UNIT 14 LEARNER NEEDS

LEARNERS NEED

When a person is learning a new language in this case English, it is important to notice that there are various kinds of needs which impact a lot into the learning process. At this point there are personal needs which are when learners can use them in order to become more fluent, while, professional needs are used when the learner wants to learn in order to give good presentations. We have to clarify that it is totally different from what people with special needs need. “Every learner needs goals for learning and indicators of progress in learning. Without a clear understanding of what is to be learned and how that learning is taking place, the learner loses interest, motivation and comes to see learning as a process devised by others that is trivial, and a waste of time.” (Dhawan, 2005)

In contrast, the main reasons why learners have the different personal needs are because of their ages, gender, cultural background, interests, educational background, motivation and their personality. This mainly occurs when they want to achieve a goal or when they have any expectation.

Then we have the learning needs which are basically according to their learning styles, it could be based on past language experiences, learning gap, learning goals and expectations for the course, their level of skill or knowledge.

Additionally, personal needs are so significant because it is not learning just because of a grade but that knowledge is going to be used in the future. If a person wants to work at any place where English is used as a second language for example he or she must know that it is mandatory a professional language requirement for employment. 

In short I would like to use this with my students by motivating them to learn the language, discover learning styles because it is part of a good teacher. In order to accomplish with my goal I will use the book (Sandra Hughes-Hassell, 1992) which I consider very useful since it contains answer to the needs of learners.

Bibliography:

Dhawan, M. (2005). Learners With Special Needs. India: isha books.

Sandra Hughes-Hassell, J. C. (1992). Collection Management for Youth: Responding to the Needs of Learners. United States of America.