Thread: Motivating Mathayom Students

Have you done any teacher training? I am sure that a CELTA will give you the answers you're looking for. Untrained teachers generally don't make their classes student centred enough. If the lessons are teacher driven the students will lose interest quickly (especially since all of their lessons with the Thai teachers will be like this). If you have well designed tasks for the students to complete, listening comprehension shouldn't be a problem. Just write some simple instructions on the board and let them complete a task that they are capable of.

Originally Posted by Topper

Personally, I've started something so really simple this semester that has made an incredible difference in all levels I teach (M2/3 at a government school). And since its something so simple, yet so hard to do, even by the advanced students it makes it fun and challenging for all involved.

Just getting students to say "I'm" pronounced correctly rather than saying "I am". During role call, get the students to answer "I'm.........". It gets all the students listening to their friends and soon you don't even need to say anything...the class is helping with the pronounciation. Remember, they've spent YEARS saying.."I am fine thank you, and you?"

But to the topic of the post...to get them motivated, find something simple for them that they can accomplish. Give them something simple at first and then increase your expectations. Give the students a chance to succeed rather than flounder and let the motivation from that success keep them going rather than despair from their failings.

Also, remember that in many cases, while M3 and M6 are 3 years apart, they are really only about 1-1/2 different in terms of maturity. With M6 students in most cases you are dealing with students who can't fail and are either interested in learning or not.

But thats just my opinion...

Topper I think you're right about the little things. I'm at a new school this year and from day one I've made the kids try to pronounce words correctly. I like it when the girl in class says "stand up peas" and most students call out "please" to her. I think baby steps might be good for the OP, give the students a easy lesson they can understand (but still something they need to learn)and praise them.

Do everything most thai teachers fail to do. loads of positive praise, rewards systems, displays on the wall. on top of that you have to have strong discipline standards. no shouting out answers, listening to each other. you can train kids to becone beter listeners and make learning where you can interactive. Its why i teach mainly at pratom lvel because itsso much easyto get basic skills in. tough atM1 leveltogo back and reteach listening but it can be done with perserverence.

Originally Posted by peelieorion

Do everything most thai teachers fail to do. loads of positive praise....

You'd be surprised how far a "high five" goes in a class with the "in back of the class" gang.