With a partner, take a look at the following case study:

After living in Canada for only 2 months, a learner wanted to take on an English name because she thought her name was difficult for English speakers to pronounce. She asked me to give her a "good English name". I thought about this a long time and felt a little uncomfortable about doing this. Her name is a fundamental part of her identity. Who was I to choose another name for her?

What would you do in this situation? Why?

Your learner will not give you feedback; it is difficult for you to determine what you should be working on with your learner.

Some learners are from cultures where teachers are highly respected. Students see teachers as specialists, and to question a teacher would be unimaginable.

While you are not a classroom teacher, you are in a situation where you may be perceived as a specialist. The learner may not feel that giving you feedback (in terms of what they do and do not like) is proper. She may resist telling you how she really feels.

Options to explore with the learner:

You may need to ask questions in a more indirect way. You may want to come with a few different books. Let your learner know that she must choose the best book.

Rating exercises may also be useful in determining the types of exercises your learner feels suit her purpose best.