Nour Oukoho

What I like most about teaching English is the connection I build with my students. I love watching someone go from feeling unsure to finally expressing themselves with confidence. It feels amazing to be part of that journey.

I also enjoy the little moments — when a student suddenly understands something, uses a new word correctly, or tells me they were finally able to communicate in real life. Those moments remind me why I love teaching.

For me, it’s not just about grammar or vocabulary; it’s about helping people grow, open new opportunities, and feel proud of themselves. That's what makes teaching English so meaningful to me.

I decided to become an English teacher when I realized how much I enjoy helping people understand and express themselves. It wasn’t one big moment it was a mix of small experiences. Every time I explained something to someone and saw that spark of understanding in their eyes, I felt genuinely happy.

Little by little, I understood that teaching wasn’t just something I was good at, but something that felt natural to me. That’s when I knew: this is what I want to do.

From my experience, most people want to learn English for a mix of personal and professional reasons. Many learners need it for better job opportunities or for studying abroad, while others want to travel more comfortably and communicate with people from different countries. Some students learn English to talk with friends or partners, and others simply enjoy the process of learning something new and building their confidence. Overall, English opens doors, and that’s the main motivation I see in most of my students.

In my experience, English is not the hardest language to learn, but it does have its challenges. Many students find it easier at the beginning because the basic grammar is simple and the sentences are straightforward. However, as they progress, pronunciation, spelling, and phrasal verbs can become tricky, especially because English doesn’t always follow its own rules. Compared to other languages, English is somewhere in the middle: not too easy, not too difficult. With regular practice and good guidance, most learners improve quickly and start feeling confident in a relatively short time.

For me, the hardest part of teaching English is making sure every student feels supported, even when they learn at different speeds. Some students are shy, others lose confidence easily, and some struggle with certain skills like speaking or grammar. Balancing all of that while keeping the class engaging can be challenging. But even though it’s difficult, it’s also one of the most rewarding parts of teaching helping students overcome those obstacles and watching them grow step by step.

A good English student isn’t the one who knows the most, but the one who stays curious, consistent, and open to learning. They practice a little every day, even when it feels difficult, and they’re not afraid to make mistakes or ask questions. A good student listens, tries, participates, and stays motivated, even when progress feels slow. Most of all, they enjoy the journey and trust that every small step brings them closer to confidence.

For most learners, the hardest part of learning English is the inconsistency of the language. The pronunciation doesn’t always match the spelling, many rules have exceptions, and phrasal verbs can be confusing because their meanings aren’t always logical. Speaking with confidence is also a big challenge, especially for students who are shy or afraid of making mistakes. But with practice, patience, and the right support, these difficulties become manageable, and students start to feel much more comfortable with the language.

My advice for students who are struggling is to take things step by step and not be too hard on themselves. Learning a language is a long journey, and it’s normal to feel stuck sometimes. Focus on small, daily habits like listening to short videos, reviewing vocabulary, or practicing simple sentences. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, repeat things, or make mistakes; that’s exactly how progress happens. And most importantly, stay patient with yourself. Even slow progress is still progress, and with consistency, everything starts to make sense.

The time it takes to become fluent in English really depends on the student, their motivation, and how much they practice. On average, with regular study and real exposure to the language, most learners can reach a solid level of fluency in one to two years. However, if someone practices daily listening, speaking, reading, and using English in real situations, they can progress even faster. What matters most isn’t speed, but consistency. With steady effort, fluency always comes.

In my opinion, the students who progress faster are usually the ones who stay consistent, motivated, and curious. They practice regularly, not just in class but also outside of it, by listening, speaking, and using English in real situations. They aren’t afraid to make mistakes and learn from them, and they actively participate, ask questions, and review what they’ve learned. Confidence, patience, and a positive mindset also make a big difference students who believe they can improve often do so much faster than those who doubt themselves.