I Don’t Like Kids, Can I Still Find Teaching Work?
|
|
Some people just don’t get along with children – it’s a fact. And if you’re one of them, the idea of teaching abroad might not be so tempting. But don’t worry, a love of children isn’t necessary to have a fun and rewarding teaching placement…
Working with kids could be better than you think
I know, I know – you don’t like kids, but what if you gave it a chance? Children are without a doubt the most rewarding people to teach. They’re enthusiastic, quick to learn and really keen on games – which makes teaching that little bit more entertaining. And if you’re teaching kids, you’ll have a lot more jobs to choose from, which makes securing a position much easier. It might not be for you, but it’s worth bearing in mind.
You can always teach adults
Children aren’t the only people who need English language skills. So if you don’t want to teach kids, you really don’t have to. Adult language schools are available all over the world and if you’re looking for this type of work, they’re the best place to start. Alternatively, you could apply for an adult teaching position in a language school that offers lessons to both children and adults. You’ll probably find it a little more difficult to get work, but with a little time and effort, you should be able to secure a position.
The job itself is pretty much the same. You’ll still be preparing and giving lessons, just the audience will be different. A lot of the adults you’ll be teaching will be learning English for the first time. So you’ll have to cover the same topics – including English grammar, reading, writing, speaking and listening. But remember, it’s more difficult for older students to pick up a new language than children, so you’ll have to be patient.
Teaching business English
One of the reasons English language skills are in such high demand is their use in business. So don’t be surprised if your students are after very specific skills. Many adult language schools offer lessons specifically for students looking to develop business English skills. So you’ll need to swot up on business vocabulary before you start teaching.
Marketing, tourism, finance – you name it, your students will be doing it. Luckily, you don’t have to be an expert in all these areas. If you happen to have a qualification in business, then that’s great, but you certainly don’t need one. You will, however, need to put your lessons into a business context. This is easier than it sounds and you can get specialist books to help you do it. Take a look at the Books to consider section for a couple of recommendations.
You might also want to consider getting a specialist qualification in Business English. This will help you prepare for everything your new job has to throw at you – and it’ll look great on your CV. Remember, finding adult teaching positions isn’t as easy as finding conventional positions – you’ll be competing with teachers who are happy to teach children or adults, so an extra qualification can come in really handy.
Honor Baldry – Online TEFL courses with over 20,000 course graduates each year, international accreditation and certification recognised by schools worldwide. To Teach English abroad is the perfect opportunity for any English speaker to explore the world and immerse themselves in new cultures. Whether you’re a trained teacher or a complete beginner, a TEFL qualification is your ticket for the journey of your life
Looking For More Information?
Make sure to explore other articles in the Education category or contact us to suggest a website or a service to review.
|
|
