The Rise of the Conti Method Gianfranco Conti has become a household name in MFL circles. His Sentence Builders, Listening as Modelling, and Extensive Processing Instruction (EPI) have reshaped how many teachers approach language learning. His method promises fluency, confidence, and structure—and for many, it delivers. But when I hear teachers say they’re going ‘Full Conti,’ I pause—not out of criticism, but concern. No method, however effective, should become a monoculture.” What Is the...

How to turn group work from chaos to clarity in your language classroom. Group Work in Language Lessons: A Love-Hate Relationship I don’t know about you, but when I was still teaching, group work always left me torn. On one hand, it sparks real communication, peer support, and active engagement—the holy grail of language learning. On the other, it can quickly descend into chaos, feel hard to manage, and often leaves some students coasting while others carry the load. Truthfully, I knew it was...

1. The Breaking Point I didn’t leave teaching because I wasn’t good at it. I was an outstanding  teacher. In my role as head of department, I was proud to lead my team with integrity and drive, and the results reflected that. I cared deeply—maybe too deeply. Teaching wasn’t just a job. It was who I was. But somewhere along the way, that became the problem. Suddenly, I was made to feel that I didn’t fit. That the way I taught, the way I connected, the way I showed up—didn’t align with “the...