Individual Learner Differences

Individual Learner Differences

Learners in one classroom are both similar and, at the same time, different. A learner‐centered approach to teaching requires teachers to understand this duality, and to be aware of the different ways in which students learn. Some differences are easy to see or discover, such as…age…gender…socioeconomic conditions…and level of education.

Other differences may be more difficult to identify, including:

• Overall cognitive ability, or “intelligence,” and
• Cognitive development in younger learners.
• Learners’ language proficiency levels, and their
• Motivation for language study.
• Learners’ personality traits, along with their
• Learning strengths, styles and preferences.

Introduction

The focus in topic is on how teachers can vary teaching approaches and techniques to help facilitate learning for a wide variety of learners. They can…

• Vary the type of language input along with the content, and the medium of delivery.
• They can vary learner tasks.
• They can teach learning strategies.
• They can help students take responsibility for their own learning.
• And, they can use group work appropriately.

In the classroom, a teacher can see students demonstrate these differences. In addition, these differences have some impacts to the results of their work. There are things to consider in a classroom practice;

• How the class is organized.
• Different activities that the students do.
• Language and other skills that learners are using.
• An overall learning and teaching strategy.

Another way to meet the needs of individual learning differences is to set up learning stations or a self‐access area or room. Some reasons for a self‐access area are so that…

1. Learners can have choices; and
2. They can work at their own pace.
3. So that learners can have access to a variety of materials and do different tasks.
4. So that learners can work together on projects and activities.
5. And, so that the teacher can have more time to work with small groups or individuals.

Summary

The focus in this Module is on learners’ individual learning differences. Teachers can vary approaches and techniques to help facilitate learning for a wide variety of learners when…

1. They vary the type of language input along with the content, and the medium of delivery.
2. They vary learner tasks.
3. They teach learning strategies.
4. When they help students take responsibility for their own learning; and,
5. When they use group work appropriately.

to get a checklist for doing this step, click the following link: learner's differences.

This information is taken from “Shaping the Way We Teach English”, module 11.