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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To advise young people not to go into teaching?

28 replies

Dappy777 · 20/07/2026 14:05

I have two nice, intelligent young people in my life who are considering careers in teaching. One wants to be a languages teacher (German and Spanish), the other wants to teach English as a foreign language. I don't know what advice to give them. Both are worried about AI and don't want to invest time and money only to be replaced by an advanced AI system.

I have taught English as a foreign language online, and one of my students uses an AI system to help him. His language skills have come on in leaps and bounds, to the point where I wonder why he bothers booking lessons with me at all. If AI is that good now, what will it be like in a year, let alone in five?

OP posts:
Butchyrestingface · 20/07/2026 14:08

But you're talking specifically about language learning. Do you think AI will replace real life teacher in every subject across the curriculum, and at every level of of school age?

ShetlandishMum · 20/07/2026 14:08

There will always be a demand for good teachers. But yes, it can be a tough job (like so many other professions).
I wouldn't worry too mich. Let them choose a careeer they see fit for them.

Lemons1571 · 20/07/2026 14:07

Depends on the type of teaching and the setting. I’d like to see AI manage behaviour in a typical secondary school.