A Happy New Year to all our readers. I hope that 2014 will be full of good things for you.

I would like to thank all those subscribers to the magazine who took part in our recent survey. Your replies to our questions made fascinating and instructive reading, and I have compiled quite a long list of the topics that you would like to see addressed in future issues of ETp. I’m pleased to say that I have articles waiting in the wings on many of these topics, and these will appear in the year ahead. Pronunciation came high on many people’s wish-lists, so they will no doubt be pleased to see a new series on the subject by Robin Walker, beginning in the January issue with our main feature ‘Pronunciation matters’.

In our poll of favourite sections of ETp, It Works in Practice came out top yet again. I am often short of items to put on this spread, and it is clear that readers really do appreciate quick ideas which they can implement immediately – and which they know will work because they have been submitted by fellow professionals. So why not get in touch with something that has worked for you?

I will also be trying to increase the number of photocopiable materials that we provide as the survey revealed that these are particularly valued. Beginning in January, we have a photocopiable worksheet based on the Scrapbook, and we have plans for a new series of articles with worksheets to begin early in 2014.

If you didn’t take part in the survey but would like to suggest ideas for articles of features, please email me. This is your magazine and I am always happy to hear from you. We accept articles on a wide range of subjects and from a wide range of people. You can download our guidelines for contributors from the website or email me and I will send you a copy.

Also in the January issue of ETp, you will find that numbers feature quite prominently. Chaz Pugliese starts a new series in which he asks five questions to people in different areas of ELT, beginning with Adrian Underhill. James Pengelley believes everything should be done twice; Louise Guyett has devised three interactive pronunciation activities; Douglas Williams has ten mantras to keep teachers motivated; Olga Makinina develops a series of lessons to appeal to seven different types of learners.

And finally, Alan Maley thinks our days are numbered and gives his choice of books to read to help us as we rush headlong towards disaster.

Friends in Japan tell me that 2014 is the Year of the Horse. So far, here in the UK, it has been the Year of the Umbrella. Wherever you are and whatever the weather I wish you well for the New Year.