There are very few things in this world (most of which are unmentionable in this blog) that feel as amazing as helping someone learn. Trying new things out on your own can get quite frustrating and its a real relief when there is someone you trust who is there to help. That someone could be a good friend who teaches you that leaning back on a mountain bike prevents face plants, a professor who illustrates that Newtons first law still applies when a paint ball is hurdling towards your face or a mother who teaches, well, just about everything. Now why do you think mothers go through the singular intense pain of childbirth and the not so occasional pain that comes with dealing with disobedience? Why would a parent even want children in the first place? It's a good question. The reason is that raising a child is REWARDING. Teaching is rewarding. Watching the light bulb that flares up in child's head and the brilliance in someones eyes when they finally reach an understanding brings a great sense of self worth to the mentor, parent, or teacher.
One doesn't have to be a parent or a professor to indulge in the joys of teaching though. I am currently a track coach for the KTC (Knoxville Track Club) youth program and it so far has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Yes, it can really get frustrating when you have to turn the long jump sandpit into dangerous "lava" so that the 7 year olds will try to escape with their lives after jumping instead of immediately wanting to sit and play with the sand, but this frustration certainly does not diminish the rewards. It's great to see a child's excitement when they achieve 1st place in a 300m hurdle race or a parents relief when they know that because of track, their child will actually be tired enough to go to bed on time. In order to gain the true rewards of teaching one has to just be interested in teaching about a passionate area of their lives. If you love dancing, show someone how to tango. If you love photography, show someone how to shoot beautiful star streak photos (I'm still waiting on this one). Heck, if you know something as unique as unicycling there is still a great chance that someone out there would really like to learn. You may even acquire new knowledge in your own area of expertise during the process.
One of the best ways to set up an opportunity to both teach and learn is through Skype. If you are currently learning or wanting to practice a foreign language, the Skype forum has an entire category devoted to language exchange that can be seen on their website here.
On this site, you are able to find people from across the entire globe to converse with. Can you guess what the #1 desired language to be practiced is? Thats right, its English. You can use this site to talk to amazingly unique people all while helping them learn the language that most Americans take for granted. What's more is that once you have made conversation in English for a while, you can switch over to your partners maternal tongue and practice essentially what ever language you desire. I personally have about 5 South American friends on my Skype list who enjoy helping me with my spanish.
The point of all this is that you do not need to be an Oxford graduate or an astrophysicist (although I do know a couple) to be able to teach someone a skill and make a difference in that person's life. If you think hard about your likes, dislikes and the places or thing which you devote your time to, you can find where you truly excell. There will always be people who don't quite have a knack for the same things in which you excel at and would love to learn your ways. The benefits will not only be seen in the lives of those who learn but also of those who teach. The greater part of the harvest will actually go to those willing to sow the crop, the teachers. They are the ones who provide sustenance to the students who metaphorically glean the fields for knowlege. (biblical Ruth reference)
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