[HUE]

Toby,

Here are a few ideas which have helped me in the past. I don't know how appropriate/applicable they may be to your situation, but you can pick and choose:

1: Set Goals: What does he want to specifically accomplish in the next few months. If he has nothing to work towards, then he can't measure progress. He also can't feel as though he is advancing. In addition, if he has some sort of goal, maybe it's unrealistic. Set a goal with him, then use that information to structure your lessons.

2: Provide materials in which he's interested. Real, relevant materials that are in the news work great for upper-level learners because they're likely talking about the same topics in their L1. Articles, broadcasts, and other similar materials also allow them to work on important skills like presentations, summarization, paraphrasing, circumlocution, skimming, scanning, plus more.

3: Give him to find something to listen to during the commute, as he works out, over lunch, etc. A podcast on a topic of interest listened during his off time feels less like formal study, so even busy people can fit it in more easily. He doesn't need to take notes, check words, etc., just listen. (This is sort of a twist on intensive reading.)

I hope these ideas help.