Tim Ward, a freelance teacher trainer based in Bulgaria,
introduces us to 10 simple steps to help increase motivation
among language learners. Motivation’s one of those ideas like
justice or world peace: we all know it’s a good thing but it’s
not quite so clear how to get there. For adult learners and
younger kids it’s probably a bit clearer – the former know where
their interests lie, whether it’s university or emigration or
working abroad or finding a partner on the internet, and are
much more able to relate that goal to the language learning
process (there are words for these things – instrumental
motivation, mostly, if it’s about achieving something). And
younger learners – I guess I’m talking about children – are
happy when things are fun. I see this every day from my own two
young learners, age 4 and 6 (though if you ask them it’s 4 ½ and
6 ½) who will enjoy most things – even tidying up toys and
clothes – when it becomes a game. A big part of my professional
life, however, involves going into state sch