Being the official language of around 53 countries, and spoken by approximately 400 million people across the universe, English is considered as the business language too. Perhaps to understand the extensive researches, business processes or just to communicate internationally it could be the inception of barriers removal for adults along with a ticket to succeed in the modern Global village. According to British Council, 2 billion people in the world are learning or studying this language and while adults may find it difficult, it gets easier with commitment, practice, and hard work, just like any other life journey. On the other hand, teaching English to adults requires particular tools and strategies.
Strategies for Teaching English to Adults :
Considering the grownups have taken the leap and let themselves courageous much to have arrived in the English learning program, or have been seemingly working one-to-one with instructors, then they have surely entrusted their teachers and taken the first step. Now instructors can utilize the following tips for teaching English to adults :
- Make instructions precisely and clear by using as few words as possible and utilize gestures where possible. Similarly, bootstrap series of instructions into smaller chunks. Try being polite and using “please” and “thank you” to deal with the adults.
- Rather than pressurizing students to speak inspire them to listen and learn from you.
- Adults who begin, need to listen to the new sounds of the language, write and read more frequently than children. Make sure to repeat, drill, back-drill, as redundant or boring as it may sound, Remember Practice makes perfect!
- Set up the classroom decorum and to go language early so the adults get intensified with the vitality and may consider the impact not following the decorum may have.
- Make the classes relatable, fun, and interactive. The grown-ups have different interests, hobbies, likes, and admirations wherein the instructors should account for these to get more engagement. For example, selecting a topic to read that speaks to them
- There’s very less impact in students being told about the terms like past simple, gerund, or adjective if they are unable to use the actual words, contexts, or phrasing they intend to. Rather than telling them, it is better to show them.
- Practically practice the language with Roleplay exercises.
- Emphasis on adults’ professional and personal roles and let them speak or write about themselves. This is an area they’re familiar the most with and can promote creativity and confidence in the learners.
- Encourage them to ask questions about different topics themselves.
- Setting a debate in class is an effective way of getting the adult student to talk quite more. Sometimes the topics can lead to heat in class, but this will encourage and energize them
- Try some games like Bingo. It can be a great experience. Students tend to listen carefully and jot words or expressions on Bingo cards. They can also practice their speaking while playing and their reading because they start to recognize the words on their cards.
While there are abundance of tips for teaching English to adults , the above generally encompass the streams of most.
