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Unit 19 talks about the different types of students and groups we might encounter in teaching English to foreign learners. We might teach English to beginners, of which there several categories based on age, previous experience, or beginners new to the Roman alphabet. Secondly, teaching individuals on a one-to-one basis. These lessons have a number of advantages in that the students are likely highly motivated, and individual teaching gives an opportunity for tailor-made lessons where needs are clearly defined, and a close relationship with the student can be developed. There are drawbacks, of course, in relation to missing group class dynamics and fatigue of the student. Next, the unit covers teaching children, an area felt as most rewarding by many teachers since children have an innate curiosity and are generally able to absorb a new language at greater speed than adult students. Teaching children requires a slightly different mind set by the teacher and an awareness of the age-relevant needs of the students, as well as good preparation of short, varying activities and games, a stimulating class environment, and consistency in the teacher's approach to class discipline and fairness. Another group of students we might come across are those interested in acquiring Business English, or English for Specific Purposes. The lessons can take place on-to-one, in-company group or in-school group, and the age and language ability levels might differ greatly within the groups. Clients could potentially lack motivation since they might have been asked to participate as a work requirement, and lessons often eat into their free time before or after work. They might be tired from the struggle of balancing work and private life, and attendance can be sporadic with work commitments getting in the way. As for any group class, the dynamics and course content will vary if you are teaching a monolingual versus a multilingual class. Multilingual classes have several advantages as the common language spoken is usually English, and most often taught in an English-speaking environment that allows exposure to the language outside of the lesson. Also, multi-cultural exchanges in the class often make for interesting and topical conversational points, giving the group a very special dynamic. For all the above mentioned clientele, the unit sheds light on the advantages and disadvantages of teaching the special groups, and how to best prepare for and carry out the lessons. We are informed of how to discipline the younger learners, how to assess the individual needs of adult learners and how to offer a stimulating range of learning activities for each group, and checking in on the progress and needs of the individual student.
