Foreign Languages: Teaching Adults

   Teaching adults a new language can be a very rewarding task; grown up students are self motivated and have previous learning experiences that enrich the learning process. However, they may carry misconceptions to the class that can cause some anxiety. It is important for teachers to identify the adult student's specific needs and take a different, more tailor-made didactic approach in the teaching methods in order to create an adult, professional, yet friendly atmosphere in which the student can feel confident enough to open up and enjoy a fruitful learning experience.

Some common misconceptions:

• You can't teach an old dog new tricks: This is not true. Sure, kids pick up a new language really fast. Their learning skills are still sharp as they are adapting to social life. However, adults have an important advantage: they have developed learning strategies over time that can be applied to learning a foreign language even faster, with the appropriate training.
• Learning a new language is like learning to speak, and to read and write all over again: Adults may feel foolish when faced with the simple task of completing a sentence about them in a foreign language. As an English teacher in a cardiologic center in Argentina, I would get funny comments from some students expressing certain discomfort during class, like "I'd rather go back to med school" or "I feel I'm in first grade". This is a natural feeling that is shared by many and needs attention.
• It is better to avoid embarrassment by not attending a group class: This is a common reason why some adults prefer one-on-one classes or even software courses to a regular group class. Language is communication, self expression. The small group class provides plenty of opportunities for interaction and is the closest to real-life situations we can get without travelling far.

   Teaching a group of adult students can be fun and motivating, as long as the teacher has the appropriate attitude, suitable techniques and clear goals. Treating your grown-up students like children will not do you or your students any good. Nor will the same songs, games and crafts you enjoy with your young learners. Adult students' motivation for learning is intrinsec, it does not need to be pulled from the outside.

Some useful tips:

• Be a leader: As much as your teacher-self loves to get all the attention, refrain yourself from being the orchestra maestro and be a leader. Do not direct, lead. Let your students deduce, relate, construct. Rather than spoon-feeding them with language, let them discover the way the language works. It is more rewarding for them to feel that they are learning for themselves, with your guidance. Take the passenger seat sometimes and enjoy your students' pride in their progress.
• Create a friendly adult learning environment: You can start with the setting of your classroom by displaying pictures of the countries the language your teaching is spoken in. Posters, souvenirs, trivia will make them think of something pleasant: travelling. Drop the charts or words, unless you will use them frequently in class. Have coffee or juice to share, this element will create a friendly atmosphere. Also, have in mind that just because they are adults, it does not mean they do not like having fun. Have a few 5 minute games ready to pop up when they need a boost of energy. It is a good idea to be in the classroom early to welcome them and make small conversation as the class fills up. Your attitude will set the mood of the class.
• Be flexible to accommodate your students' needs and firm to stick to your teaching plan: Some student want to learn the language to travel, others because of their work, others to be closer to their ancestry. Whatever their motivations are, they come together with the same goal, learn to communicate in that language. Select reading or listening material that covers different topics for conversation and vocabulary intake. Avoid children's stories or songs, there may be very good text books for adults in the target language. Give your students the opportunity to express themselves orally and in writing by balancing the class activities. However, take into account that classes are short and everyone wants to get the most of them, so leave the "boring part"--vocabulary work, reading comprehension, etc--for homework. Adult students are also clients, and they want to see the classes are worth their money.

   Adult students appreciate your work and the time you spend on planning and follow up. You might not get cute notes or drawings of unicorns, but rewards come in other forms. When they finally take that dream trip, of send a letter to their relatives abroad, or get the job they wanted, you realize their success is your pride.

Share this Post

Comments

Leave a comment

Your Reports Help Protect The MiNeeds Community

The Community depends on each member to help keep MiNeeds Community a safe and positive place.
Please do your part by using the form below:

Article:

Foreign Languages: Teaching Adults

Author:

MonicaSLS

Type of Abuse: Spam or Advertising Insulting Others Invasion of Privacy Profanity, Vulgarity, Obscenity Other

Comments:

Submit

Cancel