Adult Language Learning: Insights, Instructions And Implications

Master's Thesis from the year 2006 in the subject Pedagogy - Adult Education, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad (English Department), course: Research Project, language: English, abstract: The present study aims to investigate, that age is not a detriment to language learning .As young students are biologically disposed to better second language learning, as well as given certain benefits such as lower self-monitor and affective filter ,but at the same time adults are also not at a lower vantage point in L2 learning process. In the language learning program, adult learners bring with them certain advantages. Adults are better at understanding grammatical rules since they are aware of the rules and structures in their own language. [...] Especially in the areas of vocabulary and language structure, adults are actually better language learners than children. Adult learners have more highly developed cognitive systems, are able to make higher order associations and generalizations, and can integrate new language input with their already substantial learning experience. They also rely on long-term memory rather than the short-term memory function used by children and younger learners for rote learning. Adults have already developed learning strategies that have served them well in other contexts. They can use these strategies to their advantage in language learning. This research will suggest ways of dealing better with adult learners in their academic performance in the language class. The researchers' aim will be to investigate that they have potentials to become accomplished language learners with the advantage of more advanced cognitive development in the first language ,and they integrate new language input with their already substantial learning experience. To prove her point of view the researcher will involve 10 teachers and 30 students of Diploma,Certificate and Foundation level at the Department of English (functional Courses) at National University of Modern Languages Islamabad .For assessing adult learners proficiency in the class, questionnaires will be distributed among the participants. Classroom observation are also contributing factor in determining the learning process of adult learners so these tools will be used to find the role and behavior pattern of adult learners .Further it would help language teachers to understand that experience of adult learner is a living text book, and teachers can go through the language programme by cooperating with adult learners.