Malingual Blog Review: An Evidence-Based ESL Teaching Blog
Malingual Blog is a long-running EFL blog that takes an evidence-based view of teaching. Here's what it covers, what teachers actually use it for, and what to read alongside it.Ready to try Malingual Blog?
"Treats teaching claims as hypotheses to be tested — a researcher's mindset applied to everyday classroom decisions."
Best for
ESL/EFL teachers who want to ground their methodology in research, not just opinions.
Pricing
Free
Pro tip — heads up before you bookmark it
A note on activity
The front page of Malingual Blog currently shows 'No posts'. The historical archive is still useful for evidence-based EFL commentary, but post freshness should be verified before relying on it as a daily feed. Pair with a more actively updated blog if you want current reads.
What is Malingual Blog?
Malingual Blog is a long-running personal blog hosted on Blogger (blogspot.com) under the tagline "Dedicated to looking at language and language teaching from an evidence-based viewpoint."
The blog's niche is the intersection of applied linguistics, multilingualism, and EFL methodology. Posts tend to ask questions like:
- What does the research actually say about grammar teaching?
- How does the brain acquire a second language?
- Does using L1 in the classroom help or hurt?
- What does SLA research tell us about vocabulary teaching?
The writing is academic — closer to a teacher's magazine column than to a how-to post. There are no printable worksheets, no lesson plans, no gamified quizzes. The point is the thinking, not the activity.
Activity note: at the time of writing, the front page showed no recent posts. The blog's historical archive remains valuable, but readers looking for current commentary should verify post dates before relying on it as a daily read.
How teachers use it
Malingual Blog works best for these specific things:
- Evidence-based CPD: teachers who want to read beyond opinion and into research. The blog cites studies and primary sources more than most EFL blogs do.
- Debate prep: preparing arguments for departmental discussions about methodology ("should we teach grammar explicitly?", "does drilling work?"). The posts give you the citations.
- TESOL / applied linguistics students: anyone studying for a DELTA, MA TESOL, or similar — the blog is a stepping stone into academic reading.
- Reflection journaling: read a post, then write down what it means for your own teaching. Useful for portfolio work or annual reviews.
- Counterweight to "edu-fluencer" content: the blog treats teaching claims as hypotheses to test, not truths to follow. Useful ballast against marketing-heavy teacher content.
It is not a fit for:
- Lesson plan ideas you can use tomorrow
- Worksheets or printable materials
- Student-facing content (the writing is too academic)
- Quick tips and hacks
Is it worth your time?
Yes — for the right reader. If you teach ESL and want to ground your practice in research rather than folklore, Malingual Blog is a genuinely useful read. It's not flashy, it doesn't sell anything, and it treats teaching claims the way a scientist would.
The caveat is post freshness: the front page currently shows no recent posts. The historical archive is still worth your time, but if you want a continuously active feed, pair it with one of the alternatives below.
Honest recommendation: bookmark Malingual Blog for reflective reading on weekends or during commute. Pair it with a more activity-oriented resource (ESL Brains, Teach-This) for daily lesson planning, and with a more current blog (Larry Ferlazzo, TEFL Geek) for the news cycle.
The honest pros and cons
What works
- Evidence-based angle Cites research and primary sources, not just opinions. Rare for an EFL blog.
- Free to read Hosted on Blogger — no paywall, no signup, no email required.
- Multilingualism focus One of the few ESL blogs that treats multilingualism as a strength, not a problem to solve.
- Critical thinking Challenges common teaching myths and asks for evidence rather than deference to tradition.
- Academic stepping stone Good entry point for teachers moving toward DELTA / MA TESOL reading.
- No commercial agenda Not selling courses, TEFL certs, or apps. Pure commentary.
What doesn't
- Post frequency unclear Front page currently shows no posts. Update cadence should be verified.
- Not lesson-ready Academic writing — no activities, no worksheets, no Friday-afternoon plans.
- Too dense for some readers Writing assumes familiarity with SLA terminology. Not for absolute beginners.
- Limited interactivity Blogger platform — no comments in some cases, no community feel.
- Not student-facing Written for teachers/researchers. Students won't get value from it directly.
- Blogger UI is dated Standard Blogspot template. Mobile experience is basic.
Best alternatives
If Malingual Blog isn't a fit, these are the resources teachers actually switch to:
TEFL Geek Blog
Commentary and resources on TEFL methodology, ELT news, and classroom practice.
Larry Ferlazzo's Websites of the Day
Daily curated links for ESL/ELL teachers — actively updated, classroom-ready.
Nik Peachey's Learning Technology Blog
Ed-tech focused ELT blog — tools, apps, and how teachers actually use them.
ESL Brains
Lesson plans built around TED talks and authentic videos — activity-heavy, less theory.
Teach-This.com
3,000+ printable ESL worksheets, CEFR-aligned, updated monthly.
Frequently asked questions
What is Malingual Blog?
Is Malingual Blog still active?
Is Malingual Blog good for ESL teachers?
What topics does it cover?
Do I need to pay to read it?
Can students use Malingual Blog?
What are the best alternatives?
Ready to read Malingual Blog?
Free, no signup, no paywall. Bookmark it for weekend reading and CPD time — the kind of blog that helps you teach better, not just teach more.
Visit Malingual Blog