Motivating Learning in teens.

Sue Naylor

November 2014

• Teens can suffer lack motivation and engagement in the language learning classroom. This workshop explores the notion of a learner centred classroom and gives tips on how to promote learner self-confidence and increase motivation with learner centred classroom activities and ICT use.

Teens

• Low self-esteem and confidence.

• High levels of social anxiety.

• Preoccupied with identity development.

• All kinds of…..changes.

Hostility towards the language classroom.

The need to feel valued

The need to feel accepted.

Develop initial relationships

Talk to your partner for 2 minutes about your lives.

Say “hello”

Do you have a teenage class? Where do you teach?

What is your teenage class like ?

What do you think is the biggest challenge teaching in teaching teenagers?

Etc.

Who in this class?

Seating

• Arrange pupils into learning groups

• Minimise behaviour issues in the classroom

• Ensure peer-peer learning occurs

• Remember names of pupils

• Avoid arguments about student seats

Provide boundaries

Think - Pair – ShareKagan (1994)

Fisher, R. Teaching children to learn 2005 p.96

• Stages:

• 1. Students Listen while the teacher (or another) poses the question or problem.

• 2. Students are then given time to think

• 3. Students then collaborate

• 4. Students share their work with the rest of the group.

Collaboration

StagesThink – pair - share

• Teacher input grammar / Vocabulary –Individual work. (homework)

• Student created collaborative material (story / script / presentation).

• Teacher led error correction.

• Students review work and create material to share or display – (Dfilm/ presentations/ collaborative stories etc)

• Final error correction focus (whole group)

Online tools

Reflection

Collaboration can….

• Enable peer assisted learning.

• Reduce anxiety

• Increase in self confidence and self esteem

• Increase motivation

• Create positive attitudes towards language learning.

Questions