Do you want to be TEFL or TESOL-certified and teach in Xizhu Zhen? Are you interested in teaching English in Wuxi Shi? Check out ITTT’s online and in-class courses, Become certified to Teach English as a Foreign Language and start teaching English ONLINE or abroad! ITTT offers a wide variety of Online TEFL Courses and a great number of opportunities for English Teachers and for Teachers of English as a Second Language.
In recent years, the study of foreign languages has remained one of the most popular areas. Many kindergartens and schools introduce language learning as an indispensable element of the educational program. Thus, we can conclude that the main consumers of English learning are children and adolescents from 5 to 18 years old. Recently, language learning among adults has begun to gain momentum. It may indicate a change in the structure of language learning among age groups. One of the best things about being a TEFL teacher is the fact that you could find yourself in a range of different classrooms. However, there is a significant difference in the teaching of young learners and adults. In this essay, I would like to emphasize the differences in teaching YL and Adults. For effective learning, it is important to understand how these two groups go about learning. Learning In terms of learning, a vivid interesting presentation of the material is important for YL, as well as a frequent change in activities. Of particular importance is the activation of the main channels of perception and the creation of positive motivation through games. With adults, it is possible to spend more time on learning tasks, to engage more deeply with the learning materials. Motivation and Life Experience “Children are driven by interest, adults by motivation.” Adult students pay for their English classes and therefore expect a high level of teaching for their money. Besides, they have experience in interacting with others (teachers, colleagues, etc). Finally, because of age, ambitions, and certain achievements (personal or career), adults are generally more critical, they are more constrained, and their expectations of their teacher are higher. Young learners are limited to the general impression with the characteristics of "good", "fun", "cool". If you deserve one of these flattering reviews, this is enough for effective interaction. Adults require the urgent application of acquired knowledge, skills. Adult students are more motivated than children and adolescents. They are psychologically inclined to get the planned result and are more aware of the need for language in their lives. When teaching adult students, it is important to consider the presence of certain life experiences among students, as well as their age, social and psychological characteristics. Discipline Adult students have excellent self-organization skills and good self-discipline skills. They do not need to be reminded that it is time to do homework. It is harder for young learners to keep order and adhere to the rules. Therefore, during lessons, the teacher has to pay more attention to the discipline, stricter control over the child's behavior. With young learners, the teacher needs more expression, artistry, so as not to lose the attention of the child during the lesson. Many teachers feel the need for additional work with their voice, facial expressions, and gestures. With adult students, it is enough for the teacher to behave naturally. To sum up, students of different age groups have a number of psychological and physiological characteristics that must be taken into account in English classes. Although there may be a number of differences between teaching English to adults or young learners, the basic practices will remain the same. Teachers should encourage communication and the usage of authentic language in the classroom, as well as your students ' previous knowledge and educational background and, above all, maintain a fun and friendly atmosphere in the classroom, and you will succeed regardless of the age of the students.
