Working at the Secondary Level

     When choosing an age group to work with, I think it’s common to choose to work with the younger students because they are perceived as more fun or “easier to deal with.” While these perceptions can be true in some aspect, it can hinder your mindset with not wanting to work with students at the secondary level. However, I am here to tell you the opposite. If I can offer any piece of advice from my experience teaching in the U.S. and being a language assistant here in Spain, it is to choose to work at the secondary level. 

     When majority of the people that I talk to find out I work with older students, they are shocked. They don’t understand why I would choose to work at this level because I think we can all remember how we once were as teenagers. So why would someone willingly throw themselves back into the middle/high school world! 

     Prior to becoming a language assistant in Spain, I was a high school teacher for three years. So, yes, I may be biased in saying that this age group is the best age group to work with. At this age, the students are still eager to learn and are driven with the goals they want to accomplish after they complete high school/secondary school. Because they are all on different tracks in life, you will be presented with different backgrounds in life and language that you can use to your advantage when creating lessons. When students see that you are listening and that you care about what they are interested in, they will also become interested in what you are teaching. 

     Although I am saying they are the best students to work with, there are still challenges like there is with any age group. In my opinion, I would say the most challenges arise in the beginning of the year when students are starting to meet you. At this point, they are apprehensive in who you are and what kind of educator you will be. Therefore, you may experience some attitude (which is normal) and reluctancy to participate. However, once the year progresses and you start to build relationships with students, the struggles will start to fade and each day will be fun. 

     In terms of creating lessons and activities, you have a lot of freedom to create fun games in order to engage the students while still building their language skills. At my school, the age ranges I work with vary from 12 years old all the way to 17. Which means, I need to adjust the level of information and vocabulary used with each class. I know that seems difficult upon reading, but once you get into a routine and know your student’s levels, creating activities for them to do will be fun. 
 

     All in all, everyone has a preference with the age groups they would prefer to work with, but my opinion still stands. Working at the secondary level is the best decision I have made and I will continue to try and influence others to not be nervous and work at this level as well. Despite the challenges, it will in turn make you a better educator and challenge you to continue to create more activities and lessons that are fun and engaging!