MOTIVATIONAL LEARNING

STRATEGIES
1. Be enthusiastic about your subject
A teacher’s enthusiasm is a crucial factor in student motivation. If students see
that their teacher is happy to be in the classroom and excited about teaching
them, they will learn by example. Therefore, share your enthusiasm and passion
for your subject. Enthusiasm and passion are contagious. Your positive energy
leads to the students becoming more motivated as a positive attitude is a must
for a successful learning atmosphere. When you are excited about teaching,
they will be much more excited about learning.  This is one of the best ways to
get your students motivated.

2. Create a pleasant, relaxed and enjoyable environment

A classroom is a great place for learning, but sitting at a desk day in day out can
make school seem a bit dull for some students. Move around and interact with
your students. The first step to creating a friendly learning environment for your
students is to know them better. Getting to know your students is about more
than just memorizing their names. It means understanding their needs, desires
and interests.

When students feel appreciated, it creates a safe learning environment and

motivates them to work harder as they will appreciate praise and positive
feedback from someone they feel knows and respects them as individuals.
Furthermore, the classroom can always benefit from fun activities such as group
games. When students are having fun, they will pay attention and focus on the
work that is required of them rather seeing the lesson as a boring chore.

3. Use achievable and relevant materials

It is essential for you to know what the most effective approach to teaching the
language is and what activities are suitable for a given group of learners. The
teaching material must be relevant to the students. You should make the
materials inclusive enough to reach the all levels of student ability.

When students feel the task at hand is achievable, they will work more diligently
towards finishing it. Ensure opportunities for students’ success by assigning
tasks that are neither too easy nor too difficult. When you create a safe,
supportive environment for students, affirming their belief in their own abilities
rather than laying out the consequences of not doing things, students are much
more likely to get and stay motivated to learn.

4. Have high but attainable expectations for your students

Research has shown that a teacher’s expectations have a powerful effect on a
student’s performance. If you act as though you expect your students to be
motivated, hardworking, and interested in the course, they are more likely to be
so. Set realistic expectations for students when you make assignments, give
presentations, conduct discussions, and grade examinations, making sure that
you give positive feedback. “Realistic expectations” means that your standards
are high enough to motivate students to do their best work, but not so high that
students will be frustrated in trying to meet those expectations. To develop the
drive to achieve, students need to believe that achievement is possible – which
means that you need to provide early opportunities for success.
5. Help students set achievable goals for themselves
Failure to attain unrealistic goals can disappoint and frustrate students.
Encourage students to focus on their continued improvement, not just on their
grade on any one test or assignment. Help students evaluate their progress by
encouraging them to critique their own work, analyze their strengths, and work
on their weaknesses.

6. Vary teaching methods

A teacher must be creative and flexible. It is not worth going to a class where the
teacher simply follows a few notes or a text to the letter, simply reading it. Let
each class be a new adventure: it is about avoiding boredom and routine. You
may be accustomed to classes in which students are mere listeners, passive
receivers of knowledge. Students learn effectively by doing, constructing,
designing, creating and solving; learning improves when the student is forced to
use multiple abilities. For instance, ask questions in the classroom. Do not tell
students something when you can ask them. Leave blank parts on
transparencies in critical areas, where students have to think. Do not give the
complete topic.

Encourage students to suggest approaches to a problem or to guess the results

of an experiment. In this way, they become accustomed to thinking for
themselves. Also remember, though, that you should respond clearly to your
students’ questions using appropriate examples which are understandable and
concrete.  If they still don’t understand, you have to think of another way so as
not to lose the energy of the class. Each lesson must be clear and interesting,
with a lot of different activities. It should go from a writing exercise, to a speaking
session, then to a listening practice, again back to writing to ensure students do
not lose interest. In order to keep all students motivated, mix up your lessons so
that students with different learning preferences will each get a period of time
focused on the wat they like learning. Doing so will help students stay engaged
and pay attention.

