Teach English in DongjiA Zhen - Chongqing

Learning modes young learners vs Adults When teaching English, or any subject, teachers have to take into account whether they are teaching young learners or adults. Although there are similarities when teaching either groups, there are also differences that occur. Adults are readily motivated and curious to learn a new language as opposed to young learners. They are goal-oriented and will likely use their knowledge of English outside of the classroom. young learners want to have fun and are easily distracted from learning in a classroom. However, teaching young learners or adults do have their own advantages and disadvantages. One of the major advantages adults have over young learners is motivation. Whether their motivation is for interest, work, or personal advancement, adults will be focused and ready to learn (Collins 1486). In studies shown, teachers believe that adults are significantly more willing to work hard and willing to take responsibility for their learning as opposed to young learners (Collins 1484). They know what they want to learn and how they will use it in their everyday life (Collins 1485). This in turn will determine how the class will be taught wisely so that it will meet their needs. As for young learners, they have to learn English due to requirements or parents? wishes. They will not likely have the same choice as to decide what they want to learn. If they go to school, a majority of the time, English will be one of the required subjects to take. Teachers are likely to use a course book for young learners focusing on all aspects of grammar, listening, writing, speaking, and reading. Thus, young learners are not as motivated and goal-oriented as adults when learning a new language if at first they are forced to take it. However, in the long run, it is beneficial to young learners that they are forced to learn English. Since they are still young, they can take in information readily. Their vocabulary will be more far advanced than that of an adult. It is because adults are likely to only retain vocabularies that they will use daily or in their work place. In addition, the young learners? pronunciation will be better than that of an adult because their brains are still able to use the mechanisms that assisted them with their first language acquisition (Cameron 14). An advantage for adults learning a new language will be their background experiences. They bring with them to class curiosity, knowledge, and prior learning to any new learning process (Collins 1485). This makes it more helpful for teaching adults as they know how any new learning process works. Teachers could relate the adults? experiences to lessons, thus making it easier for adult students to comprehend that way. While adults have background experiences they can relate to, young learners can only relate to experiences learned in the classroom. As they have no prior experience whatsoever, having rules to follow is essential in the classroom. By having routines and sets of rules for discipline for young learners, it will provide them with stability and security (Nikolov 105). Routines can often include singing a song or relaying the weather and date. This will help young learners cope with the situation of learning a new language and reinforce the use of English. Whether it is teaching adults or young learners, teachers should be patient and courteous. They should know what weaknesses and strengths their students have so that that area will be concentrated on. Teachers should encourage participation in class and express that making mistakes is okay and are often made. As adults and young learners will seek out a teacher?s approval, it is best to always give positive feedback when they are doing well in class. This in turn will motivate them to work harder and keep their interest in learning a new language. Furthermore, it does not hurt to have a classroom that is colorful, bright, and welcoming. But, despite the differences, teaching adults or young learners should be based on the goals of the learners and the educational content. It is the way a teacher handles the class that will affect the student?s learning experience. 1. Cameron, Lynne. Teaching Languages to young learners. united kingdom: Cambridge University Press, 2001. (http://assets.cambridge.org/052177/3253/sample/0521773253WS.pdf) 2. Collins, Fannette. Education Techniques for Lifelong Learning: Principles of Adult Learning. RadioGraphics 2004; 24: 1483-1489. (http://radiographics.rsna.org/content/24/5/1483.full.pdf+html) 3. Nikolov, Marianne. The Age Factor and Early Language Learning: Studies on Language Acquisition. Berlin-new york: Mouton de Gruyter, 2009. (http://books.google.co.kr/books?hl=ko&lr=&id=gcJiMkgX6BgC&oi=fnd&pg=PP2&dq=teaching+young+learners+vs+adults+&ots=eg8mRNWGny&sig=sYd-eGaf0h17nEVJNVZEFKoz68E#v=onepage&q&f=false)