Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
23 - Motivating and empowering students
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 22 September 2021
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Thanks
- Acknowledgements
- Introduction
- I Creating a good environment for language learning
- II Being effective in the classroom
- III Teaching large classes
- IV Teaching language skills and systems
- V Teaching language without textbooks
- VI Teaching language with textbooks
- VII Helping students achieve their potential
- VIII Linking the school to the outside world
- IX Supporting yourself and others
- Glossary
- Index
Summary
Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.
Arthur AsheThe short version
1 Students who don't feel motivated or empowered don't learn as effectively.
2 One common reason for students feeling demotivated is that they are not making progress. To address this, the idea of progress can be redefined, and different forms of assessment can be used.
3 Another reason for demotivation is that students don't see the point in learning languages, or they feel bored. You should talk to students about the value of learning languages, and ensure that your teaching style is engaging.
4 Educational role models can motivate and empower students.
5 Sometimes things which seem very minor, like valuing students’ contributions in class, can have a huge impact.
Introduction
1 When you learned English, or another second language, were you motivated? Are you motivated to teach? Why / why not?
2 What do you think motivates your students to learn? How do you know this?
3 If you teach demotivated students, what do you say to them, and how do you try to motivate them?
Understanding motivation
People are motivated to do things for many different reasons. This motivation can be intrinsic (i.e. driven by internal rewards such as self-improvement, job opportunities and family security) or extrinsic (i.e. driven by external rewards such as money, praise and fear). Often, the two are combined. As a teacher, you have a huge role to play in motivating and empowering your students, for example by creating an environment and atmosphere which is conducive to this. In challenging circumstances, students’ motivation for learning may be very complex, and within a single classroom, students may be motivated by very different factors.
Whilst a lack of motivation may be a long-term issue for some students, for others it may be shortterm. Their lack of motivation may be temporary. For example, it might be caused by one of the factors identified in ▸Chapter 30. It is important to differentiate those students who are just having a bad day from those who are genuinely demotivated and disempowered.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Teaching in Challenging Circumstances , pp. 143 - 147Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021