PRINCIPLES OF TEACHING FOREIGN LANGUAGES TO LEARNERS OF DIFFERENT AGE GROUPS
Keywords:
foreign language teaching, age differences, teaching principles, language acquisition, pedagogy, learner characteristics, differentiated instructionAbstract
Teaching a foreign language is never a one-size-fits-all process. Anyone who has stood in front of a classroom of six-year-olds, a group of restless teenagers, or a room full of working adults knows that each group lives in a different world. Children learn through wonder and play, teenagers through identity and social connection, and adults through purpose and experience. This article explores the core pedagogical principles that respond to these differences. Drawing on both classic and contemporary language teaching research, we argue that effective instruction depends not on a single “best method” but on the teacher’s ability to adapt – to match activities, materials, and interactions to the cognitive, emotional, and social realities of each age group. Practical recommendations are offered for teachers working with young learners, adolescents, and adults.
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