Overview of the Learning Styles of Different Age Groups
Age is one of the most decisive factors in language learning. The first thing foreign language teachers should pay attention to here is how young learners differ from adult learners. First of all, young students learn better through play, while adults are highly advanced in using their abstract and analytical intelligence. The second distinction that can be added is that young students can be bored very quickly and easily. Usually, after 10 minutes, attention and attention disappear. Young students are also very egocentric and need special attention more.
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This post was written by our TEFL certification graduate Seçil B. Please note that this blog post might not necessarily represent the beliefs or opinions of ITTT.
Challenges for Young students
However, it is widely believed that although young students say that their teachers are successful in repeating their pronunciations, they are generally less successful in learning abstract concepts. Young learners can get bored very easily. If the activities are not interesting and inclusive enough, students can be bored very easily. The amount of time that can remain relevant is limited to 10 minutes. This time may be shorter, especially if direct instruction is given and the games played lack physical elements. What has been said so far is known to almost all teachers.
However, when the subject is a very large area of learning as the abstract dimension of learning English, English teachers do a lot of work here. This is because communication is the subject that needs to be embodied, which requires very strong drama activities even in mother tongue education but they can easily understand what is meant without the need to understand each word. They may not be able to translate every spoken word, but they can respond naturally to what they say using their knowledge. Curiosity and enthusiasm are the most important characteristics that define them. They enjoy learning the world that surrounds them, not by listening to what is being told, but by discovering them through their activities. Young learners like to dream and young learners learn faster by imitating adults.
Also Read: Can non native English speakers take a TEFL course?
Challenges of Adult students
Adults have a very busy life ability, which can make both an advantage and a disadvantage. While this producer creates a filter for adults to view a different language, children are more prepared to accept it as they do in a foreign language, and they accept it without question. Young learners are more flexible than adult learners, adapting to a new language more easily and with different structures and uses. Adults want to know what they learn and why There is less time to practice outside the classroom. They especially enjoy more task-oriented learning. The learning program for adults should be designed with these points in mind so that they can participate happily and willingly.
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In a foreign language learning program for adults, the class program and the individual study program of the student should be planned as follows, taking into account the learning characteristics of the adult student: The learning should be directly or indirectly related to the goal and this interest should be emphasized. If the student spends time and believes that labor will work in his life, he will make more intensive efforts. When a strong interaction environment is created within the classroom. It'il help them lower their barricades. They must have time to repeat the units they have learned in the classroom more than once. It is a must for learning the language again. Repetition is one of the most powerful elements that make learning permanent.
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