How to Transform Language Education for Next Generation Learners: A Path to Follow in Higher Education in the 21st Century

Abstract

With the changing face of education technology is a powerful asset for the 21st century teachers and students if pedagogy is considered as the major concern rather than technology itself. Technology seems very attractive to teachers and students but it is good to keep in mind that it is not just games and applications. We must see not only it as fun but also its functional power on learning teaching and assessing. As teachers change the way they teach due to new technologies the traditional pedagogy is replaced by student-centered and project-based learning and teaching. This can provide a deeper understanding and learning and greater student success. Therefore an effective next generation teaching needs to meet the 21st century expectations. Schools and teachers must be well-equipped with new genres and resources so that they can enhance the necessary skills and attitudes of studentscreative and critical thinking team work and collaboration digital literacy and others. In order to do this schools and teachers must change the way they regard teaching in many ways individually or along with professional aid and development. This paper is a descriptive one which aims to raise awareness in the changing face of education. Its purpose is to assist schools of foreign language administrators and teachers whose target audience is Next Generation Learners (NGL). It highlights some of their generalized characteristics and interests so that schools and teachers regard this paper as a reference guide. Also the paper provides some specific strategies and models as examples for schools and teachers to enhance effective teaching and learning environments for Next Generation Learners.