When You Start Sounding Like Your Students

It doesn’t happen all at once.

There isn’t a moment where you stop and think,I no longer recognise my own vocabulary.

It’s more gradual than that.

The first sign

You say something like “fair enough” or “that’s fine.”

A student responds:“Miss, that’s actually so valid.”

You don’t question it.

That’s where it starts.

The accidental adoption

At some point, you repeat something back.

Not on purpose.Just… naturally.

“Yeah, that’s kind of iconic.”

You pause.

You move on.

No one mentions it.

The turning point

You use it again.

This time with confidence.

“It’s giving exam stress.”

The class nods.

You feel… understood.

This is concerning.

The realisation

You’re mid-conversation with another adult.

You say:“That meeting was a bit chaotic, not going to lie.”

They pause.

You realise what you’ve done.

You can’t take it back.

The full transformation

At this stage:

• “slay” has entered your vocabulary

• “it’s giving” is used unironically

• “low-key” appears in professional sentences

You still know it’s wrong.

But it’s efficient.

You spend:

• 5+ hours a day with teenagers

• listening to the same phrases

• absorbing language without noticing

Eventually, it sticks.

The uncomfortable truth

You don’t pick it up because you want to.

You pick it up because it works.

It’s quick.It’s expressive.It gets a reaction.

Final thought

You started by teaching them.

Now you’re accidentally becoming one of them.

Slightly blunt summary

You’re not immune.

Give it time.