Passivity in class, poor attendance, reluctance to ask questions and an inability to stay focused are the most common signs of demotivated students. It is a problem every teacher faces sooner or later. So in this article we talk about the importance of motivation and how to help students keep it at the right level.
Motivation is a complex process that includes both internal and external factors. Motivation is about the desire, energy and enthusiasm students feel toward learning. It is what makes students want to learn, be active and achieve their goals.
When we talk about motivation in the context of learning English as a second language, we need to consider the motivation of both sides of the learning process: the students and the teacher.
Student motivation usually means their drive and desire to keep taking part in learning activities. It is a decisive component of student success, because motivated students are more likely to be engaged in the learning process, take an active part in learning and succeed academically.
We often ask ourselves why some students are extremely motivated while others lack the motivation to learn. The answer lies in internal and external factors that have a strong influence on how motivated our students are.
One of the most important factors that can affect a teacher’s effectiveness is their level of motivation. Well-motivated teachers are more effective, inspire their students to learn and grow, and remain committed to their work.
Here are some signs that a teacher is well motivated:
But being a well-motivated teacher is not always enough. A teacher also needs a range of approaches and techniques that will help increase students’ motivation.
Here are some tips worth considering if you want to motivate your students:
Create a positive learning environment. Creating a positive and supportive learning environment can be key to motivating young learners and teenagers. Teachers should aim to create a calm, fun and engaging atmosphere in class. This can be done with games, music and videos. What is more, by showing interest in students’ lives and building a sense of unity in the classroom, you can help students feel more comfortable and invest more in the learning process.
Set clear goals. Setting clear goals can give young learners and teenagers something to strive for and something that motivates them. The teacher can discuss with students what they want to achieve, help them set goals and break them down into smaller, more achievable chunks. Celebrating small achievements on the way to a big goal also helps students stay motivated and interested.
For example: the topic of today’s lesson is “Talking about illnesses”. What do you want to achieve by the end of this lesson? What do you think you will be able to do after the lesson?
Use real-life situations. Using real-life situations and experiences is a great way to motivate students. Use examples and stories related to students’ lives and experience. Encourage students to share their own experience and point of view. Find and present new articles, videos or stories to show how the language is used in everyday situations. This will help students feel more connected to the materials and stay engaged in the learning process.
Use interactive and engaging activities. Young learners and teenagers are more likely to stay motivated if they are actively involved in learning. Use games, songs and other interactive materials to make lessons more interesting. Use a variety of learning materials and resources to keep students interested and active.
Encourage self-expression. Encouraging self-expression can help students feel more involved in the learning process. The teacher can ask students to share their own thoughts on different topics, or even create a project that lets students express themselves through writing, art or any other form. This will help students feel connected to the language they are learning.
Praise and give constructive feedback. Feedback is a powerful tool for motivating young learners and teenagers. Make sure you give timely, constructive, specific and useful feedback. Use praise and positive reinforcement to encourage students and help them gain confidence. Use feedback to help students understand their areas for development and give them strategies for overcoming obstacles.
Use technology and multimedia resources. Using technology and multimedia resources is a great way to motivate young learners and teenagers. Use videos, podcasts and other interesting resources to enrich your lessons and keep students engaged. Use online learning platforms and apps to make learning more interactive and accessible.
We have just covered general information on how teachers can motivate students. However, we should remember that approaches and strategies may differ depending on students’ level of English and age.
Young learners get enthusiastic quickly, but they can lose interest just as quickly. What helps keep their attention?
For example: you are teaching the topic “Pets and wild animals”. If you teach online, you can ask students to show their pets. If you teach in a classroom, you can ask students to show photos of their pets. Be creative and find different ways to engage students and encourage them to tell you something about themselves. This will help you gain their trust, so young learners will feel much more comfortable. And it can be really fun too.
Teenagers want independence and creativity, and you can use this in your teaching!
For example: you can ask your students to create a comic with a dialogue in English, or to write a short story using the vocabulary or grammar they have learned in class.
