These are a few of my favourite things (2023)

Happy New Year! At this point, it has become somewhat of a tradition that the first post of the year is the summary of the previous one. Let’s look at some stats, appreciate the people who helped me thrive this year, and see all the ups and downs last year brought.

2024 marks my third year of blogging! 2023 started strong with many blog posts (more than I’d initially planned) and finished slowly with very few posts (way fewer than I’d initially planned). Let’s start by looking at my last year’s stats, described in These are a few of my favourite things (2022). 2022 ended with 19,189 visitors and 45,060 views. 2023 didn’t disappoint – it ended with 52,169 visitors and 131,143 views! I don’t want to jinx it, so I won’t make any predictions for this year.

JoannaESL stats

Unfortunately, none of my posts created this year made it to the top three most popular posts and pages. The top two posts were the same as in 2022, with a small change in the third position. However, the numbers increased slightly. Here are the top three most viewed posts:

• Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 3 (6,914 views)
• Cambridge PET – Speaking Part 1 (4,295 views)
• Christmas-themed B2 speaking (3,453 views)

I can see that the Cambridge-themed lesson plans bring way more traction to my website than any other posts. However, ever since I started freelancing and teaching private students, I stopped focusing as much on Cambridge preparation, and rather provided free speaking lessons, based on the understanding of authentic materials. I still have a few students who are currently on their journey to get the Cambridge certificate, three of them getting ready for the CAE, so I think I can see myself focusing on their needs while doing something for my website.🐦🐦🪨? I shall make no promises at this point.

Just like a year ago, let’s analyse the map of all the countries JoannaESL reached in 2023. It is very similar to last year’s map with the top countries being Spain (34,325 views), Italy (12,099 views) and the United States (5,269 views). I love looking at the list of the countries that managed to find me as it motivates me to research them and see where they are. A special shoutout to everyone who gave me one view from countries like Malawi, Mauritania, Greenland, Aruba, Gabon, and many others! I can’t imagine how you stumbled upon my page!

Enough about me (but not really). I would like to give a special thank you to all the creators who took the time to read my posts and share them with their audience. I tried to keep track of everyone, but there is a high chance that I missed somebody.

• ELT Buzz (@Elt Buzz) – 2022 Thank Yous, Grammar Story, Teaching Job Blues, Freelance Work Sucks, ChatGPT Lesson Prep, Needs Analysis
• The TEFL Zone (@RTsateri) – Beat the heat – Jigsaw lesson idea
• Rachel Roberts (@earnlearnthrive) – Why teaching English on Preply is really not worth it

Coursebook

I keep flip-flopping between two Oxford coursebooks, Headway 5th edition and English File 4th edition. However, none of them make it to the top. The definite winner of 2023 was Formula by Pearson. These books are designed to prepare adult learners for their Cambridge exams. It was my first time using this coursebook, and I must admit that it kept things fresh and fun. The units are themed; for example, based on colors or senses, and each page refers to something related to that subject. The books are filled with interesting audio recordings that I hadn’t heard before, which makes me want to bring those lesson plans to my other classes and share them with all my students. For instance, the very first lesson of the B2 level course is about the history of the colour blue. Even though it seems basic, I can assure you that it is one of my all-time favourite lessons I have ever taught.

Teachers and creators I follow

This year kept me quite busy and I often didn’t have much time to keep up with many creators (or create anything myself!). However, there were a few who caught my attention.

First of all, this year belonged to ELA Source. Sandy Davis kept posting constantly throughout the year, to the point when I started wondering where she finds all the motivation and energy to constantly publish this high-quality content! I can be a bit biased when choosing my definite winner, as I won a giveaway and was mentioned in one of her posts – Congratulations to our Giveaway Winner. She organises once-a-month giveaways, so it is worth giving her a follow!

I love talking about the money you can make as a freelancer. For this reason, Let’s talk about money by TEFL in Colombia deserves to be mentioned for his transparency and for talking about the possibilities EFL teachers may have. I believe that in 2024, Martin is preparing something extra special, so you have no excuses but to follow him and his content. You will not be disappointed!

As a teacherpreneur, I also started following Learn YOUR English – a group created to support freelance teachers with a plethora of useful advice, webinars, articles, podcasts, etc. I regret learning about it so late into my freelance adventure, as their ideas would help me when I first entertained the idea of working solo. You can join their network and pay for their coaching sessions, or follow their free tips by joining webinars and signing up for their newsletter.

Tools

The biggest hit of 2023 was…Zoom. I’d like to thank Zoom for being so patient, giving me the possibility to cancel all background noises (for example, neighbours’ renovations), and in general, being a reliable way to communicate with the students. Even though it is necessary to pay for it, I think that it is worth the money. I’m still a Preply teacher, and whenever Preply fails, I always move the class to Zoom where we can continue having it without any further disturbances. In September 2023, I joined the team of Kleinson – a language academy providing lessons to companies in Spain. All the classes are done over Zoom, and each time I connect, it reminds me of the time I did my CELTA online.

I think that my professional resolution for this year is to increase my Preply rates, which are already at a satisfying level. (Stay tuned for a two-year Preply wrap-up coming this February!) I would also like to continue working with Kleinson. In April 2023, I felt somewhat burnt out from low rates and laughable job offers, so when I received a friendly email from this company, my jaw dropped. The recruitment process was a breeze, and additionally, I get to work with one of the professionals I connected with via WordPress. I can also finally teach Business and General English to adult working professionals.

I guess having social media isn’t one of my resolutions, as I don’t think I am a good influencer. I started a Facebook group (JoannaESL), which I visit sporadically. Facebook is not my jam 🙈 I have periods of overtweeting (overXing?) and then forgetting about it for some time. I stopped even thinking about having Instagram. However, if you are interested in receiving occasional tweets (@JoannaESL) and Facebook notifications, then feel free to give me a follow.

My last WordPress-related resolution is to try and post four times a month. It will require some planning, but I think it is possible just like at the beginning of last year. We shall see what happens, though! I can’t promise anything as I’m busy teaching, preparing my students for exams and preparing the best quality classes for my private students.

Once again, thank you for being here! Happy New Year, and see you around!