Which is probably why children seem to like me. We’re on the same mental, emotional, and occasionally intellectual, level.

Not always the case, of course. Right now I am tutoring a nine year old who could easily pretend to be a forty year old if you couldn’t see her big blue eyes and blond tresses. Let’s hope she doesn’t discover internet chat rooms.

Generally, I like bigger groups. One-on-one tutoring means staring at one person for an hour, willing them to *finally* get the third person singular verbs… In a class, you can always depend on the obligatory know-it-all to answer your questions if nobody else does. Private tutoring is definitely worse in that matter.

Of course, in private tutoring you can tailor your readings and discussion and grammar examples according to the specific interests… not everyone in a big group of twelve year olds will like and know the same things. After all, how many vocabulary lessons can be done with Harry Potter examples? (Many, actually. You hit trouble when discussing fruits and vegetables, but vocabulary connected with crime and punishment is a blast when you can hold a Bellatrix Lestrange’s trial in your classroom).

Not too much of a blast, though. Don’t get too excited while defending the Death Eaters. Children look at you strangely then, and there’s nothing worse than being patronised by a ten year old girl.

If everything goes according to plan (damn it. I probably jinxed it now…), I will be teaching three groups this semester.

So far, I have only had classes with one, the Kids. (Two other groups have college students in them, which means they will start in October, which is when the academic year starts over here)

It’s a small group, just six of them, but they are incredibly fun, and I will probably blog about them all the time.

First, there is Sarcasm Impersonated. All of the kids are around twelve years old in age, but his sarcasm, cynicism and dark wit could probably rival that of a tired forty years old. Complete with a collection of heavy metal-oriented t-shirts, flannel shirts and attitude. I don’t think he has a ’nice’ setting, but the remarks are cracking me up constantly.

Second, Hermione. Hand constantly up, and an attitude to rival that of Sarcasm Impersonated. Redhead, too, and every bit as temperamental as it says on the tin. Assigned to SI in pair-work results in buckets of fun, but also may explode.

Third, Beaver. For the amazing eagerness (not so with the Hermionesque know-it-all hand-up attitude, but with the cheerfull trying-to-do-his-best that is quite endearing).

Fourth, the Ladies’ Man. Always charming, always nice, always sitting with one of the girls. Had been declared a Soul Mate by one of the girls in the very first class. Will grow up to be quite a heartthrob, you can tell that now.

Fifth, the Hufflepuff Sisters. One twelve, one ten, but bright and on the similar language level. Big brown eyes, the both of them. Like twin Bambis. Disneyesque princess’ cheerfulness and charm. Wouldn’t be surprised if cartoon blue birds helped them get dressed up oin the mornings… Though, on the second class, during an exercise that consisted of designing a ZOO, they were both quite determined to put zombies in their ZOO.

All in all, should be fun…

As the obligatory first posts go… This one will be exactly like all the others.

So, hello. My name is Joanna, I’m 22, a student of English Philology and TEFL, and a part-time English teacher. By night, I fight crime and bad pronunciation.

Well, okay, maybe not.

Here you will find tales from both sides of the wonder that is teaching and learning English in Poland.

And remember. Knowledge is power and power corrupts. So, study hard and be evil.