This may be a tough question for you, but I’m pretty sure you all have a favourite. Or at least, at times, you do. The options are, of course: children, teenagers and adults; and even our course of studies draws a fundamental difference between the groups. If you ask me, in this one, just like in many other aspects of life, I always prefer learning about something, as well as observing it in action, before jumping to conclusions. And that’s what I’ve done. So now, I can say I’ve made up my mind… partially.
If there’s one thing that’s clear in my head is that the last place on my ranking is indisputably occupied by teenagers. There was one year in which both of the groups I was teaching to were 2nd Adol. I have to admit that I sometimes miss them (just a little bit) and think about what their lives may be like now, but I really don’t want to go back to them. It’s not that they were the most hateful human beings on earth; they were actually pretty nice people to surround yourself with. The problem there was me. I can’t help feeling close to students, and making them feel they can trust me and that we can even be friends. And I’m afraid that that’s a huge mistake to make around adolescents. Once they see you as their friend, you’re no longer the authority within the classroom.
Since last year, I’ve been in front of a group of adults, and let me tell you I’ve never felt more comfortable. I think that the main reason why I immensely enjoy working with them is because, in that context, I see the process of teaching as pure as it can be. I mean, I rack my brains trying to find the best way of making vocabulary memorable for them, and of leaving no doubts as regards a grammar topic. The obstacles are the difficulties the students may encounter when dealing with grammatical points. But that, for me, is natural, is implied in the literal meaning of “teaching”. The pragmatic aspect of the word shows us, teachers, having to ask our students to be quiet, pay attention, do the homework, and so on and so forth. Adults are part of our classes because they want to, or need to. If they don’t fulfill their responsibilities it’s their problem, not mine. So, when I’m teaching English to my adults, I don’t see myself as the authority; I let myself be and become a friend helping other friends to learn.
Children are, IMO, the most challenging students one can be faced with. I’ve also been working with the same group since last year, and I cannot beat the constant fear I have whenever I have to teach a tense. I’m so afraid of making one little mistake that can never be erased. Of course it is incredibly rewarding when I see them producing correct sentences, but I always feel I could have done more. The other negative aspect of teaching them is their misbehavior. But just when I think I can’t take it anymore, they make me laugh. Sometimes I find myself laughing so hard that I can’t even speak to scold them. It’s an amazing feeling.
To conclude, I’d like to share with you two forums (eslHQ, abrsm) I’ve found in which the question in the title is discussed. There are some very interesting opinions. And there was one phrase about children turning into adolescents that, I think, is great:
“Once they turn 13 or so, as the enthusiasm begins to lose out to self-consciousness, my interest begins to wane as well. Plus it's not longer funny if I act like a goof. ”
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