Motivating Students to Learn English: Strategies and Insights

It is a common question: how can we motivate students to learn the English language? The answer varies, but there are several effective strategies and insights that teachers and educators can leverage to engage and inspire their students.

High-Stakes Motivation vs. Long-Term Benefits

Some might argue that high-stakes motivation, such as offering a substantial reward for achieving fluency within a year, can be very effective. For instance, offering a $100,000 prize to any student who succeeds in learning the English language within 12 months could indeed be highly motivating. However, such extreme measures may not be practical or ethical in most educational settings.

Others, like Biarma, suggest that motivating students with promises of long-term benefits can be challenging. Promises that might pay off in the future or those that are uncertain in nature may not be sufficiently motivating for many students. These students are more likely to be engaged when they see immediate and practical benefits from learning a new language.

Why Purpose Matters

According to the educational expert in the discussion, the key to motivation lies in providing a clear purpose and understanding of why learning a new language is beneficial. If students do not see a compelling reason to study English, their motivation may falter. For example, Michael Ranieri suggested:
‘The way I see to motivate students to learn anything is to give them the purpose of learning. Make sure they know why they should study it. Make sure they know how it will be useful.’
This simple principle holds true whether you are teaching in a diverse educational environment or in a less formal setting.

Engaging Teaching Strategies

Teaching English effectively requires a combination of clear purpose and practical, engaging strategies. Here are some effective approaches:

1. Relatable Reading Materials

To engage students, it is important to provide reading materials that are appealing and relevant to them. As mentioned, reading materials should be age-appropriate and cater to the students' interests. For example, if your students are teens between the ages of twelve to eighteen, you might consider the following:

This approach not only makes the learning process more enjoyable but also helps students see how English can be a tool for reading interesting and engaging content.

2. Practical and Fun Lessons

It is crucial to make lessons practical and fun. Traditional English textbooks may not capture the interest of today's students. Instead, focus on real-life scenarios and conversations. Encourage students to talk about topics that interest them using English. This not only makes the lessons more engaging but also provides practical language skills that they can use in their daily lives.

“Have the students read English books in the genres they usually read - if they like magic there’s Harry Potter - if they’re adventure-seekers try James Patterson’s teen books - if it’s romance there’s always Twilight.”

3. Continuous and Incremental Progress

Avoid the demotivating feeling of not progressing by providing students with a clear sense of progress and achievement. Every lesson or a couple of lessons should give students a feeling of advancement. This can be achieved by setting small, achievable goals and celebrating their successes along the way.

“There’s nothing more soul-destroying than sitting in class feeling you’re not progressing.”

Conclusion

Motivating students to learn English is an ongoing challenge, but it is also a rewarding task. By providing a clear purpose, engaging materials, and practical, fun lessons, educators can inspire their students to learn and thrive. Remember, the key is to keep them interested enough to enjoy the lessons and see the value in learning English.