Job Discussion Forums

[jramirez]

Hi everyone,

I am currently a student teacher and I have taught so far elementary school. I find it challenging to teach middle school and high school because some students are not motivated at times. I was wondering if anyone here has worked more with adults. What has your experience been like?

[spiral78]

I prefer university and adult students.
Both have stronger motivation than children, and I prefer to relate on an equal basis with other responsible adults.

But I'm not a big fan of children as a species in any case...though there are a few individual kids in the world whom I happen to totally enjoy, as specific humans whom I really like.

[Madame J]

I prefer young children to adults, but I would take either of these over high school. From what I've heard, teenagers are by far the most difficult group to motivate.

My only experience with adults has been on my CELTA, but I enjoyed it far more than I'd anticipated. However, I still prefer kids. I'm naturally quite an energetic person with a strong sense of the ridiculous, so being in a play oriented teaching environment suits me down to the ground.

I have to say, I'm not entirely sure I know what middle school is? When I say I prefer elementary, I'm thinking of ages 4-11ish, and I think of "high school" as being 11-18ish. I might enjoy teaching middle school if I lived in a country in which such a system exists, but at present it's pretty alien to me.

[fluffyhamster]

I don't really mind who I teach, as long as I'm given plenty of freedom to choose or create more interesting or appropriate materials and methods (set textbooks can be handy, but...), and the students are reasonably polite/not too rude (rude students should be shown the door by not only teachers but bosses too). That being said, kids IMHO really need a few years of elementary schooling in their L1 before they are capable of much in L1 let alone L2, and languages shouldn't be compulsory at middle/junior/secondary level (or if they are, they should be better/more imaginatively and engagingly taught - is it any wonder otherwise that student motivation can be low!). The most motivated students are generally going to be those who have elected (rather than been forced) to study a language, but unfortunately it isn't uncommon to find language school or university students who show little interest in, and therefore little apparent aptitude for, the language they are meant to be studying. (It is debatable if this is due to perceived deficiencies in teacher and/or method and consequent lack of respect, but one thing I do believe is that truly motivated students should be able to reach a reasonable level in a foreign language by themselves, simply by studying self-study/bilingual courses, and referring to dictionaries and grammars - conversing with a native speaker is the icing on the cake, with the proof of that pudding in the eating).

Bear in mind that I have mainly taught EFL in Japan, and China.

I imagine that MFL teaching in state schools in one's home country (for me, the UK) could be rewarding, but one would be much more aware (or made aware!) of the politics and politicking involved, which could get tiring. But the better pay (relative to TES(O)L and certainly TEFL) might make up for that.

[naturegirl321]

I prefer either little ones, or bigger ones. But it depends on the culture. Middle school ASian kids are nothing like middle school Peruvians.

As far as motivation, I've seen it lacking here in Peru. Personally, teaching little kids, like 3 to 5 is easier in a way, they pick up the language SO fast.

[naturegirl321]

[Shonai Ben]

adults........more motivated and no discipline problems.......they also buy me beer.......

[fluffyhamster]

[MELEE]

I voted preschool, because I found that experience both fun and rewarding, but I've worked most of my professional life teaching university because it's more finacially rewarding.


Fluffy, your questions will lead this thread off topic, but WTH!
I started learning Spanish in highschool. I had teachers who made it fun and low pressure. I enjoyed it and did well, got to what I'd call a B1 (PET) level. And because I enjoyed it, majored in it in University. Learned some more formally, but then studied abroad. Learned TONS informally immersed in the language. Eventually married a Spanish speaker and learn WAY more, now would be at a Cambridge Proficency level in the language and sometimes have trouble using English. Certainly the places I really learned the language was without formal instruction. But the early formal instruction is what got me to the place both in language skills and in motivation to allow me to fly into it on my own.

I also studied Portuguese formally, and now can read a bit thanks to it's close realtionship to Spanish, can't speak it worth a hoot, haven't had the cause to try in over a decade. (Since leaving Japan, I actually used my Portuguese in Japan).
I learned some Japanese informally, but lacked the motivation to go beyond ordering in a restaurant, asking for directions and polite small talk.

[naturegirl321]

[rmcdougall]

Late teens to young adults has been, by far, my most rewarding teaching experience.

[coledavis]

Adults. It's easier to start discussions when you can use current affairs, etc.