Common mistakes teens make when emailing teachers

Key Takeaways

Audience Spotlight: Helping Struggling Learners Communicate with Teachers

For parents of struggling learners in high school, reaching out to teachers can feel overwhelming for your child. Many parents notice that their teens want to self-advocate but are unsure where to start, especially when it comes to writing emails. The good news is that these worries are normal. By understanding common mistakes teens make when emailing teachers, you can guide your child to communicate more confidently and effectively. Your support makes a difference as your child develops these lifelong skills.

Definitions

Self-advocacy: Speaking up for your own needs and seeking help or information when necessary. It is a key skill for high school students.

Formal email: A message written using polite, professional language and structure, typically used in school or work settings.

Understanding Common Mistakes Teens Make When Emailing Teachers

Many teachers and parents report that high school students often make the same errors when reaching out by email. Experts in child development note that learning to communicate with adults in writing is a skill that takes practice and coaching. Here are some of the most frequent missteps, why they happen, and how you can help your child avoid them.

1. Using an Overly Casual Tone or Language

Teens are used to texting friends and family, so it is natural for them to carry that style over to emails with teachers. This might look like starting an email with “Hey,” using abbreviations like “u” instead of “you,” or including slang and emojis. While this feels comfortable, it can come across as disrespectful or unclear in an academic setting.

Parent tip: Encourage your child to open emails with “Dear Mr. Smith” or “Hello Ms. Lee,” and to use full sentences. Remind them that a school email is not the same as a text to a friend.

2. Leaving Out Important Information

Another common mistake teens make when emailing teachers is forgetting to include key details. For example, a student might write, “I do not understand the homework,” without specifying which assignment or class. This can confuse teachers and delay helpful responses.

Parent tip: Suggest that your child always state their full name, class period, and exactly what they need help with. Review a draft together if they are unsure.

3. Writing Emails That Are Too Long or Unfocused

It is easy for teens to write lengthy emails that include everything on their mind, which can overwhelm the person reading it. A teacher might receive a multi-paragraph message with several unrelated questions, making it hard to respond clearly.

Parent tip: Teach your child to focus on one main topic per email and to use short paragraphs or bullets if needed. Practicing this skill together can help your child feel more organized and confident.

4. Missing a Clear Subject Line

Many high school students forget to include a subject line or use one that is too vague, such as “Help” or “Question.” Without a clear subject, teachers may overlook the email or not realize its urgency.

Parent tip: Show your child examples of clear subject lines, like “Biology Homework Question: Chapter 5” or “Request for Extra Help in Algebra.” Encourage them to always fill in the subject field before sending.

5. Sending Emails at the Wrong Time

Some teens send messages late at night, on weekends, or right before an assignment is due, expecting a fast reply. Teachers may not check email outside of school hours, leading to frustration and missed deadlines.

Parent tip: Help your child understand teachers’ working hours. Suggest sending emails during school days and planning ahead whenever possible.

6. Forgetting to Proofread

Spelling and grammar mistakes can make emails difficult to read or less professional. Many teens hit “send” before checking their message, which can lead to confusion or miscommunication.

Parent tip: Encourage your child to read over their email before sending. Reading it out loud or using a spell checker can help catch errors.

7. Not Following Up or Responding

Sometimes, students do not reply after a teacher responds, or they forget to thank the teacher for their help. This can seem unappreciative or leave issues unresolved.

Parent tip: Remind your child to reply with a simple “Thank you for your help” or to ask any follow-up questions. This shows respect and helps build positive relationships with teachers.

Self-Advocacy Skills: Why Email Matters for High School Students

Email is often the main way teens communicate with teachers outside of class. For struggling learners, these messages can be a lifeline for getting clarification, requesting extra help, or making up missed work. By learning how students should email teachers, your child can practice self-advocacy in a safe, supportive way. It is a skill that will serve them well in college, work, and life.

How Can Parents Help Teens Avoid These Email Mistakes?

Are you wondering, “How can I help my high schooler write better emails to their teachers?” You are not alone. Many parents face this concern, especially when their child is struggling academically or feels anxious about reaching out. Here are some practical steps to support your teen:

• Model good email habits. Show your child how you write respectful, clear emails in your own life. Discuss the differences between texting and formal messaging.
• Role-play email scenarios. Pretend you are the teacher and let your child practice writing or saying what they want to communicate. This builds confidence and reduces anxiety.
• Use checklists. Create a simple checklist together: greeting, reason for email, specific details, polite closing, proofreading. Keep the list near your child’s study space.
• Encourage self-advocacy. Remind your child that it is okay to ask for help and that teachers appreciate respectful messages from students.
• Review and revise together. If your child is unsure, look at their draft before they send it. Offer gentle feedback and celebrate their efforts.

High School and Communicating with Teachers: Real-Life Examples

Here are a few mini-scenarios to help bring these ideas to life:

• Scenario 1: Sarah is confused about a math assignment. She writes, “Hey, I do not get it. Can u help?” After a quick review with her parent, she revises it to, “Dear Mr. Patel, This is Sarah Lee from 3rd period Algebra. I am confused about the homework for Chapter 8. Could you please explain problem 4? Thank you, Sarah.”
• Scenario 2: Jason forgets to include a subject line and his teacher misses his email. His parent helps him add, “English Essay Extension Request,” making it easier for the teacher to find and respond.
• Scenario 3: Emily is nervous about asking for help, so her parent role-plays the situation. Together, they draft a polite, specific message that Emily feels proud to send.

These small adjustments help students feel seen, heard, and supported. They also encourage teachers to respond quickly and positively.

Emotional Barriers: What Holds Teens Back?

For struggling learners, anxiety, self-doubt, or past experiences may make emailing teachers feel risky. Some students worry about “bothering” their teacher or sounding “stupid.” Others avoid writing altogether because they are unsure of what to say. As a parent, you can normalize these feelings by sharing that everyone makes mistakes and that communicating with teachers is a skill that improves with practice.

If your child is especially anxious, remind them that teachers want to help students succeed. Suggest starting with a draft and reviewing together. Celebrate each effort, even if it is not perfect.

When Should Parents Step In?

It is important to let teens take the lead on communicating with teachers, but there are times when your support is needed. If your child is not getting a response, is overwhelmed, or faces a situation that feels too big, it is okay to help them craft a follow-up email or reach out yourself as a last resort. Encourage independence, but remind your child you are there for backup.

Building Lifelong Communication Skills

Learning to avoid common mistakes teens make when emailing teachers does more than improve grades. It builds self-advocacy, resilience, and confidence. Over time, your child will gain the independence needed for success in school and beyond.

For more ways to help your child grow communication and study skills, explore our Self advocacy resources and Study habits tips for parents.

Tutoring Support

K12 Tutoring understands that every learner’s journey is unique. Our experienced tutors work with families to build communication skills, self-advocacy, and academic confidence. We are here to partner with you and your child, offering strategies that empower students to reach out to teachers with clarity and respect.

Related Resources

• What to Do If Your Child Is Falling Behind in School – HealthyChildren.org
• Tips to Improve Parent-Teacher Communication – Purdue Global Blog
• How to Talk to Teachers When You Have Concerns – Prodigy Blog

Trust & Transparency Statement

Last reviewed: October 2025
This article was prepared by the K12 Tutoring education team, dedicated to helping students succeed with personalized learning support and expert guidance. K12 Tutoring content is reviewed periodically by education specialists to reflect current best practices and family feedback. Have ideas or success stories to share? Email us at [email protected].