Motivation

Today I will share with you some information that is very important for us as teachers or future ones!

It is about motivation!

Williams and Burden said:

Motivation is a state of  cognitive and emotional arousal, which lives to consciuos decision to act, and which gives grace to a period of sustain intelectual and physical effort in order to attained a previously set goal.

There are 3 different types of motivation that I'll deal with:

Integrative Motivation:

When students want to learn a language to become part of a speech community (integrate). People who immigrate to new countries are some examples of people who may want to identify with the community around them. An important aspect of this form of language learning is using language for social interaction. This form of motivation is thought to produce success in language learners. This is often compared to instrumental motivation.

Instrumental Motivation:

Wanting to learn a language for the purpose of obtaining some concrete goals such as a job, graduation, or the ability to read academic materials. This form of motivation is thought to be less likely to lead to success than integrative motivation.

Intrinsic Motivation:

Motivation in learning that comes from a sense of empowerment in being able to do something. Doing something for the sake of doing it without thought of rewards such as praise, grades,  candy, or money.  Intrinsic motivation can be contrasted with extrinsic motivation where the learner performs a task in order to receive some kind of reward.

Intrinsic motivation is thought to have far greater benefits in the long run. This in turn suggests that ESL teachers should try to foster intrinsic motivation instead of providing rewards for doing well. However, because ESL teacher rarely have long term contact with students, they opt for the quick fix solutions to make their classes run smoothly now - something to think about next time you want to bribe a class of hyperactive grade 4s with candy and a quiz.

Extrinsic Motivation:

Motivation through rewards such as points, candies, compliments, money, test scores, or grades. These rewards are externally administered and may inhibit learning in the long run, although seeming to be effective in the short run. One problem is that they are addictive. Researchers generally agree that intrinsic motivation is better for longterm learning.

In order to have motivated students I'll will give you some teaching strategies for unmotivated students...

1. Deal with disruptions first.

2. Compliment unmotivated students.

3. Involve unmotivated students in classroom discussions.

4. Present your lessons in creative ways.

5. Keep the atmosphere lighthearted.

6. Create a strong mental link between education and life fulfillment.

I hope this information could be of great importance to you!

It is for me!

I would like to finish today's post with this Chinese Proverb:

“Tell me and I'll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I'll understand.”

 

Blessings!