joy Mbakwe
Joy Mbakwe, Assistant Head Teacher, shares her tips on how to increase diversity in the English classroom and how schools can ensure longevity.
The importance of being reflected in Literature
Iona Mandal
Student, Iona Mandal, provides her perspective on the importance of being reflected in the books students read and study in class.
Making reading more enjoyable
Tips to make reading more enjoyable
Deborah Maclaren
Deborah Maclaren, Director of LoveReading4Kids, shares twelve top tips on how to get secondary aged children excited about reading.
How to encourage reading for pleasure
Alison Tarrant
Alison Tarrant, Director of School Library Association, looks at the benefits of reading and what needs to change to encourage children to read for pleasure.
How to support students who struggle with reading
Alison Tarrant
In this video, Alison shares her 5 top tips for how to motivate and support students who find reading a struggle.
Making English real and relatable
What does it mean to be real and relatable in English?
Alex Grady
Alex Grady, Head of Education at Nasen, shares her thoughts on the need for classroom content to be relatable to all students with practical tips on how we can get this right.
Why studying English is so important
Matt Bromley
Matt Bromley, Teacher and Education Adviser, discusses why English is such an important subject in the curriculum and explores the benefits of studying both English Language and English Literature.
Top tips for making English more real and relatable
Matt Bromley
In this video, Matt Bromley, Teacher and education adviser, shares his top tips for making English more real and relatable and how this can help to increase student engagement and motivation.
Ensuring diversity is not a buzz word
The importance of Diversity in English
Bennie Kara
In this video, Bennie Kara, former teacher and education expert, talks about why Diversity in English is so important and the impact that greater diversity can have on students.
Top tips for increasing Diversity in the English classroom
Bennie Kara
In this video, Bennie shares her top tips and practical steps for increasing diversity in the English classroom.
What does it mean to be diverse in English?
Anjum Peerbacos
Anjum Peerbacos, Teacher and English expert, explores what it means to be diverse in English and how to prevent ‘diversity’ from becoming a buzzword.
Let's Talk English in 2025
