The University Grapevine

Let's focus less on ❌“WHAT can AI do?” (which is always a good question, but isn’t THE POINT of our classes), and more on ✅“What is AI doing to the way our students THINK?” What I mean is…does adding AI to our classes really help students GROW in the ways we want them to? I know the answer isn’t a simple one, so… I’d love to hear about your experience with AI so far. Please vote and share your opinions as a comment…

We are very excited to share Issue 26 of TUG. The authors have written some wonderful ideas to try in your own classrooms. Get it by joining the free mailing list here: https://lnkd.in/gxHqrbdU Here’s a look inside Issue 26… Expert Advice: Words Of Wisdom: A Focus on Student Silence Research with Dat Bao Theories In Practice: Help Using Technology-Mediated Tasks from Nicole Ziegler Support for Educator and Learner Feelings: Clarifying your Language Teacher Identify with Eric Ku Teaching Articles: Feature Article: From Hesitation to Flow: How Timed Conversations Foster Natural Dialogue by Sandra Huynh Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats: Bridging Western and Japanese Thinking by Allita Nagornaia Introducing Soft Power to Foster Intuitive Understanding of Global Interconnectedness by Pierre Allec

Let us share some of the problems language teachers keep talking about with us when trying to GET PUBLISHED. And how TUG was designed to help them (and you!) out… 🌟 Limited Publishing Options In many fields, academic publishing is a ladder. For us, it’s a tightrope! Few journals focus on language teaching, and those that do often face high competition, viewing practical studies as “too niche” or “too applied.” 💡 Demand for Big, Generalizable Findings The reality of language education is hands-on and deeply contextual, which doesn’t always fit with top-tier journals’ demand for “groundbreaking” research. TUG values the specific, practical, real-world insights language educators bring! ⏳ Time & Resource Constraints Teaching is a full-time job—research often has to wait. TUG understands this and simplifies the process for full-time educators who want to share their ideas. ✨ Bias Toward Theory-Heavy Work Practical classroom strategies don’t always get the spotlight. TUG welcomes this hands-on, strategy-oriented approach and sees its value. 🎯 How does TUG help? It’s grounded in the real language classroom—no heavy citations or forced theories needed. Your ideas are the focus—no bending to fit a mold! Peer review is done directly with the supportive editor, Robert, making the process clear and successful. The next submission deadline is APRIL 1st. We're looking forward to the next batch of ideas from you all. More details in the comments.

Issue 26 of TUG is on the way! Thanks to everyone involved in making another great issue for our global readership. Use the LINK IN THE COMMENTS to make sure you don’t miss it. Here’s a quick preview… Expert Advice: Words Of Wisdom: A Focus on Student Silence Research with Dat Bao Theories In Practice: Help Using Technology-Mediated Tasks from Nicole Ziegler Support for Educator and Learner Feelings: Clarifying your Language Teacher Identify with Eric Ku Teaching Articles: Feature Article: From Hesitation to Flow: How Timed Conversations Foster Natural Dialogue by Sandra Huynh Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats: Bridging Western and Japanese Thinking by Allita Nagornaia Introducing Soft Power to Foster Intuitive Understanding of Global Interconnectedness by Pierre Allec

Interesting poll result on LinkedIn. Of course, the teachers who voted are most likely the ones with actually use stories in class! But how about you? Do you have any tips for using storytelling with language learners?

📚 The Challenge of Getting Published as a Language Teacher: How The University Grapevine (TUG) is Breaking Down Barriers! Language teaching is an incredibly rewarding career, but when it comes to publishing, we face unique challenges that can feel like navigating a maze! Here’s why: 🌟 Limited Publishing Options In many fields, academic publishing is a ladder. For us, it’s a tightrope! Few journals focus on language teaching, and those that do often face high competition, viewing practical studies as “too niche” or “too applied.” 💡 Demand for Big, Generalizable Findings The reality of language education is hands-on and deeply contextual, which doesn’t always fit with top-tier journals’ demand for “groundbreaking” research. TUG values the specific, practical, real-world insights language educators bring! ⏳ Time & Resource Constraints Teaching is a full-time job—research often has to wait. TUG understands this and simplifies the process for full-time educators who want to share their ideas. ✨ Bias Toward Theory-Heavy Work Practical classroom strategies don’t always get the spotlight. TUG welcomes this hands-on, strategy-oriented approach and sees its value. 🎯 Why TUG? It’s grounded in the real language classroom—no heavy citations or forced theories needed. Your ideas are the focus—no bending to fit a mold! Peer review is done directly with the supportive editor, Robert, making the process clear and successful. Don’t miss out! The next submission deadline is APRIL 1st. Ready to elevate your teaching career? More details in the comments. #LanguageTeaching #AcademicPublishing #PracticalResearch #EducationInnovation #TeachBetter #ELT #TeachingCommunity

