Motivation is one of the most important aspects in a process of learning to speak a foreign language, and it depends on many variables. It is clear that many researches have developed and created different strategies and activities to be used in class in order to motivate their students.In order that, the most useful perspective for the teacher is to consider what aspects of motivation can be used in the classroom with the students and to focus on creating effective and successful environments that increase motivation.
Additionally, it is very important to maintain and protect motivation by using several motivational strategies, such as: increasing the student’s self-confidence, promoting students’ autonomy, encouraging positive self-evaluation.
Apart from these strategies, it is necessary to take into account some other aspects in particular with the variety of listening, reading, or speaking activities; a variety of pace and intensity, a variety of interaction, of activities to allow students learn to work in their own style and with their own strategies.
Certainly, as the researcher Tricia Hedge, wrote: * “For the teacher, the challenge must be how to “enable” each learner according to his or her individual characteristics, and cultural background” But adolescent students come with their own emotional and psychological baggage and interests making the tasks of motivating them one of the greatest challenges for teachers. Nevertheless, if the right activities are taught in the right way, the class can be a lot of fun, raising general student motivation and making the English language classroom a funny and dynamic place to be.
*Teaching and learning in the language classroom(2000)
Written by: Gloria N. Hernandez M. English Teacher 2008*PFPDUniversidad La Sabana
