Казахский государственный женский
педагогический университет Вестник №3(51), 2014 г.
112
has a need for deep understanding. To have an intrinsically motivated student is the goal of all
motivational development.
An extrinsically motivated student studies and learns for other reasons. Such a student
performs in order to receive a reward, like graduating or passing a test or getting a new shirt
from mom, or to avoid a penalty like a failing grade. Here is a description of one of my
extrinsically motivated students. She is a very good student, and actually shows signs of being
intrinsically motivated, but in general she is inclined to put forth the minimal effort necessary to
get the maximal reward. When I give an assignment in class, she often tries to chat with her
friends or fails to get started, but if I say this will be taken up and graded, she is often the first
one finished. Her intrinsic motivation shows when the material is of great interest to her, or
something she feels strongly about. Also, if I can get her curious about something, without her
being distracted, she works hard at it. She performs well, as with many of my students who are
extrinsically motivated, if I give her a task where she has control, the task is very clear, and she
is involved in the dynamics of the class. It seems that when intrinsic motivation is low or absent,
extrinsic motivation must be used. Although extrinsic motivation can, and should, be used with
intrinsically motivated students, too. If students aren't given a reward or credit for their efforts,
and no feedback is given to the student, then most students' intrinsic motivation would begin to
decrease.
Proper classroom explanation is needed by the teacher, so the students can well understand
what is expected of them. In the ESL classroom this is more apt to create anxiety because the
explanations are given in another language that takes even more effort by the students to
comprehend than their own language. A well-planned lesson is essential. The teacher must be
creative and flexible. Depending on the nature of the class and the students' levels, the dynamics
of the class must be appropriate. The material must also be relevant to the students. Try to use
vocabulary that the students can relate to and material they would find interesting. Teachers must
be kind and listen fairly to the students, and be patient when they don't understand.
Unfortunately, there are teachers who run their classes very strictly, almost as a sort of dictator in
class. The teacher gets upset at the students who don't try, as it appears the reason is that they
don't understand what is asked of them.
On the contrary, a caring teacher tries to develop a relationship with the students. If the
teacher sees potential in all students, and communicates well to the students, they will in return
have a desire to learn and participate. When the students realize that you are not going to get
angry, you are nice and understand them, and the reason you are trying so hard is because it is
important to you that your students learn and do well, the natural human reaction is to
reciprocate and do something nice in return, in this case, study. A teacher's positive energy could
lead to the students becoming more motivated. If the students see that the teacher is happy to be
in the classroom and excited to teach them, then the students can learn by example. A smile is
contagious. Positive attitude is a must for a successful learning atmosphere. Promote self-
confidence, it helps in teaching if the teacher is self-confident. Positive approval and praise for
student efforts is very effective, even if the student is wrong. Let the students know that you're
glad they tried and being wrong isn't such a big problem, and the students won't be so reluctant
the next time they're called on to participate. Positive energy, affirming a belief in the students'
ability develops a comfortable atmosphere for the students in the classroom.
In teaching a language, motivation refers to the ability to arouse in the students the desire
to learn the language and a feeling that the language they are learning is useful. Whatever level
of motivation your students bring to the classroom will be transformed, for better or worse, by
what happens in that classroom. Many factors affect a student's motivation to work and to learn:
interest in the subject matter, perception of its usefulness, general desire to achieve, self-
Қазақ мемлекеттік қыздар
педагогикалық университеті Хабаршы №3 (51), 2014 ж.
113
confidence and self-esteem, as well as patience and persistence. The important thing here is to
know how you, as a teacher, can help your students to be highly motivated to learn the language.
In order to do that you should give them clear and detailed information why they should learn
English and relate that to their own needs. For example, you may say that English is the first
international language, it is used as a lingua franca, and Command of English means better
chances for jobs. Moreover, you have to employ techniques that require the students to utilize the
language creatively as an instrument of learning. In addition, you should give frequent, early,
positive feedback that supports students' beliefs that they can do well. Show genuine interest in
your students and their achievements. Nothing is more disappointing for a student than to feel
ignored, neglected, or carelessly evaluated, or to feel that his work does not appeal to the teacher.
You should 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. Furthermore, you have to provide praise and reward for all. Some might receive praise
for bigger accomplishments than others but even the lower performers need a regular pat on the
shoulder. A teacher should also give praise to the class as a whole to encourage the class and also
build team unity. Also, introduce students to the good work done by their peers. In other words,
you should share the ideas, knowledge, and accomplishments of individual students with the
class as a whole.
In order to help your students to be motivated, you break the routine by incorporating a
variety of teaching activities and methods in your course. Classroom activities can reduce the
strain of formality in the classroom. They make learning more student-centered and less teacher-
centered. Activities (such as groups where students exchange personally relevant information)
may help to motivate and encourage the more diffident students. In other words, activities
transfer the process of learning from 'skill-getting' to 'skill-using'.
Here are some tips for the teachers to try:
1. Know your students and use their names as often as possible.
2. Maintain eye contact and move toward your students as you interact with them; be sure
to nod your head to show that you are hearing what they say.
3. Use facial expressions - Smile, Frown!!
4. Use appropriate humor in your teaching and in tests, to relieve anxiety.
5. Plan relevant study trips out of the university.
6. Maximize the use of time so that the students keep busy with productive, relevant
activities.
7. Provide opportunities for the students to speak to the class. Talk less than your students
do.
8. Accept students' ideas and comments, even if they are wrong; correct in a positive
manner.
9. Open each class with an introduction that captures the interest of your students (warm-
up).
10. Plan for every class; never try to wing it.
11. Make sure that the level of teaching matches students' background, ability, and
experience.
12. Pay attention to the strengths and limitations of each of your students. Reward the
strengths and strengthen the weak spots.
13. Move around the room as you teach; walk energetically and purposefully.
14. Put some excitement into your speech; vary your pitch, volume and rate.
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