Long gone are the days when teachers followed a lesson plan throughout their teaching career without variations. The plan for teaching conditional sentences in grammar, for instance, typically involved learners memorizing the pattern of tense combinations without fail and then doing exercises to practice the rules. But what happens when today’s learners do not memorize, get easily bored with grammar and theory, and consequently do the exercises abruptly? When they make mistakes, they become discouraged. In this article, I would like to explore the importance of teachers’ lifelong learning to cater to learners’ low motivation or demotivation.
Educators need to realize that mastering their field knowledge is not enough. Motivation is a driving force for learning, and kids tend to be easily demotivated, lose their goal in learning, or refuse to learn. Attending an FL Forum some years ago when I was teaching teenagers, I heard about intrinsic and extrinsic types of motivation. This inspired me to look into the topic further. So, I returned to my teenage students in the classroom and first set goals in learning—for example, the conditional sentences and why it is useful for us to know how to form them—to boost intrinsic motivation. Also, I encouraged them to make a project entitled “What if...?” to use the specific grammatical forms, to cooperate, and work on extrinsic motivation. That did wonders with their curiosity, and they kept asking to do similar tasks from time to time!
Continuing professional development (CPD) training on various aspects of teaching, such as ADHD, bullying, managing behavior, as well as skills training in grammar, speaking, and writing, is equally vital. Some training events featured in annual book exhibitions are either free of charge or sponsored by publishing houses and educational organizations, while others require a fee. In particular, I once attended a talk as part of an EFL book exhibition and seminar day on “teachers’ well-being.” It was rather relieving, and when I came back, I made use of some techniques of mediation or stretching in class with the students! Magically, kids loved these and were asking for them every time they were tired, which made the teaching-learning process run smoothly.
Some colleagues also attend seminars abroad utilizing programs like CLIL or Erasmus or students’ exchange field trips. Getting ideas from other colleagues or educational systems is so helpful! Webinars or workshops on techniques for various levels help to motivate students and encourage them to succeed. Apart from exam-oriented workshops, many of these include learning strategies to facilitate teaching, such as how to use ICT tools and integrate digital gaming to enhance learning potentials.
It is true that motivation significantly influences learners’ behavior and performance. Enjoyment and encouragement inspire them to effectively pursue their goals and adapt to the norms and routines of the classroom environment. Thus, investing in professional development becomes crucial for enhancing the teaching process. Teachers, as educators, should embrace lifelong learning and sustain the knowledge acquired by actively applying it in the classroom and sharing insights with colleagues.
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Discover how lifelong learning and continuous professional development can help educators tackle student demotivation. Giota Panou shares her insights on keeping learners engaged and motivated. ????✨ #LifelongLearning #TeacherDevelopment #Motivation #Education
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