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The first part dealt with the roles of teachers and the characteristics of learners. Roles of a teacher include: manager, organizer, assessor, prompter, participant, tutor, resource/facilitator, model, and observer/monitor. These roles vary depending on the activity or lesson goals and should be utilized accordingly. Characteristics of learners to keep in mind when teaching include: age, learning experience, motivation, nervousness, language awareness, behavioral problems, life experience, culture and first language, as well as language level. A learner's language abilities may be broken down into six levels. Beginner learners have zero knowledge to a very basic knowledge of the language. Elementary learners can form basic sentences and communicate on simple topics. Low/pre-intermediate learners can communicate and understand a greater variety of topics but lack fluency and depth. Intermediate learners can communicate and understand a wide range of topics but still lack accuracy and fluency. Upper Intermediate learners can actively communicate on most topics with a great range of language but still lack accuracy. Finally, Advanced learners have a good grasp of the language and are studying more subtle language items. The Common European Framework divides language learners into six levels as well: Breakthrough (Basic User, A1), Waystage (Basic User, A2), Threshold (Independent User, B1), Vantage (Independent User, B2), Effective Operational Proficiency (Proficient User, C1) and Mastery (Proficient User, C2). Motivations for attending English classes include: for future career prospects, for travel, to improve school grades, to study or live in an English speaking country, to communicate with others, and out of one's interest in languages. I've learned that it's important for a teacher to vary their roles based on the needs of the activity or lesson goals. It's also important to keep in mind the different characteristics of learners, such as their language abilities because this will tailor the lessons for each group of learners. For example, a lesson on low level grammar would not be useful or interesting for Advanced learners. However, a lesson on phrasal verbs would be better suited for that class. All these things keep students motivated and excited about learning, which brings them back to classes and eventually to reach their goals.
