Policy Shifts, Student Demographics, and Personal Challenges
Ana Jereb 
Navigating the Big Changes in ELT
Sometimes the changes in our work lives aren’t just small classroom disruptions or management shifts—they’re much bigger. Policy changes, new student demographics, or personal life challenges can throw us for a loop. (Remember Covid, anyone? I personally had to leave a whole country which meant my job, as well.) Let’s talk a bit about how to handle those bigger, long-term changes.
Big Changes We Face in ELT
- Policy Changes: Governments or institutions decide to revamp the education system, and suddenly, the way you’ve been teaching isn’t aligned with the new rules.
- New Student Demographics: You’re used to teaching adults, but now you’re asked to teach teenagers or beginners with a different set of needs.
- Personal Challenges: Family emergencies, illness, or other personal issues can affect your ability to focus on teaching.
How to Navigate These Larger Shifts
Big changes require big thinking. Here’s how to adapt without feeling overwhelmed:
- Policy Changes: When faced with new government or institutional policies, seek clarity. Attend workshops or speak with management to get the full picture of what’s expected. The more you know, the easier it will be to adapt. Sometimes you’ll feel like a nuisance because you’re the only one asking questions. Or you might feel like it’s too hard - why ARE you the only one asking questions? Take it easy on yourself and keep at it. This is a transition, a stage with an end in sight. You are not a nuisance, and well - somebody has to do it. You’re practically a hero.
- New Student Demographics: Embrace CPD (continuous professional development) and seek out training in areas you’re less familiar with. Also, use student-centered approaches—engage with your new students to learn what they need from you. There are so many ideas and templates for Needs Analysis out there! The more you know about your lovely learners, the easier it will be to handle the stress of this new situation.
- Personal Challenges: When life throws you a curveball, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Speak with your manager about taking time off or adjusting your workload temporarily. You can’t be a great teacher if you’re not taking care of yourself first. And this is perhaps the hardest adaptation to adapt. It means you have to ask for something important to you - what if they say no? What if they think you’re causing problems? You know - “they” might. But they’ll probably still help you because you have a real need. And it needs taking care of. Take care of yourself so you can take care of your learners!
Tools for Staying Resilient Through Long-Term Change
- Support Systems: Build a network of colleagues and friends who understand your challenges and can provide support. Talk to them about professional and personal wins and challenges. When they tell you theirs, Listen. Also, every now and again, organize a board game night or something; you don’t have to be so serious all the time, do you?
- Reflection: Regularly reflect on your teaching practice and how you’re handling the changes. Adjust where necessary and celebrate your successes. This is soooooo important I can’t not keep going on about it. Get a nice journal and REFLECT on your teaching, your work life AND on your whole life, too. It’s easy to miss what’s going on, patterns and anomalies, if we don’t put an effort into noticing these things.
- Self-Care: Never underestimate the power of self-care. Whether it’s exercise, mindfulness, or just taking time off, prioritize your own health and wellbeing. This si non-negotiable. Okay?
You Can Handle the Big Stuff, Too
Large changes in the ELT world—whether they’re policy-related or personal—can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, you can navigate them successfully. This post wraps up our series on handling change in the workplace, but the conversation doesn’t end here!
Join my Facebook group for ongoing support and connection with other teachers who are navigating change just like you. Let’s get through this together! 🤗