Teachers' pages
HOW MOTIVATE STUDENTS TO LEARN
WHAT CAUSES THE LACK OF MOTIVATION
During the first meeting in Poland there was a very interesting workshop, led by an expert, about motivation. Ten teachers from all participating countries took part in this training. At the very beginning there was a warm-up activity in which teachers had to roll the dice and on the basis of the pictures on the dice each had to tell something about himself or herself. This activity can be good to use in a classroom during the first lessons to make students to get to know each other and motivate them to speak English. Later we were given some definitions about motivation and sources of motivation such as need for knowledge, exploration, activity, stimulation and ego enhancement. What was important to find out was that during lessons we need to remember about „goal-oriented theories” - setting the goals, making decisions how to achieve the goals, putting effort and as a result we will have student's engagement and enthusiasm. From the presentation during the workshop I could deduce that students do not necessarily feel the need to learn/work but should be expected to engage in lesson with the goal of achieving intended learning outcomes. Apart from that I was given some interesting and practical clues how to act in a classroom: show positive attitude towards teaching, learning and the students, listen to students, get to like your students, accept them, call them by their names, remember about praising and rewarding. Moreover, establishing class contract, working hard, being punctual, planning and preparing your lessons will be very important leadership skills. The trainer stressed that good teachers should make lessons aims clear, encourage cooperation, keep students active and attentive by many short tasks, give clear instructions, avoid personal attacks on the pupils'