It's Children's Day today in Russia, and I'm reminded of the time when I taught preschoolers and first graders back in China for as long as 3 years. Whenever I mention it, I keep getting the same reaction. "Oh, it must have been the best time of your life! Kids are so cute!" It sounds almost like a statement because who in their right mind doesn't enjoy being around those little cuties? But my reply always hits them like a bolt from the blue. "You know it actually was the worst time in my teaching career. I'll never ever teach children again". Now, while my partner is recovering from shock, let me clue you in on why I think so.
1. When you teach kids, teaching is pushed into the background by classroom management, which distracts you and drains your energy. I like to focus on my area of expertise, which is teaching, not discipline.
2. Your English inevitably gets rusty. What kind of language do you deal with on a daily basis when you teach advanced students? "The lilies were scattered thinly around the lake. We didn't manage to come close, but the aroma must have been fantastic" (from a conversation with my student today). When you teach kids? "Baby shark doo doo doo doo". The only skill you can enhance in this setting is methodology, i.e. how to be a better entertainer. As for language skills, there's not even enough motivation to hone them. You wouldn't talk about supernova explosions with kids anyway, would you?
3. It's a popular misconception that fun and games are reserved for kids only while adult classes are academic, boring and uninspiring. Actually, working with adults can be even more fun because they also enjoy games and they can be highly creative and imaginative. Not a single lesson goes by without me and my students cracking each other up.
Does it mean that I didn't enjoy working with kids? Not at all! It was so much fun goofing around with them or making this 'love sandwich'. I love playing with kids. But when it comes to teaching, I choose adults. Hope you and your kids have inspiring teachers and fun lessons!
