Why Teaching English Speaking Skills Is So Hard — And Why AI Alone Isn’t Enough

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 I've been reactivating myself in a journey called PRIVATE ENGLISH TEACHER FOR SPEAKING SKILL. & just like my other decisions in life, I often turned myself to a corner and questioned "WHY THE HELL DID YOU ACCEPT THIS?!" hahahahahahahha. JK, I needed the money and the adrenaline rush too!



Teaching speaking skills in English is one of the most rewarding, yet most emotionally demanding parts of language education. Unlike grammar or reading comprehension, speaking cannot simply be drilled through worksheets or fully automated with AI chatbots. It requires a human connection, a sense of safety, and most of all — encouragement. Over the years, I’ve noticed that many of my students struggle not because they can’t speak English, but because they don’t believe they can. The barrier isn’t just linguistic; it’s deeply psychological. Fear of making mistakes, of being judged, of “sounding stupid” — these are real fears, and no AI tool can fully soothe them. This is where the teacher’s presence makes all the difference.

I've been very tempted to implement AI-assisted sessions, so I can be more relaxed and focused on their improvement, at least that's what I thought. AI-assisted platforms can now offer pronunciation feedback, vocabulary suggestions, and even simulate conversations. And yes, these tools are helpful — to an extent. But they often lack the nuance, empathy, and contextual understanding that a teacher brings. For example, when a shy student finally says a full sentence aloud after days of hesitation, that moment deserves more than a thumbs-up emoji. It needs a warm, human response: “I’m proud of you. You did it.”

What’s more, each student learns differently. Some need structured practice, others need spontaneous dialogue. Some thrive in group discussions, others need one-on-one support. A teacher senses these needs intuitively. We adjust, encourage, wait patiently, or challenge — all in real time. No machine can replicate that. In my classroom, I’ve seen tears of frustration and smiles of achievement. I’ve seen students freeze in fear, then bloom with the right encouragement. Speaking is personal. It's tied to identity, confidence, and culture. That’s why teaching it is hard — and that’s also why it matters so much.

I've also put stress on how much of lessons is about human experience. In the end, what students need most isn't just practice - it's belief. & Belief is something only a fellow human can give.


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