Short answer
Give teachers quick either-or choices connected to real classroom decisions, then ask them to explain one or two answers. The first response surfaces instinct; the discussion reveals the reasoning and the exceptions.
In S06E17, Gav gives Em a rapid-fire set of choices: lesson plan or wing it, pair work or group work, online or face to face, fun warm-up or straight into the topic.
Try this in your next lesson
Lesson plan or wing it?
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Listen to the whole S06E17 discussion in our podcast episode guide here🔊.
The interesting part is that Em wants to explain the answers. That is exactly where a simple game becomes reflection. Pair work might be a first choice because it gives every learner more speaking time, but a larger group task might be better when learners need to negotiate roles or compare several ideas.
There is no need to turn the answers into labels such as planned teacher, communicative teacher or traditional teacher. Real teachers make different choices with different classes. The value lies in noticing which choices feel automatic and asking whether they still serve the learners.
The format works well in teacher training, staff meetings or personal reflection. Keep the first round quick, then choose two answers for deeper discussion.
What makes the activity reflective?
The explanation. A preference only becomes useful when the teacher asks why it exists, when it works and when they would deliberately choose the opposite.
Our suggested classroom adaptation of the episode discussion.
Gav and Em suggest: Teacher “This or That”
- ☐ Lesson plan or wing it?
- ☐ Pair work or group work?
- ☐ Coursebook or teacher-made materials?
- ☐ Online or face to face?
- ☐ Correct now or correct later?
- ☐ Warm-up or straight into the topic?
- ☐ Teacher explanation or learner discovery?
Choose two answers and add: When would I choose the other option? That is where the reflection starts.
📥 Download the free teacher practice card (PDF)
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