What Kind of Students Will I Teach as a TEFL Teacher?

One of the most fascinating parts of becoming a TEFL teacher is that you never quite know who will walk into your classroom—or pop up on your screen. Your students could be five-year-olds learning their first few English words through songs and games, teenagers preparing for tough academic exams, adults brushing up their skills for work, or retirees learning for the joy of it. The sheer range of personalities, motivations, and life stories you’ll encounter keeps the job fresh and full of surprises.

Because English is a global language, people from all walks of life want to learn it—for school, for travel, for work, or for connection. That means TEFL teachers need to be more than just good communicators. They also need to be flexible, culturally sensitive, and ready to switch gears when the unexpected happens.

Whether you’re teaching in a kindergarten in Korea, tutoring businesspeople in Brazil, or running online lessons from your laptop, understanding who your students are helps you teach them better. It shapes everything—from your tone and materials to the way you manage your classroom and give feedback. The more you know about your learners, the more meaningful and rewarding your lessons become.

Preschool and Kindergarten Learners

If you’re heading to East or Southeast Asia, or parts of Europe or Latin America, don’t be surprised if your first job involves teaching tiny humans with big energy. In many parts of the world, English instruction starts early—sometimes as young as three or four years old.

Where You’ll Teach This Age Group

• Asia: Countries like South Korea, China, Japan, and Vietnam have robust early childhood English programs, especially in private kindergartens or international schools.
• Europe: In countries like Spain or Poland, preschool English is growing in popularity, particularly in private nurseries.
• Latin America: While less common, urban areas in Mexico, Chile, and Colombia are seeing increasing demand for early-age English programs.

What These Lessons Look Like

Teaching preschoolers isn’t about grammar rules or spelling drills—it’s about movement, repetition, and joy. You’ll rely heavily on:

• Songs and chants to introduce vocabulary
• TPR (Total Physical Response) to connect language with movement
• Bright visuals, toys, puppets, and props to hold attention
• Routine-based learning to help with classroom management and predictability

Expect lots of energy, lots of repetition, and short attention spans. Your job is to make English feel fun, safe, and familiar.

What the Goals Are

At this age, the goal isn’t fluency—it’s foundation. You’re helping kids:

• Develop an ear for English sounds
• Associate words with actions or images
• Build confidence in speaking without fear
• Enjoy the process of learning another language

You’re planting seeds that grow over time—and that’s a powerful thing.

Pros and Challenges

Pros:

• It’s playful and creative—you get to sing, dance, and be silly
• Students are curious and sponge-like in their learning
• You’ll see genuine joy when something clicks

Challenges:

• Young kids can be unpredictable, and classroom management requires patience
• Lessons need to be highly structured but flexible
• You’ll need extra energy and strong routines to keep things on track

If you love working with children and aren’t afraid to get a little silly, teaching preschoolers can be one of the most heartwarming parts of your TEFL journey.

Primary and Middle School Students (Young Learners)

Primary and middle school students make up one of the largest groups you’ll encounter as a TEFL teacher—especially in countries where English is part of the national curriculum. Depending on where you’re placed, you might teach the same group every day or rotate between classes and age groups. Either way, your job is to make learning English engaging, clear, and confidence-building for kids who are still figuring out school, language, and themselves.

Where You'll Teach Them

• Public schools: Often through government programs (like EPIK in Korea, JET in Japan, or TAPIF in France), where you’ll assist local teachers and follow the national curriculum.
• Private language schools: Especially in East Asia, where kids attend extra English classes after school at academies (like hagwons in Korea or eikaiwas in Japan).
• International schools or bilingual schools: With more advanced learners and higher expectations.
• Online platforms: Many specialize in this age range, offering 1-on-1 or small group lessons focused on vocabulary, reading, and conversation.

What Drives These Students?

Their motivation can be a mixed bag:

• External pressure: From parents or school systems that place a high value on English proficiency.
• Exam prep: Even at a young age, students may be preparing for proficiency tests or high school entrance exams.
• Genuine interest: Some kids love learning languages, especially when lessons are fun and relevant to their world.

Your challenge? Helping the less enthusiastic learners keep pace without losing the spark of those who do enjoy the subject.

