When Teaching is Learning

Teaching is also learning, and this is especially true when dealing with adult students.

Teachers will agree that adults bring to the classroom different experiences, levels of literacy, ages, cultural backgrounds, education, etc, And teachers should make the most of it and incorporate it to the lessons.

Most times adult students are highly motivated, the perspective of using the language in their professional life, while travelling or just for pleasure, keeps the motivation level high. However, they usually have very specific and immediate goal, a particular self-concept based on previous learning experiences and many ideas about what the teacher should/should not do.

One of the first steps for teachers is to determine the students' goals and to help them feel progress towards it. Materials and activities should be selected accordingly to keep their motivation and provide enjoyment and the  opportunity for real social interaction.

All this is very easy theory, but how do we put it into practice?