Teenagers 14-19

Adults 20-30s

Adults 40+

academic training

in-service training

Principle driving

force

Language is on the

curriculum

Language is on the curriculum

Career/ employment

prospects Travelling Immigration

Travelling Immigration Hobby

Career/ employment prospects

Motivation

Getting a school certificate

    Application for

college/ university

Varied, mostly high

Getting a degree

Post-graduate studies

Varied, mostly middle (if not a linguistic major)

Getting a certificate (CEFR

levels)

Language for specific purposes (ESP)

Rather high

Getting a certificate

(CEFR levels)

Language for

specific purposes (ESP)

Usually high, but

very quickly get tired and give up

Exposure to the language

Computer/online/

mobile games Social networks Lyrics

Academic corpora

Online resources Social networks

Business contacts

Online resources Social networks

Business contacts

Online resources

Attitude to

homework

In general, neutral to a

bit negative, a kind of duty

Homework is regarded as a part

of academic work, especially essential for successful graduation

Homework is regarded as a

means to improve skills, a greater interest in practical tasks. However, don't often have time to complete it.

Homework is

regarded as a means to improve skills, a greater interest in practical tasks. Usually are responsible about doing it.

Independent

learning

Accumulate the

language that serves particular interests. Still, can be at a loss facing too much information

Accumulate the language that is

necessary for a certain fluency for both general and professional purposes .

Usually are good at selecting proper sources.

Accumulate the language

essential for business purposes as well as general communication skills. Usually are glad to have practice.

Accumulate the

language essential for business purposes as well as general communication skills.

Can feel shy when facing the need of practical usage.