Teaching students is not easy. Motivating them is even more difficult. In school or college, you constantly have to deal with children who take other people's influence with hostility. This is the problem, this rejection is just the logical result of misinterpreting the roles of teacher and student. There are ways to overcome generational conflict, and you can reach out to children, and they can hear you …
Steps
Step 1. Understand why it is so difficult to motivate students
The problem is that schoolchildren and students are surrounded by so many people who behave like "teachers", and they all try hard to stimulate children, make them think, work and make them worthy members of society. Because of this overwhelming stimulation and influence, children try to find their own path. Having recognized this, they usually begin to respond to constant external pressure with the following important statement: "I will only allow you to influence me if you prove to me that you are worth it." This policy helps them make sure the right person influences them at the right time, which is a good thing. This only becomes a problem when they are impressed by a person who has a bad influence on them, or when a good person does not make an effort to impress them.
Step 2. Stand out
After reading the previous step, you already realized that you need to establish yourself in front of your students so that they allow you to influence them. You cannot do this if you merge with the faceless crowd. You need to stand out, grab their attention and keep it.
- Express your opinion. Have your own opinion and express it at the right time. Don't talk too much or too categorically. You should look like an informed, intelligent person who is not afraid to speak your mind, and not an arrogant egocentric.
- Be passionate about your subject. Fiery eyes, a smile and hardly restrained enthusiasm work wonders for the uchekiks. Even if they are not interested in your subject, your behavior will "hook" them. Moreover, since you are expressing your unconditional love for the subject, they are more likely to perceive you as a sincere person.
- Be energetic. Enthusiasm is contagious. It is much more difficult for children to fall asleep in class if the teacher is active and mobile. Stock up on the energy to promote both your subject and yourself.
- Break the rules sometimes. Do this with caution, but it tends to build trust. Consider the example of a student who systematically fails to do their homework and tells you they have failed again. You must acknowledge that something is wrong here (even if it is just a student attitude) and help. Tactfully give him a little more time to do his homework and simplify the topic a little. Yes, this is a violation of the rules, but this way you prevent this situation from happening again. Make sure the student understands that you will not be consistently giving these favors in the future.
- Do a little more than is expected of you … at least once. Do more than the average teacher expects. Going back to the previous example, imagine that the student has again failed to complete his homework on time. Leave him after class and work through the entire task with him. Help him write it, show him how to do research, show other students' work. This is great because it removes all problems: if the problem is with the student, you have eliminated any excuses, and if the student really had difficulty with homework, he now knows exactly what to do. Be attentive, answer all questions and make sure the student understands everything. Be sure to tell him that you will not work with him this way again. Ask him if he understood, and let him go after waiting for a positive answer.
- Take care of your appearance. You need to make a good impression, so you need to look great when you walk into class. Try dressing slightly better or differently than ordinary people.
Step 3. Provide information readily
It doesn't seem like a big deal, but most teachers don't or do it wrong. Keep students up to date with the latest discoveries and innovations in your field. For example, if you teach chemistry or physics, bring a science journal for students to read in class, or better yet, summarize the article for students, show them illustrations for it, ask questions about basic concepts, and ask what certain sentences mean. Tell them that if someone wants to read the entire article after the lesson, you have photocopies of it. You should be aware that it is you yourself, and not the teaching materials, that should interest the students first.
Step 4. Dare to go beyond the boundaries of the usual
Work with the class on an unusual and interesting project. For example, stage a play based on your subject and perform it in front of young children. An entire class can write a book or create a newspaper. The most important thing is that the idea is original. You must work on the project during school hours and in the school building (to avoid the use of transport and to avoid a significant investment of time) and work with students on each stage of the project.
Step 5. Be careful with sarcasm
In fact, sarcasm is a pretty good way to get along with students. Students get the impression that you are not seeking their approval, you know the rules, and you have a good sense of humor. At the same time, your sarcasm should be well expressed, applied at the right moment, and remember to smile either during the sarcastic remark or immediately after. This is pretty important. Students love sarcasm, but your body language needs to work well with it, or you’ll sound sarcastic and unpleasant.
Step 6. Brag, just don't overdo it
You’re trying to convince students that you’re worth listening to, especially if you’re trying to motivate them to study your subject. You need to show your talents, show that you are not just a teacher, but a truly excellent specialist in your field. It's a bit like a job interview. Be humble, but don't hide your talents. Speak proudly of your experiences and accomplishments. If you know famous people working in your field, invite them to class. Try not to ask them to give a speech, it is much better to have a question and answer session.
Step 7. Be careful
If a student seems unhealthy or depressed, walk out of class with him and ask if he is okay. Try not to put too much pressure on him, do not stare at him until he answers. If he says that he is okay, say: “Okay, it just seemed to me that you were a little discouraged at your desk,” end the conversation at this point and return to work. The mere fact that you are worried is enough for students.
Step 8. Ask students for their opinion
Whether their opinion is different from yours or the same, argue with them a little, as you would with friends in an informal setting. Admit defeat from time to time. Even if you think you are right, you can end the dialogue like this: “Well done. We will come back to this topic."
Step 9. Do something meaningful, leave a mark on yourself
If you see a problem or question worth addressing, talk to your students about it. Tell students that you want to do something about this and ask them what they think about it. Deal with the problem together, then together you will achieve positive change.
Step 10. Clarify your expectations
Tell the students what you expect from them, who you want them to become, what contribution you want them to make in this area and in the world in general. Speak passionately and passionately. A fatal mistake many teachers make is giving such a speech at the beginning of the school year or course. This is usually counterproductive. If you stand in front of a new class and tell your students how wonderful they are and that they’ll learn in class how to change the world for the better, students will not believe you and will lose respect. They think about how you know what kind of people they are without making the slightest effort to find out? How can you expect them to change the world if you haven't told them about the world? How can you have the same expectations for everyone? And they are right. For most teachers, all students are the same, so they calmly deliver a speech like this. For a good teacher, all students are different. Such a teacher will not even say “some of you” (“Some of you will become lawyers, some will become doctors …”) Save the speech for one of the last lessons in this class and make it personal. For example: “Rita will find a cure for cancer, Kostya will make Bill Gates feel hot, Maria will beautify the world, and Nina Coste will make the world feel hot …” Add humor and show the students that you have learned something about each of them. These are your expectations from these children; how you showed yourself to them, they showed themselves to you.
Step 11. Give them an incentive that they previously resisted
Questions concerning people, community, country, world. Anything that matters to you. Anything you want to motivate them with. Now that you've earned their trust, they've decided it's worth listening to you … and they will. Even if they disagree with you, they will be willing to put in the effort.
Advice
- Try to keep things natural and relaxed, whether you speak, teach, listen, clear your desk, or read.
- Don't speak too slowly, don't chew. Students have the impression that you think they will not understand anything if you speak at a normal pace.
- If you usually speak slowly, try speaking faster.
- Don't jeopardize your established teacher-student relationship. Don't position yourself "as a friend, not a teacher." Respect the boundary in your relationship. You are a teacher, just very good and not like everyone else.
- Don't find fault with every tiny thing. Your students should feel that their education comes first, not your authority.
- Do not allow yourself the position of "I am an ordinary person." If you're having a bad day, if you're upset or angry, don't show it. You need to be a superhero in this regard. Do not share your problems with students, do not show your weaknesses (unless it’s just some trifle like the inability to provide a straight line). If students approach you with their problems, be sympathetic and understanding.
- Don't smile too often, it will seem artificial.