Page

ELT Masterclass

:root { –bg: #f9f7f4; –paper: #fff; –ink: #1a1612; –soft: #3d3730; –muted: #7a7268; –rule: #ddd8d0; –rust: #c44b28; –teal: #1a6b5a; –gold: #a0720a; –blue: #1a5fa0; –plum: #6b2d5b; –green: #2d7a3a; } * { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; } body { background: var(–bg); color: var(–ink); font-family: ‘Lora’, serif; line-height: 1.6; max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 2rem; } /* Top Navigation */ .topbar { background: var(–ink); padding: 0.5rem 2rem; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.62rem; letter-spacing: 0.08em; position: sticky; top: 0; z-index: 300; } .tb-brand { color: #ddd; text-decoration: none; } .tb-nav a { color: #888; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.15s; } .tb-nav a:hover { color: #ddd; } /* Hero Section */ .hero { background: var(–ink); color: #e8e4dc; padding: 4rem 2rem 3rem; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #000; } .hero-kicker { font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.6rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.25em; color: #777; margin-bottom: 1rem; } .hero h1 { font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif; font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 4vw, 2.8rem); font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2; max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto 1rem; color: #f0ebe2; } .hero h1 em { font-style: normal; color: #fff; } .hero-sub { font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.72rem; color: #666; max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto 1.5rem; line-height: 1.6; } /* Progress Bar */ .prog-wrap { height: 2px; background: #ccc; /* changed from undefined –low */ position: sticky; top: 33px; z-index: 299; } .prog-fill { height: 100%; background: var(–teal); width: 0%; transition: width 0.3s ease; } /* Section Styling */ .container { max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 2rem; } .section { padding: 3rem 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(–rule); } .section:last-child { border-bottom: none; } h2.stitle { font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif; font-size: 1.5rem; color: var(–ink); margin-bottom: 0.5rem; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem; } h2.stitle em { font-style: italic; } h2.stitle::after { content: “”; flex: 1; height: 1px; background: var(–rule); margin-left: 0.5rem; } /* Day Cards */ .day-card { background: var(–paper); border: 2px solid var(–rule); border-radius: 8px; padding: 1.5rem; margin-bottom: 1rem; transition: all 0.2s; } /* Pastel palette – separate rules */ .day-card:nth-child(12n+1) { background: #fef9ef; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+2) { background: #fdf2f8; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+3) { background: #f0f8ff; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+4) { background: #f5f5f0; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+5) { background: #f3faf7; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+6) { background: #fff5f0; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+7) { background: #f8f0ff; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+8) { background: #fcf4e8; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+9) { background: #effaf5; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+10){ background: #fef7f0; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+11){ background: #f2f2fc; } .day-card:nth-child(12n+12){ background: #f9f3e7; } .day-card:hover { border-color: var(–teal); box-shadow: 0 4px 8px rgba(0,0,0,0.1); transform: translateY(-4px) rotateX(1deg); box-shadow: 0 12px 25px rgba(0,0,0,0.12); } .day-number { font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.6rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.1em; color: var(–muted); margin-bottom: 0.5rem; } .day-title { font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif; font-size: 1.1rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(–ink); margin-bottom: 0.5rem; } .day-desc { font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(–soft); line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; } .day-link { color: var(–teal); text-decoration: none; font-weight: 500; transition: color 0.2s; } .day-link:hover { color: var(–ink); } /* Floating contact button */ .contact-float { position: fixed; bottom: 2rem; right: 2rem; background: var(–teal); color: #fff; padding: 0.7rem 1.5rem; border-radius: 50px; font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.75rem; text-decoration: