How My ESL Classroom Is Like WA And How My Students Help Me Understand I'm Lost

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I teach beginner level English as a second language (ESL) to adults at an adult school and I love it!

It's my dream job.

I have students from all around the world. At any given time, there are students who speak up to 7 different languages as their first language. The age range of the students is from high school to 80s and everything between, although, generally they are in the 20s-40s range.

By the way, I only speak English. I'm thankful for Google Translate.

In any case, all the students are in my class to learn English. I am fortunate and honored to be the one they rely on as their teacher.

It's rewarding beyond words but it's also a challenge that keeps me on my toes to say the very least.

Some students come to my class having been in the USA for less than a month who speak and understand ZERO English. Still others come having been in the USA for many years, who speak broken English but don't read or write in English worth a darn. Some read and write in English pretty well but they don't speak well in English at all.

Sometimes students don't read or write in their native language, let alone in English.

Some students take the class very seriously and advance rapidly.

Others take it very seriously but struggle mightily and don't seem to ever progress. Generally, it's the elderly students who simply don't get what they are being taught.

I see some students once and never see them again.

Some are in my beginner class for several years and show up early or on time every day. Those are the ones who remind me of myself here at WA.

With those students, I often get some awkward if not funny looks as I try to explain things.

I often feel the same way when I watch some of the training videos I've watched over the years, which is when I find myself seeking help from the WA community if not Kyle, or some other specific poor soul.

So, what I'm saying is, in the ESL classroom, I'm the MC and a lot of people have depended and continue to depend on me to deliver valuable and useful information.

But, when I'm the learner here at WA, I often feel clueless, although when I look in the rearview mirror, I can see my progress.

I'll bet there are those in WA, who might think, "this guy's a teacher?" "He seems dumb as a post."

I wouldn't blame anyone for thinking that.

There's one type of student who may never get it right-the student who thinks s/he knows more than they do and/or they seem to think they know everything, who can't be bothered with doing the little things that are so important to their learning and advancement.

They are the ones who don't do their homework and who think they can learn English in a few months or maybe a year.

In those students, I usually see ZERO improvement. They continue to make the same mistakes and they go down the same rabbit holes time and time again.

Sadly, these are also the students that remind me, oh so painfully, that for me, I am their mirror image as a member of WA.

When I came to WA in 2015, I believed and expected that because of my vast life experience (I was 61 then), colorful work experience, and superior intelligence, that I'd be one of the few who excelled in affiliate marketing and internet marketing as a whole. I expected to be making a six-figure income in 6-12 months.

I'm not sure if Kyle remembers me whining to him back then about how things weren't going as planned for me.

Fast forward to one day this past week when a random and rather complicated, multfaceted thought popped into my head.

I've always thought I was pretty forthright in my admissions that I'm lost etc. and tried to not act as if I'm above learning.

BUT!

It occurred to me one day earlier this week, that the reason I'm not making the money I expected and still expect to make is very simple:

  • My content is not that good. Much of it is junk!
  • I have no following-see above for why that is.
  • I not only don't know as much as I thought, I don't know much at all, if anything.
  • I need to be willing to change everything if that's what it's going to take.

So as to not make it seem as if I'm beating myself up and that I think I'm just a worthless POS, it also simultaneously occurred to me that:

  • I have everything I need and don't need to succeed here, although I do WANT to.
  • If I never achieve what I want to achieve, it's okay. I'll keep going just in case.
  • Enjoy who and what you have. Breathe! There's no reason to hurry.
  • Things could be much worse-I've been there. Just do what you/I can-no pressure.

So, onward I go. I need to be vigilant about staying out of my own way. I need to humble myself and just enjoy the process.

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Recent Comments

20

I know the feeeling and that is why I prefer teaching Kids and teenagers. They will follow you or there parents get angry.
I have taught a lot of adults who do think they can learn in 3 months and get peed off that they can't speak fluently.lol.
Now if I get adults I charge double. lol.
Keep up the good work. See how you feel after 20 years. Lol. although teaching in your own school and in Vietnam does make it easier.

Steve

Hi Steve, good to hear from you. I'm definitely more comfortable teaching adults. I'm done teaching kids and teens.

I've been teaching for 14 years.

I hope all is well with you.

Bob

Go get em, Bob! You got this!

Tim 🎼

Thanks Tim. Same to you. :-)

Bob

Hi Bob,

Thanks for sharing your story! I loved how you compared your job as an ESL teacher to your experience at Wealthy Affiliate. That perspective really highlights the journey of learning and growth.

Your description of your students and their different learning styles is such a good reminder that everyone progresses at their own pace. Whether it’s mastering a new language or building success in affiliate marketing, patience and persistence are key.

I admire your honesty about areas where you want to improve. It’s not easy to admit when things don’t go as expected, but your commitment to keep learning and adapting is so motivating. Enjoying the process and staying consistent is definitely the right approach.

You’re doing great, Bob! Your self-awareness and determination will take you far. Keep going—success is within reach!

Best wishes,
Boris

Being honest with yourself is an important part of the journey we all have areas to improve

So true, Catherine 🤩

Yes.

Thanks Boris. I'm probably doing better than I think at times but definitely not doing as well as I'd like. Let's just say the potential for learning is wide open. The turtle and the hare, right?

Bob

Absolutely)

Thanks for sharing, Bob! I can't imagine teaching English to those who don't speak or understand it.

Thanks for reading Howard. As I said, it's can be a challenge but Google Translate is an awesome tool. It's not always 100% accurate but it works well enough that, there haven't been many students I can't communicate with, as long as they can read in their own language. If they can't, well.....it's kinda like teaching a little kid to speak, read, and write. In fact, I use pre-school materials in those cases.

Bob

Wow, congrats on your tenacity to teach those who you encounter!

Thanks, it's what I do and I'm honored to be able to do it.

Thanks for sharing your experience Robert!

Mel

Thanks for reading Mel.

You are most welcome Robert.

Mel

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