If they are older or younger than everyone else, they may find it difficult to fit in. If their language learning has been only by grammar translation, activities such as games to promote communicative competence may not be taken as serious learning, and so on. Bearing in mind what I have said about expectations, put yourself in the shoes of a teacher and say which of the items in the list below you would want to discuss with your learners and take into account when planning your teaching. Tick as appropriate. However, a teacher must always take great care not to stereotype.
People are individuals, as well as being members ofa particular group, sex, country or religion.
In general it is clear that teaching and learning are more successful when the teacher takes a real interest in her learners, and is aware of the knowledge, skills and experiences they bring to the classroom. There can be few more direct ways to discover how people think they learn best than by asking them. In the next activity you will see what response they had. Read through these replies carefully. Make a note, also, of what these learners have in common in the way they are approaching their learning.