Korean Job Discussion Forums

[lolacatessan]

what are the differences between teaching young kids and teaching adults?

[Yu_Bum_suk]

Constant screaming versus constant perplexion.

[la belle fille]

[ttompatz]

[lolacatessan]

[shetan]

Well it really depends on your work situation.

I worked in both a Kindy and a Uni... Kindy is usually tidy, casual... but in my Uni I wear the same clothes... nice jeans and a shirt... some days tshirt and ripped jeans!!

Although... all the other teachers opt for suits... It really depends where your working and if you plan to progress there...

I find its mixed...kids material is easier... but explaing grammar rules is harder with their lack of English.. Uni and adults often know all the grammar they need.. so dont ask so many questions... but.. if they do, its usually speaking related.

Kids are often more fun and lighthearted but it can be harder keeping them entertained... where adults more quiet and serious and usually more self motivated....... often just discussion groups and workbook..

So it depends on you.. if you like having fun and playing around... kids are great... if you want to be able to have a discussion and possibly build friendships.. adults may be the way to go...

hope my rambling was of some help!

[lolacatessan]

[bnrockin]

Allow me to keep you from getting your hopes up right now as I wish someone had done for me earlier:

With Adults, unless you are working in a uni, you will more than likely be working split shifts- usually something like 6-10 in the morning and then another 6-10 or 11 at night.

Adults are fun in that they have more experiences to talk about and you can expect them to have a better vocabulary (not always though: it's common to meet couples who's kid speaks better English than they do!).

I'm not giving up on adults yet though. I'm hoping to find some sort of Hagwon in Shin Chon that is for college students or something. It might just be wishful thinking and it might not even exist. If not, then I'll just teach the kids. I've determined it's better to have a life (i.e.-no split shifts) and getting your 2nd or third choice in teaching than teaching those who you prefer but feeling dead and not getting to have fun in Korea.

Just my 2 cents.

[lolacatessan]

Hey thanks! I don't think I would enjoy split-shifts either We'll most likely teach kids if we go.

[venus]

For me, working with adults was A DREAM compared to working with kids.

They don't missbehave.

They are paying to be there, so MOST try their best to be polite and study / do homeworkk etc.

I made friends with a lot of my adult students and often went out for beers and food and small trips with them.

The only downside imo is the split shifts.

If you use the break in between to sleep or do something constructive, it's not too bad and you can get used to it.

Bear in mind when I did it I was a young single guy who shared an apt with a friend so got drunk every night after work anyway so it was kinda fun and lived mostly for the weekends anyhow... I'd take adult split shifts any day of the week over ever again teaching rude, idiotic brats who you're not able or allowed to discipline at a hakwan. Never again. Never.

[lolacatessan]

[venus]

[SuperHero]

kids = satan

adults easy and fun.

[lolacatessan]

[lolacatessan]