The Kate Languages Podcast - S9 Ep3 - The importance of lifelong learning

In episode 3 of season 9 of the Kate Languages Podcast, I talked about what I do to ensure my own lifelong learning. Here is a summary of the episode - to listen to the whole thing, click "play" above.

Why Lifelong Learning Matters

I recently heard a brilliant quote from podcaster Jasmine Star that perfectly captures the importance of ongoing learning: "You don't brush your teeth on the 1st of January and be like, 'Yeah, I'm done now for the rest of the year.'" The same applies to education - we shouldn't think of learning as something that stops when formal education ends.

As language teachers, we often hear adults say, "I wish I could speak a foreign language" or "I wish I'd paid more attention at school." This reveals a closed mindset that learning only happens in school settings. I firmly believe we need to encourage a different perspective - that learning continues throughout our lives.

When we model lifelong learning for our students, it inspires them. If they see us continuously improving our knowledge and skills, they're more likely to adopt that mindset themselves. In addition, engaging in lifelong learning supports our mental health and can help reduce burnout - something I talk about frequently on this podcast.

Here are my top five ways to engage in lifelong learning in 2025:

1. Podcasts

I'm absolutely obsessed with podcasts! They're an incredible resource for learning that can fit into your daily routine. I listen to podcasts during my drive home from dropping my son at school, while walking, and even during housework (which I hate doing, so podcasts make it bearable!).

There are fantastic podcasts on business and marketing (like Jasmine Star's show, Jenna Kutcher, and Amy Porterfield), education (like Teach Sleep Repeat - Dylan and Hayden were on my last episode), and language teaching specifically (Liam Printer's The Motivated Classroom is brilliant). The Unteachables Podcast is great for classroom management tips too.

You can be selective about which episodes you listen to based on your interests, and for language teachers, there's an added benefit: you can listen to podcasts in your target language! This improves your own language skills while keeping you up-to-date with current affairs and culture in the countries where that language is spoken - especially valuable for A-level teaching.

2. Books

This might seem obvious, but many people tell me they "don't have time" for reading. I disagree - it's about making reading a priority. Even with a young child and a busy business, I make time to read every day.

My alarm goes off at 6am (we wake my son at 7am - I'm lucky he doesn't wake earlier!), giving me an hour each morning. I make a cup of tea, return to bed, and read for at least 10 minutes - I aim for 30, though that doesn't always happen. Looking at my 2024 statistics, I read an average of 16 minutes daily just on my iBooks app, not counting Kindle or physical books.

I've developed a reading system: non-fiction in the morning (autobiographies, business books, well-being or education books) and fiction in the evening to help me wind down. I also enjoy audiobooks, which offer similar benefits to podcasts - you can listen while doing other activities.

For language teachers, reading in your target language is fantastic for improving your skills. However, I also encourage reading widely about education, pedagogy, well-being, and other topics that support your teaching indirectly.

A lovely touch I've noticed from some teachers is including the book they're currently reading in their email signature. Even if they don't update it frequently, it sends a powerful message to students, parents, and colleagues that reading is valued. As with everything, modelling matters - if you want young people to read, they need to see adults reading too.

3. Workshops and Webinars

The pandemic accelerated the availability of online workshops and webinars, and I think this is one positive outcome. There's now an abundance of learning opportunities available - some free, some paid.

A quick word about free webinars: if you see one advertised, there's a strong possibility it's a pitch for something paid. That's not necessarily bad - sometimes I sign up specifically because I'm interested in the paid offering. But as the saying goes, "there's no such thing as a free lunch."

I charge for my workshops for two reasons: firstly, people value what they pay for (they're more likely to attend and implement what they learn), and secondly, I don't include pitches - I simply deliver the promised content without trying to sell something else.

There are excellent workshops available on business, marketing, classroom management, pedagogy, and specific aspects of language teaching. Joe Dale offers fantastic AI in teaching webinars, and I tend to focus mine on practical classroom activities like phonics or dictations.

While most workshops are now online, don't overlook in-person events when possible. They offer invaluable networking opportunities - meeting face-to-face with people you may only have seen on screens. That's something I'm prioritising in 2025.

4. Online Courses

Unlike one-off workshops, online courses typically offer lifetime access to materials you can work through at your own pace. This flexibility makes them perfect for busy teachers.

I regularly invest in online courses related to my business - like Martha Brook's Instagram marketing course - and implement new strategies as I learn them. I'm also relaunching my own online course, "Structuring an Outstanding MFL Lesson," which covers everything from classroom setup to introducing vocabulary and grammar, teaching different skills, and effectively concluding lessons.

The course is currently £97 but will increase to £150 after 1st March 2025, so if you're interested, now's a good time to invest! It's been completely re-recorded with additional content reflecting the new GCSE changes, including more emphasis on phonics.

Online courses are also available for improving your language skills. Even Duolingo counts - I love seeing teachers on social media with impressive Duolingo streaks, showing their commitment to ongoing language learning.

My top tip for online courses: allocate specific time each week to work through the material. Without scheduled time, it's too easy to purchase a course and never start it. This could be during a free period, after school one day, or even as a department activity where you watch modules together and discuss implementation.

5. Just Visit New Places!

This final suggestion moves beyond absorbing information online to engaging with the world directly. Visit new and interesting places - National Trust houses (I'm such an old lady!), gardens, museums, and art galleries.

My mum and I regularly take the train to London to see exhibitions. While I don't remember every detail I learn, these experiences build my understanding of history, art, and cultural contexts. For language teachers, this cultural knowledge is invaluable, particularly for A-level teaching.

Most importantly for language teachers: take every opportunity to visit countries where your target language is spoken. This comes from a place of privilege - my son, not yet five, has already been to Spain five times, France twice, and Germany once - but it's tremendously valuable for authentic teaching.

I've worked with teachers who are learning a language as they teach it, and it's evident when they haven't experienced the country firsthand. They haven't tasted the food, absorbed the cultural quirks, or understood why certain vocabulary (like "bullring" in Spanish) is culturally significant. These experiences enrich your teaching immeasurably.

Final Thoughts

These five approaches - podcasts, books, workshops/webinars, online courses, and visiting new places - have helped me maintain my love of learning throughout my career. I hope you're already engaging with at least one of these methods, but perhaps this episode has inspired you to try something new.

Remember that as teachers, we're role models. When we demonstrate continuous learning and share our experiences (even if students find them boring!), we're showing that education extends far beyond the school gates. Learning is a lifelong journey that brings joy, stimulation, and growth throughout our lives.