English for teens at a language institute in their country (EFL setting). There are 12 students, 5 boys, 7 girls, 13-14 years old. Class meets in the afternoon for two hours, two days a week, for three months.

• Why are they taking the classes: their own interest, or requirements of someone else?
• How much English have they studied? In what setting(s)?
• What do they want to do with their English?
• What type of school do they attend — how academic and demanding?
• Are they from different schools, or the same?
• In their culture, what is the relationship between males and females? Are they accustomed to learning together? Are there different expectations for males than females?
• What are their home situations: economically, religious, strength of family?
• How do they get to English class (how far do they live? do they take public transport?)
• Have they been in two-hour classes before?
• Is there a usual form of teaching in their culture — e.g. teacher-dominated — and do they have expectations about the role of teacher and student?
• How open might they be to new ways of teaching?
• What resources do they have, e.g. cellphone, Internet access, computer … or paper, pens.
• What is their level of literacy?
• What else is expected of them during those three months?
• What is the political and social climate of their country at the moment?
• What is the national feeling about English and the native country of the teacher?