You have a special audience if you teach English to 20-year-old adult learners of English as a second language.Students reaching adulthood in the early 2000s make up part of the millennial generation or Generation Y, according to Julie Coates. Although diverse, these young adults share common characteristics and strengths, such as their high educational level and familiarity with technology. For best results, adapt your course to your group.

Let students know what you expect. Establish clear rules, explain what tests will cover and let students know how they are doing. However, remember that as adults they want to save face. So avoid humiliating students or correcting them in public. Remember that as adults they deserve respect.

Make students part of the planning process. Include their experience and ideas in planning specific activities. For example, have them work in small groups to write test questions, which you compile and edit. Or have them pick their own groups and topics for oral presentations.

Take advantage of their love for media and technology. Use audio, video and computers as many ways as possible. In addition to listening CDs and movie DVDs, use the computer lab frequently, and take advantage of whatever software your school provides. Also use the many free practice websites. Use wiki pages for writing or create a class blog. Have them use Internet phone, email, or social networking sites. Better yet, let them introduce the latest craze, and find a way to use it.

Keep student attention with games and fun activities, as Coates suggests. Use, board games, crossword puzzles, songs and treasure hunts. Get them out of their chairs for physical activities such as charades or acting out vocabulary words.

Keep students focused by changing activities often. Their desire to multitask can distract them. To avoid this, keep activities short, within a 20 to 30 minute range. This doesn't mean the whole lesson must last only a few minutes. Keep your presentation to 20 minutes, and then let them have controlled practice with a partner or group for 20 minutes. After that, give them an activity that gets them out of their chairs, such as a survey or a "Find someone who" questionnaire. Vary the activities within a planned topic.

Use a mixed or eclectic approach, as the Zemkes suggest. Make sure students participate fully, rather than just observing. Following a textbook chapter by chapter will bore many of them. Address different learning styles and use a variety of input. Use texts and technology, in-class and out-of-class activities, and individual and group work. Remember your audience, so that your 20-year-old English language learners thrive.