7. Make students active participants in learning

It is extremely important for students to feel that they are valued members of a
learning community. They are more likely to learn by doing, making, writing,
designing, creating, solving than just by listening to a lecture. When students
participate in a lesson, they are more interested in it. So vary the routine by
incorporating a variety of teaching activities and methods in your course: role
playing, debates, brainstorming, discussion, demonstrations, case studies,
audiovisual presentations or group work. As a result, students will be actively
involved in the learning process.

Additionally, allow students to work together. They find it fun trying to solve
problems and work on projects with other students. The social interaction can
get them excited about things in the classroom and students can motivate one
another to reach a goal. Ensure that groups are balanced and fair, however, so
that some students are not doing more work than others.

8. Give students a sense of control and responsibility

Assigning students classroom jobs is a great way to build a community and to
give students a sense of motivation. Most students will see classroom jobs as a
privilege rather than a burden and will work hard to ensure that they, and other
students, are meeting expectations. It can also be useful to allow students to
take turns leading activities or helping out so that each feels important and
valued. Allowing students to have some choice and control over what happens
in the classroom is actually one of the best ways to keep them engaged. For
example, letting students choose the type of assignment they do or which
problems to work on gives them a sense of control that usually motivates them
to do more.

9. Work from students’ strengths and interests

Knowing your students has many benefits, one of the most important being that
it allows you to relate classroom material to things that students are interested in
or have experienced. You can use these interests to make things more
interesting and relatable to students, keeping students motivated for longer. Find
out your students interests, how they feel about the subject matter, and what
their expectations are. Then try to devise examples, case studies, or
assignments that relate the course content to students’ interests and
experiences. Explain how the content and objectives of your course will help
students achieve their educational, professional, or personal goals.

10. Be caring and supportive

Students must feel the teacher is caring and supportive, and that he/she
respects their values and opinions. Teachers must be kind and helpful to the
students, and be patient when they do not understand. A caring teacher tries to
develop a relationship of trust with the students so as they can rely on him/her.
When students realize that they are able to communicate with their teacher, this
communication fuels a desire to learn and participate. And, of course, teachers
must offer equal support to all levels of learners.
 11. Strengthen students’ self-confidence
Research has shown that students are more affected by positive feedback and
success. Praise builds students’ self-confidence, competence, and self-esteem.
Recognize sincere efforts of your student. If a student’s performance is weak, let
the student know that you believe he or she can improve and succeed over time.
Explain where the student needs to improve, but also praise areas where the
student is doing well. Always congratulate students for doing something
correctly; it will give them confidence in themselves, the subject and the teacher.
Give the student his/her dignity and he/she will reward you with his/her effort.
Students, even the best ones, can become frustrated when they feel like they
are struggling or not getting the same recognition as other students. Make sure
that all students get a chance to play to their strengths and feel included and
valued. It can make a world of difference to their motivation.

12. Be specific when giving negative feedback

Negative feedback is very powerful and can lead to a negative class
atmosphere. Whenever you identify a student’s weakness, make it clear that
your comments relate to a particular task or performance, not to the student as a
person. Try to cushion negative comments with a compliment about aspects of
the task in which the student succeeded. Avoid demeaning comments. Many
students in your class may be anxious about their performance and abilities. Be
sensitive as to how you phrase your comments and avoid offhand remarks that
might inadvertently create feelings of inadequacy. Comments to students can be
made, but never in a pejorative way. Never ridicule a student in public. In that
case, the student, instead of directing his/her energy to learning, will dedicate it
to antagonistic feelings directed at the teacher, the lesson and even the school.
Always find a private time to talk to the student.

Without a doubt, motivation is a key aspect of the whole educational process. As

an important part of student achievement, motivation is required as a
commitment to learning. Motivated students are more receptive, learn better,
and, as a result, learn more. If the teachers want students to learn, they must
create the necessary conditions that promote motivation. Teachers must be
familiar with a range of practical motivational strategies, as well as the means to
implement them in the classroom, because when students are motivated, they
learn in the best possible way.