Topic 25

Identifying motivation and attitudes towards English language

Didactic/Practical applications

Student-centred FL learning and teaching process: theoretical foundations and applications

Traditional FLL was based on language items in isolation. Grammar Translation Method was the most used. Chomsky opposed these teaching methods stating that students are not mere recipients of knowledge but that they can use their own thinking processes to figure out the rules of a language. Piaget: Cognitive Approach: learners should adopt an active role and be more responsible in their own learning process. These ideas are the basis of the learner-centred (L-C) approach, where T take the S into account when planning the objectives, contents, activities and materials to suit the S’ needs.

Develop learning strategies: Learn to learn KC. Learning strategies: metacognitive (used to regulate learning, planning, correction…), cognitive (involve manipulating the materials, memorise, match, organise…), socio-affective (children in social activities are exposed to language) and communication (use of aspects like gestures, mime, synonyms… to maintain communication).

Aspects of L-C curriculum: methodology (skills integration, varied and contextualised), materials (if possible, authentic, interesting, dynamic, foster independent and active learning), assessment (daily observation), role of the T (modify the curricular contents, attend diversity, monitor, guide…), active and participatory, TLP built around characteristics of S. Develop personal discovery, autonomous learners…

Areas to apply L-C ideas: syllabus negotiation (involve S in decisions of their study programme), grouping students (according to Byrne, advantages like increased speaking time, skills integration), project work.

Learners have different characteristics that vary depending on age, attitudes, motivations, aptitudes, interests…

Raise students’ awareness of the importance of learning English. Create an English-speaking environment in class. Know how to cater for diversity by creating multilevel activities. Encourage participation.

Ways to introduce Learner-centred techniques: allow students to choose, encourage collaboration, group work, reflection, create self-paced assignments, Choice boards/Learning Landscapes, PBL, Flipped classroom.

Techniques: actively engage all students avoid engaging just one student, because the rest get bored or get competitive, use Kagan’s cooperative learning structures like ‘Time-Pair-Share’ or ‘Quiz-Quiz Trade’.

Student-centred FL learning and teaching process: theoretical foundations and applications. Identifying motivation and attitudes towards English language. Didactic/Practical applications.

Age: important factor, as the topic and language difficulty depend on the age.

Personality: studies show that students that are outgoing and actively participate have a better learning experience than shy students.

Aptitudes: children have different qualities, different learning styles and pace. According to Gardner, humans can develop at least 8 different intelligences over a lifetime. It is important to create activities that focus on different intelligences to help students achieve their full potential.

Motivation: according to Harmer, motivation is some kind of internal drive that encourages somebody to pursue an action. A motivated student will achieve their goal by any means possible. Types: extrinsic (motivation from outside the class, like a reward) and intrinsic (motivation from within the class, like the methodology or the teachers’ attitude).

Attitude: is closely related to motivation, as a positive attitude boosts motivation.