when I first taught

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "when I first taught" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to the initial experience or moment of teaching something to someone. Example: "When I first taught my students about algebra, I was surprised by their enthusiasm."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

When I first taught this, the kids were completely lost.

The New York Times

"When I first taught at Oxford, I was considered very common for insisting I be called Dr Eagleton," he says.

The Guardian

When I first taught History of Religions at a women's college, it quickly became obvious that these undergraduates had learned to loathe their women's bodies and they were very skeptical about religions that celebrated women's bodies and fertility.

Huffington Post

When I first taught trans medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine in 2009 there was a sense that I was the odd one out, tacked onto the discussion of gay and lesbian health, which itself was relatively new.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

When I first started teaching history as a New York City Teaching Fellow more than ten years ago, I walked in ready to give my high school students the same kind of education I had received at an elite private school in the Boston suburbs, rooted in reading, talking and writing about history. .

Huffington Post

When I first started teaching at San Diego City College in 2008, an institution where I have taught Futures Studies, Peace Studies, International Relations, Comparative Politics and Gender Studies, I lectured the entirety of most class meetings.

European Journal of Futures Research

When I first began teaching, shortly after I'd begun my PhD, I was asked to take on the entire teaching load of one of the department's senior members of staff, who was off on a research sabbatical.

The Guardian

I was really inspired by my headteacher when I first started teaching.

The Guardian

When I first started teaching here it was a failing school, but we are now rated as outstanding.

The Guardian - Opinion

I had a student laugh in my face when I told him I was the tutor when I first started teaching.

The Guardian

When I first started teaching in my current institution, a decade or so ago, I was impressed by the diversity of students in lectures.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "when I first taught" to introduce a contrast between your initial expectations or methods and your current understanding or approach. This highlights your growth and learning as an educator.

Common error

Ensure you're using "taught", the past tense of 'teach', and not "thought", which means 'an idea or opinion'. "When I first taught" refers to a past action of instructing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "when I first taught" functions as an adverbial clause of time, setting the context for a past event or experience. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. It introduces a specific point in the past related to the speaker's initial teaching experience.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "when I first taught" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to introduce a past experience related to teaching. As Ludwig AI indicates, it’s usable in a variety of contexts. The phrase is prevalent in "News & Media" and "Science" sources. While generally neutral in tone, it can be adapted to be more formal or informal depending on the specific vocabulary choices. Remember to use "taught" (past tense of 'teach') and not "thought" (an idea). Effective use of "when I first taught" involves contrasting initial experiences with current perspectives to highlight growth and learning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

upon my initial teaching experience

Formalizes the expression, replacing 'when' with 'upon' and rephrasing 'I first taught' as 'my initial teaching experience'.

at the beginning of my teaching career

Focuses on the start of a teaching career rather than a specific instance of teaching.

when I began my teaching journey

Replaces 'first taught' with a more metaphorical 'began my teaching journey'.

in my early days of teaching

Generalizes the timeframe to the 'early days' instead of a specific 'first' instance.

during my initial teaching period

Replaces "when" with "during" and rephrases "first taught" as "initial teaching period."

as a novice teacher

Implies the 'first teaching' experience by referring to oneself as a 'novice teacher'.

my first time instructing

Substitutes "taught" with "instructing" and emphasizes it being a 'first time' experience.

in my inaugural teaching session

Replaces "when" with "in" and substitutes "first taught" with "inaugural teaching session" for a more formal tone.

as I embarked on my teaching career

Replaces 'when' with 'as' and uses a more narrative phrase 'embarked on my teaching career'.

upon entering the teaching profession

Shifts focus to entering the profession rather than a specific teaching instance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "when I first taught" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you could use phrases like "upon my initial teaching experience" or "during my initial teaching period". These options /s/upon+my+initial+teaching+experience and /s/during+my+initial+teaching+period are suitable for academic or professional contexts.

What's a common mistake to avoid when using "when I first taught"?

A frequent error is confusing "taught" (past tense of teach) with "thought" (an idea). Always double-check your spelling to ensure you're conveying the correct meaning.

What are some less formal alternatives to "when I first taught"?

Informal options include "when I started teaching" or "back when I first began teaching". These alternatives /s/when+I+started+teaching and /s/back+when+I+first+began+teaching are suitable for casual conversations or blog posts.

Is it better to say "when I first taught" or "when I began teaching"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "when I first taught" emphasizes a specific, initial instance, while "when I began teaching" refers to a more general starting period. The best choice depends on the specific context.