Why Students Can’t Transfer What They Learned in Class
Willy A Renandya, 18 April 2025
As an English language teacher, have you ever wondered why your students struggle to use the grammar rules or vocabulary they learned so well in class when speaking or writing in real-world situations? It’s a common frustration for them.
You might have students who can ace a grammar test or confidently recite grammar rules and vocabulary definitions in class, but when it comes to holding a conversation, writing an email, or even ordering food in a restaurant, they freeze up.
This gap between classroom learning and real-life application is known as the “transfer of learning” problem.
The good news is that cognitive scientists have been studying this issue for years, and their findings offer valuable insights into why transferring language skills can be so difficult and what we, as teachers, can do about it.
One key concept they’ve explored is called situated learning . Let’s break it down, explore what it means, why it matters, and discuss practical strategies to help our students bridge the gap between the classroom and the real world.
What Is Situated Learning?
Situated learning refers to the idea that learning happens best in specific contexts. Think of context as the environment or situation where learning takes place. For example, if you teach students how to use polite expressions like “Could you please…?” in a role-play activity set in a restaurant, they’re not just learning the phrase; they’re also associating it with the setting, the tone of voice, and the interaction with others. These contextual elements help them make sense of the language and remember it better.
Now imagine those same students trying to use “Could you please…?” in a completely different scenario—say, asking for directions on a busy street. Even though the phrase is the same, the new context might throw them off. That’s because the original learning was tied to a particular set of circumstances, making it harder to adapt to a different situation.
This is exactly what happens in English language classrooms. When students learn something in class, they often associate it with that specific environment; the teacher, the textbook, the desks, and the structured activities.
But when they step outside into the real world, everything changes. The rules, expectations, and surroundings are different, which makes it challenging to apply what they’ve learned.
Why Transfer of Language Skills Is So Hard
So why does this disconnect happen? Here are a few reasons based on research:
- Learning Happens in Specific Contexts
Whether it’s practicing past tense verbs in a dialogue or learning idiomatic expressions through storytelling, students rely heavily on the cues around them. Without these familiar cues, they may struggle to recall or apply their knowledge. Similarly, when they practice turning active sentences into passive ones, it is unlikely that they will be able to use this structure in real communication. - Context Helps Make Sense of Language
Context isn’t just background noise; it plays a crucial role in helping learners understand and organize information. For example, teaching vocabulary related to travel while planning a mock trip helps students grasp the meaning and usage of words like “itinerary,” “reservation,” and “departure.” However, without such meaningful contexts, abstract explanations or disconnected lists of words can feel confusing or irrelevant. - Learning Without Clear Contexts Is Difficult
Have you ever tried teaching someone a new word or phrase without giving them any practical examples or scenarios? Chances are, it didn’t stick. People need meaningful contexts to anchor their learning. Abstract grammar rules or isolated vocabulary items are much harder to understand and remember. - Transferring Skills to New Contexts Is Tricky
Even when students successfully learn something in one context, moving that knowledge to a new situation requires extra effort. This is especially true if the two contexts are very different. For instance, a student who learns formal introductions in class might find it hard to switch gears and introduce themselves casually at a social event. The shift in tone, purpose, and audience creates a barrier to transfer.
Implications for English Teachers
Let’s bring this back to everyday life in the English classroom. Imagine teaching students how to use modal verbs like “can,” “could,” and “should” to make requests. In class, they practice sentences like “Can I borrow your pen?” or “Could you pass the salt?” and seem to understand perfectly. But ask them to use these phrases during a group discussion or while interacting with English speakers outside the classroom. Suddenly they’re hesitant or unsure. Why?
Because the classroom context, where everything is predictable and controlled, is vastly different from the unpredictable nature of real-world interactions. In the classroom, there’s no pressure to respond quickly, no distractions, and no fear of embarrassment. Outside the classroom, however, these factors come into play, making it harder for students to access what they’ve learned.
Similarly, consider a student who excels at writing essays in class but struggles to compose a simple email or text message. Again, the difference lies in the context: the classroom exercises are neat and formulaic, while real-life communication is spontaneous and requires flexibility.
The challenge of transferring language skills from one context to another isn’t hard to overcome. By understanding the importance of context, we can take steps to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world application. Here are some practical strategies tailored specifically for English language teachers:
- Bring Real-Life Scenarios Into the Classroom
One of the most effective ways to improve transfer is to simulate real-life situations within the learning environment. Instead of relying solely on textbooks and lectures, design activities that mimic authentic interactions. For example:
- Teach airport-related language by setting up an airport scenario where students practice checking in, going through security, or asking for directions to their gate..
- Practice small talk by creating casual conversation stations where students discuss topics like hobbies, weather, or weekend plans.
- Use videos or audio clips of real conversations (e.g., interviews, podcasts) to expose students to natural speech patterns and intonation.
While it’s impossible to fully recreate every aspect of the outside world inside a classroom, incorporating realistic features goes a long way in preparing students for future challenges.
- Provide Continuous Support
Just like teaching a child to ride a bike, language learning works best with ongoing guidance and encouragement. Act as a facilitator, offering feedback and assistance as students familiarize themselves with new contexts. For instance:
- During speaking activities, gently correct pronunciation or grammar errors in real time rather than waiting until the end of the lesson.
- Provide sentence starters or prompts to help students structure their thoughts during discussions or presentations.
- Encourage peer feedback so students can learn from each other in a supportive environment.
This kind of support builds confidence and helps students connect theoretical knowledge with practical action.
- Encourage Communication Across Different Scenarios
Another powerful approach is to expose students to multiple variations of the same task or concept. By practicing similar language functions in diverse contexts, students develop flexibility and adaptability. For example:
- Teach polite requests using different settings, such as asking for help in a store, requesting information over the phone, or emailing a professor.
- Practice storytelling skills by having students describe personal experiences, recount fictional tales, and summarize news articles.
- Foster a Growth Mindset
Finally, it’s essential to remind students that language learning is a process. Mistakes and setbacks are part of the journey, not signs of failure. By encouraging a growth mindset, you can motivate students to keep trying, even when transferring language skills feels difficult. Celebrate small victories, such as when students correctly use a new phrase in conversation, and emphasize progress over perfection.
Conclusion
The challenge of helping students apply what they learn in English class to real-world situations is a familiar one for most teachers. Situated learning theory sheds light on why this gap exists: context plays a crucial role in how we learn and use language. While this connection to specific contexts can make transferring skills difficult, it also points us toward practical solutions.
By incorporating real-life scenarios into our lessons, offering ongoing support, and encouraging students to adapt their language skills across different situations, we can help them bridge the divide between the classroom and the outside world. For instance, instead of relying solely on textbook exercises, we can simulate authentic interaction, such as role-playing job interviews, writing emails, or practicing casual conversations. These activities not only make learning more engaging but also prepare students to handle similar situations in real life.
When students struggle to transfer their knowledge, it’s rarely a matter of effort or ability. More often, it’s the unfamiliarity of the new context that throws them off. But by creating opportunities for practice in varied, realistic settings, we can help them build the flexibility they need to thrive beyond the classroom walls.