At ATC, our teachers use a communicative method of teaching in the English classes in Dublin and Bray. This, combined with a Task Based Learning approach, really seems to bring out the confidence in our students; the students work together in class, in pairs or small groups, to achieve a joint learning outcome.
One of our English language teachers, Colette Davis, has put together some of her ideas on motivating students in confidence in communication and even peer correction:
The closest thing to heaven is a class of shiny-eyed enthusiastic students. Of course, the closest thing to hell (metaphorically speaking of course) is ….. well, you know it! Sluggish, bleary-eyed, non-participative students can feel like your life-blood is being drained from your soul.
Having experienced the best and the worst of both spectrum, I can honestly say that the more student focused and task based your heart is, the better the reward for everyone!
This seems a little cliché, however, if your foreseeable future lies within the realm of the ESL world, getting the full motivation of your students will make every day a great day. Therefore, the effort seems worthwhile indeed. One of the most effective ways of increasing student motivation is to deliberately use task-based learning techniques. Placing the students experience at the forefront of your mind will help you prepare and execute effective lessons.
Confident, effective speaking is a primary focus of the task-based teacher. My experience in the classroom shows that many students, although strong in written grammar skills, fail to express themselves using accurate sentence structures. Task-based learning, includes the students’ buy-in, and focuses on the use of language in genuine communication. Task based learning aims to equip each student to communicate the thoughts in their head, to the ear of their listener.
Considering multi-dimensional strategies to keep your lessons ‘alive’ and energetic is to include current topics, music, movies, journals and personal anecdotes to create a relevant class culture. Vibrant variation will give a fun-filled atmosphere to your class. Every effort is made to ensure a vibrant, positive environment allowing adequate speaking practice, the opportunity to experiment with new language, and practise what they learn.
Enabling students to learn from each other is also a powerful teaching tool in the ESL arsenal. This can be achieved through speaking circles, pair work, getting them out of their seats and moving, and asking them to change partners regularly. This will help students learn, practise and integrate new language skills.
Another way to motivate students is to investigate the theme of self-expression. This can be achieved by asking students to listen to their peers, become aware of new language and take the opportunity to experiment with this new language as and when they are ready.
I find enormous success in using small groups for guided conversation on our given topic. As they listen to each other, and possibly even correct each other, build on existing knowledge and experiment with new language. The key then, is to allow them to practise through repetition; perhaps 3 or 4 times until they feel their confidence growing. An atmosphere of respect and trust is gained when the teacher celebrates the small wins, creating enormous personal motivation for the student.
A motivated student is eager to participate; a participating student will ultimately succeed in their endeavours.
I regularly open discussion, getting students to vocalise the benefits they will personally experience if they attain their language goals. Like the Olympic rings, as the teacher and student link together with respect, trust, and a focus for mutual benefit, everyone walks away a winner. My personal motto: Happy students are talking students!
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(article also published in Quality English and KazELT)
Are you an international language teacher and would like to explore different methodology? Why not check our Teacher Training & Development Courses.
Are you planning to learn English in Dublin and you would like a communication based course? Check our our English courses for adults in Dublin and Bray, in Ireland.
