The Kate Languages Podcast - S4 Ep5 - Social Media: The good, the bad and the ugly

Social Media for Teachers: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

In this episode of the Kate Languages Podcast, I explored the positives, the negatives, and yes, even the downright ugly aspects of social media in the world of education. 

My feelings about social media have evolved a little since I recorded this episode, and I have spent a lot of time (and money!) learning how to effectively market my business on social media, especially Instagram. If you'd like to see my business and marketing content on Instagram, DM me "close friends" on there and I will add you to my close friends list - that's the only place I share this content (for now)!

To listen to the full episode, click "play" above.

The Inspiration Behind This Episode

Before we dive in, let me share a bit of backstory. In November 2022, I decided to take a month-long break from social media. I deleted my apps and, while I did check in occasionally to monitor pre-scheduled posts, I genuinely stepped away from the constant scrolling.

The impact on my mental health and daily life was quite remarkable. My screen time dropped from an average of 4-5 hours a day to about 2 hours. My head felt clearer, and I felt more positive overall. Now, five months on, I've returned to using social media more regularly, but I'm much more aware of how it affects me when I overindulge.

The Good: Positive Aspects of Social Media for Teachers

Let's start with the good stuff, shall we? There are some genuinely fantastic aspects of social media for educators.

1. The MFL Insta Community

My absolute favourite thing about social media in the education world is Instagram, particularly the #MFLInsta community. This hashtag, created by Claire Wilson (@_LeoLanguages) during the pandemic, has fostered a wonderfully positive and friendly community of MFL teachers.

Through this community, I've connected with brilliant educators like Erica, who runs Spanish classes, and Maya (@senoritaraineyhola), who shares fantastic resources for positive mental health alongside Spanish language content. It's a space where teachers share ideas, promote each other's work, and offer support.

I particularly love the focus on mental health within this community. Everything is presented in a visually appealing way, making scrolling through the feed a genuinely pleasant experience. It's a great place to find inspiration and "borrow" ideas for your own classroom.

2. Instagram Lives

As someone building an education business, I find Instagram Lives to be an excellent tool for engaging with other teachers and promoting my work. It's a great platform for discussing upcoming CPD sessions, answering questions in real-time, and getting immediate feedback that helps shape my future content.

3. Facebook Groups for Teacher Support

Facebook groups like 'Secondary MFL Matters' (of which I am now a moderator) and my own Facebook group 'MFL GCSE (2026)' can be incredibly helpful for stressed teachers. They provide a space where teachers and tutors can seek advice, share experiences, and find reassurance from colleagues who understand their challenges. Whether it's panic over GCSE oral exams or questions about classroom management, these groups can offer valuable support.

4. Building a Business

I have to admit, my business wouldn't exist without social media. I started Kate Languages by creating Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts and engaging with existing teacher communities. It was through a post in a Facebook group that I got the idea to create a bank of writing questions for the new GCSE, which kickstarted my resource-creation journey.

The Bad: Negative Aspects of Social Media for Teachers

Now, let's address some of the downsides of social media in the education world.

1. Unrealistic Expectations

We're all familiar with the negative impacts social media can have on young people - bullying, peer pressure, unrealistic life views. But it's important to recognise that these issues affect adults too, including teachers.

One particular issue in educational social media is the presentation of unrealistic, "Instagram-worthy" classrooms and workspaces. I'm even guilty of this myself! I recently spent an entire bank holiday Monday cleaning and tidying my usually messy office for a filming session, then shared a video of the unnaturally tidy space on Instagram. It's crucial to remember that these perfect images aren't representative of day-to-day reality for most teachers.

2. Negative Comments and Criticism

While the MFL Insta community is generally positive, I've witnessed some unpleasant behaviour in Facebook groups and on Twitter. Some people can be unnecessarily harsh in their comments, forgetting that there are real people behind the posts they're criticising. It's disheartening to see fellow educators being unkind to one another.

3. Misinterpretation and Lack of Nuance

The fast-paced nature of social media often leads to misinterpretation. People don't always read posts thoroughly before responding, leading to misunderstandings and unnecessarily negative interactions. The lack of nuance in written communication can exacerbate these issues.

4. Algorithm Challenges

From a business perspective, one of the frustrating aspects of social media is the lack of control over the algorithm. You might create what you believe is a great post, only for it to be seen by very few people due to the mysterious workings of the platform's algorithm. This unpredictability can make it challenging to reach your audience consistently.

The Ugly: Twitter and Its Issues

Now, let's talk about what I consider the "ugly" side of social media for teachers: Twitter.

1. Negativity and Controversy

I find Twitter to be a particularly challenging platform. The arguments, self-promotion, and inflated egos that seem to thrive there can create a toxic environment. While the MFL Twitter community is generally lovely, there's more negativity there compared to Instagram.

2. Post-Elon Musk Takeover

Since Elon Musk took over Twitter, I've become even less comfortable with the platform. The changes being implemented and the general direction of the site led me to delete my account after my social media break, and I honestly don't miss it at all.

3. Gender Imbalance in Education Social Media

One issue that particularly bothers me about Twitter (and to some extent, educational social media in general) is the gender imbalance in prominent voices. Despite the majority of teachers being women, many of the loudest voices in educational social media are men. This is especially noticeable in the MFL community, where male teachers are relatively rare in practice but disproportionately vocal online.

This isn't an anti-men rant, but rather a frustration with the way some of these loud male voices tend to dominate conversations and sometimes shout down or put down female voices. It's a reflection of broader issues in education, where we see disproportionate numbers of male head teachers despite the profession being predominantly female.

Alternative Approaches

Given the challenges of social media, I've found some alternative approaches to building a community and sharing resources:

1. Podcasting

I find podcasting to be an excellent way to build a community and share ideas without the drawbacks of social media.

2. Email Lists

For those creating and selling resources, an email list can be far more effective than social media. I use MailChimp (I now use Kajabi - Sept 2024) to manage my email list, which allows me to communicate directly with my audience, share ideas, and get valuable feedback.

Wrapping Up

Social media for teachers is a complex topic with no easy answers. While platforms like Instagram can offer wonderful communities and opportunities for sharing ideas, others like Twitter can sometimes feel more harmful than helpful. It's crucial to be mindful of how we use these platforms and the impact they have on our wellbeing and professional lives.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you agree with my assessment of the different platforms? Have you had similar experiences? Are you still on Twitter, or have you left? Are you part of the MFL Insta community?

Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or find me on Facebook and Instagram @KateLanguages. You can also sign up for my mailing list on this website to receive a special 10% discount code for my resources.