ESL Lesson Plan

Michelle

I guess you are 32 years of age.

The problem with older teachers is that they have done it all before and so they are bored and boring and they just don't have the energy to put up with all the nonsense they get from students.

True, the older teacher will have the experience but the younger person will be full of enthusiasm and energy and will still be going when the old teacher's batteries have run out. The old teacher's role is mainly advisory and maybe standing in for a class or two in emergencies

I feel a little sorry for kenneth. I am 63 years of age and have just collected my TESOL Certificate. The problem with youth is that young people have no background. Older people do not need to research to discover experience it is something that develops with them. My experience at teaching is very shallow and my next job will be my first teaching. However, I have been an instructor and have spent years in other countries developing the local populace with my life's experience. Strange as it may seem older people are lees prone to testosterone and have more patience and can apply life's experience to the class room.

I was the oldest person in the TESOL class by a mile yet I was considered the top student and presented my lessons first. I have tutored to indigenous people at high schools in PNG and lectured on law as a continuing education subject in the USA. I am firtunate because if I was young I would not have had the experience that I can now bring with me as a TESOL teacher. And Fun, boy my life has been nothing but fun.

I am 55 years old and just earned my TESOL certificate in December, 2003. My goal was to transition from my full time corporate sales job to teaching ESL.I have done so. I have some teaching experience. I taught pre-school and grammar school many years ago. Also, I had the opportunity to train people during some of my corporate years.

Ken, I have to tell you that I am as energetic and enthusiaitic as any younger teacher. I think a lot depends on each individual person and how they present themselves. Although I haven't yet had the opportunity to work with children in a ESL setting, I have worked with teenageres, young adults and older adults. I've had no problem relating to any of them.In fact, we energize each other.I think being flexible, keeping an open mind and having a great sense of humor are important. And my experience has definitely helped me be a better teacher.

I think both younger and older teachers each have positive things to offer students!

I am guesing you to be somewhere in your mid-thirties, by the sound of your postings. You have some experience, but are not old enough to be 'ashamed' to have your age known. HAHA.

Both older and younger teachers can be fine ESL teachers. I worked with a bunch of 'aging baby boomers' and we were all very creative and enthusiastic, despite our 'advanced age'. It is harder being a good teacher when you are younger because you don't know the pitfalls of the language as well as when you have been at it for a while.

I was inspired by the stories of Michelle and John, and its true that age doesnt matter in everything you do. as my father says "age is just a state of mind".
my grannies are retired teachers as well as my fathers cousins are all teachers and i was always wondering if i will really have the guts to face a number of students and since now that,im married i thought it would be impossible to go into teachin until i come across this site.
So please tell me how to one like you and how to have the TESOL ceritificate and would it possible to learn just online?
by the way im 29 and a full time housewife.
thank you and hope to hear from anybody of you.