I have just returned from the IATEFL-CHILE International Conference in Santiago. The theme of the conference was Motivation in the 21st Century EFL Classroom and I gave a plenary sponsored by Helbling Languages entitled – Motivation – getting in the right state of mind.
As teachers we spend a lot of time trying to motivate our learners extrinsically, from the outside, with interesting materials and a plethora of digital resources. But real and lasting motivation can only be attained if created intrinsically, inside the mind.
We may not always choose the situations we are in or the events that happen to us, but we can always choose how we react. We can control our mind and we can always choose to change our feelings and attitudes. My talk offered practical, positive and proven ways to create and sustain a resourceful state of mind, and a confident yet relaxed attitude towards learning and teaching. I would like to briefly share some of these ideas with you here.
First, however, consider this excellent definition of the concept of motivation:
“A state of cognitive and emotional arousal which leads to a conscious decision to act, and which gives rise to a period of sustained intellectual and / or physical effort in order to attain a previously set goal or goals.”
Now here are the main points of some simple, practical suggestions to help you create and sustain a resourceful state of mind and to teach, learn and live most effectively.
First of all:
1. Take control of and responsibility for your teaching, learning, yourself and your future.
2. Be an active participant in your teaching, learning and life.
3. Know where you are going.
4. Make a commitment.
5. Believe you can.
Then the six steps to success.
Step 1. “What’s in it for me?”
This is an essential first step. You must be able to perceive a positive reason for yourself and identify the benefits.
Step 2. Set clear, well-formed goals
The more precisely you define what you want, the more likely you are to get what you want. To achieve a goal, you must be able to clearly imagine what it is you want to achieve and have sensory-based evidence.
Step 3. Relax and energize
Your brain does not function well when you are stressed. Discouragement is a state of low arousal, which blocks action and creates inertia.
Here are seven ‘stressbusting’ and energizing strategies:
1. Breathe deeply and correctly
2. Exercise – for pleasure and regularly
3. Get plenty of sleep/rest
4. Relax, meditate, pray, be still
5. Drink lots of water
6. Eat calm, nutritional foods
7. Laugh!
Step 4. Self-concept and positive affirmations
We often programme ouselves to fail. We can also programme ouselves to succeed. Detoxify negative self-talk and replace the chatterbox with a loving voice. Bombard yourself with short, snappy phrases and repeat at regular intervals to embed into your non-conscious mind. Notice and value your triumphs and praise yourself.
Step 5. The ideal L2 self and the ideal future teacher self
Invite your students to create a motivating vision of themselves as successful future L2 speakers, and also try envisioning your ideal future teacher self, happy and fulfilled.
Step 6. Juicify yourself!
As a teacher, make what you do special and spectacular. Put yourself into a motivated state first and show all-consuming passion and enthusiasm. It becomes infectious!
Jack Scholes has a first degree in Modern Languages from Liverpool University, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Education and EFL from London University, and he is also a Licensed Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming. He has over 40 years experience in ELT and is now a freelance writer and teacher trainer.
