Job Discussion Forums

Ria · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 34

I am in the (very long!) process of researching everything efl/esl, trying to make informed decisions and choose the path that's right for me. I really haven't a clue whether I would prefer teaching adults or children, and wonder if that will or should affect how I proceed. So, with the wide range of experiences all of you have, I'd like to know...

How many of you are teaching children? How many are teaching adults?
If you have taught both, which do you prefer? Why?
What do you love/hate about the age group you teach?
What are the particular challenges/rewards regarding that group?
What about experiences in esl vs. efl, regarding children or adults?

With a classroom of children my biggest fears are: chaos, discipline and ridicule! With adults, my fears are that the students will either fall asleep or be two (or 3 or 4) steps ahead of me! I'd like to know how any of you found the right "match". Thanks in advance for any responses!

denise · Joined: 23 Apr 2003 Posts: 3419 Location: finally home-ish

Ria,

Your preferences could well make a difference in terms of where you go. Many/most jobs in Asia involve at least some children's classes (if not primarily/exclusively children's classes).

I followed a hunch and tried to settle with the age group that appealed to me the most--young adults (18-20 years). I was lucky enough to find a position with that age group, and I am quite happy now--despite my students' occasional catatonia. This age group excites me because they're old enough, theoretically, to be moving on, deciding on career paths, getting involved in the world, etc., but still young enough to be... ??? kids? A good mixture.

I've taught adults also, and I've enjoyed those classes, too. I found that, while they were of course mature, respectful, etc., they also enjoyed games (not the types of games that you'd probably play with kids, but more communicative games).

I have subbed children's classes, and I did not enjoy them--no surprises there, as I don't really have a kid-oriented personality and don't really know what to do with them outside the classroom either.

I guess my advice would be go with your instincts--if you enjoy being around children, you may enjoy teaching them, too. If not, go for the older crowds.

d

lajzar · Joined: 09 Feb 2003 Posts: 647 Location: Saitama-ken, Japan

You know, I thought I'd hate teaching children originally, and I wanted only to teach adults.

Now? I teach mostly 5-11 year olds, and I love it. It helps that I have some very good resource materials and lots of support though.

I'd still like to have older students though, but more for socialisation than for work.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

cabbagehead · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 46 Location: Japan

Why the v? I enjoy teaching the range. I do from 4 up to whatever age and it makes for a great amount of variety.

Today for example I taught a group of housewives in the afternoon before switching to first graders and then sixth graders before coming down a gear or two and teaching a private class to a doctor at advanced level.

Now on even the worst day I have, there is usually one class in there that I feel goes pretty well.

Roger · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 9138

Teachers have to be mature people, to be able to relate to their learners, to empathise when necessary, and to lead when necessary. Which age group suits you best - it depends to a large extent on your own personality and your own age!

My first illusion was shattered when I was teaching in a college. Although the students were well-behaved, I found them wanting in intellectual verve and curiosity. N wonder - they had been conditioned by their Chinese upbringing so much that they had been seriously damaged. Most of us complain about their passivity, but that was not the biggest problem. My biggest issue with them was the tendency of always deluding themselves and trying to delude me - "hard-working"? Yes, if you count the actual numbers they wasted sitting in classrooms (under coercion!). No, if you checked on their output (always extremely minimal!). They would never read up on the text we were discussing in English literature, and they would complain "it is so difficult...".
That experience taught me how unrealistic grown-up Chinese are - misleading themselves about how much the young generation cares about education per se! It can't be different - because they have to memorise such tidbits as "I love my school...my teacher...my motherland...Deng Xiaoping..." There is nothing from their hearts, really.
And so, no wonder many adults are very disappointing too. they are so inured to their time-worn learning habits they can't cope with more enlightened approaches. Their only motivation is to be seen to be doing what anybody else is doing - if their colleagues join an English class, they do so for conformist reasons, and because the company pays.
The self-paying students are a different kind, of course. I found some of them extremely admirable! I have personally been involved in lifting their skills to a level that enabled them to go abroad for further studies.

From these insights I derived the conclusion it might be best to teach at preschool level.
My first kindergarten school was a shock to me, though - it came unexpectedly, and I was ill-prepared. (The recruiter was acting on behalf of a middle-school, and passing me on to a kindergarten!).
However, it was plain sailing in class there from day one! I enjoyed my work a lot better, as I knew what not to do, which was avoiding activities and a teaching style that I simply call "Chinese teaching".
I had to learn virtually all my ropes, but I fared extremely well, and my experience proved my every thought about China's teaching correct.
I had to break a few rules - for instance, I would not allow anyone to translate for my kids, and I would teach them the ABC in spite of an official ban from on high! In the end, the kids were so well-motivated that I can safely say they learnt more good English in that one yar than most primary school kids learn in 4 years!

