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Sue Kay has been an ELT materials writer for over 25 years. She is the co-author of ÃÛÌÒapp's Focus Second Edition and is one of the co-founders of . In this article, Sue takes us through her experience of using video in the classroom and shows us how to motivate and engage students with authentic video.

Videos are no longer a novelty

When I started teaching in the early 80s, video was a novelty in the classroom. We only had one video player for the whole school and had to book it a week in advance. There was very little published material available, but thanks to the rarity factor, the students lapped it up.?

There was no problem with getting them motivated, even if the lessons accompanying the videos were not particularly exciting and consisted mainly of comprehension questions. Lucky for me, our school had a very dynamic Director of Studies who gave great teacher training sessions and I was very taken with a presentation he did on active viewing tasks.?

I was, and still am, a big fan of the Communicative Approach and I embraced the more interactive video tasks enthusiastically: freeze frame and predict, watch with the sound down and guess what people are saying, listen with the screen hidden to guess the action, etc.?

When I¡¯m preparing a video lesson, I still try to include at least one of these activities because the information gap provides an ideal motivation for students to watch the video and check their ideas.?

Dr. Quoc is an author, educational solutions provider and AIED expert with over 20 years of experience in ELT and education in Vietnam. He is the Founder and CEO of Pro.Ed Education Solutions and Chief Officer of EduVerse, a global network supporting lifelong learning for educators. Dr. Quoc is also the author of The Art and Science of ChatGPT in Education and was named a LinkedIn Top Educational Leadership Voice in 2024. His work focuses on integrating AI into education to support personalized and flexible learning for teachers and learners.

For many adult learners, mastering English isn¡¯t just about gaining a new skill¡ªit¡¯s about unlocking opportunities in work, family and social spheres. But juggling English lessons alongside work, family obligations and social commitments is a challenge that can feel overwhelming.

This guide explores the unique challenges adult learners face and how educators can support them with empathy, flexibility and effective strategies.

The challenges of learning English as an adult

Meet Le, a 35-year-old Vietnamese project manager who dreams of working for an international company. With a demanding full-time job and two young children, finding time for English lessons feels impossible. Missing classes and struggling to complete assignments leads to frustration and self-doubt¡ªan all-too-common experience among adult learners.

Many adults face similar challenges:

• Balancing work, family and personal commitments leaves little time and energy for study.
• Fatigue after a long day makes it difficult to concentrate or retain information.
• Progress feels slow, which can be demotivating.

Without practical support, the goal of English proficiency can seem out of reach.

Strategies for overcoming challenges

1. Setting SMART Goals

Educators can guide learners to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (SMART) goals. Breaking down larger objectives into small, measurable milestones gives learners a sense of achievement. For example, ±Ê±ð²¹°ù²õ´Ç²Ô¡¯²õ Global Scale of English (GSE) provides actionable ¡°Can-do¡± statements, such as:

• Reading (GSE 37/CEFR A2+): Can understand simple personal emails.
• Speaking (GSE 44/CEFR B1): Can give a short talk with visual support.

These manageable goals create motivation and help learners like Le stay focused without feeling overwhelmed.

2. Offering flexible learning options

Flexibility is key for adult learners. Teachers can adopt strategies such as:

• Modular lessons that can be completed in short sessions.
• Micro-learning, including 10-minute daily practices using apps or quick grammar exercises.

For learners like Le, micro-learning can easily be integrated into a work commute or lunch break.

3. Blending learning with real-world scenarios

Teaching English through practical, real-life contexts makes lessons more relevant and efficient. Using authentic materials like emails, meeting notes, or presentations mirrors learners¡¯ daily lives and creates immediate applications for their new skills. For instance:

• Help learners role-play workplace conversations.
• Develop speaking proficiency for social interactions or workplace scenarios.

This approach saves time and reinforces the usefulness of learning English, keeping learners motivated.

4. Encouraging weekly reflection

Reflection allows learners to monitor their progress, stay motivated and adapt their strategies. Teachers can:

• Encourage learners to set weekly goals (e.g., learning new business vocabulary or practicing pronunciation for 15 minutes daily).
• Use reflection journals to track achievements, identify challenges and adjust learning plans.

This habit reinforces a growth mindset, helping learners make consistent progress amidst their busy schedules.

Implementing the strategies

Here¡¯s how educators can apply these strategies effectively:

1. Assess and set goals

Work with learners to set realistic, measurable goals based on their personal motivations and schedules.

2. Create flexible study plans

Develop personalized study schedules that incorporate modular lessons and micro-learning techniques.

3. Use authentic materials

Include sample emails, presentations, or conversations that align with the learner¡¯s work or life situations, making lessons more practical.

4. Encourage accountability

Implement tools like reflective journals or digital reminders to help learners stay on track and see their progress.

5. Leverage personalized AI tools

Use AI-powered tools to recommend tailored exercises, provide instant feedback and enable targeted practice in learners¡¯ focus areas.

Why It matters

English proficiency opens doors to better job opportunities, stronger social connections and enriched personal growth. By providing empathetic and flexible support, teachers empower learners to achieve their goals without compromising their work-life balance.
For educators seeking further resources, ±Ê±ð²¹°ù²õ´Ç²Ô¡¯²õ GSE framework offers valuable tools to help adult learners succeed. Teachers can use these aids to track progress and personalize lessons for maximum impact.

Celebrate education

To mark the incredible work of educators helping learners balance work, life and study, we encourage you to share your own experiences and tips to others. Together, we can continue to empower lifelong learning and celebrate the role of education in transforming lives.

In the rapidly evolving age of artificial intelligence (AI), language plays a critical role in shaping the future of technology. English, in particular, has emerged as the dominant language in the AI domain, driving innovations, collaboration and accessibility. As we delve deeper into the digital age, the importance of teaching English becomes increasingly evident. Here are some key points that underscore why English is essential in the realm of AI and why its teaching matters.

Global collaboration and research

AI is a field that thrives on collaboration and the sharing of knowledge. Researchers, developers and engineers worldwide contribute to the collective advancement of AI technologies. English is the common linguistic thread that binds this global community together, enabling seamless communication and collaboration among these diverse professionals.

By teaching English, we empower individuals from various linguistic backgrounds to participate in global research projects, attend international conferences and publish their findings in widely accessible journals. This global exchange of ideas not only accelerates the pace of AI innovation but ensures that advancements are inclusive and representative of a wide array of perspectives.

Access to educational resources and technical documentation

Many AI research papers, educational materials, textbooks, online courses and technical documents are published in English. Leading AI platforms, libraries and frameworks, offer extensive documentation and support primarily in English.

By equipping individuals with English language skills, we empower them to access these invaluable resources. This democratizes the learning process, allowing aspiring AI practitioners from non-English-speaking regions to acquire the knowledge and tools needed to contribute effectively to the field.

Enhancing communication and language learning with AI systems

As AI systems become more integrated into our daily lives, the ability to communicate effectively with these systems is paramount. Many AI-driven applications, from virtual assistants like Siri and Alexa to customer service chatbots, operate predominantly in English. Teaching English ensures that users can interact seamlessly with these technologies, maximizing their utility and enhancing user experience.

Moreover, as continues to advance, proficiency in English allows individuals to better understand and contribute to the development of more sophisticated and intuitive AI communication interfaces.
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