Focus on the practicality of the knowledge/skills they will acquire in taking the course. In my personal case, students learning a foreign language opens up the possibility for:
1. Communicating with a particular sector of the US population who do not speak English.
2. Being able to tailor services (e.g., business, medical, education) in effective ways that include not only proficiency in the language but awareness of the peculiarities of the culture (e.g., norms of social interaction, communication, etc.)
3. Making travel easier to countries where this foreign language is spoken...you will not need an interpreter!!!
Hi Joseph,
A couple of things. Use a beginning of class activity that is fun for the students and will get them to talking and laughing with each other. This will help to get them settled into the course while you get comfortable with them. Another is to lecture or do a demonstration over something you know and understand extremely well. By showing the students something you know and are comfortable with will help you to refine your delivery while getting over the jitters. You will be surprised at how quickly you will get comfortable with the students once you have a little teaching success. I wish you the best. If you have any additional questions please let me know.
Gary
Hi Aaron,
Thanks for sharing these two strategies. They are great ways to get the students involved and invested in the course. I know they will be of help to other instructors.
Gary
Like most of you were, I am a new Instructor in training. What motivational suggestions could you provide to get me over the new guy jitters?
I try to motivate students by stressing the fact that even though they sometimes get easily frustrated, they are here to learn & it is a process. If they instantly mastered the assignments, then they challenge wasn't there. Also, creating an easy-going environment where some levity and free-association of thought I find is helpful.
Instructors taking up the mantle of motivator is a key factor, in my mind, to the success or failure of the student-instructor relationship. I have seen a disengaged student turn their performance around after a few choice encouragements, or simply taking a basic interest in their life (as long as this interest does not approach fraternization) – some students just need to know that you care about their performance.
One strategy that I use in the class room to show students that I care about their performance is to ask about their other classes. Starting a class off with a simple question like, “How was your [insert class title] today?” can go along way with students.
Or, I have had some success with joining in with group discussions to both push the conversation to a higher level, but just to see what the students care about and how they go about discussing a subject.
- Aaron M. Wilson
Jo Annne,
I agree. I find that once I lose focus and start concentrating on how much material that I need to get covered rather than focusing on the experience of the students and the students' comprehension of the material, then I am not serving by client to the fullest extent.
Students tend to be motivated if they can see how the class is connected to their career goals,if they are provided practice to assimilate the desired skills and concepts, and if their instructor is excited about the course and exudes an interest in the students and enthusiasm for teaching.
Ways that I can help motivte students are to:
a. Help students see progress by having them use the skills being taught
b. Make the course cutting edge, relavant and current by taking field trips and hosting guest speakers
c. Encourage the students both in class and out of class. Examples: In class the instructor can hand back assignments as soon as possible and always write at least one or two comments that give the students positive strokes. Out of class the instructor can encourage students by emailing them when they perform well, phoning them if they were absent, and posting scores as soon as possible. Immediate feedback is important in keeping the student connected to learning and moving forward.
Hi Barbara,
Great strategies. You are making it "real" for your students. The assignment of the business proposal is a way to help them see the application of English skills in different settings. Plus, they gain experience in writing proposals. These are skills they will use many times in their careers.
Gary
Hi Carlos,
Good motivation strategy. I like your method of setting the standards high and helping the students to reach those standards. This is what career training is all about.
Gary
Hi Jo Anne,
Learning needs to be fun. This doesn't mean that the students don't work hard at learning it just means that at different times they can laugh, play a game or interact with each other in a problem solving situation. You are offering this kinds of activities so the students can experience the excitement and joy of personal growth.
Gary
Hi Jeffrey,
This is a great motivator. From day one they know what they are going to be able to do if they put forth the effort. Keep this type of effort going. Your students are really benefiting from this.
Gary
Use a variety of instructional methods. I teach in the Veterinary Technology field. We have a very hands on learning atmosphere and do a lot of labs to help them learn from their lecture material. I also try to make my lecture material exciting by using instructional videos, personal demonstration, objects "like show and tell" rather than pictures to give them the full perspective, in-class assignments, and group discussions.
I tell them in a positive energetic way the things they will be learning and how it will directly apply to their success in their career. When they see the the real goal with the desired results they greatly appreciate what they are learning. I set a standard of excellence for them to learn and imitate. I tell them I am like their personal Olympic coach training them to be the best. This also highly motivates them.
Carlos
I think for most students, the answer is to find what motivated them to choose this career and then build on that motivation. If it's a career that they personally chose, they are already motivated and it's important to keep that motivation strong through the program. Which means making each class exciting and new...never let them get bored or not want to be there. A lot of times, I do it through games with prizes..no matter what age, prizes are always motivators.
To motivate students I, whenever I can, relate the learning to their future careers.
During the first or second class, I do an activity where students consider the objectives of the course and think about how they will apply the skills they gain in the class in their careers.
For example, when I teach writing, I review the application of writing skills to the workplace by discussing standard business communication documents such as e-mails, memos, and letters. We also discuss the impression we make through our written communication.
Then, I ask students to create a list of things they will have to write in their profession. To do this, they need to research their chosen career and talk to their professors. As they create their lists, they begin to see how this class relates to their career goals.
In my advanced English composition class, instead of a research paper, I ask students to write a business proposal and to choose a topic that relates to their careers. Sometimes students write proposals to the college about things they would like to see changed, but most often students write a sales proposal, service proposal, or project proposal. This assignment allows students to demonstrate their writing and research skills while also developing concrete skills they can use in their careers.
I teach CADD. On the first day of class I try and show them a really cool drawing that, by the end of the class, they will be able to draw. Then, during the class, I refer to the drawing as they gain the skills to reproduce the drawing that at first they thought was "out of their reach". It seems to spark interest on the first day and stimulate some discussion.
I feel that informing the student of my personal experience in the fields is great way to teach them. I completely agree with you.
Discuss current news stories and events that are related to the course content to make the subject relevant, applicable and timely.
Hi Jennifer,
Good strategies for making the course "real" for the students. This will help to bridge the gap between classroom and employment. I really like the revisiting of the students answers so they can see the progress they have made. Many times they don't think they are progressing in the course yet when they stop and reflect they will see tremendous growth as occurred.
Gary
