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EPISODE #5

Sohelie Zafar: Beyond the Parisian Café

October 22, 2026

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In this episode, we sit down with former Head of MFL and current languages consultant at Discover the World Education, Sohelie Zafar. We dive deep into the realities of classroom life, the challenges of middle management, and why the 'uptake crisis' in languages requires a shift toward more inclusive, relevant, and representative teaching. Sohelie shares her passion for decolonizing the curriculum, arguing that by moving beyond stereotypical 'café culture' scenarios, we can better engage students and demonstrate the true value of language learning. Whether you are battling for department budgets or looking for fresh ways to bring culture into your daily lessons, this conversation offers actionable advice and a much-needed dose of optimism for the future of MFL.

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