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This is how our TEFL graduates feel they have gained from their course, and how they plan to put into action what they learned:
Motivating children to learn englishAn easy way to motivate children would be to bribe them with small prizes or treats to make them do what you want them to. While this may work temporarily, the key is to motivate children to want to learn English.
The first step is to get them interested in ?their teacher? and hopefully interest in the subject matter will follow. It is important for the students to see that a teacher is also a person, not just a teacher. Teachers should look for ?things in common? with the students and find common ground. Music is a very good way to make connections with children and can be a useful teaching and learning tool. It is also important that teachers keep themselves motivated to make the class interesting; change activities for the kids and introduce new ideas. The students will respond to the motivation. Teachers, particularly of children, should not be afraid to have fun and be silly. If students see the teacher having fun and joining in it will be motivating for them. Encouragement and positive feedback at all stages of a lesson is really important.
Whole group lessons have a place in every classroom but making children active learners, not just listeners, is crucial to motivating them. Designing lessons that are active for kids is really motivating. Center based lessons keep the students moving and learning so they don?t lose interest and the teacher can easily check for understanding. There are many literacy games available and even a simple worksheet can be done as a game. These classes must be well thought out and organized to achieve maximum success. If the kids feel like they are having fun they are more likely to learn. This way of teaching also allows all the ways of learning to be explored; visual, auditory and kinesthetic. Movement is a key element for learning. Children like ?hands-on?.
students respond well to schedules and if they know what to expect in class will help them to stay organized and will lower their frustration level. Frustrated students cannot focus. This does not mean that the lessons should always be the same but that activities can be varied within a structure that they know. Keeping the children organized can be as simple as putting the schedule for the lesson on the board and making sure the students know what to have with them every lesson. Center schedules are a very useful tool to keep the class focused.
Teaching must be fluid and variety is important. A teacher must be cognizant of what works and what doesn?t and of the different learning styles of the children. Changing pace can shake things up and keep the students on their toes. It will be necessary sometimes to have time-fillers available. Giving children options empowers them and they will enjoy learning. Make sure that the optional activities are fun and have a learning element. Having an English film available can be fun and the students will still learn.
Finally, most children up to a certain age, probably about 12, love to ?present? for their parents. Preparing a special ?showcase? for what they have learned can be extremely motivating. This can be a play, a poem that they have written a project or even singing a song. Giving children a chance to ?show off? boosts their motivation.
In summary, there are many ways to motivate children to learn and to want to learn without simply bribing them with gifts which become more important to them than actually learning English.