Teaching Tips for This Age Group

• Manage energy wisely: Kids this age can swing from bored to hyperactive in minutes. Keep lessons active but structured.
• Mix input and output: Introduce language in context, then give students lots of chances to use it through speaking, writing, or group games.
• Use visual aids, games, and rewards: But with a clear learning outcome attached. Everything should serve a purpose—even fun.
• Scaffold everything: Break tasks into clear, manageable steps. Support them more at the beginning, and gradually pull back.

What Makes It Rewarding

Teaching primary and middle school students gives you the chance to build real relationships. You’ll often see the same faces every week, and you get to watch them grow—not just in language ability, but as learners and people. With the right mix of patience, creativity, and consistency, you can create a class environment where students feel safe to try, speak up, and make mistakes.

Teenagers and Secondary School Students

Working with teens as a TEFL teacher can feel like both a challenge and a privilege. They’re at a transitional age—straddling childhood and adulthood, independence and structure. Some will be motivated, others moody, but almost all of them will appreciate a teacher who treats them with respect and brings the lesson to life.

Who These Students Are

In most cases, you’ll find teenage students in:

• Middle or high schools through public school placements or private contracts
• Private language academies (especially exam prep-focused)
• International schools where English is often the main language of instruction
• Online classes, especially for test preparation or academic English

Some may have decent fluency already. Others may still struggle with the basics. The common thread is that many are under pressure—whether from exams, parents, or peers—and that can affect how they engage in class.

What They’re Dealing With

Teenagers are often:

• Preparing for standardized exams (like IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge PET/FCE)
• Trying to get into university or qualify for study abroad programs
• Facing packed schedules with little downtime
• Caught between wanting independence and needing guidance

Your role is to help them see English not just as another academic subject, but as a useful skill—and ideally, something they can enjoy.

Strategies That Work

• Use real-life themes: Pop culture, social media, travel, sports—anything that connects language learning to their actual interests.
• Make room for autonomy: Let them make choices in activities, topics, or even class roles.
• Integrate projects and pair work: Teens respond well to social learning when guided properly.
• Address behavior calmly and fairly: Respect earns respect. Humor helps, but don’t try too hard to be “cool.”

This age group can test your patience, but it can also be where you make the biggest difference. If you’re relatable, consistent, and can find ways to make English relevant, you’ll earn their attention—and maybe even their admiration.

University Students

University students are some of the most driven and intellectually curious learners you’ll encounter as a TEFL teacher. Their goals are usually crystal clear—most are learning English to succeed in academia, whether it's to pass entrance exams, attend lectures, write essays, or eventually study abroad. That makes them highly focused, but also means the pressure is on you to deliver relevant, high-level instruction.

Why They’re Learning English

Most university learners are studying English for:

• Degree requirements in non-English speaking countries (where English may be a compulsory subject)
• Study abroad plans in countries like the U.S., UK, Canada, or Australia
• Research and publication in English-language journals
• Career preparation for global industries

They’re not just here to pass a test—they need academic survival skills in English.

What You’ll Teach Them

This is where English for Academic Purposes (EAP) comes in. Lessons often focus on:

• Structuring and writing formal essays and research papers
• Reading and analyzing complex academic texts
• Delivering clear and professional presentations
• Participating in academic discussions and seminars
• Understanding academic vocabulary and citation conventions

These classes are often structured, goal-oriented, and can feel more like a university seminar than a traditional language class.

Where and How You’ll Teach

• University language centers: Supporting students enrolled in non-English degree programs
• Private institutions or test prep centers: Especially if students are targeting TOEFL or IELTS
• Online platforms: Offering specialized tutoring for academic writing or study abroad prep

Expect your students to be serious and your lessons to demand structure, clarity, and rigor. This is one of the more intellectually satisfying branches of TEFL—and one that can lead to long-term teaching or lecturing roles if you enjoy the academic environment.

Adult Learners: A Wide Spectrum of Motivations

Teaching adult learners is one of the most flexible and varied roles in TEFL. These students come from every walk of life—professionals, parents, retirees, job seekers—and their reasons for learning English range from career advancement to personal curiosity. What they all share is the choice to be in your class, which often means greater motivation and clearer goals.