Currently, I am teaching in a women's college, and I am enjoying my work, though not as much as I did working in that kindergarten.

Ria · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 34

Thanks to those who have responded thus far! It's been interesting to read about your experiences, etc. I was very encouraged to learn that most of you have had the opportunity to teach both children and adults. I'm hoping to have the chance to try both as well, and go from there (in terms of deciding which I prefer). In otherwords, I feel relieved that I won't necessarily have to make this decision BEFORE I begin teaching! I have my own "hunches" as to what I may enjoy, but overall I agree with cabbagehead, and think that variety might be the ticket!

nomadder · Posted: Fri Sep 26, 2003 1:06 am Post subject:

Variety is good and you will be able to figure out what level you like best as said. I agree with Roger. I had very similar experiences except in Japan-an Asian thing.

voodoochild · Joined: 04 Apr 2003 Posts: 80

I have always taught adults and specialize in Business English, the idea of teaching kids does not appeal to me one bit, no motivation to learn, always messing about , screaming etc.....too much work

cabbagehead · Joined: 22 Sep 2003 Posts: 46 Location: Japan

biffinbridge · Joined: 05 May 2003 Posts: 701 Location: Frank's Wild Years

Peronally I prefer teaching adults because at higher levels you can have some really interesting discussions in your freer activities and they also understand things a lot quicker.Teenagers are ok but at the end of the day they are hormonal,can be moody etc etc.Young learners are a lot of fun and the beauty of teaching them lies within the fact that you don't have to 'deconstruct' them.They haven't had time to acquire bad habits in their language learning and acquisition and they are mad for games and role plays,( areas where some adults have inhibitions).The downside is that they might make fun of each other,you have to do things again and again and again and they occasionally do things like wet themselves.A lot of schools prefer their female teachers to teach the young learners so the choice might not even be yours.Furthermore a lot of schools will try and get you to teach 3 and 4 year olds who can't even read and write in their own languages...something for which a CELTA does not prepare you in any way.Stick with adults...your life will be easier.

Ria · Joined: 02 Apr 2003 Posts: 34

Thank you biffenbridge--personally, when I initially 'dreamed' of becoming an ESL teacher, I thought adults were the way to go, but have been swayed by ideas of fun fun fun with tots and like. It also seems like it would be easier getting a first-time job with that age group. However, I think that if I wish to do DELTA or Masters that adults would be more appropriate. Yet, I still consider K-12 (like to keep options open) especially when thinking of returning to my home country (Canada) in long run. But not sure how I would handle kids wetting selves (!). Nor being stereotypical female-young-learners-teacher. Does anyone have any advice/thoughts? Also, would like to hear from anyone who has CELTYL certificate. Is it worth it? There seems to be so few places that offer it.

kattie72 · Joined: 31 Oct 2003 Posts: 49

"cabbagehead" said I enjoy teaching the range. I do from 4 up to whatever age and it makes for a great amount of variety.

Yes, variety is definitely the way to go, in my opinion. Today I'll have a kiddies class, an advanced class (mostly in their 30's, all young professionals), an intermediate class where they are nearly all in their 20's and a level 1 (complete beginner) class, of mixed age (adults). It makes for a fun, if demanding day.

donfan · Joined: 31 Aug 2003 Posts: 217

I enjoy teaching a mixture of both age groups. In Taiwan I was teaching pre-school during the day and adults in the evenings and on weekends. In Russia I was teaching a mixture of adult and children classes. There are advantages and disadvantages of both. I don't really have a preference.

MindTraveller · Joined: 13 Mar 2003 Posts: 89 Location: Oman

Mostly I've taught university level students (in the USA and overseas), but wanted to teach children, under the age of 12. When I had the opportunity to do that in Korea, with classes of 12 or less, it was a joy! It still remains one of my better memories of teaching.

One reason is that kids before the age of 12 can soak up a language naturally because their brains are wired to do so.

Teaching high school in Cairo, Egypt, I learned I just could not handle high school emotions. Just too wild for me, and having six sisters and been to an all-girls' high school, I can't teach mixed high school students.

I'm teaching at a college now (but it's actually more like a high-school level), all girls. Being a woman, I prefer teaching all girls.

I don't like teaching adults because they can be so critical and question 'Why?' all the time (like I did when studying French!). Children are more receptive to ANY kind of teaching. Sometimes, I consider returning to Korea to teach kids, just so I can remember what's it like to enjoy teaching.

Fortunately, of 235 students this semester, I have a class of 27 motivated students. THAT makes a difference.