learner

Everyday

1. A learner is a person who is learning something, like a pupil at school or someone learning a new skill. tree →
2. A learner driver is someone learning to drive a car who has not passed the driving test yet. tree →
3. (UK, Ireland) An L-plate (a red L on white) shows that a car is driven by a learner. tree →

In the lessons

In school, teachers talk about «learners» and «good learning habits»; a «fast learner» picks things up quickly. In everyday life in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand, cars with L-plates show learners, so other drivers should be patient. Phrases: «a fast learner», «a slow learner», «learner driver», «English learners».

Examples

• She's a fast learner and picked up chess in a week. tree →
• The car had L-plates because Mum is a learner driver. tree →
• Our school wants every learner to feel welcome. tree →
• English learners often find spelling tricky. tree →
• Be patient with learners; everyone starts somewhere. tree →
• Dad's a learner on the guitar, so it sounds a bit wobbly. tree →

Note

Countable noun. Made from «learn» + «-er» (the one who learns). Do not confuse «learner» with «teacher»; and in standard English we do not «learn» someone something; we teach them.