Where You'll Encounter Them

• Language schools (especially in the evenings or weekends)
• Corporate in-house classes
• Private tutoring (online or in-person)
• Community centers or volunteer programs

Adults often juggle learning English alongside jobs, families, and other responsibilities, so your lessons need to be focused, efficient, and relevant.

Business Professionals

These are some of the most structured and purpose-driven students you’ll teach. They often need English for:

• Internal and external emails
• Video conferences, client meetings, and presentations
• Navigating negotiations and business travel
• Writing reports and professional correspondence

Your lessons should simulate real work situations. Think mock meetings, pitch presentations, roleplays, and vocabulary focused on their industry. Many of these students are pressed for time and expect clear, measurable progress.

Tourism and Hospitality Workers

In countries where tourism is a major industry, English can be a professional lifeline. You might teach:

• Hotel staff handling reservations and check-ins
• Tour guides giving detailed itineraries or responding to questions
• Restaurant servers taking orders or dealing with customer issues
• Airport staff guiding foreign travelers

Lessons should focus on polite, functional language and confidence in handling real-time interactions. Practicing customer service scenarios through roleplay works wonders.

University Students and Academic Candidates (Outside Formal Programs)

Not all academic English learners are already in university. Many adults are prepping for:

• IELTS or TOEFL
• GRE verbal support or other academic entrance exams
• Academic interviews or scholarship applications

These learners are often under high pressure and need your help with structure, fluency, and confidence. Your role is part coach, part language teacher.

Casual Learners and Hobbyists

These students are learning for fun or personal enrichment. They might be:

• Retirees finally following a lifelong dream
• Stay-at-home parents looking to grow their skills
• Travelers planning trips to English-speaking countries
• People who simply love languages

Classes should be lively, varied, and social. Movies, music, travel themes, cooking, and cultural comparisons all work well here. These learners aren’t looking for grades—they’re here to enjoy the process.

Partners and Family Members of English Speakers

Many people start learning English because of love, family, or relocation. These learners might be:

• Spouses of English speakers trying to integrate into a new culture
• Parents of bilingual children
• Family members of expats or international workers

They’re often highly motivated but may be self-conscious or unfamiliar with classroom settings. Gentle encouragement, emotional support, and practical English for day-to-day life (shopping, school, appointments) go a long way.

Refugees, Asylum Seekers, and Underserved Learners

Some of the most meaningful TEFL work happens far from classrooms with whiteboards and polished desks. Teaching refugees, asylum seekers, or other underserved learners—often through NGOs, community groups, or volunteer programs—brings you face-to-face with students whose need for English is urgent and deeply personal.

Where You Might Teach

• Refugee centers and resettlement agencies
• Community centers in cities with large immigrant populations
• Humanitarian NGOs and international charities
• Online platforms offering free lessons for displaced individuals

These roles often pop up in Europe, the Middle East, North America, and parts of Southeast Asia.

What You'll Be Teaching

Forget academic grammar or exam prep—this is survival English:

• Basic introductions, names, and daily routines
• How to navigate healthcare, transportation, and housing
• Communication in job interviews, grocery stores, and schools
• Understanding official forms, signs, and emergency information

Students may have extremely varied literacy levels—even in their native language—so patience and flexibility are crucial.

What Makes It Challenging (and Worthwhile)

• Trauma: Many students have experienced war, displacement, or violence. Classes need a compassionate and sensitive approach.
• Irregular attendance: Shifting housing or family needs may interrupt study.
• Minimal resources: Often no coursebooks, internet, or tech—just you and your creativity.

But the emotional reward? Huge. You’re not just helping someone learn English—you’re helping them rebuild their life.

Private Students and One-on-One Tutoring

Whether it’s a business executive prepping for a presentation or a teen wanting extra exam practice, private students give you the chance to tailor lessons exactly to their needs. This is one of the most flexible—and often highest paying—ways to teach English.

