Student Motivation and ManagementSkills and Development Conference 2012Arita Noriko and Jessica Millson

Who are we?

•Jess Millson▫From New Zealand▫NZ High School teacher for 3.5 years▫2nd year HS ALT at Yatsushiro High School

•Arita Noriko▫From Hitoyoshi▫English teacher at Yatsushiro High School

Warm-up - P.M.I. (Plus, Minus, Interesting) Discussion

In your groups, discuss and do a PMI for either:

1. Teaching Englishor

2. Learning English

Plus Minus Interesting

What are some positive things about teaching/learning English?

What are some negative things?

What are some interesting things?

Sharing…

•Each group - please share something from your discussions.

Management

•Teaching and learning is always best when you have a foundation of good management.

•So classroom management is important….

Some management tips and techniques• ALTs, follow your JTE’s lead

▫ It is their class and classroom▫They are experienced in teaching, the culture of

the school, Japanese culture, and the students.• Ignoring

▫ Japanese style vs. Western style▫Sometimes bad behaviour is a request for

attention and will get worse if it is responded to.• Proximity

▫Standing close and quiet can (in some situations) improve behaviour

More management tips…

•Eye contact ▫“laser eyes”

•Gestures▫“shhh”, “I see you”, “No”

•Pausing…•Names•Humour?

▫Students might just be trying to communicate but not really know how

Always remember,•Keep it positive – smile!

▫Smiling is an unspoken communication▫Makes you seem approachable

•Maintain relationships

•Never show frustration▫Sometimes students can be looking for a

response from you, if you give it to them, they win.

▫You’ll lose respect.

Prevention is the best medicineIf students are bored, confused or can’t do

something, then this is when they may misbehave.

So….•Give simple, clear instructions

▫So students know what they’re doing and how to do it

•Work at appropriate level▫Too easy = misbehave because they’re bored▫Too difficult = misbehave because they can’t do

it/dispirited•Timing – give a time limit before starting

▫Too long = misbehaving▫Regular reminders keep them on track

Make it fun and interesting!•Bored = naughty/sleepy/no motivation

•If students are active and enjoying what they are doing, then they are likely to behave well.

Lessons where the students are active = student-centred lessons

(how much you remember)

Teacher-centred activities

Student-centred activities

Making it interesting - ideas…•Communication activities

▫Eg, Describe something (famous person, picture, etc) in pairs – one guesses

▫Talk about the weekend in pairs▫Interviews

•Janken – practice English/Japanese translations in pairs

•Novelty – mini whiteboards, multimedia, pictures, pair work, group work, warm up activities/games

•Hot potato, bus stop, post box activities

Motivation DiscussionHot potato activity1.Please make 7 groups2.Each group will be given a piece of paper

with a question 3.Brainstorm – everyone can write4.After a few minutes, pass your paper to

the next group and receive the next paper5.Read the previous ideas and add your

own thoughts6.And so on and so on….

Hot Potato Questions1. What made you (JTEs and ALTs) interested in

learning a foreign language?2. Why do you think it’s important to learn

English?3. What do you think is interesting for students

about Western cultures?4. What helps students become more interested

in learning English?5. What helps students to pay attention in class?6. What kinds of activities do your students like?7. What was your foreign language education

experience? (eg, Did you learn Japanese in Japanese?)

Sharing…

•Please choose the best 2 or 3 answers from your paper

•One person in your group will share your question and best answers with everyone

•Please use a big voice

Conclusions…• Fun and interesting lessons will reduce the

need for management • It will also increase students’ motivation.

• Fun and interesting lessons need a supportive environment▫Laughing at other’s mistakes is not ok▫Mistakes are good – that’s how we learn best

• “You are your own best resource!”▫Genki/positive teacher = genki/positive students

(and vice versa)▫If you are tired and overworked, then you will

forget stuff, be more impatient, there will be more problems and your productivity will fall.

▫Take care of yourself! Stay rested and healthy and cheerful

Any questions?