Student Motivation (GROAN!!)

[Hypiereon]

Sorry for the groan, but when I hear other EFL teachers talk about this, inevitably something like a groan will be emitted at some point in the conversation along with some detailed examples to be entered into evidence.

The truth - and this is the truth - is that student motivation MUST come from the students. Hypiereon's Maxim: "The best teacher cannot help a student who absolutely refuses to learn; the worst teacher cannot refuse the one who will not be denied."

Not to say that we as EFL teachers play no part, but that the burden rests solely on the parents and students must be set forth.

Now, what can WE do about it? EFL teachers have the unique job of introducing students to various aspects of a language not their own. For the experienced, and the rookie, there are times where you cannot help but wonder "What will motivate my class?" Since the issue of motivation rests with the student, the better question is, "How can I create an environment that will nuture and promote self-motivation in my students?"

It is not impossible to be directly responsible for motivating your students, but when that responsibility rests with you alone, you will fail more often than not. When you're down, the class will be down. However, the best classes (the ones we call "fun") are always the ones where the students are self-motivated. Their motivation is infectious, we get motivated in turn and infect them, and then there is a synergy that occurs and learning takes place seemingly without effort. That's the pinnacle of EFL (and I dare say all) teaching.

So how to accomplish this? Some say, "Just keep 'em happy." but begs the question as to whether or not the students are actually learning anything. Frustration leads to this line of thinking because even if the students aren't learning anything, then at least they aren't causing trouble for you. Thus I've seen whole lessons where teachers watch a DVD from start to finish. No discussion, no grammar points, no practical application - just watch this movie and when times up we can all leave.

"Just keep 'em happy" can be good for sanity, but not for learning. I'm not going to pretend I have all the answers, not even most of them. I'll be honest enough to admit I've watched a DVD or two in my time as an EFL teacher, and basically felt like nothing I did mattered. While this may be true as far as the school administration is concerned, this is not true where your students are concerned. Some of them are there to learn, and you have the responsibility to teach them. Gaining that "synergy" is what you're after, and once that momentum is attained it becomes easily sustainable for the rest of the year.

One way I do this is to not take myself too seriously - the school doesn't, so why should I? At the same time, there must be structure. How I go about this is usually to stick with whatever book the school provided to begin with. The students usually hate it in the beginning, but I stay rigid for the reason that "This is the book the school said you should be learning, and they have expectations that I am required to meet." This sets you up for a very structured class with rules where the students realize you have a job to do, and you're going to do it. It is important to establish structure in the beginning, and have the rules and boundaries of what you will and will not tolerate. Once established, these invisible guidlines give you the respect you need to be the leader in the room.

Once leadership is firmly established, I then begin to drift from the book. All the worksheets and great ideas people love to use and talk about come from experience, but I doubt they used them on the first day of classes. Think of it like telling a really good joke: If you have this really GREAT joke to tell, you don't tell it first. You tell a few groaners, some others to get a smile or a chuckle, and when you hear a snicker or two you cut loose with your best joke to finish them off. Then leave it. They'll be dying for more and think you're the greatest joke teller they ever heard.

EFL is much the same. Begin with the groans (a structured class with rules and boundaries) and go from there. Stick with the curriculum, then add in some fun worksheets, and even a game or two. As your class shows the self-discpline you need to maintain control, you can get farther and farther away from the book and into the material you really want to teach, and the more practical stuff they can really use.

By the end of the year, you're running your own program. All the helpful and great ideas are at your disposal - but it's all because you set yourself up from the beginning. The class becomes fun, the students love you, they're genuinely sad when the end of the year comes, and you're looking for that "EFL Teacher of the Year" award.

Does it always work like this?

No.

BUT, it does work more often than not - and I must say - for me. Each teacher is different and brings their own personalities into the classroom, but I can safely say there is no substitute for structure. Once the structure of your class is firmly established, you should be able to go easily from there to wherever your personality and the motivation of the students may lead all of you.

Any other comments on the subject of student motivation are certainly welcome - I'd love to hear how you do it!!