Transcript Slide 1
Motivating Your Learners Trainers: Ingrid Khourchid and Claire Ross Overview • Establishing need in the learner •Achieving motivation in the classroom •Dealing with difficult behaviour What motivational problems do your students have/ do you have with your students? Think of language, skills, topics, activites etc What were you like as a child? • Can you remember a teacher who made a lasting impression and motivated you when you were young? • What characteristics did he or she have? “Teachers need to demonstrate that they can empathize with the concerns and preoccupations of their learners but without condescension and without themselves trying to be teenagers or young learners.” How well do you know your learners? My learners are motivated because • they want impress their friends. • they want to be praised by their teacher. • they want to go to an English speaking university. • they want to pass the school year. • they want to understand films, surf the net, listen to music Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Selfactualization Self-esteem Social Security Physical Mariam’s story • “ I studied English for six years in school. By the time I left school. I still couldn’t speak it. A few years later when I moved to Singapore with my husband, I started to study English again. Within a few months. I became quite fluent.” Sami’s story “I fell in the river when I Was walking home one day. I learned to swim in ten seconds!” Is Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs relevant to the classroom? Think about your learners’ fundamental needs: Physical, security, social, self-estemm Meeting learners’ basic needs Learners’ need to feel: • physically comfortable. • safe, both physically and mentally. • they belong in the group. • activities are appropriate to level, culture, environment. Why do your learners need to learn English? Where does motivation come from? • Extrinsic The external goal (eg getting a good grade on an exam ) is the driving force Where does motivation come from? • Intrinsic The internal motivation (eg being curious and actively engaged with the language) is the driving force. Are all our learners equally motivated? Achieving motivation in the classroom Do you think… • the teacher should set targets that are easy or difficult to achieve or somewhere in between? • learners respond best to having a set routine in lessons. a routine which is occasionally broken or lots of variety? • learners respond better to cooperative or competitive games? • learners can be motivated using the same strategies? Achieving motivation • Selecting suitable materials Relate topics to country Make task authentic eg project activity If topic material inappropriate, including adapting the course DON’T use it book where necessary. Use SS names frequently • Establishing good rapport with Give frequent praise and between students. • Fight sleepiness not sleepy students. Vary interaction patterns Look for ways of including movement to increase attenttion span Every problem has a solution • Read your assigned motivational problem and task • With your partners think of and write useful classroom ideas • Work with your new partners to exchange ideas What is a discipline problem? “any action that undermines the cohesion of the class” Reasons for discipline problems • Boredom • Lack of interest in the subject • Lack of motivation to learn • Peer pressure to misbehave • Lack of respect for the teacher How do we manage the tough ones? 1 Sullen or aggressive behaviour a. Start a positive relationship 2, Boredom or disaffection b. Talk on a 1 to 1 basis 3. Known troublemaker c. Make sure their desks are empty 4. Attention seekers / really difficult students d. Be positive 5. Students playing with pens etc e. Show you believe in them 6, Difficult students who try to build barriers f. Start the lesson with something exciting Group Dynamics Theory Forming Storming Norming Performing Mourning This stage involves conflict within the group and its leader. This conflict is perfectly natural and it is only after it that the group cam get to the performing stage in which all the best work is achieved Why do some students simply “switch off”? • Someone else is answering • Another group is giving feedback or presenting • They have answered their question and then teacher goes on to ask questions in a predictable sequence around the room • A question or task is too easy or difficult How can we keep students engaged? • Cross check answers around the room • Nominate rather than ask students to raise hands • Capture your students’ attention with your eyes, voice and posture Addressing your students’ motivational problems Thank you all for attending Go well