Teaching English to adult learners is a rewarding yet
challenging task. Adult learners tend to bring more issues to the classroom
than child students that a teacher must address before creating a successful
learning environment.
It’s important to consider the social foundation of adult
students since this can have an effect on they way you teach and how they
learn. Adult students bring their own traditions and lifestyle habits into the
classroom, which usually differs than the environment they are learning in.
Sometimes, students may act in ways that are acceptable in their home country,
however, may clash with the learning environment in their new country. It’s
important to consider every student’s country and origins to properly teach
English and foster a viable and positive classroom environment.
Another helpful tip is to try to establish a connection with
your students and understand where they are coming from before teaching them
English. Your students should get to know you first before you can help them
figure out how to speak in English. Ask their names and get some information
about their families. This will help encourage a feeling of community in the
classroom.
Lastly, it is important to understand that each student
regardless of their educational foundation has their own particular
understanding of the language. The instructor must have the capacity to adjust
their teaching style and include everyday life scenarios to help their students
understand and associate their knowledge and skills in English with real world
situations.
College alumni Sam Gray of Boulder, Colorado
wants to give others the chance to succeed. He is an
English-as-a-Second-Language educator; He wants to teach the necessary language
skills to others so they may have the understanding and ability to become
successful and more prominent in the international business sector.
