Building your personal brand as an English teacher

The competition among English teachers is growing — more and more people are starting to teach online, record educational videos, and run an educational blog on Instagram. 

So how do you make sure that students choose you? The answer is simple: work on your personal brand.

In this article, we'll look at what a teacher's personal brand is, why it's worth developing, and what specific steps will help you become a recognisable and sought-after specialist.

A personal brand is how students perceive you, how you differ from other teachers, and what makes people remember you. 

Your teaching style, approach to lessons, personality — all of this forms your image. 

A strong personal brand helps you not only find more students, but also build long-term professional relationships and receive interesting offers from schools or learning platforms. 

The more recognisable and authoritative you become, the more people trust you and recommend you to others.

High-quality lessons — the foundation of a strong personal brand

What makes a teacher in high demand? The answer is simple: student results and their emotions after lessons. 

If you believe that students should just memorise grammar rules or that exercises should only come from a textbook, making them dull, then perhaps it's time to rethink your approach to teaching.

They want engagement, interactivity, and the ability to apply their newly acquired skills in real-life situations straight away. 

Rote learning of grammar without context no longer works. If a student doesn’t understand how to use a rule in real conversations, it simply won’t stick in their memory.

The more engaging and effective your lessons are, the more satisfied your students will be. 

It’s a simple equation that always holds true. 

No one wants to just "sit through" a lesson. 

People come for knowledge here and now, and your task is to deliver it in the clearest and most accessible way possible.

To make your lessons even more dynamic and valuable, consider taking courses at Grade University. 

Before making a purchase, you can always preview a demo unit to ensure the content is relevant and up to date.

Your teaching style is your identity

Let’s be honest, students want a teacher who understands, supports, and explains things in a way that doesn’t make their brain overload. 

Your personal brand is built on your teaching style.

Your style isn’t something you have to create from scratch. 

It already exists, you just need to recognise it and bring it into focus.

Your values are the foundation of your brand

In teaching English, as in any business, it is important to understand why you do it.

Answer the question: “What is important to you in teaching?” 

Perhaps you believe that everyone can learn a language, regardless of age or level. 

Or maybe for you, teaching is not just about grammar and vocabulary, but about helping students overcome their fear and speak fluently. 

It is your values that make your brand come alive. 

So, answer that question and everything else will fall into place.

Certification

CELTA, DELTA, TEFL, TESOL are not just pretty letters on a CV. 

It is a mark of quality. It is an indicator that you not only know how to speak English, but also understand how to teach others. 

Grade University provides a variety of TEFL/TESOL courses designed to suit your needs and level of experience. 

The training is flexible, allowing you to study from anywhere in the world at a time that works best for you. 

Upon completion, you will receive a certificate that can be added to your CV, boosting your competitiveness in the teaching market.

In the past, being a skilled English teacher was enough to attract students. However, in today’s world, that is no longer the case. 

A strong presence on social media has become the new calling card, determining how well you are recognised, how much trust you inspire, and whether students choose you over hundreds of other teachers.

Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Telegram allow you to build your visibility and attract students. 

Instagram has become a space where teachers not only showcase their expertise but also present themselves as approachable individuals students would enjoy learning from. 

The key tools here are posts, reels, and stories. 

It is essential to create engaging, shareable content that captures users’ attention. 

The simpler you make your grammar explanations, the better. Because people do not browse social media for complex theoretical discussions. 

They seek quick, accessible, and practical insights. 

Instagram also allows you to work with targeted advertising, which significantly accelerates the growth of your personal brand. 

Thanks to advertising, you can attract new students faster, promote courses, consultations, or other services.

TikTok is an opportunity to gain an audience even faster. 

The platform gives newcomers a chance to go viral without investing in advertising if the content meets the needs of the audience. 

For example, you can break down slang, memes, or dialogue from a film with everyday phrases that students need to know. 

YouTube is a place for long-form content where you can post structured lessons, error analysis, and explanations of complex topics in an understandable way.

Telegram is a platform for those who want to create a community around their content. 

A channel with useful materials, mini-tasks, and vocabulary lists allows you to keep in touch with your audience and offer additional learning materials. 

The key to building your personal brand is to choose a platform where you feel most comfortable and post content regularly. 

Moreover, word of mouth works better than any advertisement. 

One student who starts speaking English thanks to you will bring along two more friends. 

And if they not only learn the language but also genuinely enjoy the process — get ready for a flood of messages in your Direct.

So, the main thing is to be yourself, constantly develop and not be afraid to show your expertise to the world. 

The best personal brand is not about a pretty picture, but about the real value you give to people. 

The value that can be felt in every lesson and in your attitude towards students. 

This is what makes people come back to you again and again, recommend you to their friends, and keep your materials. 

So don't be afraid to be visible. 

I wish you success on your journey!