Learning and the learner

This category of the Cambridge English Teaching Framework looks at:

• Your understanding of key language-learning theories and concepts
• Your awareness of different learning styles
• Your ability to apply this understanding to plan and facilitate language learning

Four stages of development

Every skill is described in relation to the four stages of development: Foundation, Developing, Proficient and Expert. Below, we list some of the main competencies for each stage and provide suggestions on how to develop further.

Foundation

• Starting to develop a basic understanding of key language-learning concepts and theories
• May demonstrate some of this understanding in your day-to-day teaching

Ways to develop further

Watch	Fun and achievement in the young learner classroom video
Read	To use or not to use the learners' own language
Do	Find a source of new methodology ideas and identify some key language-learning concepts you wish to explore Attend a conference, workshop or webinar and identify some classroom activities which exemplify key learning concepts Download free, practical Resources for teachers
Study	Try the following professional development books: Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, Third edition Scott Thornbury’s 30 Language Teaching Methods Sarah Mercer and Herbert Puchta’s 101 Psychological Tips Engaging Language Learners in Contemporary Classrooms

Developing

• Have a reasonable understanding of many key language-learning concepts and theories and have started to use some of the terms
• Have started to demonstrate in your planning some grasp of connections between the concepts / theories and your own learners' learning

Ways to develop further

Watch	Fun and achievement in the young learner classroom video
Read	Reasons to use translations in ELT
Do	Find a source of new methodology ideas and identify some key language-learning concepts you wish to explore Attend a conference, workshop or webinar and identify some classroom activities which exemplify key learning concepts Download free, practical Resources for teachers
Study	Try the following professional development books: Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, Third edition Scott Thornbury’s 30 Language Teaching Methods Sarah Mercer and Herbert Puchta’s 101 Psychological Tips Engaging Language Learners in Contemporary Classrooms

Proficient

• Have a good understanding of many of the key language-learning concepts and theories and often make use of many of the terms when discussing your work
• Often see links between the concepts / theories and your own learners' learning and frequently demonstrate this understanding when planning and teaching

Ways to develop further

Watch	Targeting tasks for teenagers: age-appropriate exam content video
Read	Primary ELT: The role of the students' own language
Do	While learning about new methodologies identify some links between key concepts and your students' learning Attend a conference, workshop or webinar and try out some classroom activities then identify ways in which these impact on your students' learning Download free, practical Resources for teachers
Study	Try the following professional development books: Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, Third edition Scott Thornbury’s 30 Language Teaching Methods Sarah Mercer and Herbert Puchta’s 101 Psychological Tips Engaging Language Learners in Contemporary Classrooms

Expert

• Have a sophisticated understanding of most of the key language-learning concepts and theories and regularly make use of most of the terms
• Consistently demonstrate this understanding when planning and teaching and are able to develop your own personal theories as a result of observing your learners and reflecting on your own teaching

Ways to develop further

Watch	Targeting tasks for teenagers: age-appropriate exam content video
Do	While learning about new methodologies, develop your own personal theories of language learning in relation to your teaching and your students' learning Attend a conference, workshop or webinar then design a workshop for colleagues on what you learned Download free, practical Resources for teachers
Study	Try the following professional development books: Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, Third edition Scott Thornbury’s 30 Language Teaching Methods Sarah Mercer and Herbert Puchta’s 101 Psychological Tips Engaging Language Learners in Contemporary Classrooms

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Competency statements

Download the Cambridge English Teaching Framework – Framework components

Cambridge English teaching qualifications

Our industry-leading qualifications support you to develop your teaching skills and confidence, and prove what you can do. They are mapped to the Cambridge English Teaching Framework.

Learn more about teaching qualifications