none; letter-spacing: 0.05em; box-shadow: 0 6px 20px rgba(0,0,0,0.15); z-index: 999; transition: background 0.2s; } .contact-float:hover { background: var(–ink); } /* Footer */ .footer { text-align: center; padding: 1.5rem; font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.6rem; color: var(–ink4); border-top: 1px solid var(–rule); letter-spacing: 0.04em; } .footer a { color: var(–accent); text-decoration: none; } @media (max-width: 640px) { .hero { padding: 2.5rem 1.25rem; } } // 1. Redirect all day links to a single category (optional) document.querySelectorAll(‘a.day-link’).forEach(link => { link.setAttribute(‘href’, ‘https://sourovdeb.com/category/english-teaching/page/71/’); // link.textContent = ‘Explore the category →’; // uncomment if you want to change link text }); // 2. Random pastel background (overrides the nth-child rules if you prefer randomness) // document.querySelectorAll(‘.day-card’).forEach(card => { // const hue = Math.floor(Math.random() * 360); // card.style.backgroundColor = `hsl(${hue}, 40%, 95%)`; // }); // 3. Scroll-triggered fade-in animation const observer = new IntersectionObserver(entries => { entries.forEach(entry => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { entry.target.style.opacity = 1; entry.target.style.transform = ‘translateY(0)’; } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 }); document.querySelectorAll(‘.day-card’).forEach(card => { card.style.opacity = 0; card.style.transform = ‘translateY(20px)’; card.style.transition = ‘opacity 0.6s ease, transform 0.6s ease’; observer.observe(card); }); // 4. Dynamic progress bar window.addEventListener(‘scroll’, () => { const winScroll = document.documentElement.scrollTop; const height = document.documentElement.scrollHeight – window.innerHeight; const scrolled = (winScroll / height) * 100; document.querySelector(‘.prog-fill’).style.width = scrolled + ‘%’; }); // 5. Floating contact button (add this HTML before the script or inject it) const contactBtn = document.createElement(‘a’); contactBtn.href = ‘https://sourovdeb.com/contact/’; contactBtn.className = ‘contact-float’; contactBtn.textContent = ‘✉️ Work with me’; document.body.appendChild(contactBtn); :root { –bg: #f9f7f4; –paper: #ffffff; –ink: #1a1612; –soft: #3d3730; –muted: #7a7268; –rule: #ddd8d0; –rust: #c44b28; –teal: #1a6b5a; –gold: #a0720a; –blue: #1a5fa0; –plum: #6b2d5b; –green: #2d7a3a; –card-shadow: 0 4px 12px rgba(0,0,0,0.04); –card-hover-shadow: 0 18px 30px -10px rgba(0,0,0,0.15), 0 8px 12px -6px rgba(0,0,0,0.08); } * { margin: 0; padding: 0; box-sizing: border-box; } body { background: linear-gradient(145deg, #f9f7f4 0%, #f3efe8 100%); color: var(–ink); font-family: ‘Lora’, serif; line-height: 1.6; max-width: 960px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 1.5rem 3rem; perspective: 1200px; /* 3D container perspective */ } /* Top Navigation */ .topbar { background: var(–ink); padding: 0.5rem 2rem; display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.62rem; letter-spacing: 0.08em; position: sticky; top: 0; z-index: 300; backdrop-filter: blur(10px); background: rgba(26, 22, 18, 0.95); } .tb-brand { color: #ddd; text-decoration: none; } .tb-nav a { color: #888; text-decoration: none; transition: color 0.2s; } .tb-nav a:hover { color: #fff; } /* Hero Section */ .hero { background: var(–ink); color: #e8e4dc; padding: 4rem 2rem 3rem; text-align: center; border-bottom: 1px solid #000; position: relative; z-index: 1; } .hero-kicker { font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.6rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.25em; color: #777; margin-bottom: 1rem; } .hero h1 { font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif; font-size: clamp(1.8rem, 4vw, 2.8rem); font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; line-height: 1.2; max-width: 700px; margin: 0 auto 1rem; color: #f0ebe2; } .hero h1 em { font-style: normal; color: #fff; } .hero-sub { font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.72rem; color: #888; max-width: 500px; margin: 0 auto 1.5rem; line-height: 1.6; } /* Progress Bar */ .prog-wrap { height: 3px; background: #e0d9ce; position: sticky; top: 33px; z-index: 299; } .prog-fill { height: 100%; background: var(–teal); width: 0%; transition: width 0.2s ease; border-radius: 0 2px 2px 0; } /* Container */ .container { max-width: 900px; margin: 0 auto; padding: 0 0.5rem; } .section { padding: 2.5rem 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(–rule); } .section:last-child { border-bottom: none; } h2.stitle { font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif; font-size: 1.5rem; color: var(–ink); margin-bottom: 1.2rem; display: flex; align-items: center; gap: 0.5rem; } h2.stitle em { font-style: italic; } h2.stitle::after { content: “”; flex: 1; height: 1px; background: var(–rule); margin-left: 0.5rem; } /* ———- Day Cards with 3D depth ———- */ .day-card { background: var(–paper); border: 1px solid rgba(0,0,0,0.04); border-radius: 12px; padding: 1.5rem 1.8rem; margin-bottom: 1.2rem; transition: all 0.35s cubic-bezier(0.23, 1, 0.32, 1); box-shadow: var(–card-shadow); transform: translateY(0) rotateX(0deg); transform-style: preserve-3d; position: relative; background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fff 0%, #fdfdfb 100%); } /* Subtle pastel accents – 12 soft colours */ .day-card:nth-child(12n+1) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fef9ef 0%, #fdf5e6 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+2) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fdf2f8 0%, #fce4ec 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+3) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f0f8ff 0%, #e3f2fd 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+4) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f5f5f0 0%, #efebe9 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+5) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f3faf7 0%, #e0f2f1 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+6) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fff5f0 0%, #fbe9e7 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+7) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f8f0ff 0%, #ede7f6 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+8) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fcf4e8 0%, #fff3e0 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+9) { background: linear-gradient(135deg, #effaf5 0%, #e8f5e9 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+10){ background: linear-gradient(135deg, #fef7f0 0%, #fff8e1 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+11){ background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f2f2fc 0%, #e8eaf6 100%); } .day-card:nth-child(12n+12){ background: linear-gradient(135deg, #f9f3e7 0%, #efebe0 100%); } .day-card:hover { transform: translateY(-6px) rotateX(2deg) scale(1.01); box-shadow: var(–card-hover-shadow); border-color: var(–teal); } /* Inner content stays flat */ .day-card > * { transform: translateZ(5px); } .day-number { font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.6rem; text-transform: uppercase; letter-spacing: 0.12em; color: var(–muted); margin-bottom: 0.5rem; } .day-title { font-family: ‘Playfair Display’, serif; font-size: 1.15rem; font-weight: 700; color: var(–ink); margin-bottom: 0.4rem; } .day-desc { font-size: 0.85rem; color: var(–soft); line-height: 1.5; margin-bottom: 1rem; } .day-link { display: inline-block; color: var(–teal); text-decoration: none; font-weight: 600; font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.75rem; letter-spacing: 0.04em; transition: color 0.2s, transform 0.2s; border-bottom: 1px solid transparent; } .day-link:hover { color: var(–ink); border-bottom-color: var(–teal); transform: translateX(3px); } /* Coming soon label */ .day-link.coming-soon { color: var(–muted); font-style: italic; pointer-events: none; border-bottom: none; } .day-link.coming-soon:hover { transform: none; color: var(–muted); } /* Floating Contact Button */ .contact-float { position: fixed; bottom: 2rem; right: 2rem; background: var(–teal); color: #fff; padding: 0.7rem 1.6rem; border-radius: 60px; font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.75rem; text-decoration: none; letter-spacing: 0.05em; box-shadow: 0 8px 24px rgba(26,107,90,0.3); z-index: 999; transition: all 0.3s ease; backdrop-filter: blur(5px); background: rgba(26,107,90,0.92); } .contact-float:hover { background: var(–ink); box-shadow: 0 12px 28px rgba(0,0,0,0.25); transform: translateY(-2px); } /* Footer */ .footer { text-align: center; padding: 2rem 1.5rem 1rem; font-family: ‘DM Mono’, monospace; font-size: 0.6rem; color: var(–muted); border-top: 1px solid var(–rule); letter-spacing: 0.04em; margin-top: 2rem; } .footer a { color: var(–teal); text-decoration: none; } .footer a:hover { text-decoration: underline; } @media (max-width: 640px) { .hero { padding: 2.5rem 1.25rem; } .day-card { padding: 1.2rem 1.2rem; } }
NEW: Open Teacher Training — a practice-based course with complete sample packs, tasks and answer guidance.
The Complete ELT Masterclass

