REFLECTION 6

Unit 14 Learner needs

The classroom more than a place to acquire knowledge is a place where learners face a discovery process that show them the steps to fulfill their goals and needs. When learning a foreign language learners have several reasons that motivate them to give the best in every task they develop in order to success in their learning process. There are three sorts of needs according to the learners’circumstances such as: personal, learning and professional needs which have specific aims to accomplish each one of them.

Appropriate lessons, topics, sources, feedback, etc. are items that are related with personal needs, so it is the teachers’ job to employ them in the class to get students active and interested in the lesson presented. In addition, assessment, interaction patterns, learning, strategies are part of learning needs, these help learners to develop their skillsin L2 accurately. Finally, specific grammar, functions, text types are items related to professional needs, these refers to future requirements as professionals. Certainly, learners needs give teachers a clue about the methods, topics, language, materials, etc. students prefer in their classes.

In the class I think it is necessary to take into account and identify students’ needs and wants through a discussion with them to have an agreement about the activities and methods they would like the teacher use in the class. Thus, students will be satisfied with the way that the lesson is presented.

For more information you can use the following websites:

• Nachamma,S. 2014. HIHER ED TEACHING STRATEGIES.Understanding Adult Learners’ Needs.Retrieved from: http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/understanding-adult-learners-needs/