No matter what age group you’re teaching, it helps to understand the different stages of language-learning that happen throughout life.Children’snaturalability to acquire new languages is strong before adolescence. Pronunciation comes easier, and vocabulary sticks during this time.Adults, on the other hand, will have more varying levels and difficulties. Around puberty, theability to pick up a second language drops, and continues to do so as we get older.If you’re teaching adults who are absolute beginners and have no previous experience or exposure to English, this can be a big challenge for them.
There are a few crucial differences between how and why children and adults learn. Keep these differences in mind so you can cater your lessons specifically to your students.
Children’sability to acquire new languages is strong before adolescence. Pronunciation comes easier, and vocabulary sticks during this time. Sure, a classroom of 6-year-olds may be a handful, but in terms of English instruction, everyone will be more or less on the same page.
Adults, on the other hand, will have more varying levels and difficulties. Around puberty, theability to pick up a second language drops, and continues to do so as we get older. As adults, we must deliberately and consciously learn a language if we want proficiency or fluency. If you’re teaching adults who are absolute beginners and have no previous experience or exposure to English, this can be a big challenge for them.
Always remember that children and adults have different motivations…..keep this question on our mind; Why are your students learning English? The sooner you pinpoint this answer, the more solid your lessons will be.
Small children don’t have a driving motivation to learn languages. Their attention is fueled by curiosity and imagination. Keep this in mind, and plan your lessons to appeal to their senses. Adults, on the other hand, will have very specific reasons for learning English. They might be preparing for university abroad, or are just trying to gain a new skill for their career at home. Your job will become more strategic, and you’ll need to closely monitor their progress to help them reach their specific goals.
No matter what age group you teach, you can never go wrong with asolid lesson plan, patience, and an understanding of your students’ goals and needs. Take your job seriously and your students will too!
By: Ronald M. Juico
