Ms. Jean Teaches
Ms. Jean Teaches
& Tech
Tell a little bit more about yourself. How did you get into teaching? For how long do you do it?
Tell a little bit more about yourself. How did you get into teaching? For how long do you do it?
Tell a little bit more about yourself. How did you get into teaching? For how long do you do it?
I’ve been a tutor since 2019—honestly, kind of my husband's fault (laughs). We were in different states, and I needed a flexible online job while moving. A friend suggested teaching English, and even though I always imagined teaching literature or creative writing, I gave it a shot. Turns out, I love it. Now I’m helping people feel less terrified about language learning, and it makes every day worth it.
I’ve been a tutor since 2019—honestly, kind of my husband's fault (laughs). We were in different states, and I needed a flexible online job while moving. A friend suggested teaching English, and even though I always imagined teaching literature or creative writing, I gave it a shot. Turns out, I love it. Now I’m helping people feel less terrified about language learning, and it makes every day worth it.
I’ve been a tutor since 2019—honestly, kind of my husband's fault (laughs). We were in different states, and I needed a flexible online job while moving. A friend suggested teaching English, and even though I always imagined teaching literature or creative writing, I gave it a shot. Turns out, I love it. Now I’m helping people feel less terrified about language learning, and it makes every day worth it.
Do you focus or specialize on something specific?
Do you focus or specialize on something specific?
Do you focus or specialize on something specific?
I specialize more in general conversation, creating a safe, sandbox-style space for students to practice, experiment, and have fun while learning. In terms of content, my current materials are more for upper intermediate and advanced levels, but now I'm also trying to create more for people at lower levels.
I specialize more in general conversation, creating a safe, sandbox-style space for students to practice, experiment, and have fun while learning. In terms of content, my current materials are more for upper intermediate and advanced levels, but now I'm also trying to create more for people at lower levels.
I specialize more in general conversation, creating a safe, sandbox-style space for students to practice, experiment, and have fun while learning. In terms of content, my current materials are more for upper intermediate and advanced levels, but now I'm also trying to create more for people at lower levels.
At what point does vocabulary become a bigger priority for language learners?
At what point does vocabulary become a bigger priority for language learners?
At what point does vocabulary become a bigger priority for language learners?
Vocabulary is key at every stage, but it's especially critical early on. At the start, focus on common concrete nouns and verbs—like the 80-20 rule, a small set of words gives you broad understanding. Later, branch into adjectives, prepositions, and beyond. One thing I always tell students: if you don’t know a word, use simpler ones to get your point across. Communication matters more than finding the "perfect" word.
Vocabulary is key at every stage, but it's especially critical early on. At the start, focus on common concrete nouns and verbs—like the 80-20 rule, a small set of words gives you broad understanding. Later, branch into adjectives, prepositions, and beyond. One thing I always tell students: if you don’t know a word, use simpler ones to get your point across. Communication matters more than finding the "perfect" word.
Vocabulary is key at every stage, but it's especially critical early on. At the start, focus on common concrete nouns and verbs—like the 80-20 rule, a small set of words gives you broad understanding. Later, branch into adjectives, prepositions, and beyond. One thing I always tell students: if you don’t know a word, use simpler ones to get your point across. Communication matters more than finding the "perfect" word.
"Clearly, students are going to AI first before teachers. But I don't think that specific trend is a bad thing."
"Clearly, students are going to AI first before teachers. But I don't think that specific trend is a bad thing."
"Clearly, students are going to AI first before teachers. But I don't think that specific trend is a bad thing."
How has your teaching changed since you started?
How has your teaching changed since you started?
How has your teaching changed since you started?
The biggest change since I started teaching in 2019 is AI. While it hasn’t drastically changed my teaching yet, it’s slowly shifting the teacher’s role in language learning. Personally, I like to keep things simple. One big thing that helps me is my Kindle books—I can annotate them on my iPad while we read and share my screen with students. It’s a small but meaningful change, and since I like to keep things simple, I don’t rely on too many digital tools. There's an idea that starts taking root that AI and apps are going to be able to replace a tutor, but I think they are only able to offer a cheap imitation... Clearly, students are going to AI first before teachers. But I don't think that specific trend is a bad thing. AI is useful—it can summarize classes or provide quick answers—but many students still come to me when AI falls short.
The biggest change since I started teaching in 2019 is AI. While it hasn’t drastically changed my teaching yet, it’s slowly shifting the teacher’s role in language learning. Personally, I like to keep things simple. One big thing that helps me is my Kindle books—I can annotate them on my iPad while we read and share my screen with students. It’s a small but meaningful change, and since I like to keep things simple, I don’t rely on too many digital tools. There's an idea that starts taking root that AI and apps are going to be able to replace a tutor, but I think they are only able to offer a cheap imitation... Clearly, students are going to AI first before teachers. But I don't think that specific trend is a bad thing. AI is useful—it can summarize classes or provide quick answers—but many students still come to me when AI falls short.
