The other day, a letter landed on my doormat.

From the police.

Addressed to me.

😳 Uh-oh.

Apparently, I’d broken the law.

I was caught doing 24mph in a 20mph zone. Just 4 miles over.

Not exactly Fast & Furious, but still - technically - speeding.

Now, to be fair, this new blanket rule of 20mph in all residential areas isn’t always easy to stick to. Especially when you’re going down a steep hill and your car just wants to roll away with you...

But let me be clear: I’m not a speed demon. I’m not hurtling around corners with my hair on fire.

In fact, around schools or busy areas, I often crawl along at 10mph like a nervous learner on their first day. 🚗💨

But still... I got caught. Red-handed.

And since receiving that notice, I’ve been driving like someone who just passed their test - checking my mirrors every five seconds, easing off the accelerator, eyes flicking constantly to the speedometer.

Because suddenly, I’m aware!

Now the thing is:

I already knew the speed limit.

But knowing isn’t always enough.

Sometimes we need to be called out on our mistakes to truly wake up to them.

And that, my lovely reader, brings me to English.

How many times have you said something in English, knowing it wasn’t quite right but you let it slide?

How many times have you repeated the same little mistake because no one corrected you?

The problem is:

👉 Unchecked habits become permanent habits.

But when someone gently catches the error - “Ah, actually, we say ‘at the weekend’ not ‘in the weekend’” - it creates that spark of awareness.

And suddenly, like me checking my speed every two seconds, you start catching yourself.

You slow down.

You become intentional.

You improve.

So, no, mistakes aren’t bad. In fact, they’re brilliant.

But ONLY if we notice them, or someone points them out.

We believe in this deeply inside the ELAN Community.

We practise corrective feedback not to criticise, but to raise awareness. Because without it, you’re just coasting downhill, thinking you’re fine until, one day, you get a letter from the language police. 😅

So here’s your challenge:

Invite the people around you to correct your English.

Ask native speakers, teachers, or advanced learners to point out those little slips. Give them permission. Make it normal.

It might sting for a moment but it’ll make you a far more intentional, fluent speaker in the long run.

You’ve got this. 💪

Anna

P.S. If you want regular, gentle correction and a safe space to practise speaking, our Conversation Club or one of our courses might be just what you need. Come join us when you’re ready – we’d love to support your journey.

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Useful Vocabulary

• Blanket rule – A rule that applies in all situations.
  ​“There’s a blanket rule of 20mph in all residential areas.”
• Steep hill – A road or path that goes sharply up or down.
  ​“Be careful driving down that steep hill.”
• Speed demon – A person who drives very fast and dangerously.
  ​“I’m not a speed demon - I usually drive quite safely.”
• Red-handed – Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
  ​“She was caught red-handed stealing biscuits.”
• Easing off – Gently slowing down or reducing something.
  ​“I started easing off the accelerator.”
• Called out – To be confronted about a mistake or behaviour.
  ​“Sometimes we need to be called out on our mistakes.”
• Wake up to (something) – To become aware or conscious of something.
  ​“It made me wake up to how careless I’d been.”
• Let it slide – To ignore a mistake or problem.
  ​“I knew it was wrong, but I let it slide.”
• Unchecked habits – Habits that aren’t noticed or corrected.
  ​“Unchecked habits become permanent habits.”
• Intentional – Done with purpose or focus.
  ​“I became more intentional with my speaking.”
• Corrective feedback – Helpful correction to improve learning.
  ​“We practise corrective feedback in our sessions.”
• Coasting downhill – Going along without effort or awareness.
  ​“Without feedback, you're just coasting downhill.”
• Slips – Small mistakes, often accidental.
  ​“We all make little slips now and then.”
• Sting – To hurt slightly, emotionally or physically.
  ​“It might sting for a moment, but it helps.”

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