How to Motivate Students to Learn English with Seven Smart Tactics

Psychologists say that intrinsic motivation is a key predictor of learning and achievements. In fact, individuals who are more motivated in class tend to persist longer, produce higher quality results and learn more deeply. In general, their performance is much better than in students who don’t have strong motivation. Besides, self-driven learners demonstrate better grades in standardized tests.

So motivation is a crucial component of successfuцl education. Hence, it’s important to stimulate students’ desire to gain new skills and knowledge. So what can teachers do to inspire teens to master English? Let’s have a look at seven most powerful strategies used by professionals!

1. Engage students in communication
Obviously, the ultimate goal of learning English is the ability to communicate fluently. The main reason why students want to learn a foreign language is to communicate with people from different parts of the world. Therefore, teens will be more motivated to work in English classes if you encourage them to communicate with peers. You can organize various group activities where students need to use vocabulary and grammar they have already learned. Pick a conversation topic that would be interesting for everybody, so the discussion will be rather exciting than stressful.

2. Add fun activities
Educators say that games promote focus and create space for genuine communication within a meaningful context. What’s more, fun activities reduce academic anxiety and stimulate motivation. To make the most out of educational entertainment, consider cognition-oriented games, like crossword puzzles. Socially oriented games such as Simon Says, Hangman and Scrabble are extremely effective for language learning too. You can also use short stories that match students’ interests and ask them to create a monologue that could have been performed by a story character.

3. Integrate technology
Although there is a danger that technology can become a central motivation, it’s still worth using in class. Since most teens are tech-oriented, video games and apps can help them find pleasure in learning English. If there is a possibility to use classroom tablets, it would be extremely beneficial for young learners. Gadgets allow students to work at their own pace during assignments, so they feel more comfortable and eager to complete the task. In general, creating a digital environment is a great way to boost learning motivation.

4. Use a personalized approach
As you might know, motivation is very personal, so you should know your learners’ reasons for studying and take those motives into account during a lesson. To understand what is really meaningful to your students, offer them to ask random questions in groups and share what they learnt about their peers in class. This activity will provide lots of surprising discoveries about everybody. As a result, you will be able to better address the needs and interests of your students by tailoring specific activities for different students.

5. Offer help
Learning a foreign language may be a real challenge for students. And unfortunately, not all teens are motivated by challenges. Some learners get discouraged by obstacles that arise on their way. In such cases, it’s recommended to provide all the necessary assistance, so they don’t despair in difficult times. You can offer additional explanations on some topics or recommend a good USA company for students, which helps with homework. The point is that you should create a friendly, helpful environment for learners, where they feel supported and confident.

6. Ask students to share their thoughts
Most teens love to express their personalities and share their personal experiences. So why not use it as an advantage in the learning process? You can ask students to write a diary in English, so they can not only put their thoughts into foreign words but also clearly see the progress they have made. As an alternative, they can make voice recordings to practice speaking. Additionally, teens can publish their diaries as a blog or vlog on free platforms, such as tumblr or blogger. Give them maximum flexibility to make learning fun and enjoyable.

7. Provide proper feedback
To promote learning motivation, it’s essential to give the right quantity and quality of feedback. If you correct each of the multiple mistakes students make while speaking, they will feel a lot of pressure. Excessive psychological tension doesn’t help anybody master their skills. On the contrary, it kills inspiration and eliminates personal connection between teachers and learners. Apart from criticism, you should give positive feedback, like compliments and words of encouragement. Don’t forget to celebrate students’ achievements on a regular basis to make them feel that their efforts are praised.

Final thoughts
Motivating students is one of the essential responsibilities of every teacher. It promotes better academic outcomes and creates a healthy psychological climate in class. Hopefully, the seven strategies offered above will encourage your learners and improve their productivity.

Author's BIO
Brandon Kryeger is a study coach and English teacher. In his work, Brandon uses up-to-minute teaching techniques to make the education process effective and entertaining. As a coach, he also helps students reach maximum efficiency in their school life. You can read another article written by Brandon: Tips and Tricks You Need to Learn About Your English Language.