Template - TKT Winner - Learner characteristics + Needs

TKT -Module 1 Renan Lemes

March 28th -Learner characteristics + Needs

Age

Learning style

Language level

Motivation

Learning strategies

Past language learning experience

Personality

visual

the learner learns best through seeing

auditory

the learner learns best through hearing

the learner learns best through using the body

kinaesthetic

group

the learner learns best through working with others

individual

the learner learns best through working alone

the learner learns best when given time to consider choices

reflective

the learner learns best when able to respond immediately

impulsive

Autonomy

Learning Strategies

Repeating new words in your head until you remember them

Experimenting / taking risks by using just learnt language in conversations

Guessing the meaning of unknown words

Asking the teacher or others to say what they think about your use of language

Deciding to use the foreign language as much as possible by talking to tourists

Recording yourself speaking, then judging and correcting your pronunciation

Asking a speaker to repeat what they have just said

Deciding what area of vocabulary you need to learn and then learning it

Thinking about how to remember all the new words you meet in each lesson and then deciding to write each new one on a separate card

Paraphrasing (using other language to say what you want to say)

TKT Practice Task

For questions 1 - 7, match what the learners does with the learning strategies listed A-D. You need to use some options more than once.

Learning strategies

What the learner does

1 The learner collects new vocabulary on cards and then sorts the cards into topics. 2 The learner paraphrases to say something beyond his level of language. 3 The learner guesses an unknown word from the context 4 The learner compares a recent composition with an old one, to see if she has made progress. 5 The learner decides to buy a dictionary to use at home. 6 The learner solves a problem with his classmates. 7 The learner records herself reading aloud and then listens to the recording to see if her pronunciation is good.

A taking risks B getting organised C judging your own performance D working with others

1-B

3-A

2-A

7-C

12

4-C

5-B

6-D

Learners needs

Personal needs

Learning needs

11

Personal needs

Learning needs

age

learning styles

gender

past language learning experience

cultural background

learning gap - language proficiency or knowledge of culture

interests

educational background

Learning goals and expectations for the course

Motivation

autonomy

(Future) professional needs

availability of time

language requirements for employment, training or education

11

How the teacher can meet learner needs

Learning needs

Personal needs

choosing suitable:

Choosing suitable:

materials, topics and activities

materials , topics and activities

learning strategies

pace (speed) of lessons

approach to teaching

approach to teaching

skills

language and skills

interaction patterns

interactions patterns

types of feedback

workload

11

TKT Practice Task

For questions 1 - 7, match the descriptions of the learners with the causes of their needs listed A-H. There is one extra option which you do not need to use.

Causes of needs

Descriptions of learners

1 The learner really needs to learn English well to succeed in her job. 2 The learner learns best through working alone. 3 The learner has an extremely busy job and can only learn English in the evenings. 4 The learner has serious pronunciation problems which prevent him passing an oral exam. 5 The learner is used to learning lots of grammar. 6 The learner finds the English class boring. 7 The learner needs to learn how to learn English by herself, as she can't afford to go to classes

A lack of motivation B learner autonomy C past learning experience D learning style E learning gap F learning goals G availability of time H professional

2-D

1-H

3-G

7-B

12

5-C

6-A

4-E

Thanks!

Any questions? You can find me at:

• renan.lemes7@gmail.com
• user@mail.me

References

The TKT Course - Cambridge University Press