Enhancing motivation in EFL teaching

Abstract

The present paper seeks to explore the fundamental role of motivation in EFL (English as a Foreign Language) teaching. When we acquire our mother tongue, we have a natural need to learn it due to the primary need of communicating. Nevertheless, this does not work when acquiring a foreign one, as we do not live in a scenario where its use is indispensable. Normally, children and teenagers are not mature enough to realise about the numerous benefits of learning languages, because such advantages will probably not show until a distant future. As a result of this premise, we need something else if we want to attain that they develop a willing to learn. Throughout the present project, the reader will reflect upon the essentiality of enhancing a more innovative and attractive methodology in the EFL classroom. Commonly, the lack of capacity of the students is not the reason that justifies negative outcomes or even academic failure. The cause of these problems, nonetheless, seems to be a lack of motivation towards the subject. We live in a technological era in which learners are exposed to numerous distractions that are, beyond doubt, much more appealing than a teaching approach whose basis relies on repetitive grammar exercises, memorising vocabulary and learning the four linguistic skills through non-authentic monotonous situations. This study seeks to prove that adapting course books or creating new materials by taking into account students’ interests, as well as the use of topics to which they feel attracted to, will bring significantly positive outcomes, not only regarding motivation but also academic results. The problem that teachers tend to face is the lack of eagerness to learn the language, since if they do have the predisposition to do something, they will not do it. Given the circumstances, teachers need to try to achieve that they enjoy with the learning process. This situation, despite seeming utopian, is attainable, and this will be proved by theoretical research, innovative proposals and activities designed with the crucial goal of fostering students’ motivation.