How To Interest Young EFL Learners Into Learning

Mahtab Tavakoli,B.A student of TEFL

Fatemeh Shahbazi,B.A student of TEFL

Maryam Taheri,B.A student of TEFL

Introduction

Engaging young English as a foreign language EFL learners can be a challenging task, but it is

essential for creating a positive and effective learning environment. Young learners have shorter

attention spans and different learning styles compare to older students. Considering them all, as a

teacher, it can be frustrating when your students are not taking interest in class and seem bored.

So, it is important to find creative and interactive ways to compare to capture their interest. In

this guide we will explore various strategies and techniques for capturing the attention of young

EFL learners and keeping them engaged in the language learning process. In this article, we will

discuss some simple tricks and approaches, such as incorporating games and activities, using

visual aids and technology and e.t.c that can help liven up your classes and engage those more

difficult to reach students who just seem to be going through the motions and are not really

involved in their English classes.

Ways of motivating young EFL learners

There are some very certain ways to bring enthusiasm and excitement into your English as a

foreign language classroom. These tips will help you create a dynamic and engaging learning

environment for your students. In more explicit terms by using these methods such as games,

songs, incorporating technology, and e.t.c, you will find a variety of ways to make your lessons
more memorable and fun. Read on to discover how you can transform your English as a foreign

language classroom into a place where learning is a joy and students are interested in learning

and participating the classes.

Demonstrating the importance of English

The first and most important way of interesting young EFL learners is to highlight the

significance of English in the lives of your students. Many of your classes will consist of young

learners, adolescents, or young adults who may be enrolled in English classes by their parents or

guardins. Some students may already have some exposure to the language at school and may not

understand the purpose of additional classes or why learning English should matter to them. In

this case, many researchers recommend demonstrating to students how valuable their English

skills can be both presently and in the future. This will increase their focus, engagement, and

help them understand why participating in classes is beneficial for them. There are various

simple ways to achieve this. For instance, you can discuss potential job opportunities that

bilingual individuals or those with a second language proficiency can have through conversation

questions and mock interviews (depending on your students level). Another enjoyable approach

is engaging students in discussion or planning activities that explore how English can benefit

them. For example, you could design activities centered around travelling to English-speaking

countries for studying, working, or visiting and provide examples of application forms that

require English skills. Teenager particulary enjoy playing with the lyrics of popular English

songs. By utilizing certain websites, you can demonstrate to students that even if they have no

plans to live or work abroad, English can still be useful for something as simple as understanding

and singing along to their favorite bands or pop stars lyrics. The main objective of the first
suggestion is to help students recognize the relevance of English in their lives and view it as

something they can embrace rather than an unfamiliar concept. (TEFL Hong-Kong)

Activities do matter

Collaborating activities is another effective way to increase student’s participation and

interaction and also it will help to create a pleasant environments where students want to learn.

In the course of group activities students feel more supported in their learning and have the

impression of doing more things than if they were working individually, also the classes and

activities that most of students remember from their school days are those that interested them

the most. In order to do so, teachers can try to incorporate videos, music, role plays and group

works to keep students active in the class. (TEFL Hong-Kong)(Program345)

Games

When teaching young students, it is important to use a playful approach and be consistent.

Students learn better through games, so it is essential to have age-appropriate games for the

learners. It is also crucial to repeat the same games with children to help them remember what

they have learned. Creating variation of the same game and adding something new each time can

keep things fresh, but it’s important to still repeat what children have already learned. For

example, when teaching colors, you can engage learners by asking them to sorting fruits and

vegetables by colors. In addition Chair swap games are a fun and interactive way for students to

practice vocabulary and speaking skills. In the first variation, students line up in chairs and take

turns reading flash cards before swapping seats. This method is helpful for practicing ordered

vocabulary such as the alphabet or days of the week. It is also suggested to have a leader to

maintain class control. In the second variation, students sit in a circle and one student stands in
the middle, asking questions as seated students before swapping seats. This variation can also be

done against the clock for added excitement.(TEFL Hong-Kong)

Technology

Technology might be one of the factores wich affects student attitude positively in the teaching/

learning process. The use of technology brin gs a lot of advantages into the classroom. Movies,

music and different materials can help students psychologically and make improvements in their

social skills. Also, using computers and every kinds of technological equipment gives students

the sense of freedom and encouragement. High quality of authentic materials and low price can

be other advantages of technology. Besides, the increase of the popularity of distance education

is another one. Also, teachers can use online magazines, newspapers as authentic materials.

