Every learner has different needs, skills, and learning style. Understanding this will help you tailor your tutoring to help your learner reach success.
Working with your English language learner, it is important to remember that no two learners are alike. Each learner has their own needs, desires, goals, and skills. One learner may be a mother interested in learning how to communicate with her children's teachers, while another may be a single man looking to start a construction business. In each case, the focus of your lessons will be different.
"Teaching Adults: An ESL Resource Book" from ProLiteracy America (a copy can be borrowed from the English At Large office for anyone interested) outlines three important ways learners can differ.
1. Language skill level
This is pretty basic, but it is important first to figure out how much English your learner knows. Some will be able to speak, but not read or write. Some will barely be able to speak at all. Some will have no experience even with our alphabet. In each case, you have to identify what your learner can do before you decide what your learner needs to work on.
2. Degree of comfort when trying a new language
An important skill when learning a language is being unafraid to make mistakes, or trying to say things even if you're not sure how. Not all learners have this, which is okay. Assess how comfortable your learner is with making mistakes in speaking. If they often get embarrassed when they say something wrong, spend more time encouraging them and building up their confidence.
3. Learning speed
People learn languages at different rates. For some, it comes very naturally. For others, it is incredibly difficult to grasp. Their previous experience with English will also affect how quickly they are able to pick it up. Be aware and understanding of how quickly or slowly your learner learns.
Tutors need to be flexible and learn how to adapt to their learner's needs. No single teaching approach or lesson plan will work for everybody. Your job is to get to know your learner so you can help them as best you can.
Happy Tutoring!
Natalie Howard
Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2017
ENGLISH AT LARGE
Literacy and Learning for Life
Join the conversation
Working with your English language learner, it is important to remember that no two learners are alike. Each learner has their own needs, desires, goals, and skills. One learner may be a mother interested in learning how to communicate with her children's teachers, while another may be a single man looking to start a construction business. In each case, the focus of your lessons will be different.
"Teaching Adults: An ESL Resource Book" from ProLiteracy America (a copy can be borrowed from the English At Large office for anyone interested) outlines three important ways learners can differ.
1. Language skill level
This is pretty basic, but it is important first to figure out how much English your learner knows. Some will be able to speak, but not read or write. Some will barely be able to speak at all. Some will have no experience even with our alphabet. In each case, you have to identify what your learner can do before you decide what your learner needs to work on.
2. Degree of comfort when trying a new language
An important skill when learning a language is being unafraid to make mistakes, or trying to say things even if you're not sure how. Not all learners have this, which is okay. Assess how comfortable your learner is with making mistakes in speaking. If they often get embarrassed when they say something wrong, spend more time encouraging them and building up their confidence.
3. Learning speed
People learn languages at different rates. For some, it comes very naturally. For others, it is incredibly difficult to grasp. Their previous experience with English will also affect how quickly they are able to pick it up. Be aware and understanding of how quickly or slowly your learner learns.
Tutors need to be flexible and learn how to adapt to their learner's needs. No single teaching approach or lesson plan will work for everybody. Your job is to get to know your learner so you can help them as best you can.
Happy Tutoring!
Natalie Howard
Washington University in St. Louis, Class of 2017
ENGLISH AT LARGE
Literacy and Learning for Life
Join the conversation
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