Arab Educational Information Network

There have been major changes in the theory and practice of second language teaching and learning. These changes have been driven by changes in educational theory and the way we think about language learning. Some of the expected difficulties that may face teachers in various learning situations are the following: 1) the students are at different levels. 2) The class is very big. 3) Students keep using their own language. 4) Lack of cooperation. 5) Students find difficulty in writing skill. 6) Students don’t want to talk in class. 7) Difficulty in understanding the listening tape. 8) Students -in- groups finish before everybody else. Many suggestions, techniques and recommendations are presented as solutions for each difficulty or problem. Different kinds of alternatives are given to overcome language learning difficulties. The alternatives that are presented may help learners in the following: 1) urge students towards the active use of the target language. 2) Help learners to learn useful language and become better learners. 3) Provide models of the language they are learning and share their knowledge of real – world tasks. 4) Improve learning performance and provide a detailed profile of their skills. 5) Help learners to make connections between the classroom world and the world behind it. (Published abstract)