Journey to the Past

Many students have reached the conclusion that my class is “pointless” since they aren’t receiving marks. Grades are usually pretty good motivators, so without them, I’ve been reduced to stimulating the kids with candy and small prizes.

I was really impressed with its effects on one student in particular. By far, 1-4 is my worst class. They’re unruly, undisciplined, and negative. There is one student who has the worst attitude out of all my 800 students. He habitually disrupts class and refuses to do any work at all. He says he only enjoys playing soccer – and I don’t blame the kid. Learning English, a language he’ll probably never use outside of class, wouldn’t exactly spark my interest. Especially if I’m not receiving a grade for it.

But on Wednesday, when motivated by a tiny piece of candy, he finished a worksheet and dialogue situation first out of a class of forty. Not only that, but he had amazing pronunciation. And, after he finished, he helped other students get through the dialogue, even correcting their pronunciations without me promp. It was incredible. I’d never seen anything out of him lije this before.

i want the students to be intrsinically moviated, for them to want to learn English on their own. But again, it’s difficult since I don’t have the power to give grades. So, what’s an Native English Teacher to do? Most lessons are taught through games anyway….