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Motivating students Every individual who wants to learn a new language needs motivation to study effectively. Some individuals are self-motivated and eager to learn, and then as the learning process becomes more challenging, the teacher can assist in motivating students to achieve their goals. students may be de-motivated during class time for a number of reasons: ? The lesson is not interesting to the student. ? The work is too difficult to complete. ? students may have personal problems from home. ? They are not interested in studying and are forced to attend lessons. ? Peer pressure. ? Not wanting to fail and therefore they do not try. How can teachers assist in motivating students? Some of the reasons for a de-motivated student is out of the teacher?s control, but there are some things the teacher can do to encourage students to do their best. 1. Teachers can build rapport with the students. If students know their teacher well, they will be more eager to learn from them. Teachers can take an interest in their students by being well organized before the lesson begins. If students arrive early the teacher can engage in ?small talk? before the lesson. 2. Build rapport between students. students? who know each other well, will feel more relaxed and can therefore motivate and spur each other on. The teacher can use a number of activities and ice-breakers to get students to know each other. It?s often useful to ask students to do surveys and questionnaires. This helps them to practice English but they will also get to know each other. 3. Teachers should not show favoritism. students are sensitive when they are excluded from answering questions or giving input. The teacher should be fair to all students and include weaker and stronger students equally during the lesson. When a weaker student responds to a question or exercise, the teacher should exercise patience and kindness toward the student. 4. Teachers should give praise and rewards when students answer correctly or try to participate in the lesson. students may often be intimated to answer questions posed in a foreign language for fear of making mistakes, but if they are praised, it will empower them and they will therefore be eager to learn more. 5. Lessons should be fun and interesting. The teacher should try and use a variety of materials, activities and gestures to keep the students engaged and interested in the lesson. Sometimes, it?s useful for the teacher to be animated and fun. This will lighten the learning process and help the students enjoy the lesson. 6. Teachers must not ?pick on? individual students. The teacher should not single out any students but he or she should rather involve students in role-plays or pair work. This will build their confidence and they will then be eager to speak alone in the foreign language when they are confident enough. 7. Be positive The teacher has the ability to change the atmosphere in the classroom. It?s important for teachers to always be positive and enthusiastic about teaching and learning. Motivating students has never been an easy task. But as teachers we should take on this challenge with both hands! When our students are motivated, the learning process only gets better and better. ?Without inspiration the best powers of the mind remain dormant. There is a fuel in us which needs to be ignited with sparks.? Johann Gottfried Von Herder
