Motivating the University Language Student

• Ronald H. Green ^[1]
  1. [1] Universidad Europea de Madrid

     Universidad Europea de Madrid

     Madrid, España

     
• Localización: Panorama de las lenguas en enseñanza superior: ACLES 2005 : 19, 20 y 21 de mayo 2005 / coord. por Marta Genís Pedra, Elena Orduna Nocito, David García-Ramos Gallego, 2005, ISBN 978-84-88957-54-2, págs. 179-191
• Idioma: inglés
• Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
• Resumen

  • A frequently heard complaint from university language teachers is the fact that their students show little or no motivation which translates into poor attendance, lack of interest, and naturally, poor results. This leads to frustrated students and even more frustrated teachers. Little progress can be made if little is invested, and students only invest when they are motivated. Both teacher and student see themselves as victims of their circumstances. Things, however, do not necessarily need to be this way; teachers can, and should, raise the interest level of their students but first teachers need to reflect upon their own interest level in the material being taught. If this level is not sufficient, the issue needs to be addressed. This paper will suggest some ways teachers can increase both their own interest and that of their students by analyzing student motivation, understanding it, and accepting it as a starting point.