Pop culture slang is everywhere—and whether you love it or hate it, it’s shaping how young people communicate.
Especially if you’re teaching teens or young adults, chances are you’ve heard things like:
“Slay!”
“That’s such a W.”
“I’m so delulu right now.”
“Lowkey tired but still vibing.”
But here’s the twist: most textbooks ignore these expressions entirely. And yet, students are hearing them online every day.
So, instead of banning or ignoring them, what if we embraced them as learning tools?
Let’s break down some TikTok slang words worth teaching—plus ideas for using them in your lessons.
🎯 Why Teach TikTok Slang?
Not to be cool.
But to:
- Boost listening comprehension (especially on social media or YouTube).
- Improve sociolinguistic awareness (what to say where).
- Increase engagement—students light up when content feels relevant.
🔥 12 TikTok Slang Words Students Actually Use
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Slay | To do something amazingly well (esp. with style) | “You slayed that presentation!” |
| Delulu | Playfully delusional; imagining unrealistic scenarios | “She’s delulu—still waiting for her ex to text back.” |
| Lowkey | Slightly, secretly | “I lowkey love grammar exercises.” |
| Highkey | Very openly; strongly | “I highkey need a vacation.” |
| Vibe / Vibing | Feeling good, relaxed, or in sync | “We were just vibing to the music.” |
| Main character | Acting like the center of attention | “She walked in with main character energy.” |
| W / L | Win / Loss (used as shorthand) | “Getting an A on that test? Big W.” |
| Rizz | Charisma, charm (esp. romantic) | “He’s got no rizz—can’t even start a convo.” |
| Sus | Suspicious or shady | “That excuse sounds sus.” |
| Cap / No cap | Lie / Not lying | “That’s cap. He didn’t do it.” / “No cap, I’m serious.” |
| Slaps | Sounds amazing (esp. music) | “This song slaps!” |
| Dead / I’m dead | Hilarious, can’t stop laughing | “That joke? I’m dead 😂.” |
🧠 Teach It with Purpose
Don’t just throw these words on a slide. Here’s how to make them stick:
1. Context First
❌ Not: “Cap = lie.”
✅ Instead:
- “He said he finished in 5 minutes. That’s cap.”
- Ask: Is that realistic? What’s another way to say this?
2. Dialogue Practice
Let them build short, playful dialogues:
A: “That movie slapped.”
B: “No cap! I was vibing the whole time.”
C: “You’re so delulu if you think he’ll text you back.”
3. Formal vs. Informal Sorting
Let them match slang with its formal equivalent:
| Slang | Formal |
|---|---|
| “I’m dead” | “That was hilarious.” |
| “Lowkey tired” | “A little tired.” |
| “W” | “Success” |
4. Slang Diary
Let students keep a “TikTok English” diary.
They write down one word a day with:
- An example
- A meme/video where they heard it
- A sentence they made themselves
❗What to Watch Out For
- ✅ Teach register: Explain that slang is usually informal and may not be appropriate in emails or exams.
- ⚠️ Cultural sensitivity: Some slang comes from AAVE or specific communities. Don’t decontextualize or mock it.
- 🚫 Don’t fake it: You don’t need to act like a Gen Z influencer. Just guide the learning.
📎 Ready-to-Use Task Idea
Slang Speed Dating
- Each student gets a slang word.
- They must explain it + give an example in under 30 seconds.
- Then rotate to another partner and swap words.
- End with: “Which slang was your favorite, and why?”
✨ Final Thought: Slang Is the Language of Now
If students are already hearing it, use it. If they’re using it, teach it right.
Instead of resisting TikTok English, lean in. Help your students understand:
- How it works,
- Where it fits,
- And when not to use it.
That’s what true fluency looks like.
Creative English With Alpcan 