LEARNER-CENTERED APPROACH

A learner-centered approach in language instruction is founded on the concept that

the learner is central in the learning process. Learners learn primarily because of
what they bring, in terms of their perceived needs, motivations, past experiences,
background knowledge, interests and creative skills to their classroom experience.
Teachers, on the other hand, are seen as "facilitators, helpers, and resources".

Definition
Is a learning model that places the student (learner) in the center of the learning
process.
Students are active participants in their learning.
Learning is more individualized than standardized.
Student-centered learning accounts for and adapts to different learning styles of
students.
They learn at their own pace and use their own strategies; they are more
intrinsically than extrinsically motivated.

Background
The concept of student-centered learning has been credited as early as 1905 to
Hayward and in 1956 to Dewey’s work. Carl Rogers, the father of client-centered
counseling, is associated with expanding this approach into a general theory of
education.

Features
Active learning, in which students solve problems, answer questions, formulate
questions of their own, discuss, explain, debate, or brainstorm during class.
Cooperative learning, in which students work in teams on problems and projects
under conditions that assure both positive interdependence and individual
accountability.
Inductive teaching and learning, in which students are first presented with
challenges. Inductive methods include inquiry-based learning, case-based
instruction, problem-based learning, project-based learning, discovery learning,
and just-in-time teaching.
Role of the learner
Learners are active as opposed to passive recipients of knowledge. Learners may
assume a decision-making role in the classroom. Learners often decide what is to
be learned, through which activities, and at what pace. Learners can also produce
materials and provide activities for the classroom.

Role of the teacher

To put this approach into practice, teachers need to help students set achievable
goals; they encourage students to assess themselves and their peers; help them to
work co-operatively in groups and ensure that they know how to make use of all
the available resources for learning.

Objectives

 To discover their own learning styles.

 To understand their motivation.
 To acquire effective study skills that will be valuable throughout their lives.
 Note: Errors are seen as a constructive part of the learning process and
need not be a source of embarrassment.

Principles
 The learner has full responsibility for her/his learning
 Involvement and participation are necessary for learning
 The relationship between learners is more equal, promoting growth,
development
 The teacher becomes a facilitator and resource person
 The learner experiences confluence in his education

Conclusion
In a student-centered classroom, students are involved in the learning process and
become committed to improving their English. Different learning styles can be
accommodated, and students can help each other to develop their skills. So to
conclude the whole discussion we can say that learner-centered approach is the
approach which has its main emphasis on the learner and teacher plays his role
passively as a guide in the classroom. The concern of this approach is with the
process of language learning.