Video transcript
If you’ve ever hit ‘record’… and then immediately thought, ‘Ugh, is that really what I look like?!’, you’re not alone.
Hi, I’m Jo Gakonga from ELT-Training. I’m a teacher educator and content creator and I’ve helped scores of teachers like you get over that uncomfortable feeling of seeing yourself on screen.
You might be- I’m sure you are!- a brilliant teacher, but the moment that camera light goes on, I bet your brain starts whispering:
‘Why is my face doing that?’ ‘Why do I sound so weird? Maybe I’ll just give up this idea and… teach live forever.’
Sound familiar?
First things first: hating how you look or sound on video is totally normal.
Even professional presenters cringe at their first takes. So no, it’s not just you.
You’re not vain. You’re not broken. And trust me, you look just the same on camera as you do to your learners in class every day.
Your voice sounds different because of bone conduction. When YOU hear your voice usually, it’s through your skull, so it sounds different to you.
Your face looks different because you’re used to mirrors, not lenses and let’s be honest, we all put our best face to the mirror.
Your inner critic loves turning a minor flaw into a deal-breaker. It’s just trying to keep the safe status quo. But try to keep in mind that you’ve already built up the skills you need as an educator- you’re just using them in a different way.
The mindset shift that changed everything for me was thinking about the fact that Video isn’t about looking like a film star. It’s about helping someone.
Your learners don’t need a flawless face. They need you to show up and teach them something useful.
People connect to realness, not polish.
They’re not looking for a BBC presenter. They’re looking for someone who knows what they’re taking about and comes across as friendly and authentic.
So try looking for the positive when you watch your video back. Look for one thing you did well, a message you explained clearly, a moment you seemed relaxed. And be happy with that.
You’re not filming a fashion ad. You’re not applying to be a news anchor.
You’re a teacher, showing up for your learners in a new format.
You’ve taught grammar to teenagers. You’ve survived live Zoom lessons back when none of us knew what we were doing. Trust me, you’ve got this.
AND if you’re ready to feel less awkward and more awesome on camera, check out my Video Creation for Educators programme. I think you’re going to love it! The Link’s above!
