How to Learn Grammar and Teach it as well

by Emma
(Spain)

Hello!

I found your website through Really Learn English.

Well I am English this is the thing, and I live in Spain and over the pass few years I have been giving English classes for children and conversational classes for adults in my spare time.

My problem is that as I'm not a qualified teacher but I do have experience with classes on a conversational bases. I do struggle or feel nervous as my grammar is very bad as a native, I try to avoid classes for grammar and also there are many English schools here in the town so they get the grammar from there, they are interested in speaking with me, as they don't get the opportunity in the schools to practice.

As I haven't lived here long in this town, I started off just offering the conversational classes because there aren't many English people living here. So I thought well I'll start with that, but now word is getting around that there is an English native to practice with, which I'm pleased about but now I'm starting to have people ask for classes with a more basic level, so I will have to teach the grammar. This is where I panic!

I would be very grateful if you have any advice for me and ways in which I can learn and teach, is this impossible to do these classes if my grammar is not good? Sometimes I don't know where to start.

I feel very insecure in my classes especially with the children, I just can't seem to find a system or material that I can stick too, on the internet I'm just confused with so many websites and material, if I have a lesson one day that doesn't go as planned, or the children look bored, I then get very discouraged.

I would be grateful for any advice!

Regards,

Emma.