Quick answer: Neither is 'better' – it depends on you. Young learners bring energy, fun classes and fast progress but need strong classroom management; adults bring motivation, interesting discussion and business-English earning potential but can cancel lessons and progress slowly. Many schools teach both, so the strongest position is to try both and add a specialist course for your favourite.
Is it better to teach English to adults or youngsters?
Congratulations!
You’ve just got your TESOL qualification and you’re starting looking for TESOL jobs. You are looking at two posts that have similar levels of pay and conditions. Do you choose the language school asking for a teacher for 3-15 year olds? Or, do you apply for the post seeking a teacher for conversational and business English to adults?
Deciding which age group you prefer to teach will largely be down to you and your preferences. If you’ve no experience of either, this article might help you to decide what’s best for you.
Let’s look at the pros and cons of each group, starting with young learners.
What are the pros and cons of each age group?
- Teaching young learners: potential primary level issues
Negatives: low level English, poor concentration, large classes
Positives: usually receptive, lots of songs, games, fun classes, teachers respected, can learn quickly, eagerness to use new language - Teaching young learners: potential teenage issues
Negatives: tired after a full day at school, potentially disruptive and disengaged
Positives: sometimes learning for exams and so can be focussed, can be responsive to current and topical themes, interest in English music & culture, can learn quickly and progress can be satisfying - Teaching adults: potential issues
Negatives: often don’t learn quickly, lesson cancellation as life gets in way, not as fun material as teaching young learners and lack of classroom buzz
Positives: often motivated, develop rapport in small groups or 1-1, interesting discussions, interest in exchanging ideas about cultures etc., opportunities to specialise in business English areas, increased earning potential
Here is the same comparison at a glance:
| Primary | Teens | Adults | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical atmosphere | Songs, games, high energy | Topical themes, exam focus | Discussion, rapport, 1-to-1 |
| Main challenge | Concentration and class size | Tiredness and disengagement | Cancellations and slower progress |
| Main reward | Fast, visible learning and enthusiasm | Satisfying progress when engaged | Motivated students and deeper conversations |
| Earning angle | Steady school posts | Exam-preparation demand | Business English and private 1-to-1 work |
| Specialist course | Kindergarten & Primary (TEKPL) | Young Learners | Business English |
What is teaching adults really like day to day?
Adult classes run on conversation. Small groups and 1-to-1 lessons reward teachers who can listen well, correct tactfully and keep a discussion moving – our tips for TEFL discussion classes show exactly what that looks like in practice. Materials tend to be text and topic based rather than songs and games, and lessons often happen early morning or evening around students' work. Do keep in mind that many institutes worldwide teach both adults and youngsters, so you might need to up your game if you choose to focus on solely teaching one or the other. But if adults is definitely the way to go for you, discover more about what teaching business English involves and consider taking a short course specialising in Teaching Business English to really add value to your CV.
What is teaching young learners really like day to day?
Energy management is the real skill: short activity cycles, clear routines and plenty of movement. If you think you’d prefer youngsters, but facing classes of loud teenagers seems scary, don’t let that put you off. Have a go. You’ll have something to add to your CV, widen your appeal to employers afterwards and who knows, you might actually love it. Do some homework: look up some materials for your target age group such as those from OnestopEnglish and consider taking a Teaching English to Young Learners specialist course to add value to your skill set. For a feel of how children's classes are actually planned, see our post on using topics to create great EFL lessons for young learners.
How do you decide which is right for you?
The great news about a TESOL qualification is that it opens doors worldwide and allows you to teach a range of student ages and stages.
If you can, try to sample both before committing: offer to cover a colleague's kids' class, take on one adult conversation student, or ask to observe lessons at each end of the age range. A single afternoon in a primary classroom tells you more about your fit than any list of pros and cons – some teachers walk out energised, others exhausted, and both reactions are useful information.
So choose what you feel most comfortable with and pick up a specialist course to give you that extra edge. Whatever age-group you decide to focus on in the end, a flexible approach on your journey is bound to make you a more responsive and skilled teacher. A practical tip while you decide: build a small kit of flexible materials that work across ages – a few reliable warmers and a set of ready-to-print instant TEFL lessons will serve you in your first adult conversation class and your first teens class alike.
Frequently asked questions
Should I teach English to kids or adults?
Choose based on your temperament: if you enjoy games, energy and visible fast progress, young learners will suit you; if you prefer discussion, rapport and specialist areas like business English, choose adults. Many teachers try both in their first year and then specialise with a short course.
Is teaching adults easier than teaching children?
Neither is easier – the challenges differ. Adults are usually motivated and well behaved but progress slowly and cancel lessons; children behave less predictably but learn fast and respond brilliantly to games. Classroom management is the harder skill with kids; sustaining long-term momentum is the harder skill with adults.
Do I need a separate qualification to teach young learners or business English?
Your core TESOL certificate qualifies you for both. Specialist add-on courses – young learners, kindergarten and primary, or business English – aren't legally required, but they strengthen your CV for the age group you want, and give you the classroom techniques the core course only touches on.
Can I teach both kids and adults online?
Yes. Online platforms hire for both, though children's lessons online demand extra-visual materials, big gestures and shorter activities, while adult online work leans on conversation and business English. Teaching a mix online is a good low-risk way to discover which age group you prefer.
Which do you prefer? Leave your thoughts below on whether you enjoy classes of youngsters or conversation with adults best. We'd love to read your ideas.