Tips for Teachers: Believe That Your Students Can Reach Native Proficiency

This doesn't mean that all adults will reach native proficiency.  But if we as teachers are already convinced that native level proficiency is impossible for adult language learners, then we will be more likely to use methods that will not take our students there.  We need to give our students the benefits that we give to first language learners: patience, time, encouraging correction, explanation, experience, etc.; and the dignity that goes with being a capable adult even if it be in another language.