Where You’ll Find Private Students

• Abroad: Word-of-mouth, language schools, or local networks
• Online: Platforms like Preply, italki, AmazingTalker, or through your own website
• Hybrid: Teaching expats or local families while living abroad

What Makes It Unique

• Fully personalized lessons—you design everything around their goals and learning style
• You control the pace, schedule, and content
• Less classroom management, more focus on individual progress

What to Watch Out For

• Setting boundaries: Some clients may treat you like an on-call language assistant
• Burnout: Too many one-on-one sessions can become draining
• Contract issues: If you're employed at a school, double-check policies on private tutoring

This format is great for teachers who want independence and are good at managing their own time and materials.

Online English Students

Teaching English online opens the door to a global classroom—literally. From young learners in China to adult learners in Brazil, your virtual student base can be incredibly diverse. And thanks to growing demand, this is now one of the most accessible ways to get started in TEFL.

Who You’ll Be Teaching

• Young learners in East Asia and Europe—especially through platforms like All Right, Novakid, or ClassIn
• Adult learners looking for flexibility or test prep—via Cambly, Preply, AmazingTalker, or your own freelancing setup
• University students, professionals, or even casual hobbyists

Online teaching is no longer just a backup option—it’s a career path in itself.

What to Expect

• Flexible hours, but also last-minute bookings or no-shows
• A wide range of tech comfort levels—from 6-year-olds on iPads to 60-year-olds using a laptop for the first time
• Some platforms offer set curriculum and training, while others expect you to bring your own materials

Special Considerations

• Tech setup matters: camera quality, lighting, background, and stable internet can make or break a lesson
• You’ll need to be visually expressive and high-energy—especially with kids
• Tools like Google Slides, Jamboard, and TPR (Total Physical Response) become your new best friends

Done right, online teaching offers amazing location freedom and a wide global reach—perfect for digital nomads or those looking to start fast without relocating.

Volunteering and Informal Settings

Sometimes the most unforgettable teaching moments happen far outside the walls of a formal classroom. Volunteering as a TEFL teacher means stepping into communities that need help the most—whether it’s a rural school in Cambodia, a refugee camp in Greece, or a weekend program for underprivileged youth.

Where You Might Volunteer

• Rural or low-income schools with limited resources
• Community outreach centers or churches
• Refugee camps and shelters
• Online NGOs offering free lessons to underserved populations

In these settings, you’re not just a teacher—you’re a role model, a cultural ambassador, and often a source of encouragement in uncertain times.

What the Students Are Like

• Often mixed-age and mixed-level, with little or no prior English exposure
• Irregular attendance due to transport, family, or work issues
• Motivated, but lacking consistent structure or materials
• High appreciation for even basic lessons

What Makes It Different

• Flexibility is key—you might need to change your plan mid-lesson or improvise with no whiteboard
• Forget perfection: focus on connection, clarity, and encouragement
• You may work without textbooks, stable internet, or even electricity—but your presence matters more than a PowerPoint

If you're looking to make a difference, this kind of teaching will leave a lasting impact on both you and your students.

Key Takeaways: What to Expect as a TEFL Teacher

Teaching English abroad—or online—isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience. Depending on where you teach, your students might be:

• Kindergarten kids who love singing but can’t sit still
• Adults who are shy to speak but eager to grow
• Refugees looking to restart their lives
• Teenagers who know the grammar but need real conversation

And sometimes… all of them in one week.

Here’s what to remember:

• Every student is different—age and level only tell part of the story
• Cultural context matters—teaching in Japan feels different than teaching in Mexico or Morocco
• Flexibility wins—what works for one learner might flop with another
• Teaching is relational—your connection with the student is just as important as your lesson content

Being a TEFL teacher means meeting people where they are, helping them take the next step, and celebrating progress—no matter how small.

Conclusion: Who Will You Teach?

From curious five-year-olds learning the alphabet to career-driven professionals fine-tuning their presentation skills, the range of TEFL students you’ll meet is vast—and that’s what makes the job so rewarding.

Being a TEFL teacher isn’t about finding one “type” of student you’re most comfortable with. It’s about being versatile, observant, and human. You’ll adapt. You’ll grow. And along the way, you’ll help your students do the same—no matter where they’re starting from or what their goal may be.

👉 Ready to meet your future students? Start your TEFL journey today and discover just how far (and wide) teaching English can take you.