The biggest change since I started teaching in 2019 is AI. While it hasn’t drastically changed my teaching yet, it’s slowly shifting the teacher’s role in language learning. Personally, I like to keep things simple. One big thing that helps me is my Kindle books—I can annotate them on my iPad while we read and share my screen with students. It’s a small but meaningful change, and since I like to keep things simple, I don’t rely on too many digital tools. There's an idea that starts taking root that AI and apps are going to be able to replace a tutor, but I think they are only able to offer a cheap imitation... Clearly, students are going to AI first before teachers. But I don't think that specific trend is a bad thing. AI is useful—it can summarize classes or provide quick answers—but many students still come to me when AI falls short.
What upcoming technological innovation do you think will significantly change language teaching and learning?
What upcoming technological innovation do you think will significantly change language teaching and learning?
What upcoming technological innovation do you think will significantly change language teaching and learning?
Salman Khan’s Brave New Words got me thinking about AI’s potential in language learning. It even pushed me to try ChatGPT for my own studies—though I was late to the party since the language learning community jumped on it right away. AI isn’t replacing tutors anytime soon, but it’s a useful tool, especially for beginners who aren’t ready to speak with a tutor yet. Features like AI voice interaction can help ease into speaking and listening without pressure. That said, it’s just a tool. If your goal is real communication, working with a native speaker is still the best approach. AI has already started shifting the teacher’s role, but we haven’t seen its full impact yet—especially with pronunciation feedback, which still isn’t reliable. There’s a running joke in the language learning community about AI giving perfect scores even when you say the wrong word. Maybe one day it’ll get there, but we’re not there yet.
Salman Khan’s Brave New Words got me thinking about AI’s potential in language learning. It even pushed me to try ChatGPT for my own studies—though I was late to the party since the language learning community jumped on it right away. AI isn’t replacing tutors anytime soon, but it’s a useful tool, especially for beginners who aren’t ready to speak with a tutor yet. Features like AI voice interaction can help ease into speaking and listening without pressure. That said, it’s just a tool. If your goal is real communication, working with a native speaker is still the best approach. AI has already started shifting the teacher’s role, but we haven’t seen its full impact yet—especially with pronunciation feedback, which still isn’t reliable. There’s a running joke in the language learning community about AI giving perfect scores even when you say the wrong word. Maybe one day it’ll get there, but we’re not there yet.
Salman Khan’s Brave New Words got me thinking about AI’s potential in language learning. It even pushed me to try ChatGPT for my own studies—though I was late to the party since the language learning community jumped on it right away. AI isn’t replacing tutors anytime soon, but it’s a useful tool, especially for beginners who aren’t ready to speak with a tutor yet. Features like AI voice interaction can help ease into speaking and listening without pressure. That said, it’s just a tool. If your goal is real communication, working with a native speaker is still the best approach. AI has already started shifting the teacher’s role, but we haven’t seen its full impact yet—especially with pronunciation feedback, which still isn’t reliable. There’s a running joke in the language learning community about AI giving perfect scores even when you say the wrong word. Maybe one day it’ll get there, but we’re not there yet.
Do you recommend language-learning software to your students?
Do you recommend language-learning software to your students?
Do you recommend language-learning software to your students?
I’ve learned the hard way that flashcard apps, while super useful, don’t work for everyone—many students see them as homework and tune out. I try to share how I use them myself to stay in constant contact with a language, but not as many students as I'd like to end up using them. There are tools that let students watch movies and TV shows with interactive subtitles, hover over words for translations, and save them to a flashcard deck. It’s a great way to learn naturally, but the biggest challenge? Students have to choose to use it. As a teacher, it’s frustrating—you can suggest tools, but in the end of the day they are who needs to make an effort and use it. Since most of my students resist flashcards, I often recommend organic content instead.
I’ve learned the hard way that flashcard apps, while super useful, don’t work for everyone—many students see them as homework and tune out. I try to share how I use them myself to stay in constant contact with a language, but not as many students as I'd like to end up using them. There are tools that let students watch movies and TV shows with interactive subtitles, hover over words for translations, and save them to a flashcard deck. It’s a great way to learn naturally, but the biggest challenge? Students have to choose to use it. As a teacher, it’s frustrating—you can suggest tools, but in the end of the day they are who needs to make an effort and use it. Since most of my students resist flashcards, I often recommend organic content instead.
I’ve learned the hard way that flashcard apps, while super useful, don’t work for everyone—many students see them as homework and tune out. I try to share how I use them myself to stay in constant contact with a language, but not as many students as I'd like to end up using them. There are tools that let students watch movies and TV shows with interactive subtitles, hover over words for translations, and save them to a flashcard deck. It’s a great way to learn naturally, but the biggest challenge? Students have to choose to use it. As a teacher, it’s frustrating—you can suggest tools, but in the end of the day they are who needs to make an effort and use it. Since most of my students resist flashcards, I often recommend organic content instead.
