5. Physical Health

Money may be an issue for some learners. Learners are not likely to learn effectively if they can't afford proper food, medication or a dentist. While it is difficult to solve these issues, keep in mind that there may be other alternatives. If your learner has a toothache, is it possible to get her to see a dental student? Could you and the learner brainstorm ways to prepare healthy and cheap food? Could planning a menu or looking at recipes be components of a lesson?

6. Personality

If a learner feels inhibited and is not willing to take risks, it will take longer for her to learn English.

Providing an environment where the learner is as comfortable as possible will help reduce learner anxiety and increase risk-taking. Developing a comfortable learning environment is possible when the tutor values the learner as a person and sees their relationship as a partnership.

Increased risk-taking and the confidence that is developed as a result, will help the learner communicate with others in her daily life.

If you are interested in discussing the importance of risk-taking with your learner, Strategies for Success: A Practical Guide to Learning English ⁹ allows learners to practice their skills (reading, vocabulary, speaking and listening) while learning about themselves as learners. The book is intended for learners at an intermediate level.

Two chapters of Strategies for Success: A Practical Guide to Learning English are reprinted in Additional Resources: Two Models of Learning Styles. One of these chapters specifically deals with personality (or "language ego") and the importance of risk taking in language development.

7. Motivation

Learner motivation impacts language learning. Although the learner may generally be motivated to learn, there will be times when the learner is apathetic because she does not feel she is learning "quickly enough."

Keeping track of learner progress is a good way to keep the learner motivated. When she feels she is not advancing, pull out the portfolio and lesson plans. With your learner, take a look at what she has accomplished.

⁹ H. Douglas Brown, Strategies for Success: A Practical Guide to Learning English (White Plains, NY: Pearson Education, 2002.)