Філологічні науки/1. Методика викладання мови та літератури

Старший викладач Панкова Т.О.

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How to Motivate Students to Learn English

Motivation has been defined differently: it is what makes us act; it is a desire to work towards a goal or reach an objective. If motivation is present, learning can be facilitated; but without it, effective learning becomes difficult. Some recommendations below are suggested that will arouse students’ interest and commitment to learn English.

Make use of the learners’ environment.

Teachers should link the environment of the educational establishment to any activity or exercise that they want to carry out in the classroom. A student has a natural context in which he/she organizes various activities that make up his life. If these activities are “reproduced” in the language classroom, it is possible to motivate students. Used in this way, English will no longer be feared, and students will be more inclined to study it.

Present the language in natural chunks.

In a foreign language situation, the teacher remains the main source or model for students. S/he should strive hard to use the language as naturally as possible.

Use appropriate visual aids.

Visual aids are important tools for the teacher. Used appropriately in the classroom, they enable the teacher to avoid long and confusing explanations. At the same time they help the teacher to have a lively class.

Include cultural components.

Language and culture are interrelated. One cannot study a language without noting the cultural aspects of the people who use the language natively. For this reason, teachers should provide sufficient background information to enable the learners to understand the cultural content that is naturally present in the target language.

Become an efficient manager.

The success of a language course reflects the teacher’s expertise. In other words, the teacher should know how to talk to his students if they are to fully participate in the lesson. In this respect, their interests, needs and experience are taken into consideration. The student factor should be carefully examined. To achieve good results, the teacher should develop in his students a positive attitude to the foreign language. If the teacher is humane and sensitive, seeing his students as capable of mastering the language, a warm and enjoyable classroom atmosphere can be created and maintained.

Adapt materials to local realities

It is desirable that materials presented in a foreign language class be varied and stimulating. Ideally, they should be adapted to the needs of learners but most importantly, they should be interesting.

The teachers should know how to adapt existing materials to local realities. Commercially produced materials are usually aimed at a wider audience. Consequently, they cannot coincide with the needs of a specific group of students. The teacher should avoid strict following the textbook writer’s instructions. S/he should contribute something personal to the materials used in the classroom.

If the above mentioned principles are taken into account and used by the teachers of foreign languages, the students will be more motivated to study.

References

Gardner, R.C. 1985. Social psychology and second language learning: The role of attitudes and motivation. London: Edward Arnold.

Wright, T. 1987. The role of teacher and learner. Oxford: Oxford University Press.