Hi Reader

Have you ever felt like no matter how hard you try, your English just doesn’t improve?

That could be learned helplessness. This is when past experiences of being corrected, misunderstood, or embarrassed make you believe you’ll never get it right. But that belief isn’t a fact. It’s a pattern you’ve learned, and you can unlearn it.

The good news is, you're not failing, you just need another approach! With small actions like recording voice notes, tracking your English time (not your mistakes), and using the language in low-pressure situations, you can retrain your brain to see progress, and start building real confidence.

Tip of the month

Have you ever heard of Bonfire Night, Reader? It's a cozy, exciting English festival on 5th November. There are lots of colourful fireworks (see my recommendations below for more details).

Common firework idioms include "there will be fireworks," which means there will be a lot of arguing, drama or strong emotions, and "go off like a firework," describing an explosive emotional reaction.

For example, "I avoided that conversation with my supervisor because I know there will be fireworks".

October 2025

What I spoke about: I've answered the most common questions I receive from clients in my FAQ video series Watch here

What I created: Test your British culture (and tea!) skills Take the quiz

What I recommend: This short BBC video explains more history of Bonfire night, and is a great way to improve your listening comprehension skills I also made a quick video to tell you why it's one of my favourite festivals in England

Coaching corner

A moment for quiet reflection or journalling, even just thinking about your answers can help you notice patterns and shift your focus.

Remember: Confidence isn’t the absence of mistakes. It’s the belief that you can handle them.

Thanks for reading, let me know your British Quiz score (and the way you drink your tea!).

Until next month,

Meg

P.S In my lessons, I create a safe, welcoming space for feedback and suggestions, and I want the same for this newsletter. Let me know what you'd love to see more (or less) of. I’m listening.

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Fully certified Business English coach

“Megan is an excellent teacher! Our classes are so dynamic that the 50 minutes pass too quickly. Having lived in different countries and loving to travel gives her knowledge of other cultures and languages which enriches our conversations.”
​Joao, Brazil