It good to ask who is responsible for learning a language then?
It good to ask who is responsible for learning a language then?
It good to ask who is responsible for learning a language then?
I’d argue it’s the student. Students who progress are always the ones with a growth mindset, who accept that mistakes are part of the process, and who are curious about English. On the other hand, some only study in class and make little progress. Teachers aren’t a magic fix; we’re just another tool. It’s up to the student to make the most of it.
I’d argue it’s the student. Students who progress are always the ones with a growth mindset, who accept that mistakes are part of the process, and who are curious about English. On the other hand, some only study in class and make little progress. Teachers aren’t a magic fix; we’re just another tool. It’s up to the student to make the most of it.
I’d argue it’s the student. Students who progress are always the ones with a growth mindset, who accept that mistakes are part of the process, and who are curious about English. On the other hand, some only study in class and make little progress. Teachers aren’t a magic fix; we’re just another tool. It’s up to the student to make the most of it.
"Students who progress are always the ones with a growth mindset, who accept that mistakes are part of the process, and who are curious about English."
"Students who progress are always the ones with a growth mindset, who accept that mistakes are part of the process, and who are curious about English."
"Students who progress are always the ones with a growth mindset, who accept that mistakes are part of the process, and who are curious about English."
Overall, when it comes to technology, are you more excited or intimidated by the changes ahead?
Overall, when it comes to technology, are you more excited or intimidated by the changes ahead?
Overall, when it comes to technology, are you more excited or intimidated by the changes ahead?
I’d say both. Technology evolves in unpredictable ways, and the unknown is always a mix of exciting and a little scary. So definitely both.
I’d say both. Technology evolves in unpredictable ways, and the unknown is always a mix of exciting and a little scary. So definitely both.
I’d say both. Technology evolves in unpredictable ways, and the unknown is always a mix of exciting and a little scary. So definitely both.
Do you think AI will eventually replace tutors? You’ve touched on this already, but…
Do you think AI will eventually replace tutors? You’ve touched on this already, but…
Do you think AI will eventually replace tutors? You’ve touched on this already, but…
I think it'll try, but I think, you know, the more common something becomes—even something new and exciting like AI—as it becomes more common, something like a real person is going to become more valuable. Teachers might seem replaceable at times, but AI can never fully substitute a real, native-speaking person. Will AI take over? I don’t know—but I hope not.
I think it'll try, but I think, you know, the more common something becomes—even something new and exciting like AI—as it becomes more common, something like a real person is going to become more valuable. Teachers might seem replaceable at times, but AI can never fully substitute a real, native-speaking person. Will AI take over? I don’t know—but I hope not.
I think it'll try, but I think, you know, the more common something becomes—even something new and exciting like AI—as it becomes more common, something like a real person is going to become more valuable. Teachers might seem replaceable at times, but AI can never fully substitute a real, native-speaking person. Will AI take over? I don’t know—but I hope not.
"... the more common becomes something technological—even something new and exciting like AI—as it becomes more common, something like a real person is going to become more valuable."
"... the more common becomes something technological—even something new and exciting like AI—as it becomes more common, something like a real person is going to become more valuable."
"... the more common becomes something technological—even something new and exciting like AI—as it becomes more common, something like a real person is going to become more valuable."
It was great talking to you! What plans do you have ahead, or where can people find your work?
It was great talking to you! What plans do you have ahead, or where can people find your work?
It was great talking to you! What plans do you have ahead, or where can people find your work?
I have a website, missjeanteaches.com, and I'm also MissJeanTeaches on TikTok, Instagram, and Blue Sky, as well as on YouTube. So, I'm MissJeanTeaches everywhere. Check out Ms. Jean Teaches content on Website: www.missjeanteaches.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missjeanteaches/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missjeanteaches YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvjNyVPUDVPjnuTp1MRhd0w
I have a website, missjeanteaches.com, and I'm also MissJeanTeaches on TikTok, Instagram, and Blue Sky, as well as on YouTube. So, I'm MissJeanTeaches everywhere. Check out Ms. Jean Teaches content on Website: www.missjeanteaches.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missjeanteaches/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missjeanteaches YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvjNyVPUDVPjnuTp1MRhd0w
I have a website, missjeanteaches.com, and I'm also MissJeanTeaches on TikTok, Instagram, and Blue Sky, as well as on YouTube. So, I'm MissJeanTeaches everywhere. Check out Ms. Jean Teaches content on Website: www.missjeanteaches.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missjeanteaches/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@missjeanteaches YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvjNyVPUDVPjnuTp1MRhd0w
