Though
adults may have more trouble with pronunciation and grammar than younger
learners, they may still be able to communicate fluently.
Children
and adults who acquire language outside the classroom share some similarities.
First of all, they are usually exposed to language which they more or less
understand even if they can’t produce the same language spontaneously
themselves. Secondly, they are motivated to learn the language in order to be
able to communicate. And finally, they have opportunities to use the language
they are learning.
Children
and babies get endless exposure to their first language coupled with emotional
support. Adults living in a foreign country get continual exposure to the
language at various different levels and can get help from the surrounding
language speakers. These features have some difficulty when trying to apply
within the classroom.
There
are three elements that need to be present in a language classroom to help
students learn effectively. They are called ‘ESA’.
They are:
Engage: This is the point in a teaching
sequence where teachers try to arouse the students’ interest, therefore
involving their emotions. Teachers will want to ensure that their students Engage with the topic, exercise or
language they are going to be dealing with.
Study: It means any stage at which the
construction of language is the main focus.
Activate: It describes exercises and
activities which are designed to get students using language as freely and
communicatively as they can.
