My Kid Hates English Class – How Can I Help?

If you’ve ever heard your child say, “I hate English,” or “Why do I even need to learn this stuff?” you are not alone. For many student-athletes, English class (or History… or Math…) can feel completely disconnected from the sports they love.

But here’s the truth: those classroom skills your child is trying to avoid?  They are the very same skills that could set them apart, on and off the field.

As parents, we want our kids to succeed in life, not just in sports.

We want them to communicate with confidence, advocate for themselves, and have options whether that’s in athletics, academics, or their career down the road.

And believe it or not, that foundation often starts in the classroom. Especially in English.

Here's why English class matters more than your child might think:

• Playbooks are written. Athletes need to read and understand them — quickly.

• Recruiters talk. Athletes need to speak confidently in interviews and conversations.

• Applications are written. From high school to college to scholarships, they’ll need to write essays that stand out.

• Life demands communication with coaches, teammates, teachers, and eventually, bosses and clients.

  
  

If your child can learn to express themselves clearly both in writing and in conversation they will gain a huge edge over the competition.

Sports are mental just as much as physical.

Professional athletes sit in classroom-style meetings daily. They’re expected to learn and retain information, memorize plays, analyze performance, and communicate clearly with a team of people from coaches to trainers to media reps. The athletes who can’t do that? They’re not starting. In fact, they may not even make the roster.

The reality is this: the ability to learn quickly, focus, follow through, and communicate well is what separates the average from the elite in any field.

So what can we do as parents?

If you can say "my kid hates English class" here are some ways you can help. We don’t have to lecture or nag. Instead, we can lead through connection. Here are a few simple ways to help shift your student’s mindset at home:

1. Talk Like a Coach

Ask them how they would feel if a teammate didn’t know the plays or didn’t listen in practice. Then connect that back to the classroom:

“Learning in school is just like learning on the field — the more you understand the game, the better you play.”

2. Show the Real-World Payoff

Point out how writing and communication show up in real life:

• Athletes giving post-game interviews

• College recruiting emails

• Writing to a coach or trainer

  
  

“If you can write or speak with confidence, you’ll stand out in the best way possible.”

3. Praise Effort Over Outcome

When they do well on an assignment, focus on effort, focus, and improvement — not just the grade. That’s what coaches do, too.

4. Create Low-Stress Writing Opportunities

Let them keep a journal, write a blog about their sport, or even post thoughtful captions on social media. The goal is to build confidence in their voice.

5. Reframe “School Talk”

Instead of asking, “How was school?” — try:

• “What did you learn today that could help you in sports?”

• “Was there anything tough today that helped you grow?”

  
  

6. Connect School Goals to Sport Dreams

Help them see school as part of their journey, not separate from it. Want to play in college? Want to lead a team? Want to run a business someday? It all starts with learning to communicate.Their English teacher isn’t just assigning essays.  They’re helping your child build the communication tools they'll need to advocate for themselves, grow as a leader, and chase their biggest dreams.

Final thought:

So the next time your child groans about English class or questions the point of school, remind them — and yourself — that these are more than just academic exercises. They are life reps. The ability to read, write, think critically, and communicate clearly will serve them far beyond the classroom. Whether it’s understanding a playbook, standing out in a college interview, leading a team, or seizing opportunities off the field, these skills are the foundation.

As parents, we have the power to shift the narrative at home — to show our kids that school isn't separate from their goals, it’s part of the game plan. And when they begin to see learning as training for life, they’ll stop just getting through class — and start rising through it.  Because when your child can speak well, write well, and think critically —they’ll never sit on the sidelines of life.