Wellbeing refers to the sense of satisfaction, meaning and balance a person feels. It is more than just positive emotions; it involves experiencing manageable levels of stress and leading a life that feels personally satisfying. We start the book with a section on teacher wellbeing as we believe it is the foundation of good practice.

• 1 Be unapologetic about taking time for self-care

• 2 Set boundaries

• 3 Find a time management strategy that works for you

• 4 Focus on strengths

• 5 Be a good colleague

• 6 Learn when to exercise acceptance

• 7 Seek out the positives

• 8 Remind yourself of the meaning of your work

• 9 Gain different perspectives on unsuccessful lessons

• 10 Find a friend at work

• 11 Celebrate who you are as a teacher

• 12 Plan your own professional development

• 13 Plan time for hobbies and small treats

• 14 Know how to manage your emotions

• 15 Use proactive strategies in the classroom

• 16 Learn to satisfice

• 17 Tweak your job to make it more enjoyable

• 18 Connect with nature regularly

• 19 Take mindful minutes

• 20 Know the signs of burnout

• 21 Use a wellbeing checklist

1 Be unapologetic about taking time for self-care

Our first tip is deliberately chosen to highlight how important it is for language teachers to attend to their wellbeing and take time for their own self-care. Self-care refers to consciously paying attention to your physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. To do so is not a selfish indulgence, but rather it is a basic necessity for healthy functioning.

Ideally, the responsibility for wellbeing lies not only with the teacher, but it is actively supported by the social context and institutions where educators work. However, this is not always the case. While self-care can never compensate for precarious and difficult work conditions, it remains one important strategy that teachers can engage in to protect and nurture their wellbeing.

Teacher wellbeing is fundamental for good practice as it helps educators to teach more creatively, build better relationships with others, and cope with daily stressors among other benefits. One challenge is that teachers tend to be very other-oriented: in their dedication to their jobs and families, they often spend all their time on meeting the needs of others. Yet, ‘you cannot pour from an empty cup’.