Unit 9 MOTIVATION

Part 2    Background to language learning

Unit 9 MOTIVATION

In unit 9, I learnt about the importance of motivation in English classes. Motivation is an essential factor that helps make the teaching-learning process successful. Every single person learn something because she or he has a porpuse. For instance, people learn English to get a better job, to have good grades in school or to read English books, however learning a language is not just learning grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, etc. People also need to know about the target language culture. Hence, they will be able to achieve completely their goals and be part of the culture in which the target language occurs.  You will feel as a successful person since you are able to communicate in the target language, developing a great sense of confidence, autonomy and achivement during the learning process. Wiseman & Hunt, (2009) says that "the basic premise of self-regulation is that the students take control of their own learning...(1) analyze the task, the environment, and the resources; (2) adopt appropriate strategies; (3) understand their own tolerance..." These factors have to occur automatically in your classroom, chiefly to build up an environment full of motivated students. Nevertheless, there may be some pupils who can feel unmotivated or demotivated during the proces.So,  encouragemet plays an important role in these kinds of situations because teachers have to support their pupils all the time. " Motivation is something that energizes, directs, and sustains behavior; it gets students moving, points them in a particular direction, and keeps them going."(Ormrod, 2014). Knowing how important motivation is, I think I will need to apply it during my lessons by creating a comfortable, pleasant, and secure classroom atmosphere so as to give my students a place where they can feel motivated to study. I will assign tasks based on the goals my students will reach, the instruction I give will be clear and specific to avoid misunderstandings. Moreover, I will develop my learners`imagination and creativity by selecting interesting tasks, offering a wide range of materials, oviously taking into copnsideration my pupils`level and needs. Aditionally, I will develop critical thinking rather than asking my students to memorize things. Following that process, a good relationship between my students and I will be built up (rapport). By the same token, my pupils will be motivated in every single lesson and will keep having that feeling that makes them continue doing the things they want, and accomplising their  wishes.

These pictures show some possible tasks you can apply to motivate your pupils.

Creating a Halloween mask

Creating a poster with the steps students followed to create the Halloween mask}

Creating a collage with some Halloween characters (cutting pictures from magazines)

References for additional information

 ühttp://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/the-importance-of-motivation-in-an-educational-environment.html

    ü  Charles, T. (2008). Best Practice in Motivation and Management in the Classroom. En T. Charles, Best Practice in Motivation and Management in the Classroom. Springfield, Illinois: Publisher LTD.

 ü  Ormrod, J. E. (4 de 30 de 2014). Education.com. Recuperado el 25 de 11 de 2014, de Education.com: http://www.education.com/reference/article/motivation-affects-learning-behavior/

ü  Wiseman, D., & Hunt, G. (2009). Teaching and the role of motivation. Oxford: Blackwell.D.