Many teachers often ask me "Which one suits me better? Teach adults or children?"
If you have the some doubt and can't seem to wrap your head around it. Here are four differences between teaching adults and children for you to ponder on:
1. Adults are able to use their native language to understand English while children might need further explanations. For example, teaching adult about vocabulary most of the time once the teacher provides them with the corresponded meaning (in student’s native language,) they understand the vocabulary. However, when teaching children, it requires more than corresponded meanings, sometimes teacher has to go further into the details explaining and making examples.
2. Adult students often ask to be included into materials, teaching style selection process.
3. “Pride might often interference with learning,” according to my TESOL Tutoring Specialization Manu. Therefore it’s very important to constantly offer encouragement especially to your adult students. Otherwise, adult might easily feel demeaning and lack of confidence.
4. Children often require more motivation for classes since they might be asked to be in the class. On the other hand, adults are usually more motivate since they usually initiate the class.
