Last chance to grab special offer, why teachers must also be learners and more...

First off, a big THANK YOU for all your suggestions for video content last week. There were a few things that came up as common themes and I'll aim to address the ones I know something about (or find people to interview who do!). More on this coming up soon - I've got a 'tips for teaching teens' next week. Stay tuned for that!

This week, I've been continuing my pottery journey so I've made a little video relating to that but before we go there, I've got a reminder for you....

Something old

My archive trawl this week didn't have to dig very deep because I'm giving you a heads up that my new(-ish) Pronunciation Made Easy course is coming to the end of its 'introductory offer' so NOW is the time to get it before it goes up in price. I launched the course two months ago and it's proved really popular with great feedback from people who've taken it:

I'm doing the pronunciation course atm and it is excellent. I am an L1 English speaker but a beginner in Arabic and the issue of sounds is crucial to my teaching (I only teach Arabs). So many thanks. Lorna

Thank you, Jo, for making English pronunciation so interesting and fun. I loved every minute of this course. Totally worth it! You’re such an inspiration to me. I'll keep on working on pronunciation and share what I've learnt with my Italian students and colleagues. Thanks a million! Ilaria

I love teaching pronunciation (and teaching about pronunciation!). It's such an interesting aspect of ELT. The course starts with an overview of why pronunciation is important, how it links to identity - not just 'can you make these sounds' - and realistic expectations for teachers (and learners). I go through sounds, connected speech, stress and intonation - always with a practical hat on - and there are lots of activities for you to integrate into your classes without a huge amount of preparation.

The introductory price ends on Monday 5th August so now is the time to grab a copy. Maybe you have some time in the summer and you think this would be the time for some interesting CPD? If summer is busy and you don't have time at the moment, no worries, buy it now at the lower price and use it later. You have lifetime access to the course, so you can do it at your own pace, whenever and wherever you like. Find out more and enrol here

..and if you already bought it- THANK YOU! Hope you're enjoying it :)

Something new

Now for something a bit different.

I told you recently that I've taken up pottery and this week's new video uses that as a starting point (even though you might think there's no connection with English teaching).

I've long been an advocate of learning something new yourself when you're teaching others. It gives you so much empathy for just how hard things can be. In the past for me, this has often meant learning a new language myself when I was teaching English but it's been a while since I was in that situation.

The potting is interesting because there are so many analogies with learning to teach. There are numerous techniques that you need to master all at the same time and none of them LOOK very difficult. But when you actually try to IMPLEMENT them, you find it's not as easy as an expert makes it seem.

In this short video , I'm suggesting THREE reasons that you should be learning something new if you're a teacher yourself. Before you watch, stop a minute. What would YOUR reasons be? See if they match with mine...

Something borrowed

My internet treat for you today is an interesting one because it's not actually for teachers, it's for learners, but I've got good reasons to share it here.

It's called Relax into YOUR English Digital Retreat and it was a live event last weekend (recordings will be available for you -readers of this newsletter- for the next two weeks, until Sunday 11th August).

I'm showing you this for a few reasons. The first is that it might be directly useful for your higher level learners. The second is that it might give YOU some ideas for your higher level learners. And finally, it's always great to see fellow teachers branching out and making their own way with their own businesses... like Tree , Lisa and Sarah (who worked together to organise the event). So I thought it might help give you some inspiration if you're thinking about this.

Check it out and see what you think.

OK- that's your lot for today. Hope that I've given you a bit of food for thought over your coffee (or whatever) and I'll see you next Sunday.

Best

PS. You can view all my resources for CELTA here and for teachers here .