What Makes Teaching Software Architecture Difficult?

The software architecture is usually the first design artifact that addresses quality issues (e.g., performance, security). Also, the architecture is reference point for other development activities, e.g., coding and maintenance. Based on our experience teaching software engineering and architecture at different institutions and levels, we discuss what makes teaching software architecture difficult, and how teaching architecture differs from teaching other software engineering topics. Our discussions can help educators design and improve software architecture curricula, and support education researchers in investigating pedagogical approaches and tools for better software architecture training.