Social Media English Teachers: Should You Pay Them For Lessons?

Choosing the right English teacher has never been more challenging. With countless people on social media claiming to teach English, it’s easy to assume that anyone who speaks the language can help you learn it. But many of these individuals lack formal training or teaching qualifications. This gap can lead to confusion, frustration, and slow progress for learners.

In this article I would like to share an example that I have seen recently which really frustrated me, and some tips on how to tell if someone is actually an English teacher, or just knows the language!

Why Social Media Makes It Hard to Choose the Right Teacher

Social media platforms have opened doors for many people to share their knowledge. However, this accessibility also means that anyone can present themselves as an English teacher without proper credentials. Here are some reasons this creates problems:

• Lack of Verification: Unlike traditional schools or language centers, social media does not verify the qualifications of those offering lessons - in fact if you work in a school you need to complete a full Police background check in order to work with children. Ok arguably the people on social media are not working directly with children - but if you were to pay for lessons for your child, you want to make sure this is a safe person for your child to be communicating with.

  
  

• Appealing Presentation Over Substance: Many unqualified teachers focus on flashy videos or catchy phrases rather than solid teaching methods. This is one of my 'pet hates' on social media - you know the videos that start "STOP SAYING..." and then a very normal phrase, which is completely acceptable to say.

  Yes it is great for social media interaction, it catches your attention, but if there is nothing wrong with the phrase in the first place, why are you telling people to stop saying it!

  
  

  'Stop Saying Happy! - try these instead...'

  Tells us that happy is bad, or not the right word.

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  'Alternatives for the word Happy!' would be much better, but of course this is less dramatic and gains less engagement than the prior statement.

  
  

• Inconsistent Quality: Without standards, the quality of lessons varies widely, making it hard for learners to know what to expect. I would also add, we all learn in different ways, and finding a teacher that can tailor lessons to you and your preferred style of learning is going to have a much more beneficial outcome, than a teacher who just follows the same plan for every student.

• Misleading Claims: Some claim to be experts based on personal experience rather than formal education or teaching practice. For example, myself. I cannot claim to be an expert in English teaching as I do not have the education to back that up. I am a good English teacher, yes. I have multiple good reviews, yes. I have 6 years of experience, and am constantly updating my knowledge and skillset but I cannot claim to be an expert as I have never had formal educational training outside of a TEFL certificate and a Bachelor's degree in an unrelated subject.

I want to include an example here that I saw recently which frustrated me incredibly.

Now the first thing to mention, is the person in the image to the left is not a Native English speaker, which is ABSOLUTELY FINE!

I do believe if you are a beginner, if you are starting out it is important to have someone who speaks your own language and can help you with understanding ideas and contexts in your own language.

I also think a lot of learners feel more comfortable making mistakes infront of a Non-Native speaker and feel more pressured when speaking to a Native English speaker.

So there is a market for Non-Native English teachers.

However - if, like the girl in the image, you do not have a strong understanding of the nuances of the language, or the contexts in which certain words should be used, or do not have any friends or relatives who speak English fluently, you should absolutely not be teaching the differences between similar words.

Here is why.

In the image she has the words; Bathroom, Washroom, Restroom, Lavatory and Powder Room.

If she had done her research, or had more experience actually using the language she would know, all of these words mean the exact same thing. Not a single one of them has a different meaning even though she seems to be teaching them as such.

Bathroom, Lavatory and Powder Room are British English.

Washroom and Restroom are American English.

So that is a very quick and easy way to distinguish why there are so many different words for toilet.

Now we have to look at the times these words were created.

Powder Room was one of the very first ways to refer to a bathroom in the UK, it was very a polite way of explaining where you were going and it is called a powder room because women would powder their noses in there. (Apply make up).

This phrasing is no longer used so should not be being taught.

Lavatory is also very old fashioned, it hasn't been used in the last 20 years I would say.

Bathroom is the more modern, polite way to refer to a toilet and yes incase you were wondering,

'Do you have a toilet?' is also perfectly acceptable.

I know, I know - I am getting way to upset and frustrated by this random girl on the internet, but this is not the first time I have seen her teach English incorrectly, and it is clear to me she is not a teacher, but just an English speaker who is making content.

And the most upsetting thing by far - she gets thousands of likes on every. Single. Video.

Maybe that's what I need to start doing, just teach English wrong and then I might have my 'viral moment'?

I am being sarcastic in case you can't tell through the screen.

Ok so back to some helpful information... how to identify a good teacher vs a social media teacher.

How to Identify a Qualified English Teacher Online

Finding a qualified English teacher on social media or other online platforms requires careful evaluation. Here are some tips to help you spot a credible instructor:

• Check Credentials: Look for certifications such as TEFL, TESOL, CELTA, or degrees in education or linguistics. Often if the teacher is genuine, they will have a Linkedin page - you can check their credentials, education and past experience there.

• Review Experience: Experienced teachers often share their teaching philosophy, methods, and success stories. You might find examples of their lesson style in their videos, or stories from students, or actual examples from lessons that week.

• Look for Testimonials: Genuine reviews from past students can provide insight into the teacher’s effectiveness.

• Assess Communication Skills: A good teacher explains concepts clearly and responds promptly to questions. Is the teacher responding to the comments and questions asked? Or do they just like the question / not respond at all? This would demonstrate that they actually don't know how to answer or are just creating content for engagement rather than to teach.

• Trial Lessons: Many qualified teachers offer trial sessions. Use this opportunity to evaluate their teaching style and professionalism.

  
  

Examples of Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Claims of fluency as the only qualification - being fluent in English makes you a good speaking partner but it does not necessarily make you a good teacher.

• No formal teaching certificates or training mentioned

• Overuse of slang or informal language without context - especially teachers who teach things like 'wanna' and 'gonna', or 'sup man?' informal, slang language is not something an actual teacher would teach as the reality you would use that in a real situation is very small. I have taught slang before but ONLY because the student actually sked for it.

• Promises of quick fluency or unrealistic results - the same goes for pricing. The average price for a good, qualified English teacher is between $20-40 USD per lesson. If a teacher is specialised in a particular subject, then they might charge more. For example Business English teachers can charge anything from $50 to $100 USD per lesson.

  I once saw a social media teacher charging 60 GBP (pounds) per hour with absolutely no qualifications and no specialism. This is someone taking advantage of their platform, rather than actually offering informative services.

• Lack of structured lesson plans or clear learning goals - As I said earlier, it can be difficult to find this information but if you book a trial lesson, or attend a live lesson, you will see their teaching style - if they offer neither of these things, perhaps this might be the biggest red flag of all.

  
  
  
  
  
  

Practical Steps to Find the Right Teacher

To avoid the pitfalls of unqualified teachers, follow these steps:

1. Research Thoroughly: Use reputable platforms that verify teacher qualifications.

2. Ask Questions: Don’t hesitate to inquire about their training, experience, and teaching approach.

3. Check for Previous Students: Read reviews, success stories and look for genuine students that they may have worked with.

4. Start Small: Begin with a few lessons before committing to a long-term course.

5. Evaluate Regularly: Reflect on your progress and adjust your choice if needed.

   
   

Choosing the right English teacher is crucial for your language journey. While social media offers many options, not all teachers are equally qualified. By understanding the risks and knowing how to identify credible instructors, you can make informed decisions that lead to real progress.