TEFL Tips - Teaching Adults in Companies

This is an article about teaching English to adults inYou'll find that as an English teacher you'll have to
companies. If, like me, you are under 25 years old thentravel to companies off your own back. That is, you
stepping into classrooms filled with those who arehave to pay for train/bus fares yourself unless your
older and wiser than you can be daunting at first. I waslessons are out of the city and you have to pay extra
very nervous, but you soon learn that there's nothingon the metros. In these instances academies usually
to be nervous about. Often the students are morepay for some travel expenses. You will find that
nervous than you! I studied for my TEFL in Madrid, lastteaching in companies as opposed to actually in an
September and we had inputs about teaching adults inacademy itself means that you are travelling around a
companies as this is big business in Madrid, and manylot more so be sure to factor "travel time" into your
other places too, I'm sure. Lots of companies payteaching schedule. This is important so you don't
academies for teachers so their staff can improveaccept classes that you realistically cannot get to.
their English and communicate more efficiently onGetting around takes longer than you think, especially
emails, conference calls and social events.with a heavy rucksack!
Human or dancer?Content
The first thing to remember before you start teachingDepending on your level of students and their needs,
in companies is that the students are human, just likethe content you have to cover in company classes
you. Although they may be older they are trying toreally ranges. Be prepared to teach anything, from
learn what you can do already and very well. That is:financial vocabulary (e.g savings glut) to conversational
speak English! So don't worry about the agevocabulary - the type that can be used during business
difference, be confident in what you know.lunches. Be prepared to talk about anything, from the
AtmosphereFinancial Times' latest headline to presentation
In my experience of teaching English in companies sovocabulary and how to keep an audience interested.
far (these companies include two Spanish banks andWho?
one new energy company) I have found that theCompany classes are usually split into two teaching
atmosphere is really pleasant. As an English teachergroups: directors and office workers. Office workers
you'll get asked to go to places where a normal citizenwill generally come in classes of 4-6 but directors are
could not and meet people you'd never normally meet.taught one-on-one. Both have their perks and its often
I have found that the atmosphere in company classesa great mix. You can become very attached to
is fantastic as the students are reliable, good humouredone-on-one students and have great conversations,
and friendly with their other classmates. And you!but groups classes can often be hilarious and
Travelbanter-filled.
Victoria Galloway - Graduate of TtMadrid and English teacher - www.ttmadrid.com