Most people agree that learning a second language as early as possible effectively promotes language retention and fluency. And while it’s true that children are exceptionally receptive to learning a new language, learning English as an adult is not impossible. In some instances, adults may actually be more receptive to learning a foreign language. A 1978 study by Catherine Snow and Marian Hoefnagel Hohle followed a group of Dutch learners of different ages. The two conducted various tests to assess language acquisition. On the first test, adolescents and adults scored highest among the age group.
However, adults looking to learn English later in life face challenges. It can be more difficult to master pronunciation or to develop an ear for the target language. If you’re a teacher looking to help adult students grasp a new language, there are a number of tools and resources available. Read on to learn more.
What Is the First Step for Adults Learning English?
When beginning lessons, students should focus on the spoken portion of the language, including listening and comprehension, rather than the translation and grammar components of English.
There’s no magic English lesson that can make a student fluent overnight, so they need to zero in on the fundamentals first. The best way to do this is by having your students listen to native speakers. You can encourage this by incorporating different multimedia formats into your lessons, such as short videos and movies designed for beginners. Additionally, it’s beneficial for teachers to conduct their entire lesson in English. Exaggerated gestures and hand signals can help students understand what is being discussed or the instructions being given.
How to Teach English to Adults: BICS and CALP Skills
Henry Sweet and Otto Jefferson spearheaded changes in how languages should be learned in the classroom in the 19th century. This led to the development of the following best practices:
- Focusing on spoken language first, instead of written comprehension.
- Using only the target language in the classroom, creating a fully immersive experience.
- Using native speaker competence as a guide for measuring language proficiency.
Furthermore, language instructors can divide teaching language skills into two groups: BICS and CALP skills.
BICS
Also known as social language, Basic Interpersonal Communication Skills focus on the fundamental building blocks of a language and refer to the linguistic skills needed in everyday, social, face-to-face interactions. Those proficient in these skills will be able to have a conversation with someone in their target language, and to do so, they need to develop:
- Basic grammar
- Conversational skills
- Reading and writing skills
BICS are the first set of skills that a language learner will acquire.
CALP
Cognitive Academic Language Proficiency focuses on fluency in academic and professional language. Within the language learning community, academic language is characterized as being abstract and specialized.
Because CALP language is more advanced, students will need to develop the following skills in addition to learning the language itself:
- Comparing
- Classifying
- Synthesizing
- Evaluating
- Inferring
- Reading and comprehending more rigorous texts
- Academic writing
- Workplace communication
4 Advantages of Learning English as an Adult
1. Increased Intellectual Development
As a result of learning a new language, adult students will be exposed to new rules regarding grammar, punctuation, spelling and more. Learning a new language exercises the brain, forming new neural pathways. Research has shown that knowing a second language can protect the brain against mental decline as adults enter old age.
2. Memory Improvement
Research shows that learning English, or any second language for that matter, will help your students by strengthening short-term memory skills and may even improve memory in the long term.
3. Growth in Employment Opportunities
Knowing multiple languages is a valuable asset that many organizations appreciate when hiring. As English becomes increasingly necessary to communicate in our world, knowledge of the language can help your students stand out in the crowd.
4. Preparation for Academic Environments
Many adult international students often travel to native English-speaking countries to pursue higher education. According to the Migration Policy Institute, The United States has been a destination of choice for higher-educated immigrants and those looking to receive a college education, thanks to its robust and dynamic economy, world-acclaimed universities and research facilities, and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship. These students look to learn the English language to boost their employment opportunities, and will seek to learn it relatively quickly.
3 Main Challenges for English Learners
As a language teacher, it’s helpful to know the challenges your students face when it comes to learning a new language. By doing so, you’ll be better equipped to create a learning environment that best suits their needs.
Challenge No. 1: It can be difficult to learn a new language as an adult.
Adults have many things going on, from full-time jobs to taking care of their families. Learning another language can add new stress to their daily lives.
Challenge No. 2: There are different forms of English.
The three main forms of English are British English, American English and Australian English. Each has its own grammar rules, vocabulary and syntax. When teaching English, it’s important to remember that your students may have learned different kinds of English, which can result in different expressions and spellings. Make a note of what they already know and teach them about consistency, which is crucial.
Challenge No. 3: Becoming fully proficient in a language takes time.
It’s common for adults to want instant gratification when they pick up a new hobby or try learning something new. But that’s not the case with learning English, as it will take time for their memory to retain it.
Teaching English to Adults: 6 Tools to Try
There are many fun ways to teach English to adult students. Using content to support lessons via content and language integrated learning (CLIL) helps students better retain information and vocabulary. Here are a few examples to try out in the classroom.
1. Read News Articles
Reading about current events is a helpful way for students to learn common jargon and more complicated concepts. Using newspapers as an English learning tool also showcases good writing, allowing students to improve their language learning skills.
Additionally, newspapers allow students to focus on more academically invigorating concepts and topics. For example, your classroom can discuss climate change or politics. By mastering this level of English, your students will be better prepared to use the new language in academia or in business.
2. Find Magazines That Are Specific to Their Interests
This is a great teaching technique because when a student reads about a subject matter they’reinterested in — whether it’s arts, science, manufacturing or finance — it keeps them focused and makes it easier to pick up on new words and grammatical syntax.
3. Play Word Games
Games aren’t just for children — they make for fantastic learning tools! Crossword puzzles like those from The New York Times can be a fun and engaging way for your students to hone their spelling and vocabulary skills. And for more advanced learners, there is Wordle, a game in which one has to guess five-letter words in six tries.
4. Watch YouTube Videos
YouTube is a wonderful teaching resource, simply because there are numerous creators and vast content. For beginning students, there are language-specific exercises that teach the basics in a lesson format. For more advanced learners, we recommend watching videos created by native English speakers, so the students can pick up on grammar structure.
For example, the series ”Easy English” is a YouTube series with new episodes released every Wednesday. The two hosts, who are from England, ask people on the street basic questions and record their answers. Additionally, the BBC has a host of informative videos and multimedia resources aimed at beginners.
These videos can help students learn conversational patterns, which can be difficult to teach and understand from a textbook.
5. Incorporate Content
Content is valuable for teachers and language learners alike, since it can expose students to culture, while showcasing strong writing and new vocabulary. Consider incorporating short articles, books, and magazines into the classroom. Books, in particular, are a great way to gain insight into a culture. Not only will this reading material give your students a break from their typical worksheets and lectures, but it can help them develop a strong vocabulary.
6. Watch TV Series and Movies in the Target Language
Watching movies and TV series in your class can be an easy way to introduce the spoken language while improving listening comprehension. Like books, they can also give your students insight into the culture.
What Is the Best Way to Teach Adults?
While there isn’t a singular answer for this as each student learns differently, it’s important to take a different approach when teaching adults. For adult learners, consider the following:
Flexibility.
Depending on the structure of the class, adults may have other commitments including family and career. Educators should take these factors into consideration when working with students to ensure they can reach their specific language goals.
Real-World Application.
It’s important to show how the language can be used in the real world. Make sure to utilize grammatical concepts and vocabulary that can be used in students’ daily lives, depending on their goals. For example, if your student is planning on visiting a country for vacation, ensure they have a toolkit of phrases they can use in different situations.
Final Thoughts
Learning English as an adult requires extra dedication and commitment from your students.e Still, there are fun ways to incorporate the English language into your classroom — take some time to branch out and utilize resources you may not have thought of before. The New York Times Licensing Group has a wealth of content options to help supplement your language lessons and to encourage your students to thrive.
