THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN TEACHING ENGLISH TO ADULTS AND TEACHING ENGLISH TO CHILDREN

People can not enhance their skill in order to survive in this world without doing communication. Communication plays central role in transferring knowledge from one person to another. Today, one of well-known tools of communication is English language. Since English become popular language among our society, people try to study English either as second language or as foreign language. In this composition, the writer would like to explore the notion regarding the main differences between teaching English to adult and teaching English to children.

In order to encourage the motivation of adult learner and young learner (children), teacher must know their characteristics in learning process. Why the motivation lies in central role in teaching program? Slavin (1987) states that students who are unmotivated do not learn. They just come to school listening what teacher explains but they do not learn anything. Also, by knowing their characteristics, teacher can determine what learning style that suit best to both of them.

Transferring knowledge like English language to children is not easy thing to handle. They only know that the activities must be fun, interesting, and in humorous condition. Brumfit (1997) states that it is a common place that young children learn better through playing on at least can be induced to go along with teaching that is tempered by fun activities. Otherwise, they will not listen. Children acquire language through subconscious process. Consequently, the demand of creative teacher is needed when such teacher works students at elementary level. The example of fun activities that teacher can do when working with children are role play, story telling, puppets and props, games and puzzle to solve, and singing a song.

Meanwhile, adult leaner tends to be self-directed or independent person. Spread the handouts of the material that you have provided in order to ease adult in understanding the material on their own after the end of the class. When the adult is learning on his own he can use the speed or rate of learning that best fits his own learning style. Another idea when teaching English to adult is relationship building. Introduce yourself to the group and have them introduce themselves. Explain to them regarding the objective of the lesson. By doing so, it is expected that they will put a trust on you. Moreover, Adult learns through conscious process. It shows that they have motivation in attending the class. You must appeal to the learner at an adult level. Try and find out what the adult places value on. Recognize and respect those things that the adult values.