Needs Assessment

Considering learners style in lesson planning and execution is essential to learning needs. Age and reasons for learning is one factor. Knowing why they need to learn the language will help in identifying what motivates them to learn. This factor will help in designing the lesson to provide what is expected towards learning, teaching and classroom interaction. Cultural sensitivity will also address personality needs in ways of interacting with others. Being neutral in class will attend to diverse cultural expectations towards learning and teaching topics and activities that will be beneficial towards its success.

“Adults are selective and self-directed learners. They have previous knowledge and experience which established system of values and beliefs leading their thought. They have been away from formal schooling for many years and maybe learning in class gives them anxiety and low self-esteem. They often have a problem-centered approach to learning which focuses only in direct application to their lives as they want to see immediately how the course content is relevant to their current problems or situations.” (Instructional Design and Research)

Aiming effective learning outcome will be determined by using classroom needs assessment tool. This will help identify where student can start learning, how they learn, which focuses their determination and motivation and what barriers of learning they have to help them in the process.

The most common barrier I have experienced in teaching how to speak the language is the lack of engagement to practice speaking after class. When student goes home, they speak their home language; they watch movies or tv programs in their language, even listening to music in their native tongue. Such practices impede their learning productivity as they do not immerse themselves in using English in all aspects of their daily activity. Learning comes from hearing and using all senses is the best way where information comes through. Out of the mouth the heart speaks and so accordingly passionate learner succeeds.

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