📚 Why Educators Love The University Grapevine (TUG): A Testimonial from Francisca Maria Ivone. Are you looking for an accessible, practical, and research-informed resource in the TESOL world? 🌟 Francisca Maria Ivone shares her experience: "Publishing with TUG was a rewarding experience. The process was seamless and enjoyable with supportive feedback. As a reader, I love how the articles are full of practical ideas I can immediately apply in my classes." TUG isn’t just another academic newsletter—it’s a community of educators supporting each other through insightful, practical, and research-informed content. Whether you’re looking for fresh teaching ideas or thinking about publishing, editor Robert Stroud makes contributing simple and rewarding. ✨ Don’t just read about it—get involved! Join our 📩free mailing list (link in comments) and explore the latest issue packed with practical strategies, expert advice, and inspiring innovations. #TESOL #LanguageEducation #TeacherTools #ProfessionalDevelopment

🚀 AI in Education: Hype or Real Value? 🚀 Jozef Colpaert, a leading expert in Instructional Design, Educational Technology, and Computer-Assisted Language Learning, raises critical concerns about the AI boom in education. Are we truly addressing learners' and teachers' needs, or just riding another wave of hype? 🌊 🤖 AI is impressive—but does it really understand what students and teachers need? 🎯 No technology has an inherent effect on learning—only a well-designed learning environment does. 🍳 Teachers should be seen as master chefs, crafting their own learning experiences—not just following tech trends. 📢 Want to read more articles like this? Subscribe to The University Grapevine for FREE — link in the COMMENTS⬇️

Storytelling in Language Teaching: Yay or Nay? 📚🎭 As language teachers, we’re constantly looking for ways to bring our lessons to life and make them memorable. One method that often comes up is storytelling—a timeless way to engage, inspire, and connect with learners. But here’s the big question: 🎭 Do you use storytelling as a teaching tool in your language classes? 📚 Storytelling can help: ✨ Build vocabulary naturally. ✨ Improve listening and comprehension skills. ✨ Spark creativity and encourage students to think in the target language. On the flip side, some may feel it’s time-consuming or less structured than traditional methods. I’d love to hear your thoughts! Let’s turn this into a learning moment for all of us: 1️⃣ Yes, I use storytelling often—it’s a game-changer! 2️⃣ No, I prefer other methods—here’s why. Cast your vote in the poll and share your favorite storytelling techniques (or alternatives) in the comments below. Let’s inspire each other! 🌟 #LanguageTeaching #Storytelling #LanguageLearning #Educators #TeachingTools

🌟Higher Education Teachers: Share Your Time-Saving Hacks for 2025🌟 Teaching in 2025 is more dynamic than ever, but it can also feel overwhelming. 📚 Don’t worry – these 5 time-saving hacks are here to help you streamline your workflow while delivering impactful feedback that truly resonates with your students! 🎓 🖋️ 1️⃣ Quick Feedback Templates Save hours with pre-written feedback templates tailored to common student issues. 🚀 For example: "You’ve shown excellent critical thinking here, but consider expanding your analysis by addressing XYZ." "This section is well-researched! Adding more citations would strengthen your argument further." ✔️ Customize as needed, and voila – faster, more personalized responses! 🕒 2️⃣ The Power of Micro-Feedback Instead of long essays of feedback, focus on concise, actionable comments. 📝 Use a “strengths-opportunities-suggestions” format: 🌟 Strength: What worked well. 🔎 Opportunity: A skill or area to refine. 💡 Suggestion: One actionable step for improvement. ✔️ This makes feedback digestible AND encourages students to act on it. 🎯 3️⃣ Batch Your Tasks Multitasking is out – batching is in! 🕰️ Set specific blocks of time for grading, answering emails, or preparing lectures. Use the Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused 25-minute bursts with 5-minute breaks to stay fresh and efficient. ✔️ You’ll work smarter, not harder! 📱 4️⃣ Voice-to-Text for Feedback Speed up grading by recording your thoughts instead of typing. 🎙️ Use tools like Google Docs Voice Typing or apps like Otter.ai to dictate feedback. It’s faster, and students appreciate the personal touch of hearing your voice. ✔️ Bonus: This works great for audio learners who benefit from verbal feedback. 🛠️ 5️⃣ Digital Rubrics for Precision Grading Use detailed, clickable rubrics on platforms like Google Classroom or Canvas. 📊 Clearly define assessment criteria so students understand expectations upfront. Add auto-generated comments linked to each rubric point for instant feedback. ✔️ This reduces ambiguity and gives students a clear roadmap to improvement. 🚀 Why These Hacks Work: They save YOU time (more coffee breaks, anyone? ☕). They help students feel supported with clear, actionable feedback. They leverage tech to lighten your load in 2025’s digital-first teaching environment. 💡 Your Turn! What’s your #1 tip for saving time or giving impactful feedback in higher ed? Let’s share ideas and learn from each other in the comments! 🌍🎓