AI with Ashleigh

Teaching isn’t just a job; it’s a juggling act!

When we think about teaching, we often focus on face-to-face time with students. However, there is so much more to it! Lesson planning, creating materials and activities, endless grading, communicating with parents and colleagues, meeting expectations from schools and parents, and providing support and encouragement to students—the list never ends. To say a lot goes on behind the scenes is an understatement.

If you love teaching but constantly feel exhausted, unmotivated, and overwhelmed, this article is for you.

Burnout: Why It Happens, How to Spot It, and How to Overcome It

What Is Burnout?

According to Mental Health UK, burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It occurs when you experience long-term stress and feel under constant pressure.

Symptoms of Teacher Burnout:

• Persistent fatigue that never seems to go away
• Lack of motivation and energy to plan and teach
• Anxiety and trouble sleeping
• Frequent illnesses, especially when you take a break
• Other health issues like headaches, muscle pain, and breathing difficulties
• Feeling isolated and disconnected from others
• Negative emotions such as helplessness, defeat, or failure
• Increased procrastination and loss of productivity

Despite being a widespread issue, burnout is rarely discussed. In fact, I struggled to find specific studies on burnout among ESL teachers. However, a 2021 study by the OECD found that globally, around 30-50% of teachers experience high levels of stress and emotional exhaustion, particularly in countries with heavy workloads and limited support.

Burnout Is a System Problem, Not a Personal Failure. Many schools ignore burnout, and teachers often fear they are replaceable or that they don’t measure up to their peers. But you are not alone. Every ESL teacher I know has experienced burnout at some point.

Hidden Causes of Burnout

• Overwhelming workload – Planning, grading, admin tasks, meetings, and student management.
• The emotional side of teaching – Supporting students emotionally and managing behaviour outside of the classroom.
• Challenges unique to ESL teachers – Adapting to different age groups, new schools, or mixed-ability classes requires constant reinvention of lesson plans.
• Keeping up with new trends – Teachers strive to make lessons engaging by researching and creating new materials.
• Lack of support – Schools provide little assistance with heavy workloads and large class sizes, while online tutors often work in isolation.
• Poor work-life balance – Society assumes teachers get long holidays, but evenings are spent grading, and weekends or breaks often involve planning.

The Impact of Burnout

• Your love and passion for teaching diminish.
• Your personal life suffers.
• Your health deteriorates.
• Your students feel the effects of a disengaged teacher.

How to Overcome Burnout

There are many ways to recover, regain motivation, and rekindle your passion for teaching.

• Leverage AI and automation tools – AI can save time on lesson planning, differentiation, and content creation. It can also assist with grading and administrative tasks, reducing your workload significantly. Using AI doesn’t replace your expertise—it helps you focus on teaching instead of admin work!
• Not sure where to start? Begin with one small task—like asking ChatGPT to create a warm-up game or generate a list of vocabulary questions. You’ll be surprised at how helpful it can be.
• Build a support system – Connect with colleagues, a mentor or join online teacher communities for guidance and encouragement.
• Set boundaries and protect your time – Learn to say no to extra responsibilities that don’t align with your energy or experience level. If you’ve never taught Business English, you don’t have to accept a B1 Business student right now.
• Prioritise self-care – Ensure you get enough sleep, eat well, and exercise.
• Engage in activities you love – Whether it’s reading, traveling, yoga, or another hobby, making time for yourself is essential.

You Are Not Alone

Burnout is real, and it’s a system problem, not a personal failing.  The good news? You can take small steps to regain balance, reduce stress, and make teaching enjoyable again. You and your students deserve a teacher who is motivated, engaged, and energised.

Take the first step toward a better balance today. If you know other teachers struggling with burnout, please share this with them. Let’s support each other!

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