Episode 428 - Chatting with Fluency MC

·46 min·4 clips

Jason Levine, the teacher behind the viral rap 'Stick, Stuck, Stuck', explains how he accidentally popularized English learning through music.

["Zden\u011bk introduces Jason Levine, also known as Fluency MC, as a legendary English teacher and expresses his long-time fandom.", "Jason explains that his viral rap 'Stick, Stuck, Stuck' was published in 2011 but he had been using songs with students since 2007.", "He clarifies that his approach is not about rapping in class but using songs in a flipped classroom model for students to practice outside class.", "Zden\u011bk notes how Jason's work inspired him as a novice teacher, and they discuss mutual connections like Luke's English Podcast.", "The conversation shifts to the importance of teacher creativity and authenticity, with Jason stating he needs freedom to enjoy teaching.", "They explore the idea that learning should be fun, defining fun as enjoyable engagement rather than just humor.", "Jason argues that pleasure is inextricably linked to learning, as engagement without enjoyment is painful and less memorable.", "Zden\u011bk gives an example of making his master's thesis fun by writing about football commentaries, illustrating how to 'hack' tedious tasks.", "Jason shares an anecdote about teaching university students presentations, showing how to shift their mindset to choose exciting topics.", "He mentions his current work, including making songs for publishers and co-founding an app called Relevant for skill-building in online communities.", "Jason describes his book 'One Day' and a climb called 'You Can Tell Your Story', emphasizing the power of combining reading and listening.", "He reveals a new idea sparked two days ago: live-streaming classes with a studio audience, inspired by a surreal teaching experience.", "In that experience, students were in the same room during an online TOEFL class, creating an intense, vicarious experience for remote viewers.", "Jason compares this to TV shows with live audiences, suggesting it could enhance online teaching by adding a human element.", "He proposes streaming on Twitch for test prep like TOEFL or IELTS, with a live audience and interactive chat.", "Zden\u011bk relates this to his Discord group recordings but notes the difference with physical presence.", "They discuss potential challenges, such as student comfort with being recorded, but agree participants could opt in.", "Jason jokes about attempting a Guinness World Record for the longest class, from A1 to C2 levels over multiple days.", "Zden\u011bk advises considering health, but Jason counters that teaching expends his energy and is good for his mental health.", "The episode concludes with Jason sharing his contact details and Zden\u011bk promising to link to his rap video in the description."]

As heard by us

A warm, practical conversation about serious fun, creative role plays, and pleasure in English learning.

A lively case for making English learning feel pleasurable, this single-episode review brings Zdenek together with Jason Levine, aka FluentCMC, around the idea of serious fun.

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Why you'd press play

You get a worm in a pizza role play and a sharper case for English practice that still feels pleasurable.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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