133 ¦ Principle 4: Effective pairs to boost engagement

133 ¦ Principle 4: Effective pairs to boost engagement

From The Motivated Classroom by Dr. Liam Printer

June 12, 2026 · 26 min · Season 1 · Episode 133

About this episode

This episode discusses effective pair work strategies to enhance student engagement in the classroom.

Principle Four of Six for a Motivated Year in the 'Back to School' series: Principle 4: Effective pairs This episode is all about maximising the effectiveness of pair work in class by setting students up for multiple small wins, using scaffolded and psychologically safe output tasks in groups of two. You'll learn about: - Rotating pairs - Changing seating plan - Turn and talk versus pair discussion - The Köhler Effect Whether you’re just heading back to school or already half way through the year, this episode is another step towards a motivated language classroom! 💪🎓 Don't miss the rest of the six principles which are on the way every Friday for the next five weeks: 5. Creating a class yearbook 6. Running effective routines 🔔 Tune in every Friday right here or wherever you get your podcasts from: Full programme notes are available on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.liamprinter.com/podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . Keep in touch and share widely! Follow The Motivated Classroom on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@themotivatedclassroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and Facebook ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@themotivatedclassroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ . I'd love to know what you think…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Liam Printer

Topics covered

  • pair work
  • student engagement
  • scaffolded tasks
  • psychological safety
  • classroom strategies

Keywords

  • effective pairs
  • Köhler Effect
  • rotating pairs
  • seating plan
  • turn and talk

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Motivated Classroom, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Facebook, www.liamprinter.com/podcast

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