Ellinger Et All (2001) conducted a study on the use of internet in language classes, they believe

that Internet, as an important tool, encourage students, increase autonomous learning potential

and brings enthusiasm into the classroom. Chapple and Curtis (2000) point out that using

authentic films in the classroom motivate the learners because many contextual clues of film and

make learners use both of their hemispheres that are very important for language learning.

(Binnur GENC ILTER)(2009)

Drama

“I hear and I forget, I listen and I remember I do and I understand” with the modern approaches

to learning, the learner is regarded as the active participant of the learning environment, and they

are much more involved. Another technique that enable this is the use of drama as

communicative activities because the problem is that the students learn grammar, they learn how

to write, how to read and listen, yet they couldn’t adequately learn how to speak that can be
achieved through communicative activities the most effective of wich is drama. Also, if the

features of the communicative activities are taken into account, it would be realized to what

extent drama is useful in language teaching.

The main concern of this approach is to establish a communication with another person in the

classroom and in a way, the society. Thus, drama used in the classroom can be considered a

communicative activity since it enables communication between learners and provides

opportunities to use the target language in real life like environments as Sam (1992) claimed

various `make believe` situations. In this context, it can be mentioned that drama can be used as

a supplementary tool for the child learning appropriate to their developmental process (1983).

(Hasan Yuksel and Yekta Halici)(2010)

Put yourself on your student’s shoes

At the end, to foster a genuine interest and passion for English in your students, it is important to

consider their perspective. When creating lesson plans and activities, it is crucial to tailor them to

the needs of your specific group of students. It is essential to recognize that not all classes will be

consistently enjoyable and productive, but understanding the unique circumstance of your

students, such as their age and the time of day, can help make the classes more suitable and

engaging for them. For example in case of teaching a Saturday morning class when students are

likely to be more energized and enthusiastic provides an opportunity for more dynamic and

challenging activities.

Besides, individual student interests and incorporating them into lessons can greatly increase

engagement levels. For example, if you have a student who love sports, you could create reading
materials or listening exercise related to famous athletes or sporting events. This personalization

not only makes the content more relatable but also shows that you value their interests.

Considering factors such as age, time of day, energy levels, and individual interests when

designing lesson plans will contribute to a more effective learning experience of your English

language learners. By tailoring activities to suit their needs and preferences, you can foster a

genuine interest in English while ensuring that each class is engaging and productive.(TEFL

Hong-Kong)

Conclusion

It is important to find effective ways to engage young EFL learners in the classroom. This can be

done through games, technology and drama. Young learners are constantly exposed to visual

images, pictures, and games, so it is crucial to capture their attention. Simply standing in front of

the class and teaching is not enough for them; they want movement and active involvement in

classroom activities. Younger students can easily lose motivation, so it is important for them to

feel relaxed and at peace in order to learn effectively. The teacher plays a key role in creating a

positive learning environment that motivates students. Teacher need to establish a sense of trust

and rapport with their students, ensuring that they feel comfortable expressing themselves and

taking risks in their language learning journey. By fostering a supportive atmosphere where

mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, teachers can boost student’s motivation and

encourage active participation in classroom activities. This study aims to demonstrate the

effectiveness of classroom management techniques such as games, technology, and drama in

increasing the motivation of young English learners in a foreign language setting.

Refrences
www.teflhongkong.com

www.program345.com

pro.dr.Binnur GENC ILTER.(2009).(Effect of technology on motivation in EFL classroom)