60 Days to Transform
Your Teaching

A structured journey through modern English Language Teaching, from foundational techniques to advanced methodologies.

Week 1 — Foundations of ELT

Day 1
Welcome to Your ELT Masterclass
Start your journey with an overview of modern ELT principles and how this masterclass will transform your teaching.
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Day 2
The Science of Language Acquisition
Discover how languages are learned and how to apply cognitive science in your classroom.
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Day 3
Learner-Centred Teaching
Shift from teacher-centred to learner-centred approaches for better engagement and outcomes.
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Day 4
Teaching Grammar — Cognitive Approaches
Move beyond rules to how the brain processes grammar for better retention and application.
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Day 5
Teaching Vocabulary — Lexical Chunks
Teach vocabulary in chunks, not single words, for natural, fluent communication.
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Week 2 — Core Skills

Day 6
Teaching Listening — Authentic Materials
Use real-world audio to prepare students for authentic communication.
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Day 7
Teaching Speaking — Fluency Builders
Games and tasks to build speaking fluency before focusing on accuracy.
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Day 8
Teaching Reading — Critical Thinking
Help students move from comprehension to analysis and evaluation.
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Day 9
Teaching Writing — Process and Purpose
Teach writing as a process with real-world purposes, not just grammar rules.
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Day 10
Assessment — Formative and Summative
Learn assessment techniques that guide instruction and measure growth.
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Week 3 — Advanced Techniques

Day 11
Technology in ELT
Integrate technology effectively with these practical tools and strategies.
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Day 12
Pronunciation — Minimal Pairs and Connected Speech
Help students sound natural with minimal pairs and connected speech practice.
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Day 13
Vocabulary — Collocations and Chunks
Teach vocabulary in meaningful chunks for better retention and fluency.
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Day 14
Grammar — Cognitive Approaches
Move beyond rules to how the brain processes grammar for better retention.
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Day 15
Listening — Authentic Materials
Prepare students for real communication with authentic listening tasks.
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Week 4 — Special Topics

Day 16
Teaching Young Learners
Make learning fun and effective for children with these age-appropriate techniques.
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Day 17
Teaching Business English
Help professionals communicate effectively with targeted business English lessons.
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Day 18
Teaching Exam Classes
Prepare students for exams without sacrificing real communication skills.
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Day 19
Teaching Online
Adapt your teaching for online platforms with these practical tips.
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Day 20
Classroom Management
Create a productive learning environment with these management techniques.
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Week 5 — Practical Applications

Day 21
Lesson Planning
Plan lessons that engage students and meet learning objectives efficiently.
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Day 22
Materials Design
Design effective materials that support your teaching goals.
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Day 23
Error Correction
Provide feedback that helps students grow without discouraging them.
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Day 24
Differentiation
Teach the same class to different learners with these differentiation techniques.
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Day 25
Motivation and Engagement
Boost engagement and motivation with these practical classroom techniques.
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Week 6 — Professional Development

Day 26
Reflective Teaching
Develop your teaching through self-assessment and reflection.
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Day 27
Peer Observation
Give and receive constructive feedback through peer observations.
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Day 28
Professional Networks
Expand your professional network with these strategies.
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Day 29
Research in ELT
Use research to inform your teaching and stay current.
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Day 30
Career Development
Plan your professional growth with these career development tips.
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Week 7 — Advanced Methodologies

Day 31
Communicative Language Teaching in Depth
A deeper dive into CLT: designing genuinely communicative activities and moving beyond PPP.
Day 32
Task-Based Learning — Designing Real-World Tasks
How to design tasks that put communication first and let language emerge from meaning.
Day 33
ESP and EAP — Teaching for Specific Purposes
Aviation English, Medical English, Academic Writing: how to tailor ELT for professional contexts.
Day 34
CLIL — Content and Language Integrated Learning
Teaching subject content through English: principles, advantages, and classroom design.
Day 35
The Lexical Syllabus — Beyond Grammar
What happens when lexis, not grammar, drives your syllabus? Michael Lewis and beyond.

Week 8 — Teaching Diverse Learners

Day 36
Teaching Young Learners — Principles and Practice
How children acquire language differently, and what that means for classroom design and materials.
Day 37
Teaching Teenagers — Motivation and Classroom Management
The specific challenges of adolescent learners and strategies that actually work in the room.
Day 38
Teaching Adults — Andragogy in the ELT Classroom
Adult learners bring experience, anxiety, and motivation. How to teach to all three at once.
Day 39
Mixed-Ability Classes — Differentiation in Practice
Real strategies for managing classes where students are at radically different levels.
Day 40
One-to-One Teaching — Maximising Individual Sessions
The unique dynamics of tutoring: pace, rapport, and designing for a class of one.

Week 9 — Digital and Distance Teaching

Day 41
Online Teaching — Tools, Platforms, and Pedagogy
What changes when you move online, and what stays the same. Zoom, Miro, Padlet, and beyond.
Day 42
Hybrid Classrooms — Blending Face-to-Face and Digital
How to design lessons that work equally well in the room and on screen simultaneously.
Day 43
AI in ELT — Tools, Ethics, and Practical Use
ChatGPT, Claude, Grammarly: how to use AI as a teaching assistant without replacing yourself.
Day 44
Creating Digital Materials — Videos, Podcasts, Slides
How to produce professional-quality digital teaching materials with minimal equipment.
Day 45
The Flipped Classroom — Rethinking Homework and Class Time
What if students absorbed input at home, and class time was entirely for practice?

