Teaching adults

[Yikers]

I’m an Early years teacher, but have taught up to age 13
I live abroad and up until Dd was born, I taught English to children at a pre school.
I took some time out to be with Dd. My old boss has now asked if I’d come back (not to teach the little ones, that post was taken over when I chose to be at home for a bit and that’s fine) but to teach English to the staff 😬 So a couple of evenings teaching English to around 25 of my old colleagues.
She’s offered great pay and it works around Dd, but I just feel sick at the thought of it. I’ve never taught adults and just don’t think I’ve the confidence, has anyone else ever taught adults, especially after being used to teaching children? Or been in a similar position or think I should/shouldn’t do it?

So teaching English as a Foreign Language to your old colleagues? What level are they?

Oh I much prefer it! But I could never teach anyone under secondary.

Lots of conversation classes and they tend to share opinions and teach you things too.

@twangyhairband Yes, some speak English but not to a great standard, others not much at all

I teach adults and love it. You won't have to worry about discipline and can just focus on providing intellectually stimulating activities. Go for it!

@PersephoneJames It’s a whole different ball game to me, where to even begin 🤷🏻‍♀️
I feel after so many years aiming at such a young age, I can’t possibly do it

@StrongerOrWeaker But where to begin with teaching English to adults?

Do you have any idea of their level? Then maybe we can help point you to some materials/starting points

has anyone else ever taught adults, especially after being used to teaching children?

Yes, and I enjoy it. But I don’t think you should do it because, a) it makes you feel sick and b) you don’t seem to have any Esol knowledge.

Do you usually teach English? Or a different language?
Just adapt your lessons accordingly but with a greater use of pop culture material.

If you're not teaching languages usually then I can see why you'd feel sick about it. That's a big ask.

If some are intermediate while others are elementary level, that could be a very challenging class to teach, particularly if you have no experience. I'd try to at least split them into a more confident and less confident group, or what you might find is that the stronger ones get bored and / or the weaker ones get put off as they don't understand the class.

What are their learning aims? Why do they want to develop their English? How will they use it?

There's also the power dynamics of you teaching colleagues, which could make things awkward. Can you reframe it as you facilitating peer-led CPD sessions with small same-level (or self-assessed same level, which isn't the same thing) working on different aspects of English in each lesson?

I used to teach primary and now teach ESOL and Entry English to adults. I much prefer teaching adults. No need for any performance to get them engaged, barely any behaviour issues, no parents to answer to. It's easy to level with adults and the conversations are much more interesting.
It might be worth seeing if your employer can support you getting a CELTA qualification. If this isn't possible the British Council do some short courses that might build your confidence. The British Council website is also good for lesson ideas. Try Excellence Gateway as well.
Have to say I'm still a bit confused about who you're teaching and why.

@MacMahon I do, but not with adults. I’m basically a British teacher living abroad who has taught in International schools and a pre school. I happily admit I have no experience in this field with adults, my boss knows this but is still keen for me to accept the post

@PersephoneJames They’re all fairly mixed levels , from what I remember, I don’t have specifics yet, only from my knowledge of working with them.

Did your esol course not have any adult content? Could just be a case of brushing up?

I’d say the majority are basic/beginners level, a few intermediate

@3scape I’ve basically taught in International schools teaching the British national curriculum, but taught English to the pre school children

@twangyhairband They want to develop their English for within the workplace, they have many International children attending and lots of the staff don’t feel confident/comfortable speaking English. The owner of the establishment believes they need to be speaking more English now.
It will be on two separate evenings, so the staff will be spilt into two groups, I'm assuming this can be by ability/level

I think a huge factor for me is it being with my colleagues, well ex colleagues, who, whilst all very nice, it just feels a little uncomfortable to me

I used to teach Adult education and Further education and I loved it. As someone at work said, " whatever they know, you know more". I really enjoyed it. Can you make it part conversation and part written. Choose a different topic each week related to their interests or work. They won't know you're nervous so just go for it

I teach adults. You will need to be really well prepared and plan some interesting and useful sessions - make it interactive and enjoyable- set some homework - use their time well. In all honesty if you have to ask advice about this on MN - don't do it.

Yes, I think it’s too far out of my comfort zone

@deste I agree - you will learn a lot from others. You need to be honest too about your lack of experience, and show your willingness to be flexible and learn from your peers. Being meticulously prepared is usually looked upon favourably.

If you have experience of teaching the English national curriculum to YLs, you will need to take a very different approach. You may find it helpful to make it more negotiated, student-centred and task-based, with a greater emphasis on practical skills. You can ask colleagues to identify their needs and relevant materials, eg dealing with a complaint, report writing, with language work integrated and incidental, although that can be hard if you lack experience. Classroom management will be less of an issue although if you have 25 teachers in a room, getting them to shut up and listen can be tricky!

Teaching adults is great. But, as you are thankfully aware, teaching English as a foreign language to adults is very different to teaching younger learners the British National curriculum in an international school. There are so many very well trained and experienced teachers who specialise in ELT to adults so I get a bit frustrated when employers think anyone who speaks English can do it. It's a disservice to the students.
Anyway, rant over, if you do go ahead with it there are a wealth of resources online to support you, for example
elt.oup.com/teachersclub/courses/teachingadults/?cc=gb&selLanguage=en

www.onestopenglish.com/

@laalaaland I’m very flattered the owner would like it to be me, she’s well aware of my specialism and reluctance, but says she’d prefer someone with the Early years background/knowledge for this. It makes sense considering the field we’re all working in, I just don’t have the balls to do it! Too far out of my comfort zone

@laalaaland My employer doesn’t think ‘Anyone who speaks English can do it’ I’m a qualified and experienced teacher and did previously work for her

Op, put it this way, if I were one of the group of ex colleagues, I’d be glad it were you that was trying to teach me, rather than an stranger.
I would guess that you will have a greater understanding of the set up, and have some ideas of the personalities of some of the class.
If the person who is offering you the position is very keen for you to be first choice, then take it that they have seen certain qualities in your teaching style that would transfer perfectly to teaching this particular set of students.
It may feel like an impossible challenge right now, as you’ve not long known about the offer.
Maybe you’d regret it big time if you stood down.
I would like to be taught by a person that had formerly taught children, as I would think that your understanding and patience would be optimal.
Have faith in yourself and go for it. The person offering you the job wouldn’t risk it if it didn’t benefit the class.