It's possible to teach English to every age group, from preschoolers through to adults. The chances are that if you join a language school, you may not have much choice and will probably get a mixture of abilities and ages. However, decide to teach at a state school or kindergarten and you'll be teaching a specific age group. If this is your first shot at teaching, the chances are you'll have had little, if any experience of different age groups. You may have strong ideas or feel unsure about the age groups you wish to teach; so getting a little experience will pay dividends.

Try ringing up your local school and volunteering your services as a classroom assistant. Interaction with pupils and observation of a qualified teacher should give you a much better idea of children's capabilities in your chosen age group. If you can't find a friendly school, try and contact local youth groups in your area, or contact the local scout/brownie group leader. This experience should give you more confidence, as well as impressing prospective employers.

Teaching preschoolers This is for the very active, and teachers who prefer kinaesthetic methods of teaching English. You need to have a sense of fun for this role, not to mention boundless energy! If you are employed full time at a nursery school or kindergarten, bear in mind that you'll probably be expected to multitask. Working as part psychologist, part nurse, part dinner lady, not to mention part language teacher, are all integrated into the role of a kindergarten teacher! It is a hugely rewarding but demanding role, and not for the faint hearted!

Teaching preschoolers at a language school is a less demanding role, as the parents usually tag along too! Prepare yourself well and make sure you arm yourself with a variety of songs, action games, puppets, toys and pictures. Remember: young children of two or three have a very short attention span, so you will need to keep your activities short and snappy. Plenty of variety and routine are the keys to successful lessons.

Teaching primary/elementary school children - Many English teachers are required in primary schools. Children of this age are full of enthusiasm, and enjoy learning. Make learning English fun by including games, songs and stories. Sometimes you may be required to team-teach with another class teacher. Remember: be patient, and don't expect all your ideas to be accepted immediately. Concentrate on building a good working relationship with your class teacher and then suggest new ideas gradually.

Teaching secondary/high school children - Teaching this age group can be challenging, as it is the age where children often become shy and self-conscious. It can take time and patience to establish a relationship with teenagers, so you shouldn't expect immediate results. No matter how hard they try to make you believe otherwise, teenagers of this age are still children, and enjoy competitive games! You'll need to show that you're willing to connect with their world and interests, and don't assume that pop groups and actors famous in the west are well-known in the country you're teaching in. Teaching teenagers can be particularly rewarding as many are desperate to speak to a native English speaker, and have a genuine desire to learn English.

Teaching University Students - This is a privileged position, and universities often expect teachers to have an MA in linguistics, although this is not always the case. You'll need a thorough knowledge of the English language, a love of English literature and be prepared to do a lot of marking! That said, this probably won't be your first teaching role!

Teaching Adults - There are many benefits to teaching adults. For a start, you won't have to worry about discipline as, having paid for the lessons, most adults are motivated to learn. However, even this age group has its disadvantages. Adults may have strong expectations and can even tell you how to do your job! In this case you need to be polite, but firm. Don't let an adult undermine your authority, or take control of a class. Adults may also be much more resistant to trying new ideas, and feel that games or role-play are childish! Introduce new ideas slowly, and don't be deterred if they don't work out first time round. Remember, many adults have experienced boring English lessons at school, so this is your opportunity to make learning a positive experience for them.

What should I do if the age range I've chosen isn't for me? Whichever age ranges you decide to teach, remember that establishing a relationship with a class takes time. Give yourself at least ten weeks before deciding that this age group isn't for you, and always give at least a term's notice if teaching at a school. Remember, finding a solution is always preferable, and if you don't get on with one particular class or teacher, there is always the possibility that you may be able to swap classes with another teacher.

Chris Soames - Onlinetefl provide fulfilling and life-changing language teaching experiences to anyone with a desire to get out there and make a difference for the better.

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