A new British Council survey reveals teachers are struggling to keep up with the language being used by pupils in UK classrooms.
More than four in five secondary school teachers say they check the meaning of slang or online expressions their students use.
Teachers shared their confusion at expressions such as skibidi toilet, 67, cap/no cap, and rizz.
The findings come from a survey of 1,000 secondary school teachers across the UK, exploring how technology and AI are reshaping communication skills and classroom practices.
What the sigma? Teachers checking up on digital slang
More than 85% of teachers report looking up expressions and slang their pupils use in class.
More than one in five (22%) say they always check, while nearly three in ten (30%) do so often.
Teachers aged 45–54 are more likely than younger colleagues to check expressions (24% vs 16% of 25-34 year old teachers), while those in the East Midlands are more than seven times as likely as teachers in Wales to “always” check meanings (38% vs 5%).
The top five habits teachers see in the classroom are:
Social media abbreviations (e.g., LOL, GOAT, TBH) (32%)
TikTok slang (e.g., delulu, NPC, rizz, skibidi, aura) (29%)
Gaming lingo (e.g., GG, sigma, XP, respawn) (28%)
Meme references or catchphrases from online trends (27%)
Mixing memes, images or gifs into written work (27%)
No cap: teachers concerned about AI and tech changing student communication
Six in ten teachers (60%) say they are worried about how AI is affecting the way students communicate. The top five changes they have noticed are:
Decline in writing quality because of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Grammarly) (26%)
Difficulty comprehending complex texts (26%)
More use of phrases from different cultures or languages (26%)
Shorter attention spans during lessons (25%)
Narrower vocabulary due to predictive text or AI (25%)
At the same time, many see positives. Over a third (36%) report improved listening skills, while nearly a quarter observe students learning more about other cultures and showing greater creative expression (24%).
Flipping the script: teachers changing up homework styles in a world of AI
Nearly eight in ten teachers surveyed (79%) say they have had to rethink the way they set assignments because of AI – either to stop students from using it or to build it in deliberately. Of these, 38% now design tasks specifically to avoid AI use, while 59% create assignments that incorporate it appropriately.
Younger teachers aged 25–34 are the most likely to adapt their assignments (86%), but even among those aged 55+, a strong majority (72%) report making changes.
Older teachers are also more likely to design tasks that deliberately block AI use – 40% of those aged 55+ compared to 33% of those aged 25–34 – suggesting greater hesitancy about the role of AI in learning among more experienced staff.
Mark Walker, British Council Director of English and Exams, said: “AI is a powerful tool, but it cannot replace human interaction. AI and digital culture are changing the way young people learn and communicate. Teachers are adapting fast – rethinking assignments, responding to new slang, and questioning what’s gained and lost in student writing. The challenge now is to make sure students develop the critical thinking, originality and focus that will remain essential in education and beyond, while also making the most of the creative and cultural opportunities AI can offer.”
Slang definitions
67 (“six seven”) – A phrase from the 2024 hip hop song Doot Doot by Skrilla, which went viral on TikTok. Often used with a hand gesture as if “weighing options.” It spread as a nonsense reply to almost any question (“How tall are you?” “What time is it?”). Its appeal lies in being versatile and meaningless, making it funny and meme-able.
Firm it – Means to “deal with it” or endure something difficult with strength or determination. Example: “I know you don’t feel well, but you just have to firm it and get through the day.”
Alpha / Beta / Sigma – Internet slang describing male social hierarchies: alpha = dominant/leader, beta = submissive, sigma = independent “lone wolf.” Among teens, “alpha” and “sigma” are often used interchangeably as compliments meaning “cool” or admirable, without reference to hierarchies.
Bussin – A term of strong approval, usually describing food or experiences that are exceptionally good.
High-key / Low-key – Adverbs that express intensity of feeling. “Low-key” = slightly/kinda; “high-key” = very/definitely. Example: “I’m lowkey stressed about this exam.”
Skibidi / Skibidi Toilet – A nonsense term from the viral YouTube animated series Skibidi Toilet. Used with varied meanings such as “cool” or “bad,” or simply as a humorous in-joke.
Bet – Means “yes,” “okay,” or “I agree.” Can also be used to signal confidence (“watch me”) or sarcasm.
Cap / No cap – From African American English. “Cap” = exaggeration/lie; “no cap” = truth/seriousness. Example: “Best pizza ever, no cap.”
Rizz – Short for “charisma.” Refers to charm or romantic appeal, especially the ability to attract others. Popularised on TikTok; named Oxford Word of the Year 2023.
