When ESL teen-agers arrive in the classroom it may be the first class of the day so they will be interested and ready to attend. That’s the best teaching time. There are other times of the day, such as the time before lunch or the latter part of the afternoon when they are tired and their energy level is low. Whereas these times are the most difficult, motivating some teen-agers in an English second language class can be difficult at any time of the day. This article offers tips for getting these young people involved in your program.
Often these are teen-agers who are sent to English second language classes by their parents. These young people may resent attending because they are missing another activity that is more important to them. Students who don’t care about learning English can affect the enthusiasm of the entire group. Interesting content is vital for any program. Many of them come to class after their regular school day. Four o’clock or sixteen hours is a low energy time as they may not have had a chance to get a snack of any kind before arriving. Some come at six or seven o’clock (eighteen or nineteen hours). This is a little better if they have had a chance to relax and get something to eat before class but it’s possble that they would rather be doing something else. Solve this problem by giving them something that is fun to do.
How Can We Get Them Interested?
Find some topics – sports, clothes, movies etc. - that many or most of the class are interested in. Have a question and answer time at the beginning of each class. It will provide an opportunity for you to get the students talking about things that are important to them. This activity has been rated as the most helpful by hundreds of classes in several different countries. If your teacher’s guide supplies some questions, it is best to adapt them to meet the needs of the class, while also asking some of the listed questions that introduce or review the vocabulary. In this way you can follow the interests of the students.
Small group activities are another way to maintain interest. Teen-agers usually form groups with their friends. They feel free when they are talking with them and although they may not be excited about learning English, they like to talk. Laugh with them and remind them to speak English!
The whole class activity provided in the article “Getting English Language Beginners Started” is an excellent one for getting everyone involved. Teen-agers respond to the competition – it’s important to them that their team wins.
Games are great motivators.
Word Bingo is a game that should be saved for the last ten or fifteen minutes of the ESL time. With young students particularly, they all become involved in listening and working to win. Word Bingo is a great teacher and motivator. Look for programs that provide these games as a part of the program or separately.
In general, activities that involve small group interaction, active participation in whole group activities or some form of competition provide the answer for maintaining a high level of interest in an English program.
See Also:
I actually knew about most of this, but in spite of this, I still assumed it had been helpful. Good job!
Pingback: Keeping Insecure ESL Kids on Task
It was rather interesting for me to read that blog. Thanx for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I definitely want to read more on this blog soon.
Nicky Kripke
It is certainly interesting for me to read the post. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I would like to read a bit more on this site soon.
Sara Watcerson
You made some decent points there. I looked on the internet for the subject matter and found most people will approve with your website.
It is certainly interesting for me to read the post. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them. I would like to read a bit more on this site soon.
I must say the information had been really worth to share. I recently found this kind of blog post from your search and then ended up being quite stunned at your own rank well just for this post.
I can say that It is definitely interesting for me to read the post. Thanks for it. I like such topics and anything connected to them.
Thank you for any other great article. The place else may just anybody get that kind of info in such a perfect approach of writing? I’ve a presentation next week, and I’m at the search for such information.
Excellent points altogether, you simply gained a new reader. What could you recommend in regards to your publish that you simply made a few days in the past? Any sure?
Thanks for every other excellent post. The place else may anyone get that kind of information in such a perfect manner of writing? I’ve a presentation subsequent week, and I’m at the search for such info.
I really appreciate the kind of topics you post here. Thanks for sharing us a great information that is actually helpful. Good day!
My hat is off to your asttue command over this topic-bravo!
Hey Daisy,
I was wondering on a similar note,, I think one of the failures in English speaking countries when it comes to teaching second languages is that we do not make it fun. I remember starting French at age 7 and just repeating phrases over and over again. I remember being bored out of my mind and just squirming on the chair.
Regards
Speak English Fluently
I would like to use the ability of saying thanks to you for the professional instruction I have always enjoyed visiting your site. I will be looking forward to the actual commencement of my college research and the entire preparation would never have been complete without browsing your web site. If I might be of any assistance to others, I would be ready to help by what I have discovered from here.
Substantially, the post is really the best on this laudable subject. I fit in with your decisions and will eagerly look forward to read your next updates. Saying thanks will not just be adequate, for the tremendous lucidity in your writing. I will instantly grab your rss feed to stay privy of any updates. Delightful work and much success in your business enterprise! Sincerely, Gracie…
Helpful material! I have been searching for something similar to this for quite a while now. Cheers!