Week 10 — Exam Preparation Teaching

Day 46
IELTS Teaching — Academic and General Training
Inside the IELTS exam: band descriptors, task types, and how to build targeted lessons around them.
Day 47
TOEIC — Business English for International Exams
The TOEIC format, what companies actually use it for, and how to prepare students efficiently.
Day 48
Cambridge Exams — B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency
The Cambridge suite from the teacher’s side: marking criteria, paper structure, and lesson design.
Day 49
DELF and DALF — Supporting Francophone Learners
How to teach English to French-speaking learners in La Réunion and francophone contexts.
Day 50
Designing Effective Exam Practice and Mock Tests
Build mock exams that reduce anxiety, surface gaps, and prepare students for the real thing.

Week 11 — Professional Development

Day 51
Reflective Teaching — The Power of the Teaching Journal
Why keeping a teaching journal is the single most powerful tool for professional growth.
Day 52
Peer Observation — Giving and Receiving Feedback
How to structure observations so they lead to real change rather than box-ticking.
Day 53
Building Your Teaching Portfolio
What goes in a teaching portfolio, and how it positions you for roles, promotions, and recognition.
Day 54
CPD in ELT — Continuing Professional Development
From Delta to conferences to self-directed reading: how to keep growing as a teacher throughout your career.
Day 55
Research in ELT — Staying Evidence-Based
How to read research, evaluate claims, and bring evidence into your everyday classroom practice.

Week 12 — Mastery and Legacy

Day 56
Curriculum Design — Building a Course from Scratch
From needs analysis to final assessment: how to design a complete, coherent language course.
Day 57
Teacher Training — Becoming a Mentor
The shift from teaching students to developing teachers: what changes, and what you need to know.
Day 58
The Global ELT Landscape — International Contexts
ELT in the Indian Ocean, francophone Africa, the Gulf, and beyond: what context changes in each.
Day 59
The Future of ELT — Trends, Technology, and What’s Next
AI tutors, global English, post-native models: where the profession is heading and how to stay ahead.
Day 60
Your Teaching Manifesto — 60 Days Later, What Now?
The final day: what you believe about teaching, how you plan to teach it, and where you go from here.
(function() { // ———- Redirect all “Read Day X →” links to your category page ———- // Only targets links that are actual tags with the class ‘day-link’ (not coming-soon divs) document.querySelectorAll(‘a.day-link’).forEach(link => { link.setAttribute(‘href’, ‘https://sourovdeb.com/category/english-teaching/page/71/’); // The text remains “Read Day X →” – we don’t change it. }); // ———- Floating Contact Button ———- const contactBtn = document.createElement(‘a’); contactBtn.href = ‘https://sourovdeb.com/contact/’; contactBtn.className = ‘contact-float’; contactBtn.textContent = ‘✉️ Work with me’; document.body.appendChild(contactBtn); // ———- Scroll Progress Bar ———- const progressFill = document.getElementById(‘progressFill’); window.addEventListener(‘scroll’, () => { const winScroll = document.documentElement.scrollTop; const height = document.documentElement.scrollHeight – window.innerHeight; const scrolled = (winScroll / height) * 100; if (progressFill) progressFill.style.width = scrolled + ‘%’; }); // ———- Fade-in animation on scroll ———- const observer = new IntersectionObserver((entries) => { entries.forEach(entry => { if (entry.isIntersecting) { entry.target.style.opacity = ‘1’; entry.target.style.transform = ‘translateY(0) rotateX(0deg)’; } }); }, { threshold: 0.1 }); document.querySelectorAll(‘.day-card’).forEach(card => { // Initial hidden state for animation card.style.opacity = ‘0’; card.style.transform = ‘translateY(20px) rotateX(1deg)’; card.style.transition = ‘opacity 0.6s ease, transform 0.6s ease, box-shadow 0.35s ease’; observer.observe(card); }); // Make sure already visible cards are shown immediately (in case they are above the fold) window.addEventListener(‘load’, () => { document.querySelectorAll(‘.day-card’).forEach(card => { const rect = card.getBoundingClientRect(); if (rect.top < window.innerHeight – 100) { card.style.opacity = '1'; card.style.transform = 'translateY(0) rotateX(0deg)'; } }); }); })();

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