TEFL and social media: make it work for you

Being a TEFL teacher means all sorts of things: it’s rewarding, it can mean exploring the world, and it undoubtedly changes lives.

But it can also be competitive. Whether you’re trying to jostle for jobs in a crowded market, or you’re trying to attract clients on a freelance basis, the TEFL world is full of talent and standing out can be a challenge. That’s where social media can be your best friend.

While social media can have its drawbacks, it has billions of users and a substantial number of those users are interested in learning or improving their English. Having an engaging presence on social media can be the difference between getting that job or not, or attracting a base of engaged clients or not.

So, what does a TEFL teacher need to know about social media? How can it be used to a teacher’s advantage, and which platforms are the most effective?

Let’s get into it.

Instagram

Definitely, one of the more misunderstood social media platforms, Instagram ’s mere existence has led to debates about vanity and self-esteem. While it’s certainly an image-based platform, it’s much more than selfies (though there’s nothing wrong with those!).

We’d struggle to count the number of guests on ‘ I Taught English Abroad ’, our TEFL podcast, who have leveraged Instagram in exciting and lucrative ways. Teachers including Sara Alami , Lachesis Braick , Mrs A , Jamie Gajewski , Anne Crutchfield , and Ilsa Strough . Others we’ve spoken to have either used Instagram to give short, impactful lessons, network with clients or keep a growing number of followers updated on their exciting experiences in foreign countries.

Building a brand can seem daunting, but people love authenticity and simplicity. If you want to give out micro-lessons on Instagram, you’ll undoubtedly find an audience. If you want to network and work with other TEFL teachers, being approachable, friendly and good at communication will go a long way. If your feed is more lifestyle-focused, brilliant! Keep your followers engaged with guides to exotic locales.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a social media and networking platform that isn’t like the others. The tone is different , and as it attracts more users, the more some businesses and users misjudge that tone to create some truly cringeworthy posts . 

Utilised effectively, LinkedIn is a goldmine of opportunities. It’s become more important than ever, as something of an online CV and portfolio where you can connect with other professionals in your industry. 

So, what should TEFL teachers be doing on LinkedIn? Looking the part helps. A well-taken, high-quality profile photo is a must. Listing your (relevant) job experiences is also a good way to get noticed, and bigging up your achievements (like gaining a TEFL certificate!) is important. 

You can also list your qualities (don’t be shy!), and other professionals you’ve worked with can endorse these particular attributes. When future employers look at your LinkedIn profile, they should see that you’ve got qualifications worth shouting about, relevant job experience (or life experience) and a network of people who can vouch for you, if applicable.

Finally: jobs. LinkedIn is massive for finding great job opportunities. Make sure to find and connect with professionals in the places and sectors you’re interested in, and LinkedIn’s algorithms will have you clued in. 

YouTube

“But YouTube is a video-sharing platform, not social media!” I hear you cry, and you’re half right. Fine, you might not think of YouTube as a social arena, but it really is.

Speaking to teachers for our podcast, we’ve found that networking on YouTube is both very possible and extremely rewarding. Through subscribing to other pages, leaving comments and the messaging function, teachers find each other and collaborate on videos, give each other tips and, generally, build a community.

As Jamie Gajewski told us: 

“Everyone that I've ever asked to collaborate with has said yes.

“I think we are very open to sharing and there's just a mentality that if I work with someone else and do a collaboration, we're both going to grow and we're both going to have more contact with each other's audiences. So I think that that's a great community feel on YouTube.”

What should I be doing on YouTube?

This part is up to you, but based on the successes we’ve seen, YouTube is great for giving advice about certain TEFL locations, tackling big and small English language issues for learners (people love debating about idioms, for example!), and performing example lessons.

If you’re travelling and teaching, YouTube is a perfect platform to talk about it. While the super concise amongst you can fit a city or even a country into a TikTok or Instagram post, there’s more scope to go in-depth on YouTube.

Some of our podcast guests, including Andy Korterling and Johnny Ward , have talked about their adventures on YouTube!

Facebook

Facebook , as it turns out, isn’t just for arguing! Where TEFL teachers are concerned, it’s a fantastic opportunity for community building, job opportunities and business.

First off, there are loads of TEFL communities that have been thriving for years. Joining and posting in TEFL groups on Facebook is a great way to source clients, ask other TEFL teachers about their experiences, get advice and make some friends. 

It’s also a good idea - if you’re a freelance TEFL teacher with a business - to set up a business page on Facebook. By interacting with other teachers in large TEFL communities, you can draw attention to your teaching services, and take part in discussions.

Meta Ads is also, as the name suggests, a fine way to advertise your teaching business across both Facebook and Instagram. You can find a target audience, reach thousands of people for little expense, and create brand visibility across platforms.

TikTok

We recently met Patrick Smith for our podcast , a TEFL teacher with over 1.6m followers at the time of writing, and he is proof positive that people love stories about teaching, about people adapting to new scenarios and settings, and everyday experiences that teachers go through.

That suggests there’s a vibrant TEFL community on TikTok. As our new Social & Community Manager Melis Anik explains:

“With around 40% of Gen Z using TikTok more than Google as their search engine of choice, the platform has the potential to assert itself as a great resource for TEFL teachers and students alike. The ability to present information in an accessible and clear way is such a vital part of the teaching profession that I think TikTok will really pave the way for the next generation of TEFL teachers.”

Time to log on!

If you’re a TEFL teacher, and you’re looking to build an audience, it’s near impossible to do without social media in this day and age. It’s not something to fear, it’s something to understand and to harness.

Whether it’s short-form media on Instagram or TikTok, finding accommodation and jobs on Facebook, networking with other TEFL teachers on LinkedIn, or finding jobs on any platform, there’s so much to explore.
Naturally, you can find us on every one of these platforms, and whatever becomes popular in the future!

Looking to get started on your TEFL journey? Take a look at our world-class courses , and take the first step towards being a qualified teacher today!